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Do you own a vacation home or second home? If you rent a home to others, you usually must report the rental income on your tax return. But you may not have to report the income if the rental period is short and you also use the property as your home. In most cases, you can deduct the costs of renting your property. However, your deduction may be limited if you also use the property as your home....

Going on a fun trip this summer where you’re planning to do some gambling? Whether you like to play slots, blackjack, or bet on races, your gambling winnings are taxable. The IRS requires that all gambling income is reported on your tax return. If you’re a casual gambler, odds are good that these basic tax tips can help you at tax time next year: 1. Gambling income. Gambling income includes...

Did you know May is National Military Appreciation Month? The IRS wants military members and their families to know about the many tax benefits available to them. Tax benefits for service members include: Partly or fully tax-free combat pay. You can exclude certain pay from your income if you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who serves: in a combat zone as designated by the President in an...

This year has seen its share of natural disasters. From tornadoes to earthquakes to flash floods, it seems few regions are immune this spring. Adding to the anxiety is peak tornado season, and locally, possible evacuations for Denton county residents due to flooding. The volatile weather patterns have caused many to access their disaster preparedness plans. Though it might not be the first...

The tax deadline has come and gone – time to breathe a sigh of relief. But before you throw all of your tax documents up in the air to celebrate the occasion, we need to discuss just how long you should keep that info in a safe and secure place. That’s right, you should store your tax information and documentation, including a copy of your tax return, for safe keeping – just in case you need to...

What is tax-related identity theft? Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. Generally, an identity thief will use your SSN to file a false return early in the year. You may be unaware you are a victim until you try to file your taxes and learn one already has been filed using your SSN. If you do find...

Have you found an error on your federal tax return? If so, you may need to file an amended return. Here are ten tips for filing an amended tax return: 1. Tax form to amend your return. Use Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct your tax return. You must file a paper Form 1040X; it can’t be e-filed. 2. Amend to correct errors. You should file an amended tax return to...

The IRS mails millions of notices and letters to taxpayers each year. There are a variety of reasons why we might send you a notice. Here are 10 steps to take in the event that you get one. 1. Don’t panic. You often can take care of a notice simply by responding to it. 2. An IRS notice typically will be about your federal tax return or tax account. It will be about a specific issue, such as...

The Internal Revenue Service requires all taxpayers, regardless of age, to file a tax return and pay the appropriate income tax in any year their gross income exceeds certain levels. This requirement extends to the children you claim as dependents. However, unlike adult taxpayers, you may or may not have to file a child’s tax return. Dependent children Your dependent children must submit tax...

Adopting a child doesn’t only provide a benefit to your family, it can help your taxes, too. If you adopted or tried to adopt a child in 2014, you may qualify for a tax credit. If your employer helped pay for the costs of an adoption, you may be able to exclude some of your income from tax. Here are some things you should know about adoption tax benefits. Adoption Tax Credit or Exclusion. The...