Cleaning Out Your Closets?

Items you donate may not qualify for a deduction

It used to be that you could take all your unused clothing and household items to the local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or thrift store and reap a nice charitable contribution deduction.
All you needed was a receipt stating the fair market value and the deduction was allowed. The rules have changed for any donation of noncash items to charitable organizations after August 17, 2006.

A charitable contribution deduction of clothing or household items will only be allowed if the item is in good used condition, or better, and you have a receipt. The IRS can deny a deduction for any item that has little monetary value. There is an exception for single items that have a value of more than $500 and for which you have a qualified appraisal.
 

Tax Tips Small Business

Turning Interest Payments Into Tax Deductions

Make interest payments work for you, not against you

You can deduct business-related interest on your business return if you used the borrowed funds to purchase business supplies, equipment, services, etc. Co-mingling business and personal expenses makes it difficult to determine what amount of the interest is business versus personal. If this happens, the IRS may consider the entire amount as nondeductible personal interest and disallow the deduction. Therefore, keep all business purchases made with loans and credit cards clearly separate from your personal expenses. Use a separate credit card for your business to make it easier.

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Small Business Quick Tip

Truck drivers and other employees who are subject to the Department of Transportation's "hours of service" rules are allowed to deduct 80 percent of their meals in 2009. In lieu of using actual expenses for meals and incidental expenses, you can deduct the federal rate of $59 per day.
Saturday, 19th May 2012
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Tax Tips Personal

Are You Putting Investments in Your Child's Name?

New rules tighten your options

Beginning with the 2006 tax year, children, under the age of 18 who have unearned income in excess of $1,700,are taxed at their parent'shigher rate. Previously, Read more...

Personal Quick Tip

Do you use your auto for charitable purposes? What about going to and from the doctor or dentist? Your mileage for both medical and charitable purposes may be deductible on your tax return. It is important to set up a mileage log and keep it handy so you can track your deductible mileage throuhghout the year.