Tag Archives: economics

News Flash – IRS Amnesty on Offshore Accounts

Second Special Voluntary Disclosure Initiative Opens; Those Hiding Assets Offshore Face Aug. 31 deadline  Courtesy of IRS [TaxMama note: We have been anxiously awaiting this announcement. IRS had mentioned that this was coming. This will be a huge help to people who never meant to conceal their ‘offshore’ accounts. They just didn’t realize they needed […]

People Out of Work May Be Overlooking Tax Breaks

According to a CompleteTax survey, you may be overlooking tax breaks that can save you money. When it Comes to Unemployment, Knowing What’s Taxable, What’s Not Makes a Difference (RIVERWOODS, ILL., January 27, 2011) – At the end of 2010, 14.5 million people were unemployed and many more were out of work at one time […]

Deducting Business Car

Today TaxMama hears from Michael in the TaxQuips Forum who wants clarification. “I drive a lot. Is there a maximum dollar amount I may deduct for my vehicle expenses?”

The Dollar is as Old as the Hills, uh, I Mean Valleys

The Thaler (or Taler or Talir) was a silver coin used throughout Europe for almost four hundred years. Its name lives on in various currencies as the dollar or tolar. Etymologically, “Thaler” is an abbreviation of “Joachimsthaler”, a coin type from the city of Joachimsthal (Jáchymov) in Bohemia, where some of the first such coins […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 575 – Oh Joy!

Dear Family,  What a distracting morning! While I am perfectly capable of ignoring ringing telephones, I haven’t quite mastered the art of ignoring emails. They seem to pile up if you don’t answer them, or read them, have you noticed? Then we had a little earthquake. Not much. Certainly not for Southern California. (Actually, OK…truth?  […]

5th Wheel

Today TaxMama hears from Brad in Jacksonville, NC  , who says, “I’ve been considering purchasing a (self-contained) motorhome/fifth wheel RV for use as lodging/office to use on my business travels. Can I write it off?”

IRS Announces Pension Plan Limitations for 2011

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2011. In general, these limits will either remain unchanged, or the inflation adjustments for 2011 will be small. Highlights include:

Expensing Accounts Payable

Today TaxMama hears from Cinda in the TaxQuips Forum with a quickie question. “I bought a company and with it came  $72,310 worth of outstanding debt.  How should I initially set this up and how would I track the payments I make towards these payables?  The payments are an expense correct?https://www.topsedu.xyz/wp-content/languages/new/essay-help.html ”

Renting Losses

Today TaxMama  hears from Alissa in the TaxQuips Forum. She wants to know, “The mortgage on my rental property is $1,500 (including tax, insurance, & a 2nd). But I only charge $1,200/month for rent because that is the going rate in the neighborhood. Do I still report the $1,200 as rental income even though it […]

Social Security Disability Claims

Today TaxMama wants to talk about a grave problem. Social Security Disability claims are rising at an alarming rate.  In just one year, from 2008 to 2009, Social Security disability applications rose by 21 percent. This kind of growth threatens to sink the system.

The Economy Is So Bad That

I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail. Wives are having sex with their husbands because they can’t afford batteries.  Taxpayers don’t have any taxes to pay.

Real Estate Dealer

Today TaxMama hears from David in the TaxQuips Forum, who defines a dealer in real estate as someone who sells a single property for profit, as long as  the intent to act as a dealer to real estate is present.”