We don't want to rush you but you have:
left until your taxes are due

Tax Tips Small Business

Electing to Expense the Cost of Your Business Assets
Section 179 deduction limits increase

The IRS allows taxpayers the option of either depreciating some assets over a specified number of years or deducting all or a portion of the cost in one year. The expense election, commonly referred to as the Section 179 deduction, is made in the year the asset is placed in service. The benefit is a large deduction in the current year that is not reduced even if the asset is placed in service late in the tax year.
Read more...

Small Business Quick Tip

The Social Security wage base increases to $106,800 in 2009 and 2010. This means that you are no longer required to withhold social security tax for employees after meeting this threshold. However, you are required to withhold Medicare taxes regardless of the amount of wages paid.
FAQs
If you have a question which is not in this section, please contact us.

Q: I quickly penciled in my tax return and I think I will owe lots of money. Can I file an extension so I have more time to pay?
A: No. Filing an extension only extends the time you have to file your tax return. It does not extend the time you have to pay your tax liability. There are various options available for paying your tax liability however. IRS now accepts credit cards (there is a fee) and Installment agreements (there is a fee). You should speak with a tax professional for further guidance.
 
Q: I just realized that I have not filed my tax return in a few years. What should I do?

A: You should file the returns you haven’t filed. You’ll pay interest and probably a penalty (unless you’ve got a really good reason). As long as you come clean voluntarily, you should avoid any truly serious trouble. By the way, there’s no statute of limitations on non-filed returns. Therefore, if you don’t file returns, interest and penalties continue to accrue.

 
Q: I was cleaning out my house and came across all of these old records. How long should I save these records for?
A: Generally speaking, the following are recommended periods of retention for various documents:

7 Years

Tax Returns (uncomplicated), W-2's, 1099's, Cancelled checks supporting tax deductions, Bank deposit slips, Bank statements, Charitable contribution documentation, Credit card statements, Receipts, diaries, or logs pertaining to tax returns.

Ownership Period + 7 Years

Investment purchase and sales slips, Dividend reinvestment records, Year-end brokerage statements, Mutual fund annual statements, Investment property purchase documents, Home purchase documents, Home improvement receipts and cancelled checks, Loan paperwork.

Permanent

Tax Returns (complicated), Retirement plan annual reports, IRA annual reports, IRA nondeductible contributions (Form 8606), Divorce documents, Estate planning documents.
 
Q: I have a basic tax return, why should I come see a professional tax preparer?
A: There are many advantages to having your tax return prepared professionally. Since your return will be filed electronically, you may receive any potentional refund much quicker. Also, professional tax preparers are use to working with tax returns and are familiar with many IRS procedures that you may not be. Professional tax preparers may be able to help reduce your tax liability.
 
Q: I have always done my own tax return, but this year I want to have my return done professionally. What should I bring with me?

A: You will need to bring all the relevant tax documents that will be needed to complete your tax return. These could include, but may not be limited to:

* W-2's * Childcare records
* 1099-B's * Medical Expense records
* 1099-DIV's * Mortgage/Closing documents
* 1099-G's * Home Improvement documents
*1099-INT's * Proof of Charitable Contributions
*1099-MISC's * Receipts for Non-Reimbursed Business Expenses
*1099-R's * Self-Employment Income/Expense records

You should also bring your previous two years tax returns so that the preparer can see how you have filed your returns in the past.

 
Q: I have heard that it can be quite expensive to have my taxes done professionally. How much will this cost?

A: Fees can vary depending on the complexity of the tax return. A tax return that involves nothing more than one W-2 will be less expensive than a return that involves income from a rental property. The more work and forms that are required to complete you tax return, the more the charge will be.

 


Tuesday, 09 March 2010
EASEAL_L

What is an Enrolled Agent and why should I care?

Click Here to find out

 

find-us-on-facebook

 

Tax Tips Personal

Is an Inheritance Taxable?

In most cases, an inheritance is not taxable to you, but there are exceptions

At some point, you may inherit money or property that, in most cases, is not taxable to you. Life insurance proceeds are included in the deceased person's estate, but are not taxable to the beneficiaries. Bank accounts and other income-producing assets such as stocks are not taxable to you when received, but the income these assets generate is taxable to you.

Read more...

Personal Quick Tip

If your tax refund was too high or too low, adjust your withholding so it doesn't happen again next year. You can file a revised W-4 with your employer at any time to increase or decrease the number of exemptions you claim. The more exemptions you claim, the less tax your employer withholds from your wages, resulting in a smaller refund. Decreasing the number of exemptions results in more withholding and a larger refund.