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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...

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...

Self-employment can be hard, but if it was easy, everyone would do it, right? In an attempt to lighten your load and ease your burden, whether you are just trying to make the October 17 tax extension deadline, figuring out estimated taxes, or are gearing up for next tax season, take a look at these six tax tips for the self-employed and some of the most missed tax deductions. Work Expenses and...

Taking the family along on a business trip this summer? Learn how to save on your taxes and take the tax deductions you’re entitled to on your working vacation. It’s tricky to mix, but with the right mindset and careful planning, you can take advantage of some travel related tax deductions for business. Working Vacations If you’re attending a business conference or meeting in another city and...

Every few years, radical ideas sweep across the internet and capture the interest of so many people. Most recently, there have been a plethora of stories about folks looking for a simpler life. For some, that simpler life is a tiny house where the upkeep is low, the costs are low, and you strip your residence down to the bare essentials. For others, it’s the allure of travel and living life in an...

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...

Do you receive income from a foreign source? Are you a U.S. citizen or resident who works abroad? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of those questions, here are some tax tips to keep in mind about reporting foreign income: Report Worldwide Income. By law, U.S. citizens and residents must report their worldwide income. Be sure you’re reporting foreign income from foreign trusts and foreign bank and...