New IRS Private Debt Collection Program
The Internal Revenue Service has announced it’s new debt collection program and that it plans to begin private collection of certain overdue federal tax debts next spring and has selected four contractors to implement the new program. The new program, authorized under a federal law enacted by Congress last December, enables these designated contractors to […]
IRS Warns of Email Tax Scam
The Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners have issued an alert to taxpayers to be on guard against fake emails purporting to contain an IRS tax bill related to the Affordable Care Act. The IRS has received numerous reports around the country of scammers sending a fraudulent version of CP2000 notices for tax […]
Still Need to File Your 2015 Taxes? File Now to Get Your 2017 Health Insurance APTC
Did You File a Tax Extension? File Now to Get Your Health Insurance Advanced Premium Tax Credit Did you apply for an extension of time to file your 2015 federal taxes and receive an advanced premium tax credit to help you pay for your 2016 health insurance? If the answer is yes, the IRS urges […]
2016 Tax Brackets
Did you know that not everyone or every dollar earned is taxed the exact same amount? This is because the United States tax system aims to be progressive. A progressive tax system tries to collect more tax from those who earn more. In essence, a million dollar earner pays more total tax as well as a […]
6 Money Saving Tax Tips for the Self-Employed
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 […]
IRS Warns Of 2017 Tax Refund Delays
The Internal Revenue Service today issued a warning of 2017 tax refund delays for certain taxpayers, urging folks to adjust their tax withholding now. We’re talking about your 2016 taxes that are due April 15, 2017. There’s good reason to pay attention—at least there’s something you can do about it. A couple things are to […]
Disaster Relief – Deductible Donations
In light of the flooding disaster that has struck our neighbors in Louisiana and left thousands in need of the basics, here are some donatable items that are also tax deductions: Furniture: Consider donating your couch or bed when you buy a new one, or perhaps finally get rid of the armchair that didn’t fit in […]
Back To School Tax Tips and Deductions
10 Back To School Tax Tips With the start of school just around the corner, taxpayers need to be aware of the following tax tips and deductions available for qualifying expenses: Private School Tuition and School Uniforms The cost of private school or parochial school tuition is not deductible. However, the child care component costs […]
Summer Job Hunting? Tips on How to Deduct Job Hunting Expenses
Whether you’re currently out of work, or gainfully employed but want to seek other employment opportunities, if you decide to start looking for a new job this summer, the tax code can help. Here are five quick facts about to deduct job hunting expenses. You Must Look for Work in the Same Field. Your job […]
What You Need to Know About 529 Plans
You’ve been saving money for college since junior was a baby, and now he’s going off to college. That’s wonderful, but before you withdraw funds from your 529 plan to pay college expenses, there are a few things you should know. The 529 plan doesn’t rule out financial aid. Those funds are treated as the […]
Mixing Business & Pleasure: Travel Related Tax Deductions
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 […]
Can Your Boat or RV be Claimed as a Primary Residence on Your Taxes?
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 […]
How Does Your Vacation Home Affect Your Taxes?
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, […]
What to Do if You Get a Letter from the IRS
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 […]
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Accounting & Tax Services
There’s been a large increase lately in the popularity of multilevel marketing companies and people, especially women, becoming a part of these businesses as a side income or even as a full time career. The rise of these companies such as Stella & Dot, Avon, Mary Kay, Young Living, Herbalife, Rodan + Fields creates a […]
The New “Federal Student Tax” Scam Targeting Taxpayers
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning to taxpayers about bogus phone calls from IRS impersonators demanding payment for a non-existent tax, the “Federal Student Tax.” Even though the tax deadline has come and gone, scammers continue to use varied strategies to trick people, in this case students. In this newest twist, they try […]
Does Hiring a Babysitter & Other Household Employees Affect Your Taxes?
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 […]
Tax Refund Offsets Pay Unpaid Debts
If you can’t pay your taxes in full, the IRS will work with you. Past due debts like taxes owed, however, can reduce your federal tax refund. The Treasury Offset Program can use all or part of your federal refund to settle certain unpaid federal or state debts, to include unpaid individual shared responsibility payments. […]
Tax Tips for Reporting Foreign Income
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 […]
Missed the Tax Deadline? Know the Late Penalties
April 18 was this year’s deadline for most people to file their federal tax return and pay any tax they owe. If you are due a refund there is no penalty if you file a late tax return. If you owe tax, and you failed to file and pay on time, you will most likely […]
