Tag Archives: Social Issues

IRS Offers Tips for Year-End Giving

Courtesy of the Internal Revenue Service WASHINGTON — Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind several important tax law provisions that have taken effect in recent years. Some of these changes include the following: Special Charitable Contributions for Certain IRA Owners This provision, currently scheduled to expire at the end of […]

Tax on Lump Sum

  Today TaxMama hears from Cindy in the TaxQuips Forum with some great news. “I have recently been approved for disability through Social Security.  I will receive a lump sum (retroactive back to the date I became disabled) as well as start receiving a monthly check. Is the lump sum taxable, and if so, at […]

Disability Wages

Today TaxMama hears from Leslie in the TaxQuips Forum who makes an excellent point. “When a Member of the Screen Actors Guild becomes disabled, in order to receive their Pension, they must sign paperwork. One of the acknowledgments is that “You have been made aware that FICA should not be taken out of your residuals […]

Back Taxes and Child Support

Today TaxMama hears from Krissy in the TaxQuips Forum who needs help. “I am married with two children, low income and my husband owes back child support. Last year I filed separately and ended up owing taxes. I had to set up a payment plan with the IRS to pay it off. I’d like to […]

Spouse as Employee

Today TaxMama hears from Russel in the TaxQuips Forum who wants clarification. “At the end of the show on KFWB 980 today (10/31) Bob McCormick asked you a question regarding small businesses employing spouses.  I missed the answer.  If a spouse is employed by a sole proprietorship do you have to carry workman’s comp insurance? […]

Ouch!

Today TaxMama hears from Seth in the TaxQuips Forum who is recovering. “I had an accident where I sustained multiple fractures (pelvis, ribs, and wrist).  My medical insurance will pay 80% of my bills, which is great.  In addition, I have personal accident insurance.  There is a dollar amount associated with each type of fracture […]

IRS Announces New Voluntary Worker Classification Settlement Program

[Note: Stay tuned to TaxMama’s TaxWatch column in MarketWatch.com next week, for an anlysis of this program before you participate in it.] Past Payroll Tax Relief Provided to Employers  Who Reclassify Their Workers as Employees WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today launched a new program that will enable many employers to resolve past worker classification […]

Outreach to Small Businesses and Practitioners About the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

As Tax Filing Extension Deadlines Near, IRS and HHS Announce New Round of Outreach to Small Businesses and Practitioners About the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Video: Small Business Health Care Tax Credit-Updated English | Spanish | ASL WASHINGTON — As the upcoming filing extension tax deadlines approach, the Internal Revenue Service, in partnership with the […]

The Magic Number

Today TaxMama hears from Bill in the TaxQuips Forum, who is carrying a heavy load. “My wife and I pay almost $150k per year in Federal taxes and another almost $50k in state income taxes with most of it coming from W2 earnings.  I’m really tired of paying this much money to those in government […]

TIGTA Report on IRS Customer Service

  TIGTA Publicly Releases Report on IRS Customer Service WASHINGTON  –  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides helpful and accurate tax law assistance, but taxpayers experience lengthy wait times to speak with assistors, according to a new report publicly released by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). The audit, a follow-up review to […]

Adopting Step-Child

Today TaxMama hears from Kelly in the TaxQuips Forum who is doing something unusual. “I tried to claim the adoption credit on this year’s taxes.  It was denied because “I can not use this credit for the adoption of a step-child”.  After my divorce was final, I began adoption proceedings for my son. They were […]