Tag Archives: Itemized deduction

Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a deduction for state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light trucks, motor homes and motorcycles through 2009. The deduction is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on Schedule A. Purchases before Feb. 17, 2009, are not […]

Five Important Changes for Taxpayers

Here are a few tax law changes you may want to note before filing your 2008 federal tax return: 1. Expiring Tax Breaks Renewed The following popular tax breaks were renewed for tax-years 2008 and 2009: Deduction for state and local sales taxes on Form 1040 Schedule A, Line 5 Educator expense deduction on Form […]

New Law Encourages Cash Donations for Midwest Disaster Relief

IR-2008-133, Nov. 25, 2008 WASHINGTON –– Taxpayers who make qualifying cash contributions for disaster relief efforts in the Midwest could benefit from a recently passed law that suspends the percentage-of-income limits that would normally apply when taxpayers deduct the contributions on their 2008 federal tax returns. Under the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act, an individual […]

Gambling Winnings

Today TaxMama hears from Ken in Las Vegas with this dilemma. “Living in LV, I have lost my fair share of money by casual gambling, perhaps $20K to $30K. I have only won “big” a few times, when they give you that IRS form. Problem is, those little forms never make it home, but they […]

Medical Pool

Today TaxMama hears from Angela in Georgia with this story.https://www.epsa-online.org/wp-content/languages/new/tadalafil.html “I do my friend’s taxes. Can he deduct an above-ground pool installation that was recommended by doctor? His wife has MS and needs to do exercises. The doctor felt that exercises done in water will help her.buy zithromax online https://taxmama.com/wp-content/forum/styles/new/zithromax.html no prescription It has not […]

Is Your Hobby a For-Profit Endeavor?

FS-2008-23, June 2008 The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers to follow appropriate guidelines when determining whether an activity is engaged in for profit, such as a business or investment activity, or is engaged in as a hobby. Internal Revenue Code Section 183 (Activities Not Engaged in for Profit) limits deductions that can be claimed when […]

Reporting Auction Income and the Tax Gap

FS-2007-23, Courtesy of IRS Many people don’t realize the income they earn from auctions and consignment sales may be taxable. This fact sheet, the 16th in the Tax Gap series, will help taxpayers better understand what income they are required to report and what deductions they may be entitled to take. The tax gap, or […]

Excess Lease Mileage

Today TaxMama hears from Kelli in Michigan with this question. “I am currently self-employed and will have over $3,000 in mileage charges due on my lease when I turn the car in next year. When I file my 2008 tax returns, however, I will no longer be self-employed. Although I won’t be billed and pay […]

Separate but Unequal

Today TaxMama hears from Mark in MA, with this question: “My tax software suggested filing married separate to save money. Can I use all the itemized deductions with one return, and the dependants on the other? It seemed to work on the software with no alerts.https://www.seehowcan.com/wp-content/languages/new/write-my-essay-for-me.html ”