Tag: IRS

Getting your Filing Status Correct

Getting your Filing Status Correct

Selecting the right filling status makes a great difference in your refund ultimately and is quite important. Your standard deduction and the amount of tax your owe varies based on whether you are single, married, or head of household. The IRS wants you to make the right selection and therefore is providing some useful tips.

If you have gotten married or gotten a divorce during the tax year, your filing status is your status on the last day of the year. And maybe more than one status applies to you. For instance, you are both … Read the rest

Getting your Filing Status Correct

Selecting the right filling status makes a great difference in your refund ultimately and is quite important. Your standard deduction and the amount of tax your owe varies based on whether you are single, married, or head of household. The IRS wants you to make the right selection and therefore is providing some useful tips.

If you have gotten married or gotten a divorce during the tax year, your filing status is your status on the last day of the year. And maybe more than one status applies to you. For instance, you are both single and Head of Household. Select Head of Household as the tax your owe will be less.

Married couples have the unique ability to file jointly or separately. Often this selection is made based on the overall tax consequences of the filing status. State taxes can be reduced be filing separately in states like Ohio, make this selection attractive.

If your spouse passed away during 2009, you can file jointly for this one year only with your deceased spouse. And if your spouse died during either 2007 or 2008 and you have a dependent child, filing Widow(er) with Dependent Child can improve your tax return if you meet certain conditions. (Check Publication 501)

Head of Household implies that you are single, have paid more that 50% of the cost of your home, and have a qualified dependent in the home. This status was often claimed incorrectly but has recently been looked at closely but IRS auditors for misapplication.

Top Ten Tax Tips for Early January

Top Ten Tax Tips for Early January 2010

The IRS has released their first tax tip of the season with the Top Ten Tax Time Tips. Their tips range from record gathering and filing options to Publication 17 review and contacting the IRS with your questions.

  1. Get your records ready. Start gathering all the records you will need to prepare your tax return when all tax forms have arrived in the mail.

  2. Watch the mailbox. Keep your eyes open for tax documents in the mail including mortgage interest and W2s from your employer. Some mortgage companies do not send the

… Read the rest

Top Ten Tax Tips for Early January 2010

The IRS has released their first tax tip of the season with the Top Ten Tax Time Tips. Their tips range from record gathering and filing options to Publication 17 review and contacting the IRS with your questions.

  1. Get your records ready. Start gathering all the records you will need to prepare your tax return when all tax forms have arrived in the mail.

  2. Watch the mailbox. Keep your eyes open for tax documents in the mail including mortgage interest and W2s from your employer. Some mortgage companies do not send the forms separately but enclose them with your monthly statement.

  3. eFile When Complete. File your return electronically when it is prepared. The majority of Americans are now filing their returns electronically and the process is much faster than the traditional method of mailing in a paper return.

  4. Free File your Return. Many preparation software solutions have teamed up with the IRS to provide free filing options when your income is below certain levels. If you use TurboTax or TaxAct, try the free Federal version before paying for the service.

  5. Consider Free Consultations. Many parts of the country now offer free filing consultations. Check with your local library or your local community center to see if they have experienced help for you tax preparation.

  6. Direct Deposit is Faster. You can speed up your refund from the IRS if you have them directly deposit the funds into a bank account instead of sending you a check.

  7. Watch IRS.gov. The government website has updates throughout the tax season with great advice when you need your questions answered.

  8. Publication 17. This IRS document is the end all when it comes to information about your tax return. Check it for changes to the tax code that will affect your return in 2010.

  9. Review your return. Mistakes and missing information are common when you send a return without it reviewing it first. Take your time to consider every part of your return for additional deductions and credits your might be eligible for.

  10. Contact the IRS. If you have a question to hesitate to call 1-800-829-1040 toll free.