Tag Archives: Public finance

It Never Hurts to Ask

Today TaxMama® hears from Sue, who overcame a big problem. To make a long story short, Sue suddenly discovered, purely by accident, that she’d only been paying one of the two taxes required by her city for her business. They hit her with about $12,000 worth of back taxes, penalties and interest. Uh oh. What […]

Excessive Disclosure

Today TaxMama® wants to address some political craziness. This year’s presidential campaign is getting out of hand. On the Senate floor, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)  recently stated that a “reliable source” has revealed that Romney hasn’t paid federal income taxes in the past ten years. Kelly Phillips Erb, (otherwise known as TaxGirl) writes […]

10 Fun Tax Facts

  Today TaxMama® decides it’s time to have fun with taxes. Let’s play with some tax trivia and see if you know the answers?

If You Love me

Today TaxMama® hears from Cheryl in the TaxQuips Forum who triggers a line of thought. Her client has under-reported income for many years. And it reminded me of other tax pros, including myself, who were asked by family members to help them under-report their income. The usual argument is “If you love me, you’ll file […]

Sold Family Home

Today TaxMama® hears from Madeline in the TaxQuips Forum with this situation. “My siblings and I just sold our family home in New Hampshire. I live in California. We each got $40,000.00. How will this affect my taxes next year?” 

Claiming My Investments

Today TaxMama® hears from Jeff in the TaxQuips Forum who is becoming an investor.  “Last year I invested in $20k a business & $5k this year. In return I have a 25% share of the LLC. I did not claim any of it on this year’s tax return. Can I? And how do I claim […]

Amending Multiple Years

Today TaxMama® hears from Saver in the TaxQuips Forum with a reasonable question. “I have just received a corrected mortgage interest statement for the tax year 2010. Because the amount is lower, and I itemized in the return, I will owe some money. The taxable state refund should be smaller for the tax year 2011. […]

How Old is Too Old?

Today TaxMama® hears from Saroj in the TaxQuips Forum with a valid concern. “I have been doing taxes for last 20 years or so. I was thinking of taking the EA exam. But I added Financial Advising to the practice (HD Vest) and QuickBooks, also. I am 62 years old; so I don’t know how […]

Malpractice Settlement

Today TaxMama® hears from Peter in the TaxQuips Forum with this story “I have just settled an attorney malpractice litigation where a small settlement was received. The insurance company wants my Social Security Number, which I feel is not needed. My position is that I am only recovering a fraction of what the attorney was […]

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 […]

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 […]

Marrying for Love

Today TaxMama® hears from Someone Privately with a romantic story. “My client was deeply in love with a woman who was dying of cancer. To demonstrate their love, they got married in July of 2011. She died in February 2012. The problem? She had a lot of tax debt, spanning several years. How do we […]