Tag Archives: tax questions

Overseas Freelancer

Today TaxMama® hears from Jim in the TaxQuips Forum with this question.  “I live in Thailand and do some freelance work. I can’t put that income on Form 2555 for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion because I had to return to the US for 60 + days for an operation. How do I report this […]

Stepchild in Divorce

Today TaxMama® hears from Susan in the TaxQuips Forum with a divorce question for Valentine’s Day. “What happens, taxwise, to the relationship of stepchildren when the parents divorce and the stepchild stays with the stepparent? Do they go back to just being the girlfriend’s kid again? I hear about stepparents adopting their spouse’s children. Is […]

Across State Lines

Today TaxMama® hears from John in the TaxQuips Forum about an inequity. “My father & I both worked in PA, but both lived in NJ for the entire 2011. However on my W-2, I paid state taxes to NJ.  On his W-2 He paid state taxes to PA.  Is this correct? Also he worked inside of […]

Ask TaxMama Issue 629 – Happy Valentines Weekend

 Dear Family,  It’s a beautiful, sunny day here in Southern California. Lots to do. And oh yes, don’t forget. Valentine’s Day is next week. If you’re going to get something…order it now (like these lovely hearts…).  Hopefully, you’re making progress getting your tax returns ready for filing. Please remember, don’t file too early. There are […]

IRS Unveils New Version of Smartphone App; IRS2Go 2.0 Offers Videos, Tax Help

IRS YouTube Video: IRS2Go 2.0    Podcast: IRS2Go 2.0  WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today the availability of IRS2Go 2.0, an expanded version of its smartphone application designed to provide taxpayers easier access to practical tools and information. The new app, available on the Apple and Android platforms, adds a new YouTube feature, news […]

IRS Releases Guidance on How to Claim Expanded Veterans Tax Credit

WASHINGTON — The IRS today released the guidance and forms that employers can use to claim the newly-expanded tax credit for hiring veterans. The IRS also announced that employers will have more time to file the required certification form for employees hired on or after November 22, 2011, and before May 22, 2012. The VOW […]

Be Careful What You Wish For

An atheist professor was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there is no God. He said, “God, if you are  real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I’ll give you 15 minutes!” Ten minutes went by. He kept taunting God, saying,”Here […]

Cannot Get W-2

Today TaxMama® hears from Nico out in the world, with this tough situation. “Have you ever had a client who never received a W-2 because the company went belly up? I know it is illegal to use the last year’s W-2 to prepare the return. What do you suggest I do?” Dear Nico, You bet […]

A Day In Tax Court

People, hearing the word tax, sometimes turn around and walk away from me. Just the idea of taxes frightens them so! It is a daunting subject. Especially when you are having problems with the tax system, yourself. (In fact, at my very first television interview on Good Day L.A., the host, Mario Machado, did exactly […]

Timing of Purchase

Today TaxMama® hears from Insha in the TaxQuips Forum with this question. “I run a daycare center in my home. I file a Schedule C on the cash basis. In February 2011, I bought an asset for my business that cost $2,000. I’m making payments of $100 per month on it. So, on my 2011 […]

Blind or Over 65

  Today TaxMama® hears from Alice in the TaxQuips Forum with a valid question. “On line 39a of the Form 1040, if a box is checked, resulting in a deduction for those over 65 years old, where do we put the amount? And what line is it deducted on from?