Archive for Taxes

Health Savings Accounts Offer Tax Breaks

A health savings account (HSA) is a trust account into which tax-deductible contributions can be deposited by qualified taxpayers who have high-deductible medical insurance plans. These accounts are set up at a bank or other financial institution. Income earned on the HSA balance is income tax-free. The funds from these accounts are then used to […]

When Can You Dump Old Tax Records?

Taxpayers often question how long records must be kept and the amount of time IRS has to audit a return after it is filed. It all depends on the circumstances! In many cases, the federal statute of limitations can be used to help you determine how long to keep records. With certain exceptions, the statute […]

Gambling Income and Losses

Generally, a taxpayer must report the full amount of his recreational gambling winnings for the year as income on his 1040 return. Gambling income includes, but is not limited to, winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse and dog races, and casinos, as well as the fair market value of prizes such as cars, houses, trips or […]

Where’s My IRS Tax Refund?

 

Don’t Overlook the Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit primarily for lower-income individuals and couples with qualifying children. The credit first offsets any tax liability of the taxpayer(s), and any credit left over is fully refundable. For 2013, the credit can be as much as $6,044 for a taxpayer with three children. The IRS […]

Saver’s Credit Can Help You Save for Retirement

Low- and moderate-income workers can take steps to save for retirement and earn a special tax credit. The saver’s credit helps offset part of the first $2,000 workers voluntarily contribute to traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), SIMPLE-IRAs, SEPs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans for employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations, 457 plans […]

Revising Your W-4? Seek Professional Advice.

Article Highlights: Form W-4 is used to establish payroll-withholding amounts. Incorrectly completed W-4s can result in under-withholding and unexpected year-end tax liability. The IRS’s W-4 calculator is only suitable for simple returns. Commonly encountered problems in getting the W-4 completed to establish the proper amount of withholding. This time of year, many employers will request […]

Are You Missing a W-2?

Article Highlights: Employers have until Jan. 31, 2014, to provide 2013 W-2s to employees. Steps to take when W-2 has not arrived by scheduled tax appointment. Contact employer if W-2 is not received, then IRS if it is still missing after Feb. 15, 2014. How to proceed if W-2 is still missing by the return […]

Maximize Your Medical Deductions

Article Highlights The medical deduction AGI floor has increased to 10%, up from 7.5%. For taxpayers age 65 or older and their joint-filing spouses, the AGI floor remains at 7.5% until 2017. For all taxpayers subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), the AGI floor is 10%. Beginning this tax year, the only medical expenses […]

Did You Collect the Needed W-9s?

The IRS Form W-9 is used to obtain independent contractors’ tax ID numbers. Tax ID numbers are required when filing 1099s. 1099-MISCs must be issued to independent contractors that are paid $600 or more during the year for performing services for a trade or business. If you used independent contractors to perform services for your […]