Tag Archives: fiscal follies

Virgin Islands Investing

Today TaxMama hears from Tom in the Tax Quips Forum, who has gotten bad advice. “I started investing in an online program that is registered in the British Virgin Islands. They say that this program is exempt from the US Securities Act of 1933, the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the US Investment Company […]

Surviving Spouses to Benefit from Portability Election

Courtesy of IRS. [TaxMama note: IRS issued this announcement on Sept 29, 2011. Not quite enough time to post this, much less for you to use this information by October 3rd. If you missed the deadline and didn’t get to file for an extension, try to get the extension anyway.  The rules for last year […]

What have we learned in 2066 years?

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”    – Cicero – 55 BC […]

Loss on Leasehold Interest

Today TaxMama hears from Gordon in the Tax Quips Forum, who wants fairness. “In 1996 I purchased a leasehold interest in a lot in a recreational vehicle park.  The lot is on leased land owned by someone else.  Since there was actually no real property I assumed I would not have to pay capital gains […]

Homebuyer Credit Nightmare

  Today TaxMama hears from Jewelz in the Tax Quips Forum, in distress. “I purchased my primary residence in October of 2009. My roommate moved out in April 2011. That led me to turn home into a rental due to not being able to make mortgage payments. I am barely breaking even, so there is […]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Today TaxMama hears from Rick in the Tax Quips Forum with set of questions. “I have a tax question about my company stock purchase plan. I elected to contribute ($5,000) to the plan last year and it runs from Oct 1, 2010 till Oct 1, 2011. The benefit of the plan is that I receive […]

Trading Disability For Wages

  Today TaxMama hears from Dave in the Tax Quips Forum with an odd question. “I received SDI for two months in 2010 and gave it to my employer so that I could retain full pay.  It does not show on my W-2 and I was taxed for full pay.  How do I handle the […]

Won $100,000

 Today TaxMama hears from Anthony in the Tax Quips Forum with this question. “I won $100,000.00 at Bally’s casino in Atlantic City on January 15, 2011 However, by now I have gambled all my winnings away. I don’t own a house or car or anything, nor do I have any money left in the bank. […]

Put On your Thinking Cap – A Quiz

Put your thinking cap on and don’t cheat… 1. In the 1940’s, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located? a. On the floor shift knob b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch c. Next to the horn

Sign on Bonus

Today TaxMama hears from Valoree in the Tax Quips Forum with this question. “My client received a sign-on bonus of $30,000. He worked awhile for the company, but left before the contract was up. He got a loan to pay back the $30,000 – and paid about $2,400.00 in interest. Is it possible to deduct […]

Fiance’s Financial Fiasco

  Today TaxMama hears from Sandra in the Tax Quips Forum with a quick question. “My soon-to-be spouse has a mountain of back tax debt. Can this affect me in any way or my property? I live in Missouri. He also has terrible credit.”