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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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- I lent money to my best friend 3 years ago when she started a business. Now her business has folded and she can?t pay me back. Can I take a deduction for this?Free
- I'm 72 and need to take my required minimum distribution from my IRA by the end of this year. The value of my account is down dramatically. Is there anything I can do to reduce what I might otherwise have been required to withdraw?Free
- I contributed $15,000 to a 529 savings plan several years ago for my child's education. He starts college in February 2009 and the account currently is worth only $13,000. When the funds are withdrawn to pay his tuition, can I take a tax loss?Free
- I purchased commercial property that had a house on it. Can I take a loss for the difference between the appraised value and what I received?Free
- I had converted my regular IRA to a Roth IRA and paid tax on $25,000. The account is now worth $80,000 and I want to withdraw $20,000 to pay off my credit card debt. Is the withdrawal taxable to me?Free
- I deposited $15,000 with a builder to construct a new home for me, but lost it when I couldn't sell my old home and didn't go through with the construction. Can I deduct the deposit I lost?Free
- I received $140,000 in tax-free income from a personal injury suit. If I give 10% to charity, can I deduct it?Free
- My mother-in-law is 94 years old and receives income from pensions, CDs, and money market accounts as well as Social Security benefits. Does she need to still file a return at her age?Free
- I am a legal guardian for someone. I incurred various expenses associated with the guardianship. Do I report my income and expenses on Schedule C?Free
- My husband and I gave our son-in-law a car worth $24,000. Can we deduct this gift?Free
- If I sell raw land, can I reinvest the proceeds in other raw land to defer any taxes due on the original sale?Free
- I am 65 years old. Can I use the money in my IRA to make my monthly mortgage payments?Free
- I receive Social Security benefits on behalf of my minor child because of the death of his father. Are these benefits taxable?Free
- I have a domestic partner who lives with me. I pay more than half of her expenses for the year, including all of her food and shelter. Can I claim her as a dependent?Free
- My partner and I own a home together. We each file as single. How do we deduct the real estate taxes and mortgage interest?Free
- Can a person work for a company and also be an independent contractor for the same company?Free
- I have a 17-year old daughter living at home who is a high school senior. Can I claim an exemption for her?Free
- My husband and I built a new home four years ago and sold it this year at a loss of around $35,000. My taxman said we can?t deduct this. Is he correct?Free
- Is my premium under COBRA deductible?Free
- I own rental real estate and paid a plumber to fix a leaky water heater. It couldn?t be repaired and had to be replaced. How do I treat the cost of the new tank and the labor charge?Free
- If I sell my house, is there any limit on the number of acres that can be part of the sale for purposes of the home sale exclusion?Free
- Is the rebate check (called a "stimulus payment") that we receive in May under the Economic Stimulus Act taxable income to us? Do we have to report it on our 2008 income tax return?Free
- Can I deduct my commute from my home to a worksite?Free
- An S corporation is going to purchase a car that is going to be used around 80% for business. Does the S corporation depreciate only 80% of the car?Free
- Can my family-owned corporation (C corporation) sponsor my education?Free

