Tax News

When you have a new baby, there are a number of special tax rules that apply to you. While they probably won't offset the cost of caring for your new family member, they will provide some tax relief. ...

That's what one taxpayer hopes to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. She has been representing herself in a tax case because she could not obtain legal counsel. She lost in the Tax Court and on appe...

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 passed the Senate on September 16, 2010, and is expected to pass the House soon and be signed into law. The Act contains $12 billion in tax cuts and is designed to ...

With the school year beginning, now is a great time to focus on financial aid for your college-age dependents. If you are applying for financial aid for college for your child, you are required to com...

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs, were greatly enhanced by the Economic Growth Tax Relief Act of 2001 as a tax-advantaged way to pay for education. However, the provisions in that act are...

Retirement plans are primarily designed to provide income during retirement years. However, in tough economic times, individuals short of cash to pay for housing, medical costs, and other necessities ...

by Seymour Goldberg, CPA, MBA, JD A power of attorney (POA) is a vital part of an individual's overall estate plan. Many POAs are comprehensive in nature, but many POAs may leave out important financi...

Much attention is focused on federal income taxes. For many individuals, state income taxes also represent a substantial expenditure. For example, Hawaii has the highest state income tax rate of 11% o...

Some taxpayers expecting tax refunds take out short-term loans, called refund anticipation loans (RALs). Money is advanced to taxpayers to the extent of the refund they expect to receive, and the loan...

The interest rates paid on overpayments and underpayments remain the same in the fourth quarter of 2010 as they have been all year. Individuals will pay 4% on underpayments and receive interest of 4% ...

After more than 30 years, the opportunity for low-income workers to receive the earned income credit on an advanced basis has ended. Effective after 2010, eligible workers will have to wait until they...

According to one study, about 71% of employees have access to a 401(k) or similar plan at work, of which 77% currently contribute or have money invested in the plan. For many individuals, this is a pr...

The cost of vehicles purchased for business can be recovered by expensing (limits may apply), which provides a greater up-front write-off than depreciation claimed over a number of years. In one recen...

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/cb10ff-14_school.pdf), 27% of the population over the age of 3 is enrolled in school. In a few short weeks, children will be r...

Tax return preparers who prepare returns after December 31, 2010, will have to obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) each year from the IRS, as provided by proposed regulations. The IRS a...

If you are affected by the BP oil spill in the Gulf, you may be dealing with serious financial and personal concerns, and taxes may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is helpful to know that ...

The Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act of 2010 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 comprise the historic health care reform package that will overhaul health care in A...

A federal law, called the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, until now has barred same sex couples from filing joint federal income tax returns even where they are legally married under state law. Howev...

It looks like Wesley Snipes is going to jail. An appellate court has upheld his conviction on tax evasion and his sentence of 36 months in prison. The case involved three years in which the actor f...

Those who were in contract by April 30, 2010, to purchase a home that would qualify them for a tax credit as a first-time buyer or long-term resident now have more time to complete the sale. Originall...