Taxpayers who decide they need assistance when preparing a tax return should choose a tax preparer with care and caution. Even if a return was prepared by an outside individual or firm, taxpayers should remember… Read More »How to Choose a Tax Return Preparer and Avoid Preparer Fraud
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) There are several changes affecting Alternative Minimum Tax for 2009. Child-Related Tax Changes Information on adoption benefits, child’s investment income, the definition of a qualifying child, and additional child tax credit.… Read More »Tax Changes for Individuals
For the first time ever, taxpayers can convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, regardless of their annual income. Previously, conversions weren’t allowed for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) over $100,000. But… Read More »Benefit from Roth "ordering rules"
The buzz about Roth IRA conversions is getting louder. And why not: For the first time ever, higher-income taxpayers can convert their traditional IRAs into a Roth. Beginning in 2010, the prior restriction for taxpayers… Read More »Roth IRA conversion in 2010
2008 Changes The social security and Medicare wage threshold for household employees is $1,600 for 2008. This means that if you pay a household employee cash wages of less than $1,600 in 2008, you do… Read More »Wage Threshold for Household Employees
The standard deduction for people who do not itemize their deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) is, in most cases, higher for 2009 than it was for 2008. In addition to the annual increase due… Read More »Standard Deduction Increased
The COBRA subsidy program was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2009. But a late reprieve from the government keeps the program up-and-running awhile longer. The extensions were tacked onto a defense appropriations bill —… Read More »COBRA subsidies extended
If you retire from the armed services based on years of service and are later given a retroactive service-connected disability rating by the VA, your retirement pay for the retroactive period is excluded from income… Read More »Special Limitation Period for Retroactively Excluding Military Retirement Pay
2009 Nonbusiness energy property credit. This credit, which expired after 2007, has been reinstated. You may be able to claim a nonbusiness energy property credit of 30% of the cost of certain energy-efficient property or… Read More »Residential Energy Credits
The “first-time homebuyer credit” isn’t just for first-time homebuyers anymore. Thanks to a new tax law change, longtime homeowners may also qualify. Under the new “Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009,” you must… Read More »New homebuyer credit rules
Beginning January 1, 2009, the monthly exclusion for commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit passes increased to $120 and the monthly exclusion for qualified parking increased to $230. Beginning March 1, 2009, the monthly exclusion… Read More »Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits
2008 Changes The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased to $3,500 for 2008. You lose part of the benefit of your exemptions if your AGI is above a certain amount. The amount… Read More »Personal Exemptions