Did you use your vehicle for business driving in 2016? Generally, you can deduct expenses on your tax return in one of two ways: the actual expense method or the IRS-approved standard mileage rate. Here is a brief comparison: Actual expense method: As the name implies, you can deduct actual expenses attributable to business use [...]
How to maximize the tax benefits The summer rental season is about to kick off. If you own a vacation home in a resort area that you rent out while your family is not using it, you may be in line for valuable tax deductions. In fact, you might even qualify for a tax loss [...]
Are you pulling your hair out right now trying to figure out a tax deduction from a credit? Or worse, do I need file a separate business tax form for your new LLC? According to a recent NerdWallet survey, you are not alone. Out of eight questions about IRS rules for common deductions, retirement, and [...]
Tax return benefits for the family Are you entitled to personal and dependency exemptions on your tax return? It might be the last year you can claim the exemption for someone—say, a child graduating from college—or exemptions may be eliminated altogether by tax reforms that could be coming in conjunction with proposed rate cuts. At [...]
Generally, amounts left over in a flexible spending account (FSA) for health care or dependent care expenses are forfeited at the end of the year. But some companies allow a 2½-month “grace period.” The grace period for FSAs in 2016 ends on March 15, 2017. If possible, empty out your FSAs by then. [...]
The IRS, the nation’s tax collection agency, has identified a select group of four private contractors that will begin collecting federal tax debts during the 2016 tax return filing season. Background: Under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, a highway spending measure, the IRS can assign private companies to collect taxes on [...]
Do you operate a business out of your home? It could be your main line of work, and your only source of business income, or just a sideline activity. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to a generous tax deduction for this “home office” on your 2016 tax return. However, the rules [...]
Unexpected tax liability for retirees Of course, taxes are a major concern when you work full time for a living. Unfortunately, you may also have to pay federal income tax on a portion of the Social Security benefits you receive during the year—even though you’ve paid Social Security tax all the years you have [...]
Early last year we discussed the ABLE Accounts as a potential option for Alabama families. By December, the state of Alabama instituted the program, per State Treasurer Young Boozer, with a contract with the state of Nebraska. The Alabama plan will be known as Enable Savings Plan Alabama, and more information can be found at www.enableAL.com. [...]
The IRS pays close attention to deductions claimed for business travel expenses. Both employers and employees must meet strict recordkeeping requirements or face the consequences. Fortunately, you can obtain some relief by using IRS-approved per diem allowances in lieu of accounting for every expense. Now the IRS has updated its per diem rates for [...]