Tag Archives: Human Interest

Senior Divorce

An elderly man in Miami calls his son in New York and says,” I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.” “Pop, what are you talking about?” the son screams.

Studying the Competition

Today TaxMama® hears from LiveMusic, with this interesting question. “I have expenses related to “studying the competition” so as to (hopefully) improve my own business profits. How would I categorize that?” 

Last Minute Tips

Today is the last day of the tax season for filing 2011 returns. TaxMama® would like to give you some last minute tips.  

Grant & Fellowship Income

Today TaxMama® hears from Mark in the TaxQuips Forum, who is bewildered. Let me summarize. “Mark received a post-doctoral fellowship that covered his salary to do research. It came with insurance and other employee benefits. The income was reported to him on a 1099-MISC. He paid taxes on the income. Two years later, the IRS […]

Diminished Value

Today TaxMama® hears from Robert in the TaxQuips Forum, who has this tale of woe. “My car was parked in front of the house and was hit by a hit and run driver. The car had about $10k in damage that my insurance took care of.  I had a professional report done where they took […]

Wisdom from the Mouths of Babes

IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE         That Little Children Have Learned: [TaxMama Note:  Lately, we’ve been hearing from Baby Boomers. It’s time to give the children a children a chance to be heard. ] 1)   No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats.

Husband Passed Away

Today TaxMama® hears from Jeanne in the TaxQuips Forum, with a sad question.  “My husband passed away in May 2012. Could I file as head of household? And can I claim him for the full year?  He had income from SSI which had no taxes taken out.”

Tax Exempt Rentals

Today TaxMama® hears from Grace in the TaxQuips Forum with an interesting question. “I understand that if you rent/lease your home for production filming for 14 days or less, then that income you earn is “exempt” from California and Federal taxes. Although a 1099 will still be issued by the filming company, on our taxes […]

Catch 22

Today TaxMama® hears from Gina in the TaxQuips Forum who’s going around in circles. “I have not been able to get in contact with my tax guy for months. I’m afraid he may be ill, dead or out of business – and I live too far away to go to his office. I sent my […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 656 – Bearing Up

 Dear Family, Well, California just made Kiplinger’s Worst State to Live In lists – Twice. The 10 Least Friendly Tax States, and the 5 States with the Highest Income Tax. Yup…it’s time to think about moving somewhere else. But where? I have this article right at hand, from nearly a year ago. But haven’t had […]

Taxpayer Advocate Service Changes Case Acceptance Criteria

  [TaxMama Note: This is important for people in IRS  tax trouble to know.  Also, read today’s It’s A WAHM Thing article about how to do things yourself.] The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is designed to be a “safety net” for taxpayers who are experiencing problems with the IRS. However, because we couldn’t possibly help all […]

Daffynitions

  Here are some funny interpretations of words you already know and love. Coffee (n.), a person who is coughed upon. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained. Flatulence (n.) the emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.