Tax Issues Related to Hobbies

,
Generally, when individuals have a hobby, they have it because they enjoy it and are not involved in their hobby with the goal of making money. In fact, most hobbies never make money or don’t even create any income, for that matter. Tax law…

Life Changing Events Can Impact Your Taxes

Throughout your life there will be certain significant occasions that will impact not only your day-to-day living but also your taxes. Here are a few of those events: Getting Married – If you just got married or are considering getting…
Who Claims the Children You or Your Ex-Spouse?

Who Claims the Children You or Your Ex-Spouse?

If you are a divorced or separated parent with children, a commonly encountered but often misunderstood issue is who claims the child or children for tax purposes. This is sometimes a hotly disputed issue between parents; however, tax law includes…
Tax Issues That Arise When Converting a Home into a Rental

Tax Issues That Arise When Converting a Home into a Rental

There are many reasons to convert a home into a rental, such as to ensure that a prior home produces income and appreciation after the owner buys a new home; to maximize the tax benefits for an elderly person who can no longer live alone by…
Disaster-Related Tax Losses May Be Less Than Expected

Disaster-Related Tax Losses May Be Less Than Expected

,
The late-2017 tax-reform package changed the rules for personal casualty losses, which now are only deductible if they occur in a federally declared disaster area. As a result, if a home is destroyed in a forest fire or other disaster within…
September 2019 Individual Due Dates

September 2019 Individual Due Dates

September 1 - 2019 Fall and 2020 September 10 - Report Tips to Employer If you are an employee who works for tips and received more than $20 in tips during August, you are required to report them to your employer on IRS Form 4070 no later…

What Are the Tax Advantages of Homeownership?

,
Housing is a big expense for everyone. The choice generally involves either renting or purchasing – and financing that purchase with a home loan. This article explores the tax benefits and drawbacks that individuals should consider when deciding…
Personal Finance Tips for Recent College Graduates

Personal Finance Tips for Recent College Graduates

,
Congratulations! You've worked hard on your degree and are ready to move forward with your first job and other major life decisions. While your degree and this first job don't necessarily set your life in stone, now is a crucial time to start…
Watch Out for Those Fake IRS Letters

Watch Out for Those Fake IRS Letters

Every year, the vast majority of taxpayers file their returns with the IRS between the end of January and the April due date. However, the IRS does not just take taxpayers’ word regarding the information on their returns. For this reason,…
How to Write Off Worthless Stock

How to Write Off Worthless Stock

,
If you are like most investors, you occasionally will pick a loser that declines in value. Sometimes, a security can even become worthless when the issuing company goes out of business. Gains and losses for securities, including stock,…