How to Prepare Before a Disaster Strikes

On July 11, 2011, in Tax News, by Dave

A home disaster can be stressful enough without reconstructing important records and accounting for belongings. The Internal Revenue Serviceencourages taxpayers to safeguard their financial and tax records before disaster strikes. Listed below are four simple tips for individuals on preparing for a disaster.

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School’s out and many students will be starting summer jobs. The Internal Revenue Service reminds students that not all the money you earn may make it to your pocket. That’s because your employer must withhold taxes.

Here are six things students need to be aware of when they start a summer job.

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Along with the lazy, hazy days of summer come some extra expenses, including summer day camp. But, the IRS has some good news for parents: those added expenses may help you qualify for a tax credit.

Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation.

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WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes.

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Tips for Managing Your Tax Records

On April 11, 2011, in Tax News, by Dave

After you file your taxes, you will have many records that may help document items on your tax return. You will need these documents should the IRS select your return for examination. Here are five tips from the IRS about keeping good records.

  1. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years.
  2. Some documents — such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property — should be kept longer.
  3. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, however, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.
  4. Records you should keep include bills, credit card and other receipts, invoices, mileage logs, canceled, imaged or substitute checks, proofs of payment, and any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return.

 

 

WASHINGTON –– Hiding income in offshore accounts, identity theft, return preparer fraud, and filing false or misleading tax forms top the annual list of “dirty dozen” tax scams in 2011, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

“The Dirty Dozen represents the worst of the worst tax scams,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “Don’t fall prey to these tax scams. They may look tempting, but these fraudulent deals end up hurting people who participate in them.”

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Are you making a payment with your federal tax return this year? If so, here are 10 important things the IRS wants you to know about making tax payments correctly.

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Washington — The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance that designates the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011 as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes. This guidance affects recipients of disaster relief payments as well as employer-sponsored private foundations.

The guidance allows recipients of qualified disaster relief payments to exclude those payments from income on their tax returns. Also, the guidance allows employer-sponsored private foundations to assist employee victims in areas affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan without affecting their tax-exempt status.

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Things to Know About Tax Refunds

On April 3, 2011, in Tax News, by Dave

Are you expecting a tax refund this year? Here are 10 things the IRS wants you to know about your refund.

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The Original Tax Place on Main Street

On March 12, 2011, in Tax News, by Dave