Author Archives: TaxMama

California FTB News Flash – Wrong IRA Deduction AGI Phaseouts Published

Courtesy of Spidell Publishing Inc. The FTB stated that the instructions for Schedule CA (540 and 540NR), California Adjustments, contain the wrong phase out amounts on line 32 (IRA Deduction) for taxpayers using the married filing joint and qualifying widow(er) filing statuses. In turn, most, if not all, tax software is also using the incorrect […]

QuickBooks 2008 – Update – additional Resources

NEWS FLASH! QuickBooks releases useful customization tips compiled from feedback Intuit’s received from experienced QuickBooks customers. Here are three customization videos on YouTube that you could use as well. Basic Customization Additional Customization I Additional Customization II ——-   Ah yes, just what the world needs – another edition of QuickBooks. Sigh. You know how […]

PASSIONATE PLEA – TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!

A few minutes ago, I got this note from a divorced woman who is facing a mountain of tax debt generated by her ex – and whose expensive tax attorney couldn’t win a legitimate innocent spouse case: Unfortunately when I was married, my husband of 27 years prepared our return and would rush me to […]

Stand Out

“Don’t save your resume with a generic document title such as resume.doc. Label your documents ‘last name, first name, resume’ to make it easier for the recruiter to file and retrieve your resume.” Barbara Safani Career Solvers You’ll find Barbara Safani at TheLadders – where you can Search 1,521 New $100k+ Jobs This Week! https://go.asktaxmama.com/Ladders […]

Three Things to Ponder in 2008

1. Cows 2. The Constitution 3. The Ten Commandments COWS Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they […]

Other State Pension

Today TaxMama hears from Andre in New Jersey who tells us, “My dad died last year and he left some money to me and my two siblings. He worked for the State of Illinois and it’s from a deferred compensation plan. Is the money taxable in New Jersey (where I live)?”

Net Operating Losses

Today TaxMama hears from Judy in Kansas who tells us, “I had a house fire in 2004 and I am just now filing an amended return for 2004 for the casualty losses. They resulted in a net operating loss (NOL). It is past the 3 year timeframe for filing a 1040x for 2002 and 2003. […]

Ask Taxmama Issue 447 – Know Your Worth – and Know Your Parents

Dear Family, OK I’m lying. Yesterday was really International Mother Language Day, not today. But I like the concept of the richness of culture. And I love languages and want to encourage everyone to learn the languages of their parents and grandparents. And so, we honor the day, a little late. Speaking of parents and […]

Taxes on Early Distributions from Retirement Plans

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-36 Payments that you receive from your IRA or qualified retirement plan before you reach age 59½ are normally called ‘early’ or ‘premature’ distributions. These funds are subject to an additional 10 percent tax and must be reported to the IRS. There are a number of exceptions to this […]