Archive for Taxes

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 […]

Checking the Status of Your Federal Tax Refund is Easy

If you already filed your federal tax return and are due a refund, you can check the status of your refund online. Where’s My Refund? is an interactive tool on the IRS web site. Whether you split your refund among several accounts, opted for direct deposit into one account, or asked the IRS to mail you […]

Tax Filing Deadline Rapidly Approaching

Just a reminder to those who have not yet filed their 2012 tax return that April 15, 2013 is the due date to either file your return and pay any taxes owed, or file for the automatic six-month extension and pay the tax you estimate to be due. In addition, the April 15, 2013 deadline […]

Don’t Forget Those Nominee 1099s

For tax purposes, if you receive income in your name that actually belongs to someone else, you are also a nominee. Being a nominee means that you must file a 1099 form with the IRS appropriate to the type of income you received and give a copy of the 1099 to the actual owner of the […]

It’s Tax Time! Are You Ready?

If you’re like most taxpayers, you find yourself with an ominous stack of “homework” around TAX TIME! Unfortunately, the job of pulling together the records for your tax appointment is never easy, but the effort usually pays off when it comes to the extra tax you save! When you arrive at your appointment and are […]