2009 Taxes to 2024 Taxes

Tag: Internal Revenue Service

Extension Filer Reminder: Choose a Tax Preparer Carefully
Hi, esteemed members of the taxpaying community! If you are anything like me, there have been occasions when filing taxes would have made you stressed out. You may have even asked for an extension, believing thusly, “I am going to arrange my stuff later”. However, do not forget that these extension dates approach rapidly and now is the best moment to select a person who will prepare your taxes accurately. Read on about Tax Prepare Selection.
Tax Prepare Selection
Why Choosing the Right Tax Preparer Matters
Here are some reasons why selecting an appropriate tax preparer holds great importance. Consider it in this manner, a financial confidant is the tax preparer. They are privy to all your most personal data, and you would want to ensure that they are reliable and knowledgeable. A competent tax preparer can save you a lot of cash and frustrations, while choosing the wrong one can result in errors, audits as well as sanctions.
My Personal Tax Preparer Story
Let me share a little story from my own experience. A few years ago I was in a hurry to file my taxes and decided to go with the first preparer I found online. Big mistake. This person seemed knowledgeable at first, but as the process went on, I started noticing errors and inconsistencies in my return. I ended up having to redo everything myself, which was a huge headache.
The next year, I did my homework. I asked friends for recommendations, checked credentials, and even read reviews. I found a fantastic preparer who not only got everything right but also gave me tips on how to save more on my taxes in the future. The difference was night and day.
Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer
So, how do you avoid my initial mistake and find a great tax preparer? Here are some tips:
1. Check certifications: Make sure the tax preparer has the right qualifications. Look for certifications like EA (Enrolled Agent) and CPA (Certified Public Accountant).
2. Get Recommendations: Talk to friends, family, and/or colleagues who have had good experiences with tax preparers in the past.
3. Read Reviews: Online reviews can reveal the reputation and credibility of the tax expert.
4. Interview: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Learn about their experience, fees and how they handle accounting.
5. Ensure year-round availability: It’s important to appoint someone to be available to answer questions or solve problems even after-tax season is over.
Final Thoughts
The significance of selecting an apt tax preparer cannot be overestimated. It’s essential to take your time, do thorough research and avoid choosing the first alternative that pops up. After all, ensuring your financial well-being necessitates such endeavors.
Bear in mind that those who wish to extend their filing dates should do so by October 15th; thus, don’t procrastinate. All the best in filing and may you receive a bumper refund!
August 27, 2024
Maximizing Your Deductions: A Comprehensive Guide to 2022 Tax Reductions
Don’t miss out on potential tax savings! This comprehensive guide to 2022 tax deductions will help you maximize your deductions and reduce your taxable income.
Guide to 2022 Tax Reductions
As the new year approaches, it’s time to start thinking about potential tax savings. The good news is that there are various deductions and credits available that could lower your taxable income and reduce the amount you owe in taxes. In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of 2022 tax deductions, so you can make informed decisions as you prepare your tax returns.
Keep detailed records of your expenses.
One of the most important steps in maximizing your tax deductions is to keep detailed records of all your expenses throughout the year. This includes receipts, invoices, and other documents that prove you incurred the expense for business purposes. By keeping accurate records, you can claim deductions for expenses such as home office expenses, travel expenses, and entertainment expenses. If you fail to keep accurate records, you may miss out on potential deductions and could be subject to penalties if your tax return is audited. Consider using accounting software or hiring a professional accountant to help manage your records and ensure compliance with tax laws.
Take advantage of charitable donations.
Charitable donations can be a great way to maximize your deductions and reduce your taxable income while also supporting a cause you care about. Be sure to keep detailed records of all charitable contributions, including the name of the organization, date of the donation, and the amount donated. Donations that exceed certain thresholds may require additional documentation such as a receipt or acknowledgement letter from the charity. Also note that in order to claim a deduction for charitable contributions, you must itemize your deductions on your tax return rather than taking the standard deduction. Make sure to review IRS guidelines for eligible organizations and allowable deductions before making any charitable donations.
Deduct business expenses, including home office expenses.
Running a business can be costly, but many of these expenses can be deducted to reduce your taxable income. This includes any costs directly related to your business, like rent for an office space or equipment needed for job functions. If you have a home office, you may also be able to deduct a portion of home-related expenses such as mortgage interest, utilities and property taxes. However, it’s important to ensure that your home office meets the IRS criteria for eligibility before taking this deduction. Keeping detailed records of all business expenses is crucial for tax purposes and will help you maximize your deductions while minimizing the risk of an audit.
Don’t forget about educational and employment-related deductions.
In addition to business-related deductions, there are various educational and employment-related deductions that can help lower your taxable income. If you paid for any training or courses that were necessary for your job or business, you may be eligible for a deduction. This also applies to tuition and fees for post-secondary education. Additionally, if you moved due to a job change, you may be able to deduct moving expenses. Keep in mind that specific requirements and limitations apply to each of these deductions, so it’s important to consult with a tax professional or refer to the IRS guidelines before claiming them on your tax return.
Utilize retirement account contributions for major tax savings.
One of the most effective ways to maximize your tax savings is by contributing to a retirement account, such as a 401(k) or IRA. Not only does this reduce your taxable income, but it also helps you save for retirement. For the 2022 tax year, the maximum contribution limit for a 401(k) is $20,500 and $6,000 for an IRA. If you’re over the age of 50, catch-up contributions of $6,500 and $1,000 are available for these accounts respectively. Additionally, some employers offer matching contributions to their employees’ retirement accounts which can further boost your savings potential. Be sure to take full advantage of any retirement plans available to you to maximize your deductions and plan for a secure financial future.
