Today TaxMama hears from Mary in Oregon, who tells us. “I have run a day care business in my home for many years and have taken business use of home and depreciation. I am now shutting down the business; but I am not selling my house or any of the depreciated assets. When do I […]
Category Archives: *Tax Quips
Today TaxMama hears from Maxine in Florida, who has two quick questions. “Can someone living on Supplemental Security Income receive an Earned Income Credit if she has one dependent? Can someone who is retired received the existing homebuyer tax credit $6,500?”
Today TaxMama hears from Dee in Virginia, with this concern. “I filed an amended return for 2007 in July of 2009 and am expecting a refund. I have called the IRS numerous times for a status and was told ‘’It is assigned to a desk, but held up because of tax credit overload and later […]
Today TaxMama hears from Bill in North Carolina, with this question. “What is the tax treatment of equipment that is included in the payment of franchise fee? Is it all considered amortizable start-up cost? Or is the equipment depreciated separately starting with the day it opens for business? I am concerned about local business property […]
Today TaxMama hears from Joan in Minnesota, who asks. “How much money can you inherit in Minnesota without paying taxes on it? And if you do need to pay, what is the %?”
Today TaxMama hears from Rita in Oklahoma, with this question. “I will issue several 1099’s this year. I need to know how to categorize their ‘’per diem’’ pay. Is it broken out; or does it get lumped together in Box #7-Nonemployee compensation?”
Today TaxMama hears from Dee in California, who wants to know. “Is my mother’s Social Security income ($9,000 – no other income) considered earned income in order for me to meet the criteria to file for Head of Household?”
Today TaxMama hears from Jed in Missouri, who says. “I won a trip. Due to health issues, I never booked or took the trip. The voucher has since expired. Now the IRS says I owe tax on the value of the trip. Is this correct?”
Today TaxMama hears from Lenora in Arkansas, who tells us. “Some friends of mine lost their mother due to taking the drug Vioxx® . She died due to complications from taking the drug. Her sons filed suit and are due for a pretty good sum of money. Is that settlement money taxable?”
Today TaxMama hears from Jon in California, who has this plan. “I am going to refinance my current residence for $338,000. I will use $140,000 of that to pay off the existing mortgage. The remainder will be a down payment on my next house. The next house will be my primary residence; the current house […]
Today TaxMama hears from Kay in New Jersey, who has done some thinking. “I am an investor in the stock market. How can I avoid a wash sale? For example I own 100 shares of stock A and want to sell it to help offset my capital gains for 2009. However I do not want […]
Today TaxMama hears from Sandra in Texas, with this unusual situation. “I owned two rental properties; but one was accidentally torn down by the city. It had damage due to hurricane Ike. Can I take the value of this property off my taxes? Can I take it as a loss?”