Personal Finance Tips for Recent College Graduates

Personal Finance Tips for Recent College Graduates

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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

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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,…
Foreign Account Reporting Requirements (FBAR)

Foreign Account Reporting Requirements (FBAR)

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U.S. citizens and residents with a financial interest in or signature or other authority over any foreign financial account need to report that relationship by filing FinCEN Form 114 if the aggregate value of the accounts exceeds $10,000 at…
The IRS Is Cracking Down on Cryptocurrency Tax Transactions

The IRS Is Cracking Down on Cryptocurrency Tax Transactions

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The IRS announced in late July 2019 that it is ramping up its campaign to ensure that taxpayers with cryptocurrency transactions report these transactions on their income tax returns – and report them correctly – by sending “educational”…
Receiving Tips Can Be Taxing

Receiving Tips Can Be Taxing

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Anyone who collects tips must include those tips in their taxable income. This requirement is not limited to waiters and waitresses; it applies to anyone who collects tips, including taxicab, Uber, Lyft, and similar drivers; beauticians; porters;…
August 2019 Individual Due Dates

August 2019 Individual Due Dates

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August 12 - Report Tips to Employer If you are an employee who works for tips and received more than $20 in tips during July, you are required to report them to your employer on IRS Form 4070 no later than August 12. Your employer is required…
What You Need to Know about Student Loan Interest

What You Need to Know about Student Loan Interest

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If you are considering borrowing funds to finance your college education or that of your spouse or children, it is important that you understand that the student loan interest deduction is not limited to the interest paid on government student…
Small Business Owners May Qualify for a Home-Office Deduction

Small Business Owners May Qualify for a Home-Office Deduction

“Home office” is a type of tax deduction that applies to the business use of a home; the space itself may not actually be an office. One of the following must apply to be able to deduct home office expenses. The home office: Must…
Does Your Tax ID Number Need to be Renewed?

Does Your Tax ID Number Need to be Renewed?

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According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), just about 2 million Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) are set to expire at the end of 2019. ITINs are used by people who have tax filing or payment obligations under U.S.…