March 3, 2023
Watch Out For IRS Tax Scams
There have been reported incidents of swindlers using an IRS pitch as a IRS Tax scam. One such incident happened to Brett. He panicked after hearing a phone message that the IRS was about to investigate him. Brett is a 43 year old contractor from the County of Morrow. He wondered whether he had missed anything in regards to his Free Turbo Tax application. So he decided to make a call back and then his worry turned to anger. There are lots of scammers out there especially as the Tax period gets near. More about IRS Tax Scams:
IRS Tax Scams
At this time of the year, thieves and con artists fine tune their tricks and up their game in order to swindle individuals, often threatening them with jail terms and deportation. The IRS has now issued an alert to the public, warning of the phone scam and other scams people are likely to be exposed to at this time of making their tax returns. Turbo Tax should help people allay their fears in regards to their 2016 taxes.
Photo by Judith E. Bell
The Ohio State Attorney General has been fielding questions and complaints from local residents, especially those from the counties of Morrow, Fairfield and Franklin. It is expected that con artists will pull scams pretending to be from the government as this helps their scams seem more legitimate.
October 28, 2015
Claims that TurboTax Fraud May also Affect Federal Returns
Now that the tax season is here, the fears about TurboTax fraud is more punctuated than ever before. Taxpayers were shocked when they heard about TurboTax suspending state tax filings over fraud concerns. Imagine getting the news that someone else filed your tax returns and claimed your hefty tax refund. Fortunately, this problem only affected the state filings, not federal taxes.
Photo by Images_of_Money
Well, this has changed. The details may be sketchy, but the FBI is now investigating claims that federal tax returns may also be affected by this fraud, putting your tax refund in jeopardy. The bureau interviewed taxpayers who claimed that IRS data was compromised, leaving room for fraudulent activities.
Imagine getting a message from the IRS acknowledging receipt of your federal returns even before you do your taxes. Given that all tax filings are done electronically, fraud has become a big threat.
While TurboTax 2015 free version allows taxpayers to make free tax filings, a rival, H&R Block, took advantage of the fraud cases surrounding TurboTax to attract taxpayers who did not want to fall victim to identity theft, among other types of fraudulent activities.
However, it is important to note that no system is perfect, especially when you consider the fact that both the IRS and most states had already put in place sophisticated systems to detect and help prevent theft.
June 19, 2015
Tax Deductions That Aren’t Allowed By the IRS
Getting tax deductions for an allowed expense on your taxes is great. Making the mistake of claiming a deduction that is not allowed by the IRS can you get into trouble and a possible audit. For example, you can deduct the expense of a dinner with clients up to 50% of the bill only. If you claim more than the 50% allowed or you do not properly record the business purpose of the meeting, the deduction could be thrown out.
Travel is similar to entertainment were only the part of the travel that is business related can be deducted. If you take your family or your spouse with you and do things on your trip purely for pleasure, those parts of the trip cannot be deducted on your return.
Commuting costs are only allowed from one business location to another business location. The commute from your home to the office is not something you can deduct on your taxes.
Tax Deductions That Aren’t Allowed By the IRS
Make sure your charity giving is to IRS recognized organization or the donation will not be deductible. And if you get something, like a night at the opera, in exchange for you donation, you need to subtract the fair market value of the benefit you receive from the donation that you claim.
And the IRS has made giving to charities without a proper record not something you can deduct. You could previously deduct small amounts of cash that you gave to charities. But now it is required that you have proof of the donation to get the deduction. So write a check instead of giving cash.
March 9, 2015
Making Taxes Easier And More Accurate
Photo by stevendepolo
Traverse City Tax Preparation expert Frank Ellis has recently written an informative article on how to use all the features of the popular and innovative TurboTax software. In particular, he talks about how to move important information from the previous year’s income tax return to the current year’s return to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Lets look at ways we are making taxes easier and more accurate to file.
Also in the article, Frank Ellis discusses how to access details from an online TurboTax account or from a computer file. The idea is to get the most use possible out of the TurboTax software and to obtain the best refund from their Taxes that is legally possible from the Internal Revenue Service.
A really great advantage of the TurboTax software is that there is no need to re-enter important taxpayer information. This reduces the chance of error and allows users to file their returns more quickly. With TurboTax, the user can also transfer information from other files. Easy to use and automated features are readily accessed by anyone who uses the TurboTax software.
Frank Ellis elaborates that TurboTax assists taxpayers in obtaining the largest legitimate income tax refund possible. It enables users to import IRS tax form information from a number of excellent sources. Taxpayers do not have to scout around for documents and enter financial details; the TurboTax software takes care of this for them.
Frank Ellis also says that TurboTax softwawre is simple, secure and safe. He explains that many individuals miss important filing details and that this costs them money. TurboTax highlights tax credits and deductions and also filing deadlines for the tax season.
If someone would like to simplify tax filing even more, he could obtain a tax refund calculator to estimate how much money he is entitled to receive back from the government. With this estimate in hand, any individual can adjust his spending habits and pay check tax withholding.
The tax refund calculator is very convenient to people who want a better understanding of their possible refunds through out the entire filing process. Again, with an estimate in hand, users can plan their financial year more knowledgeably.
For additional information on the upcoming income tax season or to find out more about how to use the TurboTax software online, to to .
January 1, 2015