Author Archives: TaxMama

Excessive Disclosure

Today TaxMama® wants to address some political craziness. This year’s presidential campaign is getting out of hand. On the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)  recently stated that a “reliable source” has revealed that Romney hasn’t paid federal income taxes in the past ten years. Kelly Phillips Erb, (otherwise known as TaxGirl) writes […]

10 Fun Tax Facts

  Today TaxMama® decides it’s time to have fun with taxes. Let’s play with some tax trivia and see if you know the answers?

Wonderfully Wrong

Today TaxMama® hears from a couple of people in the TaxQuips Forum who tell me I am wrong. One person was right – the other wrong. Let me tell you why I love to be wrong. There are many wonderful reasons. 

Ask TaxMama Issue 652 – Happy Tax Holiday Season

  Dear Family, States around the country are offering sales tax holidays this time of year. Click on the graphic (at left) to find the details. All these years, we never really heard anything about the taxability of the Olympic medals – or of the cash prizes given to each winner. Suddenly, this month, it’s […]

IRS Offers Tips for Safeguarding Tax Records

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service [TaxMama Note: For more recordkeeping and safeguarding tips, click here.] Hurricane season has started and the IRS encourages individuals and businesses to safeguard their tax records against natural disasters by taking a few simple steps. Here are four tips from the IRS to help you prepare in case a […]

Moving This Summer? Here are 10 Helpful Tax Tips

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service [TaxMama note: If you have any doubts about telling IRS about your move…read this story!] School’s out for the summer, and summer is a popular time for people to move – especially families with children. If you are moving to start a new job or even the same job […]

Be Patient With the Poor and the Young

  In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.   “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.The little boy […]

Wife Filed Alone

Today TaxMama® hears from Francis in the TaxQuips Forum with this problem. “For some reason that only she understands, my wife decided to filed separately, as head of household (she is working and I am not as I lost my job for health troubles). I filed as married filing separately with no income to declare. […]

If You Love me

Today TaxMama® hears from Cheryl in the TaxQuips Forum who triggers a line of thought. Her client has under-reported income for many years. And it reminded me of other tax pros, including myself, who were asked by family members to help them under-report their income. The usual argument is “If you love me, you’ll file […]

Laptop for College

Today TaxMama® hears from Jenni in the TaxQuips Forum who has an amazing job. “I took a job at a university that offers free tuition for my family. The American Opportunity Credit can be used for tuition, books, fees and required materials. We have used the credit for books, fees and a laptop, which is […]