When you're ready to file your income tax return for this year, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing which filing status to use. Your filing status determines several things, including your overall tax rate and your eligibility for certain tax credits. What filing statuses can you use? Which status is best for your financial situation? Do all unmarried taxpayers have to file as single? The answers to these and other questions are provided below.
Are you looking for a tax professional that can assist you in preparing your federal income tax return? If so, you might think that most tax preparers are professionals who have been well trained in the Internal Revenue Service tax code. However, some so-called tax preparers may not be truly qualified to handle your return. In fact, there may even be a few scam artists out there masquerading as tax professionals. Here are a few tips to help you learn how to spot a bad tax preparer.
Some taxpayers may feel that once they stop earning a regular wage that won't need to file an income tax return. However, there are some tax situations that face older individuals that may still require them to file a federal tax return. The key is understanding the tax filing requirements for retirees so that you can make sure you comply with the tax law.
Do you own and operate your own business? Did you have income left over after you subtract your operating expenses and tax deductions? If so, you will have to pay self-employment taxes to the IRS along with your federal tax return. While self-employment taxes represent a significant portion of the government's annual revenue, they also serve a beneficial purpose for the entrepreneurs who pay them. What are these taxes? How does the IRS decide how much you owe? How do you go about paying self-employment taxes?
Do you work out of your home? If so, you may be eligible for a home office deduction on your federal income tax return. In past years, the IRS tended to audit taxpayers who claimed a home office deduction at a higher rate than other individuals, but the agency has since reduced the use of this practice. If you qualify for a home office deduction, now is the time to start claiming your rightful tax break! Here is a primer on claiming a home office deduction.
Looking for ways to cut your overall tax costs this year? If you're wondering how you can save on your tax return, there are several ways you can reduce both your tax preparation costs and your income tax liability. The key to saving on your taxes is doing your homework in advance so that you can take steps to cut your tax bill throughout the year.
It's tax time! If you've been dealing with high tax bills for the last few years, you may be wondering how you can possibly reduce your tax liability this time around. Have you thought about changing which deduction you're claiming this year? The IRS gives taxpayers the option to decide whether to claim the standard deduction or to take itemized deductions. So, should you take the standard deduction or itemize? The answer as to which you should claim depends on your tax filing status and your adjusted gross income for that year.
The Internal Revenue Service has sweeping power to collect back taxes from individuals who are delinquent on their accounts. The agency has the authority to place liens on property, seize assets, and freeze bank accounts, all in an attempt to collect back payments. However, there are limits to what the IRS can do to collect due taxes. For example, the agency only has a limited amount of time to pursue collections. There is a limit on IRS tax collections and learning about that timeframe can help you decide how to approach making payments on your account.
If there are errors on your federal income taxes, you may have adopted the "wait it out" approach. It's true that the Internal Revenue Service has a maximum of 10 years to collect on your back taxes, so if you're patient (and fearless) enough, you might be able to outlast the agency's power to collect. In the meantime, though, the IRS may have taken drastic measures that could negatively affect your financial livelihood for years. Instead, why not learn about a few ways to pay off your back income taxes?
If you're not involved with a small business, you may never have heard of franchise taxes. However, these taxes are a vital part of the revenue streams of many U.S. states. The value of these taxes may be cold comfort for the business owners who are stuck with the tabs, though. But if you've been hit by the price of franchise taxes, it may be helpful to remember what these taxes are and how they benefit the state economy.
