Earlier is better when it comes to working on your taxes, but many people find preparing their tax return to be stressful and frustrating and wait until the last minute. Complicating matters this year is tax reform and the newly-redesigned Form 1040. If you’ve been procrastinating on filing your tax return this year, here are eight tips that might help. Continue reading
Generally, unemployment compensation received under the unemployment compensation laws of the United States or a state is considered taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. However, a new tax break–in effect only for the 2020 tax year–lets you exclude the first $10,200 from taxable income. Here’s what you should know: Continue reading
On March 12, following the American Rescue Plan Act’s approval and signing, the IRS began sending out the third round of Economic Impact Payments. Most payments were sent out via direct deposit, but approximately 150,000 checks were mailed by the Treasury Department as well. Taxpayers who received EIP1 or EIP2 but didn’t receive a third payment (EIP3) via direct deposit will generally receive a check or, in some instances, a prepaid debit card (EIP Card). Continue reading
Signed into law on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contains several tax provisions affecting individuals and families. Let’s take a look: Continue reading
The federal income tax filing due date for individual taxpayers, including individuals who pay self-employment tax, has been extended to Monday, May 17, 2021, for the 2020 tax year. There is no need to file any forms to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. Continue reading
Apps like Robinhood make it easy for everyone to play the stock market. If you’re a retail investor who made money last year buying and selling stocks, you may owe capital gains tax when you file your tax return this year. If you lost money, you may be able to deduct that loss and reduce your income. Continue reading
Tax changes due to recent legislation such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the CARES Act affect both individual taxpayers and small businesses. In 2020, the IRS issued several guidance documents and final rules and regulations that clarified several tax provisions affecting businesses. Here are five of them: Continue reading
If you have children, one or more of these tax credits and deductions could help your family reduce the amount of tax owed when you file your 2020 tax return. Let’s take a look: Continue reading
In general, income from renting a vacation home for 15 days or longer must be reported on your tax return on Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss. You should also keep in mind that the definition of a “vacation home” is not limited to a house. Apartments, condominiums, mobile homes, and boats are also considered vacation homes in the eyes of the IRS. Tax rules on rental income from second homes can be confusing, especially if you rent the home out for several months of the year and use the home yourself. Continue reading
Although just 0.15 percent of taxpayers were audited in 2019, the fear of being audited is never far from many taxpayer’s minds, and with the taxes becoming more complicated every year, there’s an even greater possibility of confusion turning into a tax mistake… and an IRS audit. Avoiding “red flags” like the ones listed below, however, could help you avoid one. Continue reading
