Author Archives: TaxMama

General Eisenhower Warned Us

General Eisenhower Warned Us It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to […]

COBRA Assistance Repayment

Today TaxMama hears from Dan in Massachusetts with this question. “The new COBRA premium assistance is phased out if the employee’s AGI is greater then $145K. It must be paid back when the employee files their taxes. How does the employee know what the premium assistance was?”

Child Care Decision

Today TaxMama hears from Brad in Missouri who needs to decide. “I’ve got a question about childcare while we work. I can either pay a local teen $60/week cash or a mom $75/week. The teen doesn’t file taxes and thus I don’t think I can deduct it without forcing her to file, correct? The $75/week […]

Short Sales et al

Today TaxMama hears from Lori in Florida with a depressing question. “Can you please tell me where I would find more info on the tax implications from doing a short sale of primary residence? I have quite a few Florida clients that are doing this vs foreclosure. I know that it is cancelled debt, but […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 523 – Exotic Climes

Dear Family, A wonderful, charming, delightful and otherwise irresistible gentleman just called to pay for his tax return via credit card. Which reminded me about something funny that happened. Lulu and I were all excited about getting a new student from Micronesia. Talk about way out there! We wanted to call here, but at 7:00 […]

IRS Approves New Per Diem Rates Effective October 1 2009

Courtesy of David and Mary Mellem, EAs IRS has approved new per diem amounts for meals and lodging effective October 1, 2009. These are the same rates which the Federal government uses to reimburse Federal government employees and that we referred to in an email sent out on September 10, 2009. Here are some of […]

How to Stay Safe in the World Today

Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. Do not stay at home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. (that’s 37 % already) Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% percent of all accidents occur to pedestrians.(now that’s 51%) Avoid traveling by air, trains or […]

New Taxpayer

Today TaxMama hears from Jerad in California who wants to know. “What would you advise someone who is a 23 year-old student who never had a job until late 2008, but didn’t pay taxes until today? I would like to get things straight and have it done.”

California Wildfire Tax Relief

Today TaxMama hears from Teri in California with this question. “Do you know if there is authority for relief from the 10% penalty on early distribution of IRAs due to the California wildfires?”

Incorporated Out of State

Today TaxMama hears from Barry in New York, who wants to know. “I have an LLC incorporated in a different state than the one I reside in. I will run an Web-based business under this LLC. Does having the company incorporated in a different state create any tax complications or costs?”

IRS Issues Guidance on 2009 Required Minimum Distribution Waiver

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today provided guidance for retirement plan administrators, plan participants and retirees regarding recent legislation affecting required minimum distributions. The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 waives required minimum distributions for 2009 from certain retirement plans.http://www.ijasrjournal.org/wp-content/languages/new/resume-writing-services-atlanta.html Generally, a required minimum distribution is the smallest annual amount that must […]