Category Archives: *Tax Quips

Earthquake Insurance

Today TaxMama reads an article from Al Tompkins at Poynter.org who ponders “Is earthquake insurance worth the cost?”

Refundable Gift

Today TaxMama hears from Karen in Arizona with this sad question. “A parent distributes an annual gift of $13,000 to a child for 4 years depleting all assets. If the parent requires full time nursing care before the end of the 5th year and has only Social Security income available, is the child required to […]

Mexican American Child

Today TaxMama hears from Linda in La Mesa, Calif – near the Mexican border. “If a dependent is a U.S. Citizen and a resident of Mexico, do they qualify for the child tax credit or the additional child tax credit?”

TaxMama s Tax Quips Forged by Ex

Today TaxMama hears from Tami in Tennessee who’s been violated. “What can you do when your ex-spouse forged your signature on a tax return? I have a copy of the form 8879 where my signature is obviously signed by my ex husband. The refund of over $4000 was deposited in his checking account. What do […]

TaxMama s Tax Quips Possessed and Repossessed

Today TaxMama hears from Mike in Colorado who can’t find an answer. “IRS Publication 537 has a section describing how to calculate a gain, and your new basis, when you repossess real estate. But all the examples, and the instructions describe how to make these calculations when you originally reported the sale using the installment […]

More about Tax Bankruptcies

Today TaxMama hears from Enrique in California, who just learned something new. “I read that one can file for tax bankruptcy. If so how does one go about it? I was not sure if was true or not, and I saw your web site along with the article I read. Any help will help.”

Bad Roth IRA Advice

Today TaxMama hears from Carla in Indiana, who is concerned. “I have a client who took $105,000 from his 401(k) and rolled it over into a ROTH IRA because his investment advisor said that you only include the income you made that year. My research says to include the whole $105,000 as income.”

2010 Child Tax Credits

Today TaxMama hears from Mark in Pennsylvania, with a good question. “Is the Child Tax Credit of $1000 per child still in effect for 2010? I have 5 kids that qualify for the credit and I changed my W-4 to exempt several years ago since I continue to get a large refund. I need to […]

Reporting Shared Accounts

Today TaxMama hears from Susi in New Jersey, with a common problem. “I have joint brokerage accounts with different members of my family that I manage. The brokerages send the year-end 1099’s in the name of the ‘’primary’’ owner. How can I apportion the profit/loss to each member according to his/her fair share (contribution) in […]

Taxpayer Protection

Today TaxMama wants to tell you about something really important and exciting. IRS’s first announcement of the year made a big splash. IRS proposes new registration, testing and continuing education of tax return preparers. What does this mean to you? And why is this exciting?