Author Archives: TaxMama

What have we learned in 2066 years?

“The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”    – Cicero – 55 BC […]

Loss on Leasehold Interest

Today TaxMama hears from Gordon in the Tax Quips Forum, who wants fairness. “In 1996 I purchased a leasehold interest in a lot in a recreational vehicle park.  The lot is on leased land owned by someone else.  Since there was actually no real property I assumed I would not have to pay capital gains […]

Homebuyer Credit Nightmare

  Today TaxMama hears from Jewelz in the Tax Quips Forum, in distress. “I purchased my primary residence in October of 2009. My roommate moved out in April 2011. That led me to turn home into a rental due to not being able to make mortgage payments. I am barely breaking even, so there is […]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Today TaxMama hears from Rick in the Tax Quips Forum with set of questions. “I have a tax question about my company stock purchase plan. I elected to contribute ($5,000) to the plan last year and it runs from Oct 1, 2010 till Oct 1, 2011. The benefit of the plan is that I receive […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 616 – A Sweet and Healthy Year

  Dear Family,  This year is ending tonight – at least on the Jewish calendar. 5772 is starting tonight.  We all need a new, fresh, clean year – filled with lots of hope, anticipation and joy.  I wish you good health, good friends, prosperity and peace.  And may you and everyone you love be written into […]

Trading Disability For Wages

  Today TaxMama hears from Dave in the Tax Quips Forum with an odd question. “I received SDI for two months in 2010 and gave it to my employer so that I could retain full pay.  It does not show on my W-2 and I was taxed for full pay.  How do I handle the […]

Won $100,000

 Today TaxMama hears from Anthony in the Tax Quips Forum with this question. “I won $100,000.00 at Bally’s casino in Atlantic City on January 15, 2011 However, by now I have gambled all my winnings away. I don’t own a house or car or anything, nor do I have any money left in the bank. […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 615 – Welcome to Autumn

Dear Family,  This week, there’s a lot of activity in the Legislature and on the Market, but nothing definitive to discuss here. On the other hand, I visited a junior college earlier in the week (see Thursday’s TaxQuips e-mailed newsletter) and was faced with the college’s dwindling budget. They reported that they have been forced […]

IRS Exceeds its Performance Goals on its Toll-Free Telephone Assistance Lines, TIGTA Finds

[TaxMama Note: IRS managed to handle millions of calls – without outsourcing the job to India or the Philippines. Think about it!] Courtesy of TIGTA – Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Increased Call Demand and Limited Resources Continue to Pose a Challenge WASHINGTON � The Internal Revvenue Service (IRS) exceeded its overall toll-free telephone […]

IRS Announces New Voluntary Worker Classification Settlement Program

[Note: Stay tuned to TaxMama’s TaxWatch column in MarketWatch.com next week, for an anlysis of this program before you participate in it.] Past Payroll Tax Relief Provided to Employers  Who Reclassify Their Workers as Employees WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today launched a new program that will enable many employers to resolve past worker classification […]

Put On your Thinking Cap – A Quiz

Put your thinking cap on and don’t cheat… 1. In the 1940’s, where were automobile headlight dimmer switches located? a. On the floor shift knob b. On the floor board, to the left of the clutch c. Next to the horn