Do You Have Debt Forgiveness?

You may not have to include it in income

When you are liable for a loan but can't repay it, some lenders will forgive the debt. What many borrowers don't realize is that this cancellation of debt results in taxable income in the year of forgiveness. The lender usually will issue a 1099-C to report the cancelled debt. If you receive one, don't ignore it. Be sure to give it to your tax preparer and discuss the circumstances surrounding the loan.

If you have cancelled debt but are bankrupt or insolvent, you may exclude the income on your tax return. To prove insolvency, your liabilities must exceed the fair market value of your assets immediately before the debt discharge. The amount of forgiven debt can be excluded cannot be more than the amount your liabilities exceed the value of your assets.

In light of the current mortgage crisis, Congress has provided more relief for borrowers who couldn't pay their mortgages. If you have forgiveness of debt on the mortgage of your qualified principal residence (usually due to foreclosure), you don't have to recognize cancelled debt. The maximum amount of debt forgiveness eligible for exclusion is $2 million. This relief is available for tax years 2007 through 2009.

 

Tax Tips Small Business

Determining Qualified Business Expenses

Be sure to deduct every legitimate expense

Amounts you spend in the course of conducting business are generally deductible from the gross income of that business. This includes any start-up expenses. You can claim amounts spent for items ordinary and necessary in your trade or business as a deduction against your income. Otherwise, the amounts are amortized, depreciated, or expensed depending on the nature of the purchases.

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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

Did You Move This Year?

Your moving expenses may be deductible

If you moved this year because of a change in your job location or because you started a new job, you may be able to deduct the reasonable expenses of moving household goods and personal effects to your new home. The expenses of traveling to the new home including lodging expenses, are also deductible. Meals, however, are not. Read more...

Personal Quick Tip

In 2010, premiums that are paid or accrued for "qualified mortgage insurance" in connection with home acquisition debt on your residence are deductible as home mortgage interest.