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The tax experts at J.K. Lasser have answered a lot of your tax preparation questions, ranging from 1040 filing, income tax deductions and credits, self-employment taxes to tax planning for college and retirement, estate and real estate taxes. Ask J.K. a question by filling out the form below. Or browse Ask J.K. answers or use the Search box to see if J.K. has already answered your question.Browse J.K.'s Answers by Category
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- Am I taxed on a payment from my elderly mother to handle her financial affairs?Free
- How do I deduct the interest (investment interest, passive activity interest, business interest) on a loan I took from my S corporation?Free
- When my father died in February 2009, I inherited his home and assumed the mortgage. I have never owned a home before. Can I take the first-time homebuyer credit?Free
- I own a beachfront condo that I rent out throughout the year (I never use it myself). Can I claim first-year expensing (Section 179 deduction) and/or bonus depreciation for new appliances I’ve bought the unit in 2009?Free
- I’m on a filing extension for my 2008 return. I’ve purchased J.K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax and tax preparation software. Can I deduct these costs?Free
- I have investment losses in my traditional IRA. Can I take a deduction for the losses on the investments I’ve sold in the IRA?Free
- I'm purchasing a two-family home in September. I have never owned a home before. Can I qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit?Free
- I received a legal settlement from a neighbor who cut down my trees. Is this money taxable to me?Free
- I'm renting a home now but will be purchasing land on which to build a home. Can I deduct the interest on the land mortgage?Free
- I have a camper that we use as a vacation home. Can I claim any tax deductions for it?Free
- I was laid off from my company last year. I was under 55 years old on my last day of work, but was 56 when I took a total distribution from the company's qualified retirement plan. Am I subject to the 10% early distribution penalty?Free
- I cashed in some savings bonds and received $500 interest. Do I have to report it?Free
- I was supposed to receive a considerable inheritance from my friend who died, but there was a problem with his will. After suing, I received a settlement from his estate. Is this taxable?Free
- My husband and I owned an S corporation to which we each had loaned money. The corporation went out of business. Can we deduct the loans?Free
- My husband and I rent a home we own to my brother and his wife. If we sell the home to them at market value, can they claim the first-time homebuyer credit?Free
- I inherited a home from my great aunt and sold it 4 months later at a loss. Can I deduct the loss?Free
- I inherited an IRA from my sister. I’m 85 years old; she was 75 years old when she died. How do I figure required minimum distributions? Free
- Can I claim my 26-year old son as a dependent on my tax return? He lives with me because he can’t afford his own place. I pay for the residence, food, etc. He earns $8.45/hour for a 30-hour week and pays for his own car and personal expenses. Free
- I just purchased an SUV. I don’t have a business. Can I claim any tax breaks for this purchase?Free
- Ten years ago, I received stock from my employer as a bonus. I paid tax on the value of the stock at that time. I sold the shares in 2008. What is my basis for purposes of determining gain or loss on the sale?Free
- I’m a sole proprietor. In 2008 I discovered an embezzlement in my business going back several years. Do I have to amend prior year returns to take the loss?Free
- To reduce my income for purposes of financial aid for my child, I’d like to contribute to a deductible IRA for 2008 by the April 15, 2009 filing deadline. My husband contributes to a 401(k) plan; I could have contributed to a 401(k) plan at my Free
- I'm paying my 2007 income taxes under an installment agreement with the IRS. I'm anticipating a tax refund for 2008. Do I get this money?Free
- I owed a tax penalty for 2006 that I paid in 2008. Can I include this as part of my itemized tax deduction?Free
- I am 50 years old and have been unemployed for some time. Can I take money from my IRA without a penalty?Free

