Tag Archives: Internal Revenue Service

Ask TaxMama Issue 636 – Womens Week

Dear Family, It’s already been a very busy morning – and I have to run out for an appointment. So my comments will be brief. Thanks a ton to all the people who challenged my advice this week. You did a wonderful job researching capitalizing assets vs. writing them off; proved that under-18 newspaper carriers […]

Tax Refunds May Be Applied to Offset Certain Debts

Courtesy of IRS Past due financial obligations can affect your current federal tax refund. The Department of Treasury’s Financial Management Service, which issues IRS tax refunds, can use part or all of your federal tax refund to satisfy certain unpaid debts. Here are eight important facts the IRS wants you to know about tax refund […]

US Virgin Islands Taxes

Today TaxMama® hears from Pat in the TaxQuips Forum with a quickie question. “Are income taxes paid to the Virgin Islands deductible as state taxes? VI taxes are governed by the Internal Revenue Code so it doesn’t seem logical they’d be deductible, as federal taxes generally aren’t. In addition, the U.S. Virgin Islands aren’t a […]

Child Tax Credit Trick

Today TaxMama® hears from Gary in the TaxQuips Forum with a brilliant observation. “I was working on a tax return for a married couple with income too high to receive the $1,000 Child credit. I have found (just recently) that if one of the spouses has a much lower income, or no income, filing them […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 635 – Swallowing Tax Pride

Dear Family, This year, the Swallows Day Parade will be held in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday morning. Each year, they welcome back the swallows who return on March 19th. Folks in Southern California can join in the fun via Amtrak’s Surfliner (SNC station) and walk over to the festivities. (The southbound train will get […]

Employee Business Expenses

Courtesy of the IRS Some employees may be able to deduct certain work-related expenses. The following facts from the IRS can help you determine which expenses are deductible as an employee business expense. You must be itemizing deductions on IRS Schedule A to qualify. Expenses that qualify for an itemized deduction generally include: 

Resources to Know About Before Filing Your Taxes

So you’ve spent the last month dreading the thought of doing your tax return, but the day has come and you know it’s time to get it over with. You sit down and pull up your tax sofware, and start answering questions. Name? check Address? check….Then, you run into that question that you’re unsure about. […]

Warning to Co-signers

Today TaxMama® hears from Toni in the TaxQuips Forum with this sad problem. “I volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide. Last week a taxpayer brought in a 1099-C with his other papers. It turns out he had co-signed for a vehicle. When the vehicle ‘owner’ disappeared, the lienholder collected a reduced amount from the co-signer. It was […]

The Basics: Why is there a NonProfit Tax Status?

The intricacies of nonprofit finance: solicitations, donations, gifts, pledges, 990, 1099, annuities, acknowledgements, meaningful budgets and reports make this topic rich with possibilities. You’re panting, now aren’t you?

Personal Residence Exclusion after Death

Today TaxMama® hears from Tina in the TaxQuips Forum with this convoluted question. “A person has resided in the same one-family residence in for the last ten years without any children or wife. This person was bound into an estate contract to sell his residence for $800,000 in November, 2011 when his tax basis in […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 634 – Happy St Patty Weekend

Dear Family, Out here in the Valley, the day looks dark and gloomy. That in-between time, when the world is trying to decide whether or not to rain. The birds and squirrels seem to love it. Lots of fluttering around  (birds) and frolicking (squirrels).  Rick just called and said he’s taken a busload of children […]

Tax Rules May Affect Your Child’s Investment Income

Courtesy of the IRS Parents may not realize that there are tax rules that may affect their child’s investment income. The IRS offers the following four facts to help parents determine whether their child’s investment income will be taxed at the parents’ rate or the child’s rate. 1. Investment income Children with investment income may […]