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Massive flooding of Texas and Oklahoma has caused widespread damage to businesses and homes. If you suffer damage to your home or personal property, you may be able to deduct casualty losses you incur on your federal income tax return. Here are 10 tips you should know about deducting losses: 1. Casualty loss. You may be able to deduct losses based on the damage done to your property during a...

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...

Do you owe more tax than you can afford to pay when you file? If so, don’t fail to take action. When you do not file and pay your taxes on time, you will be charged interest on any unpaid balance, and you may also be subject to penalties, such as the failure-to-file and failure-to-pay penalties. Here is what to do if you can’t pay all your taxes by the due date. File on time and pay as much 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...

When you give a gift to charity that helps the lives of others in need, it may also help you at tax time. You may be able to claim the gift as a deduction that may lower your tax. Here are eight tax tips you should know about deducting charitable contributions: Qualified Charities. You must donate to a qualified charity if you want to deduct the gift. You can’t deduct charitable gifts to...