Tag Archives: governmental Web site

March 29 – A day of help for millions filing returns solely to obtain stimulus payments

Are you one of millions of Americans who need to file a tax return this year solely to obtain your economic stimulus payment? The IRS has set aside Saturday, March 29 as “Super Saturday,” a day of help just for you! Approximately 320 IRS offices will provide free help preparing a simple 1040A for people […]

Tips for Deducting Charitable Contributions

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-57 When preparing to file your federal tax return, don’t forget your contributions to charitable organizations. Your donations could add up to a sizeable tax deduction if you itemize on IRS Form 1040, Schedule A. Starting in 2007 to deduct any charitable donation of money, taxpayers must have a […]

Sale Of Your Home

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-54 If you have a gain from the sale or exchange of your main home, you may be able to exclude all or part of the gain from your income. Individuals may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of capital gain, and married taxpayers filing joint returns may […]

Saver’s Credit for Retirement Savings Contributions

If you make eligible contributions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or to an individual retirement arrangement, you may be able to take a tax credit. The Savers Credit formally known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit applies to individuals with a filing status and income of: Single with income up to $26,000 Head of Household […]

New Form for Employees Misclassified as Independent Contractors

Your 1099 Should Have Been a W-2 Due to the widespread problem of employees getting 1099-MISCs from their employers instead of W-2s, the IRS created a new form in 2007 – the Form 8919. Using this form has saved employees thousands of dollars, while protecting their Social Security records and their tax status. Though it […]

Tax Rates for a Child’s Investment Income

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-38 Part or all of a child’s investment income may be taxed at the parent’s rate rather than the child’s rate. Because a parent’s taxable income is usually higher than a child’s income, the parent’s top tax rate will often be higher as well. This special method of figuring […]

Taxes on Early Distributions from Retirement Plans

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-36 Payments that you receive from your IRA or qualified retirement plan before you reach age 59½ are normally called ‘early’ or ‘premature’ distributions. These funds are subject to an additional 10 percent tax and must be reported to the IRS. There are a number of exceptions to this […]

Income from Foreign Sources

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-37 Many United States citizens and resident aliens receive money from foreign sources. These taxpayers must remember that they must report all such income on their tax return, unless it is exempt under federal law. U.S. citizens and residents are taxed on their worldwide income. This applies whether a […]

What income is taxable? Nontaxable?

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-30 Generally, most income you receive is taxable. But there are some situations when certain types of income are partially taxed or not taxed at all. A comprehensive list is available in IRS Publication 525, Taxable and Nontaxable Income. Some common examples of items that are not included in […]

Missing a Form 1099?

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT-2008-25 If you receive certain types of income, you may get a Form 1099 for use with your federal tax return. Form 1099 is an information return provided by the payer of the income. The payer should send or provide your Form 1099-series information returns by January 31, 2007. […]

Missing Your Form W-2?

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service TT 2008-24 Did you get your W-2? These documents are essential to filling out most individual tax returns. You should receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each of your employers each year. Employers have until January 31, 2008 to provide or send you a 2007 W-2 […]