Tag Archives: fiscal follies

Senior Divorce

An elderly man in Miami calls his son in New York and says,” I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.” “Pop, what are you talking about?” the son screams.

Making up Info

Today TaxMama® hears from Tasha with a disturbing problem. “My girlfriend is thinking of filing for an education tax credit even though she is not enrolled in school at the moment. She says the person doing her taxes can issue a 1098T form if and when the IRS was to ask for proof, which will […]

Dependent Income Limits

Today TaxMama® hears from Rando with a question that has become more and more common in today’s economy. “What is the maximum income my son can earn, who lived with us all year, and still be declared as a dependent on my tax return?”

Studying the Competition

Today TaxMama® hears from LiveMusic, with this interesting question. “I have expenses related to “studying the competition” so as to (hopefully) improve my own business profits. How would I categorize that?” 

Last Minute Tips

Today is the last day of the tax season for filing 2011 returns. TaxMama® would like to give you some last minute tips.  

Ask TaxMama Issue 661 – Shuttle Moves

Dear Family, Those of us in the Los Angeles area are dealing with a special and unusual phenomenon today. The Space Shuttle is taking its final trip, heading for the museum where it will make its home – the California Science Center near USC. Many people have already camped out, hoping for a glimpse, as […]

Last Minute Tips from the IRS

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged taxpayers whose tax-filing extension runs out on Oct. 15 to double check their returns for often-overlooked tax benefits and then file their returns electronically using IRS e-file or the Free File system. Many of the more than 11 million taxpayers who […]

Microsoft vs. GM

Inspired by the new, higher gasoline prices in California, we bring you this shining gem of humor: Once upon a time, at a computer expo, Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the auto industry and stated, “If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving […]

Estate vs Estate

Today TaxMama® hears from Kelly in the TaxQuips Forum, who is confused. Let me summarize. “Kelly’s father died, leaving the house to the children. But the value is less than $5 million, so no estate tax return needs to be filed. Why do they need to file anything to report the sale of the property?”

Grant & Fellowship Income

Today TaxMama® hears from Mark in the TaxQuips Forum, who is bewildered. Let me summarize. “Mark received a post-doctoral fellowship that covered his salary to do research. It came with insurance and other employee benefits. The income was reported to him on a 1099-MISC. He paid taxes on the income. Two years later, the IRS […]

Caring Friends

Today TaxMama® hears from Grace in the TaxQuips Forum, with this charming question. “We have a friend that is dying of terminal cancer and is expected to pass away within 6 months. We will use a web-site that easily allows fund gathering.  But we need to know if there are tax consequences to her estate […]