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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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- My wife became extremely ill while we were out of town. My grandson flew in and my son and granddaughter drove to see her because the doctors didn't think she would make it. Are their travel costs deductible?Free
- Can I make more than one Roth IRA conversion in 2010 in order to time the market and report the lowest income from the conversion?Free
- I've owned my home for 15 years and plan to retire to Florida. If I sell my home and purchase a retirement home in April 2010, can I claim both the home sale exclusion and the long-time resident homebuyer credit?Free
- My child is a sophomore in college and I pay her tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Can I claim both the American Opportunity tax credit and the exclusion for interest on the savings bonds I cashed in to help pay for the costs?Free
- Can I deduct the cost of home remodeling? I paid for all the improvements with cash and did not get a home improvement loan?Free
- The stock market may have been up for 2009, but my annual statement for my 401(k) account shows it went down. Can I deduct a loss?Free
- Our daughter will graduate from college this spring. Our son, who is an adult, moved back home when he lost his job. We pay all of the housing costs as well as food. Can I claim them as my dependents?Free
- Now that there’s no income limit on converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, I want to know whether the conversion counts as part or all of the required minimum distribution from my IRA for 2010?Free
- I recently dumped a timeshare that I had owned for several years. The company bought it back from me for $5,000; I paid $12,000 for it. Can I deduct the loss?Free
- I have full custody of my child but released the dependency exemption to my child's father. I paid some of her college tuition. Can I claim an American Opportunity credit with respect to my tuition payments?Free
- I want to cash out my child's UTMA account of $20,000 and transfer the funds to a 529 plan. What are the tax implications of this?Free
- I turned age 70½ in 2009. Do I have to take a required minimum distribution by April 1, 2010?Free
- My wife and her sisters inherited land from their mother who died. They plan to sell it immediately. I understand that the difference between the land's value and what is received on a sale is taxable. Is this capital gain or ordinary income?Free
- I upgraded the heat and air system in my home to make it energy-efficient. Is there any income limit on claiming a tax credit for this home improvement?Free
- I own a home in Michigan but recently accepted a job in Virginia. My family will continue to live in Michigan. Are my living expenses in Virginia (e.g., rent) and travel costs to Michigan and back tax deductible?Free
- I have a new grandchild and want to set up a 529 college savings plan for him. I live in a different state from my grandchild. Where should I set up the plan?Free
- I'll turn 62 years old in February 2010. I want to start receiving Social Security, but I have a part-time job. Will this impact my benefits?Free
- I bought a home in October; I never owned one before. My mom cosigned the mortgage (she owns her own home) and is on the title to my home. Can I qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit?Free
- I'm 57 years old and recently lost my job. My 401(k) is worth $59,000, and I owe roughly $46,000 on my home mortgage. Can I cash out the plan to pay off the mortgage without a tax penalty?Free
- I send my two children to a religious day school. Can I claim a charitable contribution deduction the portion of the tuition related to their religious education?Free
- Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) received by a disabled person taxable?Free
- My daughter goes to a university and, as part of her course work, has to do clinical work at a local hospital. If we buy her a car, can we treat it as a qualified educational expense for purposes of the American Opportunity credit?Free
- I volunteer to help seniors with their chores. I sometimes take them out to eat and always use my own car. Can I deduct anything?Free
- In 2007, I moved from New Hampshire to Delaware because of a new job but forgot to deduct moving costs on my 2007 return. Is it too late to claim these moving expenses now?Free
- My wife and I tried to adopt a foreign child. The adoption fell through. Do we qualify for the adoption credit?Free

