Category Archives: *Tax Quips

Wage Settlement From State

Today TaxMama® hears from Ken in the TaxQuips Forum with this happy news. “Several years ago I worked for a company that ran out of money and couldn’t make payroll. I continued to work for several months with the promise that the wages would be paid. Eventually, I requested a layoff and left the company. […]

Gift to Daughter

Today TaxMama® hears from John in the TaxQuips Forum with this quick question. “I gifted monies ($5,000) to my daughter in 2011. How do I account for this in my 1040 filing? What other associated forms need to be included to do this?”

THE Ultimate Tax Nerds of 2012!

Taxes are terrifying to so many people. But the fact is, some of us just find the whole subject irresistible. We talk about taxes; think of ways to reduce taxes; dream of loopholes; are compelled to help others find tax breaks; and love to read all about the nuances and changes. WE are the Tax […]

Charity for Dying Man

Today TaxMama® hears from Jenenne in the TaxQuips Forum with this sad story. “At my husbands job they just found out that a fellow employee has been given 3-5 months left to live. The doctors say nothing can be done for him. Everyone is scrambling trying to get some money together for him to be […]

Life Moves Checklist

Today TaxMama® hears from Michelle in the TaxQuips Forum who suggested this idea. “I’ve noticed recently that you’ve advised people to check with their tax pro before consummating major transactions stemming from big life moves. I discovered that April is National Financial Literacy Month. This would be an excellent platform to share more and/or updated […]

A Little Groundwork: Nonprofit Return : The 990

As with many things in life, we know we have to do them and we have to do them right and on time; filing tax returns ranks fairly high in this arena for many. In my own experience I have found that by finding some history or some context…

Net Operating Losses

Today TaxMama® hears from several people in the TaxQuips Forum about this topic. “Net Operating Losses have some special qualities that make them very desirable for tax purposes – even if they result from disasters in an economic sense. It’s important to understand how to use them, or you can waste them.”

Excess 401k Contributions

Today TaxMama® hears from Geri in the TaxQuips Forum with this interesting question. “I had two jobs this year. Job 1, I put in the maximum of $16,500 in my 401(k); then in job 2, I put in an additional $6,000. I am under 50 years of age. I now realize I put in more […]

Winners – Sixth Week – TaxMama’s Ultimate Tax Nerd Contest

It’s Ladies week! The Sixth weeklywinners in TaxMama’s search for the Ultimate Tax Nerd of 2012 are: Melissa Guy for  The Taxorcist Sherry Diamond for  Office birds  

Bought a House

Today TaxMama® hears from Atomicar in the TaxQuips Forum with this question. “We bought a house in December 2011 and moved in first day of 2012. What expenses can we deduct? (I know we can’t deduct house hunting or moving expenses.).”

US Virgin Islands Taxes

Today TaxMama® hears from Pat in the TaxQuips Forum with a quickie question. “Are income taxes paid to the Virgin Islands deductible as state taxes? VI taxes are governed by the Internal Revenue Code so it doesn’t seem logical they’d be deductible, as federal taxes generally aren’t. In addition, the U.S. Virgin Islands aren’t a […]

Basic Legal / Financial Boundaries for a Nonprofit

Your organization is doing good work, and has an important message to offer your community. But do-gooding is not enough for your local governments and tax boards: there are strict rules that must be followed: