Category Archives: *Tax Quips

No Repayment Needed

Today TaxMama® hears from Dave in the TaxQuips Forum, with an excellent question  (let me summarize).  “His friend’s daughter bought a home in 2008 subject to the First Time Homebuyer Credit repayment. During 2011, she was deployed to Iraq for 11 months. Can she file an amended return and have the entire balance of her repayment […]

Husband Passed Away

Today TaxMama® hears from Jeanne in the TaxQuips Forum, with a sad question.  “My husband passed away in May 2012. Could I file as head of household? And can I claim him for the full year?  He had income from SSI which had no taxes taken out.”

Undercover Mystery Shopper Income

Today TaxMama® hears from Cassandra in the TaxQuips Forum, who really IS a Mystery Shopper. “I am a mystery shopper and work for 30+ different companies. To some, I give my Social Security number – to others my EIN. Do I need to report the income I earned for the companies I supplied my EIN […]

Irrevocable Trust

Today TaxMama® hears from RG in the TaxQuips Forum with an oxymoron. “Can an irrevocable living trust be changed by the person that created it?” 

Penny Wise Pound Foolish

Today TaxMama® hears from Kyong in the TaxQuips Forum with a sad question. “Nov 15, 2011 was the last day to file a tax court petition. The Tax Court petition was filed using Fedex Saver, which is not one of the designated private delivery services listed under IRC sec. 7502. I have a proof of […]

Tax Exempt Rentals

Today TaxMama® hears from Grace in the TaxQuips Forum with an interesting question. “I understand that if you rent/lease your home for production filming for 14 days or less, then that income you earn is “exempt” from California and Federal taxes. Although a 1099 will still be issued by the filming company, on our taxes […]

Catch 22

Today TaxMama® hears from Gina in the TaxQuips Forum who’s going around in circles. “I have not been able to get in contact with my tax guy for months. I’m afraid he may be ill, dead or out of business – and I live too far away to go to his office. I sent my […]

Property Taxes and Trusts

Today TaxMama® hears from Lee in the TaxQuips Forum who wants clarification. “Are property taxes lower when a house is in a trust?” 

Fighting Abusive Employers

Today TaxMama® hears from Nick in the TaxQuips Forum who is angry. “This year I saw some disturbing instances where independent contractors were issued 1099-MISC for higher amounts than they were actually paid. Some of contractors were paid in cash and there are no supporting documents on how they were paid. The reason for these […]

Outsourced Payments

Today TaxMama® hears from Lloyd in the TaxQuips Forum with a little problem. “I paid someone in Thailand approximately $15K a year to do data entry for me. IRS is not happy that I did not issue a 1099-misc to her. Until now, she did not have ITIN or Social Security Number. However, this year […]

Late Gift Tax Return

Today TaxMama® hears from Ivan in the TaxQuips Forum who seems to be concerned. “I have found lots of info on filing gift tax returns – penalties – life time exclusions. But what I cannot find is, what if someone makes a gift(s) to a child, or anyone else, in an amount well over the […]