Category Archives: *AskTaxMama Newsletter

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How to Bathe the Cat: A Matter of Perspective

Creative solutions are important, both in the business world and at home. Those who can think outside the can are most apt to get hired. 1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.  

NAEA Testifies about New Preparer Oversight Program

A Tiered Approach to Credentialing Is Recommended WASHINGTON, DC (July 28, 2011)—The National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA) today presented testimony at a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Oversight. The focus of the hearing was to review the new requirements for paid tax return preparers developed by IRS as part […]

Two-Year Limit No Longer Applies to Many Innocent Spouse Requests

Courtesy of IRS WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that it will extend help to more innocent spouses by eliminating the two-year time limit that now applies to certain relief requests. “In recent months, it became clear to me that we need to make significant changes involving innocent spouse relief,” said IRS Commissioner […]

Board of Equalization Approves Use Tax Look-Up Table for 2011

Betty T. Yee, First District Member of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), today announced that the Board approved the 2011 Use Tax Look-Up Table for calculating and reporting estimated California use tax on individuals’ state income tax returns. The intent of the table is to make it more convenient for taxpayers not registered […]

Six Things to Know About the Expanded Adoption Tax Credit

Courtesy of IRS If you are adopting a child in 2011, the Internal Revenue Service encourages you to familiarize yourself with the adoption tax credit. The Affordable Care Act increased the amount of the credit and made it refundable, which means it can increase the amount of your refund.

Five Tax Scams to Avoid this Summer

Courtesy of IRS Hiding income offshore, identity theft and return preparer fraud topped the IRS’s list of tax scams in 2011. The Internal Revenue Service issues an annual list of the top 12 tax scams, known as the “Dirty Dozen.” These scams are illegal and can lead to significant penalties and interest and possible criminal […]

10 Tips to Ease Tax Time for Military

Courtesy of IRS Military personnel have some unique duties, expenses and transitions. Some special tax benefits may apply when moving to a new base, traveling to a duty station, returning from active duty and more. These tips may put military members a bit “at ease” when it comes to their taxes. Moving Expenses If you […]

IT Cannibals

  Five cannibals get appointed as programmers in an IT company. During the welcoming ceremony the boss says to them, “You’re all part of our team now. You can earn good money here, and you can go to the company canteen for something to eat. So don’t trouble the other employees.” The cannibals promised they […]