Category Archives: Credits

Stepchild in Divorce

Today TaxMama® hears from Susan in the TaxQuips Forum with a divorce question for Valentine’s Day. “What happens, taxwise, to the relationship of stepchildren when the parents divorce and the stepchild stays with the stepparent? Do they go back to just being the girlfriend’s kid again? I hear about stepparents adopting their spouse’s children. Is […]

Moved out Too Soon

Today TaxMama® hears from Elisa in the TaxQuips Forum with this question. “I purchased a home in 2009 getting a first-time homebuyers credit. I lived in it for 1 year.  I moved to be closer to work and am renting an apartment. I have been renting my house out since July 2010.  How will me […]

IRS Reminds Parents of Ten Tax Benefits

Your kids can be helpful at tax time. That doesn’t mean they’ll sort your tax receipts or refill your coffee, but those charming children may help you qualify for some valuable tax benefits.http://wuafterdark.com/wp-content/languages/new/research-paper-help.html Here are 10 things the IRS wants parents to consider when filing their taxes this year.

Back Taxes and Child Support

Today TaxMama hears from Krissy in the TaxQuips Forum who needs help. “I am married with two children, low income and my husband owes back child support. Last year I filed separately and ended up owing taxes. I had to set up a payment plan with the IRS to pay it off. I’d like to […]

IRS is Wrong

Today TaxMama hears from Bret in the Tax Quips Forum, with an IRS rejection letter. To make a long story short – “IRS rejected his Lifetime Learning Credit  for 2009 because the Form 1098-T showed –0- in box 1. And because his employer paid the expense – even though he paid taxes on the education […]

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 […]

2 Heads of Households

Today TaxMama hears from Nora in the Tax Quips Forum with a common situation. “Two single taxpayers decide to share a home (let’s say a rental) and each has qualifying children.  Each maintains their own family expenses and share equally the cost of household expenses.  Can each claim HOH status? If so, would claiming two […]

Land and Lot

Today TaxMama hears from Mark in the TaxQuips Forum, who got denied – again. Let me summarize – Mark bought land in March of 2009. Bought a manufactured home in April of 2010 – and had the property graded, receiving the occupancy permit by June of 2010 – before the deadline for the First Time […]

Outreach to Small Businesses and Practitioners About the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

As Tax Filing Extension Deadlines Near, IRS and HHS Announce New Round of Outreach to Small Businesses and Practitioners About the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Video: Small Business Health Care Tax Credit-Updated English | Spanish | ASL WASHINGTON — As the upcoming filing extension tax deadlines approach, the Internal Revenue Service, in partnership with the […]

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

Today TaxMama hears from Kevin in the TaxQuips Forum, with an interesting problem. “Many high school students are taking Advance Placement (AP) courses through an eligible educational institution as a means to earn college credits at an economical price. I was trying to find out if the costs of these courses are deductible as Tuition and […]

Foreign Tax Credit

Today TaxMama hears from Yannig in the TaxQuips Forum, who is frustrated. “I paid foreign tax on dividends and interest earned abroad. The gains from foreign interest and dividends are more than offset by losses on stocks. So my total passive income is less than zero. Does that mean my maximum foreign tax credit is […]

Adopting Step-Child

Today TaxMama hears from Kelly in the TaxQuips Forum who is doing something unusual. “I tried to claim the adoption credit on this year’s taxes.  It was denied because “I can not use this credit for the adoption of a step-child”.  After my divorce was final, I began adoption proceedings for my son. They were […]