Tag Archives: United States

US Virgin Islands Taxes

Today TaxMama® hears from Pat in the TaxQuips Forum with a quickie question. “Are income taxes paid to the Virgin Islands deductible as state taxes? VI taxes are governed by the Internal Revenue Code so it doesn’t seem logical they’d be deductible, as federal taxes generally aren’t. In addition, the U.S. Virgin Islands aren’t a […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 635 – Swallowing Tax Pride

Dear Family, This year, the Swallows Day Parade will be held in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday morning. Each year, they welcome back the swallows who return on March 19th. Folks in Southern California can join in the fun via Amtrak’s Surfliner (SNC station) and walk over to the festivities. (The southbound train will get […]

Employee Business Expenses

Courtesy of the IRS Some employees may be able to deduct certain work-related expenses. The following facts from the IRS can help you determine which expenses are deductible as an employee business expense. You must be itemizing deductions on IRS Schedule A to qualify. Expenses that qualify for an itemized deduction generally include: 

Ask TaxMama Issue 634 – Happy St Patty Weekend

Dear Family, Out here in the Valley, the day looks dark and gloomy. That in-between time, when the world is trying to decide whether or not to rain. The birds and squirrels seem to love it. Lots of fluttering around  (birds) and frolicking (squirrels).  Rick just called and said he’s taken a busload of children […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 633 – Daylight Savings Time

Dear Family, Twice this week, Rick told me this weekend is Daylight Savings Time. I brushed him off. It makes no sense. This EARLY in March?!!  Darned if he isn’t right!

IRS Offers New Penalty Relief and Expanded Installment Agreements

Courtesy of the IRS IRS Offers New Penalty Relief and Expanded Installment Agreements to Taxpayers under Expanded Fresh Start Initiative WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced a major expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative to help struggling taxpayers by taking steps to provide new penalty relief to the unemployed and making Installment Agreements available […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 632 – Womens History Month

Dear Family, This week was very busy working on the Staples Tax Tweet and $5K Tax Giveaway. It turned out to be a lot of fun – and very informative.

Staples $5K Tax Giveaway

Transcript of the Staples and TaxMama Twitter Tax Event 2/28/12 I want to thank EVERYONE who joined us, retweeted us and asked great questions. Staples:  Kick off tweets  Welcome to our Twitter tax event! We were here with @TaxMama, ready to lay down some tax tips and answer questions.    Okay, here we go! Take it away, […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 631 – Happy Black History Month

Dear Family, I left the house this week. You don’t think that’s news? Let me tell you, I am so well cocooned here in this office, that I can reach out and do anything from here – even teach a class with a 100 people. And do a fabulous Twitter chat with Melinda Emerson the […]

2010 401k Rollover

Today TaxMama® hears from Tom in the TaxQuips Forum with this issue.  “I rolled over a 401k directly to a Roth IRA in 2010.  I received a 1099 for this, but did not fill out an 8606 when I submitted my 2010 return. The plan was to report half of the taxable amount in 2011 and […]

Dirty Dozen Tax Scams

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” tax scams list, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. The Dirty Dozen listing, compiled by the IRS each year, lists a variety of common scams taxpayers […]

Overseas Freelancer

Today TaxMama® hears from Jim in the TaxQuips Forum with this question.  “I live in Thailand and do some freelance work. I can’t put that income on Form 2555 for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion because I had to return to the US for 60 + days for an operation. How do I report this […]