Archived Posts: Tax

Tax Tips for August 2021

Tax Tips for August 2021

Click on the links below to jump to each section in this article: Start Planning Now for Next Year's Tax Return A Tax Checklist for Newly Married Couples Choosing a Payroll Services Provider Repaying Deferred Social Security Tax Keeping Good Tax Records Is Essential Start Planning Now for Next Year's Tax Return This year's tax deadline may have come and gone, but it's never too early to start planning for next year. With that in mind, here are five things you can do now to make next April 15...

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Which Educator Expenses Are Tax Deductible?

Which Educator Expenses Are Tax Deductible?

Teachers and other educators should remember that they can deduct certain unreimbursed expenses such as classroom supplies, training, and travel – even when schools switched to hybrid or remote learning models during the pandemic last spring. Deducting these expenses helps reduce the amount of tax owed when filing a tax return.

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Minimizing Capital Gains Tax on Sale of a Home

Minimizing Capital Gains Tax on Sale of a Home

If you're looking to sell your home this year, then it may be time to take a closer look at the exclusion rules and cost basis of your home to reduce your taxable gain on the sale of a home. The IRS home sale exclusion rule allows an exclusion of gain up to $250,000 for a single taxpayer or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly. This exclusion can be used over and over during your lifetime (but not more frequently than every 24 months), as long as you meet certain ownership and use...

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Opting Out of the Monthly Child Tax Credit Payment

Opting Out of the Monthly Child Tax Credit Payment

Thanks to the advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, approximately 60 million children received $15 billion in July, according to the Department of Treasury and the IRS. While many of these families will benefit from the extra money deposited into their bank accounts, some families may want to opt-out and instead take the credit when they file their tax return next spring.

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Expat Compliance With US Tax Filing Obligations

Expat Compliance With US Tax Filing Obligations

Taxpayers who relinquish citizenship without complying with their U.S. tax obligations are subject to the significant tax consequences of the U.S. expatriation tax regime. If you're an expat who has relinquished - or intends to relinquish - your U.S. citizenship but still has U.S. tax filing obligations (including owing back taxes), you'll be relieved to know there are IRS procedures in place that allow you to come into compliance and receive relief for any back taxes owed. Let's take a look:...

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Q & A: The $10,200 Unemployment Tax Break

Q & A: The $10,200 Unemployment Tax Break

Generally, unemployment compensation received under the unemployment compensation laws of the United States or a state is considered taxable income and must be reported on your federal tax return. However, a new tax break - in effect only for the 2020 tax year - lets you exclude the first $10,200 from taxable income. Here's what you should know: What do I need to do to get the tax break? The tax break, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA is available to all taxpayers...

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Highlights of the American Rescue Plan Act

Highlights of the American Rescue Plan Act

Signed into law on March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) contains several tax provisions affecting individuals and families. Let's take a look: Economic Impact Payments (EIP3). A third round of economic impact payments (EIP3) will be sent to qualifying taxpayers; individuals will receive $1,400 ($2,800 for married taxpayers filing jointly) plus $1,400 for each dependent, which includes college students and relatives who can be claimed as dependents. These payments are sent out as...

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