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Earlier this week we talked about deducting expenses related to your hobby. In addition to business and/or hobby expenses, you may be able to deduct certain miscellaneous costs you pay during the year. Examples include employee expenses and fees you pay for tax advice. If you itemize, these deductions could lower your tax bill. Here are some things the IRS wants you to know about miscellaneous...

Millions of people enjoy hobbies that are also a source of income. Some examples include stamp and coin collecting, craft making, and horsemanship. You must report on your tax return the income you earn from a hobby. The rules for how you report the income and expenses depend on whether the activity is a hobby or a business. There are special rules and limits for deductions you can claim for a...

It’s a common practice during the summer: After a spring cleaning, many people try to sell the household items they no longer need or want in a “garage sale” (known as a “lawn sale, “tag sale” or some other name in parts of the country). But what to do with those items that are left over at the end of the day? Instead of simply discarding them, you may be able to donate them to charity and take a...

Earlier this year, the Texas state legislature voted to create a sales tax holiday that will coincide with the back-to-school time frame. The state has had a back-to-school sales tax holiday, commonly called “Tax Free Weekend”, each year since 1999. The Texas State Comptroller announced earlier this month that the sales tax holiday will last from August 8 to August 10, 2014. Sales of qualifying...

Do you know that if you sell your home and make a profit, the gain may not be taxable? That’s just one key tax rule that you should know. Here are ten facts to keep in mind if you sell your home this year. 1. If you have a capital gain on the sale of your home, you may be able to exclude your gain from tax. This rule may apply if you owned and used it as your main home for at least two out of the...

Fast Track Settlement offers Small Business/Self-Employed taxpayers an opportunity to resolve tax disputes at the earliest possible stage in the examination process. Once your application is accepted, the goal is resolution within 60 days. With FTS, a trained mediator from the IRS Office of Appeals is assigned to help you and the IRS reach an agreement on the disputed issue(s). You retain full...

Going on a fun trip this summer where you’re planning to do some gambling? Whether you like to play the ponies, roll the dice or pull the slots, your gambling winnings are taxable. You must report all your gambling income 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 winnings...

Taxes may not be high on your summer wedding plan checklist. But you should be aware of the tax issues that come along with marriage. Here are some basic tips that can help keep those issues to a minimum: Name change. The names and Social Security numbers on your tax return must match your Social Security Administration records. If you change your name, report it to the SSA. To do that, file Form...

Summer is a time where many families decide to move, since the kids are out of school and it may be easier to get vacation time from work. Below, we detail the many ways moving can affect your taxes. Moving Out of State Texas is one of seven states that does not collect a state income tax. That’s a pretty attractive offer for people considering a move. First, it’s important to remember that if...

As we are half way through the year, now is the best time to take action and avoid most common tax mistakes that small businesses make. Following are some of the best practices to help your business avoid tax trouble. Maintain Good Records Mid-year is an ideal time to examine your recordkeeping habits. Good recordkeeping not only allows you to monitor the progress of your business but also...