Tag Archives: Social Issues

Tax Provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Congress has approved and the President has signed new economic stimulus legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The IRS is implementing tax-related provisions of this new program as quickly as possible. Detailed information is currently available on the $400-to-$800 Making Work Pay Tax Credit and the Economic Recovery Payment, which is worth […]

2009 Annual SB/SE Customer Base Survey to Begin

The Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) division of the IRS will begin conducting its annual telephone survey of taxpayers starting January 21, 2009 and running through mid-April, 2009. This survey is targeted to small business and self-employed taxpayers who file certain income tax forms, including: 1120, 1120A, 1120S, 1065 and 1040 with schedules C, E or F. […]

Outline of Economic Recovery Package from House Ways and Means Committee

An outline of the provisions under the Ways and Means Committee’s Jurisdiction included in the Economic Recovery package follows: Tax Relief for Individuals · “Making Work Pay Credit” · Expand Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) · Increase in child tax credit, $0 floor Education · Simplification of education credits w/ $2,500 credit for first four […]

Avoiding Incorrect Self-Employed Retirement Deductions

FS-2008-24, July 2008 Retirement plans are not just for big businesses. They are also available for sole proprietorships. If you are self-employed small business owner, you can set up a qualified retirement plan for yourself and your employees. If you are a sole proprietor, you can deduct contributions you make to the plan for yourself. […]

Redistributing the Tax Burden – and the Wealth

In the course of addressing the concept of people helping each other, and this presidential campaign where the candidates talk of pushing the tax burden on the very rich, the top few % of the population – there’s a great deal of criticism or sarcasm. Marx’s concept of ‘FROM each according to his ability; TO […]

Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2009

The Social Security Administration and Department of Health & Human Services have announced the new amounts for 2009. SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGES Social Security benefits increase 5.8% for 2009. The amount of earnings subject to Social Security taxes increases from $102,000 for 2008 to $106,800 for 2009. The amount of earnings required in order to receive […]

New Rules for Qualifying Child

Tax Provisions in HR 6893 Signed Into Law Oct 7, 2008 In addition to the Emergency Economic Act of 2008, President Bush has signed a little known Act which contains a clarification of the uniform definition of a qualifying child for purposes of the dependency exemption, EITC, dependent care, and HH filing status. This change […]

IRS Offering Additional Part-Year Grants for Low Income Taxpayer Clinics in 12 States

Courtesy of IRS – IR-2008-049 WASHINGTON — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson announced today that the IRS will accept applications for a part-year Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) matching grant from qualified organizations that will provide services to qualified taxpayers in the following areas: Los Angeles, California; Central Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Reno […]

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 […]

IRS Has $1.2 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2004 Tax Return

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service IR-2008-046 WASHINGTON — Unclaimed refunds totaling approximately $1.2 billion are awaiting about 1.3 million people who failed to file a federal income tax return for 2004, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2004 must be filed with an IRS office no […]

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 […]

PASSIONATE PLEA – TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!

A few minutes ago, I got this note from a divorced woman who is facing a mountain of tax debt generated by her ex – and whose expensive tax attorney couldn’t win a legitimate innocent spouse case: Unfortunately when I was married, my husband of 27 years prepared our return and would rush me to […]