IRS Rollout for E-Services Upgrade
The Internal Revenue Service is planning June 18 as the tentative date for moving its e-Services platform to what it promises will be more secure and modern technology. In recent years, the IRS has experienced security breaches from identity thieves targeting several of its online self-service applications, including the Get Transcript app, the Identity Protection […]
Why we put off filing our taxes and how to stop it.
The 2017 tax filing season has been officially underway for just more than a week. Lots of folks have already filed their returns. And, according to ecstatic posts on social media, some have received their refunds. Other taxpayers, however, are waiting to file. Form-ulaic delay: Why the delay. In a lot of cases, folks haven’t yet […]
The IRS Taxpayer Bill of Rights and You
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 […]
How Does Volunteering for a Charity Affect My Taxes?
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 […]
Expecting a Baby? Tax Tips for New Parents
In simpler times, all you needed to welcome a new baby into your family was love and an empty drawer in which he or she could sleep. In 2015, babies are expensive and modern parents need a lot of gear: diapers, cribs, strollers and car seats—not to mention child care. The list can seem endless. […]
Tax Tips for Your Rental Property or Vacation Home Rental
Owning a rental property is one way to boost your income and secure your financial landscape. You may also have a golden opportunity for some serious tax breaks. Rental properties – both full time, part time, and vacation homes – can be a wealth of tax savings. Is This Tax Deductible? The key to saving […]
2016 Inflation Adjustments for Tax Benefits Announced
For tax year 2016, the Internal Revenue Service today announced annual inflation adjustments for more than 50 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules, and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2015-53 provides details about these annual adjustments. The tax items for tax year 2016 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the following dollar […]
Filing Taxes After Divorcing or Separating
Income tax may be the last thing on your mind before, during, or after a divorce or separation. However, these events can have a big impact on your taxes. Alimony and changing your name are just a few items you may need to consider. Filing taxes after divorcing or separating can be confusing. Here are […]
Tips for Filing an Amended Return
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 […]
What You Should Know about the Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit may save you money at tax-time if you have a qualified child. Here are the top things you should know about the credit. Amount. The Child Tax Credit may help reduce your federal income tax by up to $1,000 for each qualifying child that you are eligible to claim on your […]
Five Tips for Making Tax Deductible Charitable Donations
The holiday season is upon us. In addition to the personal satisfaction that comes from giving, many individuals and business owners ensure their gifts are qualified tax deductible charitable donations. Charitable giving benefits worthy organizations, but it can benefit you too by saving money on your taxes. However, not every donation qualifies. Consider the following […]
Four Tips for Retirement Withdrawals
Most people spend years working closely with their financial adviser, accumulating money in their retirement accounts. When the time comes to reap the rewards of all those years of labor, the reality of how much you’ll be taxed on your withdrawals hits you. While you can’t completely avoid being taxed on accounts that were tax-deferred, […]
Still Time to Act to Avoid 2014 Tax Surprises
Even though only a few months remain in 2014, you still have time to act so you aren’t surprised at tax-time next year. You should take steps now to avoid owing more taxes or getting a larger refund than you expect. Here are some actions you can take to bring the taxes you pay in […]
File Your 2013 Taxes by the October 15th Deadline
The 2013 tax extension deadline is less than a month away on Wednesday, October 15th. If you missed the first April 15th tax deadline and had to file an extension, you may be still procrastinating and will be rushing to make the final October 15th tax deadline. There’s no need to worry if you start […]
Tax Tips for the Self Employed
So you’ve waded out into the waters of self-employment. You’re staring down uncertainty and taking a chance on yourself. Congratulations! Self-employment won’t always be easy, but your hard work and perseverance will pay off. Besides, if it were easy, everyone would do it, right? In an attempt to lighten your load and ease your burden, […]
Top Ten Tax Facts if You Sell Your Home
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 […]
Don’t Gamble with the IRS – Reporting Winnings & Losses
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 […]
Avoiding the Top Tax Mistakes that Small Businesses Make
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 […]
Tax Information for Students Who Take a Summer Job
Many students take a job in the summer after school lets out. If it’s your first job it gives you a chance to learn about the working world. That includes taxes we pay to support the place where we live, our state and our nation. Here are eight things that students who take a summer […]
Tax Relief for Small Businesses in 2014
It’s not too early for small business owners to begin planning to take advantage of various tax-saving opportunities when they file their 2014 federal income tax returns. In addition, substantial relief from past payroll tax obligations is available to eligible employers who agree to reclassify their workers as employees in the future. Here are further […]
