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Tax Tips Small Business

Tax Credit Available for Hiring Certain Employees

Work Opportunity Tax Credit saves employers tax dollars

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is available to employers who hire individuals from one of nine targeted groups. Recent legislation extended the credit through August 31, 2011. To take the credit, the employee(s) you hire must be from one of the following targeted groups:

Small Business Quick Tip

The Social Security wage base increases to $102,000 in 2008, up from $97,500 for 2007. 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.

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IRS Increases Mileage Rates through Dec. 31, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8) cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-70.

In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.

Tax Tips Personal

Let the Sun Shine

Certain solar-powered improvements are eligible for a tax credit

You are allowed a credit for 30 percent of certain expenditures that increase the energy efficiency of your personal residence. Costs eligible for the credit include qualified solar electric property expenditures, qualified solar water heating property expenditures, and qualified fuel cell property expenditures. The credit is available for residential energy-efficient property placed in service in 2006, 2007, and 2008. There is no requirement that property be new to qualify.

Personal Quick Tip

If you 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.