Author Archives: TaxMama

Tax on Inheritance

Today TaxMama hears from Joan in Minnesota, who asks. “How much money can you inherit in Minnesota without paying taxes on it? And if you do need to pay, what is the %?”

Per Diems on 1099s

Today TaxMama hears from Rita in Oklahoma, with this question. “I will issue several 1099’s this year. I need to know how to categorize their ‘’per diem’’ pay. Is it broken out; or does it get lumped together in Box #7-Nonemployee compensation?”

Ask TaxMama Issue 533 – Blowing Away the Bad Times

Dear Family, We’re getting ready for TaxMama’s Last Minute Tax Workshop – on Monday. It is designed to update you on the high points of things you need to know for your 2009 tax returns. Some tips to help you in 2010 – and things to watch out for! You will also learn a few […]

IRS Reminds Car Shoppers about 2009 Tax Break

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds individual taxpayers who are considering buying a new car that they have until Dec. 31 to take advantage of a tax break that may not be around in 2010. Taxpayers who buy a qualifying new motor vehicle this year after Feb. 16 can deduct the state or […]

Mom as Dependent

Today TaxMama hears from Dee in California, who wants to know. “Is my mother’s Social Security income ($9,000 – no other income) considered earned income in order for me to meet the criteria to file for Head of Household?”

Won a Prize

Today TaxMama hears from Jed in Missouri, who says. “I won a trip. Due to health issues, I never booked or took the trip. The voucher has since expired. Now the IRS says I owe tax on the value of the trip. Is this correct?”

Settlement for Vioxx ®

Today TaxMama hears from Lenora in Arkansas, who tells us. “Some friends of mine lost their mother due to taking the drug Vioxx® . She died due to complications from taking the drug. Her sons filed suit and are due for a pretty good sum of money. Is that settlement money taxable?”

Loan on Two Homes

Today TaxMama hears from Jon in California, who has this plan. “I am going to refinance my current residence for $338,000. I will use $140,000 of that to pay off the existing mortgage. The remainder will be a down payment on my next house. The next house will be my primary residence; the current house […]

Record Keeping for Business Barter Transactions

Courtesy of IRS In today’s economy, small-business owners sometimes look to the oldest form of commerce — the exchange of goods and services, or bartering. The Internal Revenue Service wants to remind small-business owners that bartering transactions generally have associated tax reporting, accounting and record-keeping responsibilities. Bartering is the trading of one product or service […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 532 – A Time For Miracles

Dear Family, The year is ending and a lot of changes have taken place in your tax life. There have probably been more legislative changes this year, than ever – and more are still being contemplated by Congress this month. In fact, there are two tax bills that have been passed by the House of […]

Bar Stool Economics – Updated

This tale of taxes has been circulating on the Internet for years, attributed to various professors and economists Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The […]