Tag Archives: IRS News

Excess 401k Contributions

Today TaxMama® hears from Geri in the TaxQuips Forum with this interesting question. “I had two jobs this year. Job 1, I put in the maximum of $16,500 in my 401(k); then in job 2, I put in an additional $6,000. I am under 50 years of age. I now realize I put in more […]

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 […]

Winners – Sixth Week – TaxMama’s Ultimate Tax Nerd Contest

It’s Ladies week! The Sixth weeklywinners in TaxMama’s search for the Ultimate Tax Nerd of 2012 are: Melissa Guy for  The Taxorcist Sherry Diamond for  Office birds  

You’ve had too much Quality Assurance when…

1. You ask what the Cafeteria’s core competencies are. 2. You decide to reorganize your family into a “team-based organization.” 3. You consider dating as test marketing.

Bought a House

Today TaxMama® hears from Atomicar in the TaxQuips Forum with this question. “We bought a house in December 2011 and moved in first day of 2012. What expenses can we deduct? (I know we can’t deduct house hunting or moving expenses.).”

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 […]

Kid With Paper Route

Today TaxMama® hears from Don in the TaxQuips Forum with a little confusion. “My daughter is a widow with 3 children. The kids receive Social Security income from their deceased father’s account. My daughter’s 13-year-old son earned $700 with a paper route & received a 1099-MISC with the amount in box 7 – Nonemployee compensation. […]

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. […]