Monthly Archives: March 2018

The Final Tax Return

The Final Tax Return

Have you ever wondered what happens if a taxpayer becomes deceased during the calendar year? We know that both death and taxes are inevitable, but do taxes outlast the deceased? In most cases, the answer is yes. Tax filing obligations remain even if the taxpayer has passed part way through the tax year. The final […]

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When to Hire a Tax Professional

Sure, it may seem easy to do your own taxes, especially with all the easy to use tax programs available. Those taxpayers who have a simple W-2 from their employer and very little else can have a quick and easy tax filing season. However, not all taxpayers are that lucky, and there are some situations […]

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How the Affordable Care Act Affects Your Taxes

The Affordable Care Act comes into play again at tax time. In the simplest of ways, that may include indicating on your tax form that you had health insurance during 2017. Other tax requirements related to the ACA become more difficult from there. When you file your tax return, you’ll have to remain compliant with […]

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Why You Should File A Tax Return

Not every taxpayer is required to file a return. Depending on your income level, you may be entitled to claim more in deductions and credits than you’ve earned for the year. In these situations, you aren’t required to file a tax return since you have no taxable income to report to the IRS. Let’s say […]

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The Form 1099 Explained

The Form 1099 Explained

There are a variety of Form 1099 one may receive when collecting their tax documents. If you’re a worker, you won’t fill out the form yourself, but will receive it from the party who paid you or holds your investment account. Its one of the few tax forms that simply report information and you aren’t […]

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Estimated Tax Payments

Estimated Tax Payments

If you are an employee of a business, the employer is responsible for deducting federal and state taxes from your salary. However, independent contractors and self-employed individuals have to take care of this financial obligation on their own. Generally, these individuals will make estimated quarterly tax payments, and skipping them can lead to penalties and […]

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What is the Alternative Minimum Tax?

Targeting high-income taxpayers, the alternative minimum tax was enacted to combat only 155 households who were getting away with not paying any tax at all through credits, deductions, and exemptions. By today’s numbers, the AMT covers millions of families and grows each year. In 2008, the AMT grew to 3.9 million (up from 605,000 in […]

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What is Form 3921?

What is Form 3921?

Have you worked at a private startup for over a year, and held employee incentive stock options? If so you likely received a Form 3921 from your employer. Now that it’s tax season, here’s what you need to do. This form documents to the IRS that you have exercised stock options from your employer, and […]

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How to Report Alimony and Child Support

Don’t forget that alimony and child support have an impact on your taxes. You have to report the amounts when you file. Here’s the breakdown. Alimony Alimony payments are deducted from your taxable income, which lowers the amount you are taxed on as long as you meet the following requirements: You pay by cash, check, […]

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Qualifying Widow or Widower Status

If you’ve lost your spouse, you may qualify for a special tax filing status. The qualifying widow(er) status can be used by taxpayers when filing a tax return after their spouse has died. There are some additional requirements that must be met as follows: When you file a return for the year your spouse dies, […]

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