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Taxpayers have fundamental rights under the law. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights presents these rights in 10 categories, which can help taxpayers when they interact with the IRS. This post highlights a list of taxpayer rights and the agency’s obligations to protect them. 1. The Right to Be Informed. Taxpayers have the right to know what is required to comply with the tax laws. They are entitled to...

This time of year our thoughts turn to giving– to friends, family, and to charity. And it is also the time of year that we begin to think about – taxes. If you volunteer, you may be wondering “how does volunteering for a charity affect my taxes?”. Though the time you give to a charity is priceless, the value of your time is not tax deductible on your tax return. That may not seem fair, but it is...

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us and the year will be coming to a close soon! Now is a great time to make some end of season tax moves to help lower your tax bill and increase your tax refund come tax time. Once the year ends, so do most of your opportunities to reduce your 2016 taxes. Here are 10 quick and easy end of year tax tips you still have time to take...

When the year begins to wind down, many small businesses wonder if there are any last-minute tax tips that can save some money when they pay taxes. After all, once the year is up you may lose the ability to claim certain deductions or benefits, so it makes sense to ensure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity available. Here are some small business tax tips that can work for year-end...

Organizations across the country are responding to the U.S. Department of Labor’s new overtime salary threshold by reclassifying some of their exempt employees into overtime-eligible nonexempts. Starting Dec. 1, the new DOL rules take effect that nearly double the salary threshold at which most salaried workers become exempt from having to be paid overtime. The overtime ceiling will rise from...

As a business owner, you probably thrive in a DIY environment; but the more hats you wear, the less you’ll accomplish successfully. Accounting is one of the most important areas for keeping your company profitable. As you start out and your company grows, software can only take you so far. A CPA can help your company move forward. Below are reasons why your business needs a CPA in all stages of...

No matter your goals for a second home, understanding the tax breaks for your vacation residence can help you relax in style. What is a Vacation Home? First, you’re going to have to unlearn your definition of a vacation home. According to the IRS, a vacation home can be any residence that has sleeping space, cooking space, and is “permanent in place”. In this case, permanent doesn’t mean...

It’s summertime, which means the IRS is busy sending out letters to taxpayers if there were issues processing the returns filed this spring. Receiving any correspondence from the IRS can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these tips for what to do if you receive a letter from the IRS. Don’t panic. You can usually deal with a notice simply by responding to it. Most IRS notices...

Have you been using some help around the house? Hiring a babysitter or other house staff could be a luxury or a necessity. Regardless, this activity, under the right circumstances, could affect your taxes. If you hire a babysitter or other house staff, you may need to: Report the amount you paid to this employee to the IRS when you file your taxes. Pay employment taxes, income taxes, and...

Owning your own business can be rewarding, but as most entrepreneurs know, it also means a lot of work, much more than a traditional salary-based job working for someone else. With all the responsibilities, a well-meaning business owner is still at risk of making a regrettable tax mistake. Whether a business is incorporated and files returns as an entity, or is an LLC and the owner files a...