Monthly Archives: April 2016

You Still May Wish to File a Tax Return

Posted on by

1040 form and IRS logo

Too many taxpayers fail to file a tax return under the false notion that one is not required to pay income tax. This assumption can cause problems. Here are some examples of when to file a tax return even when not required to do so.

Check mark Wish to qualify for Premium Tax Credit. This tax credit helps reduce the cost of health insurance for those who purchase their insurance through the new health insurance marketplace. Without a filed tax return you cannot have the Premium Health Credit applied towards your monthly premiums. In fact, non-filing could limit your ability to receive this credit in future tax years as the IRS continues to place controls on the payment of this credit.
Check mark Receive refundable tax credits. There are certain tax credits that will provide refunds even if you do not owe income tax. The most common of these is the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Check mark You wish to limit potential audits. The IRS typically has three years to audit a filed tax return. If no tax return is filed, this audit time limit never starts.
Check mark You are applying for financial aid or loans. Banks and colleges will often use tax return information to qualify you for loans and financial aid. Even if not required to file, it is nice to provide this information if requested.
Check mark You are filing a final tax return for a loved one. The IRS will eventually receive death information through the Social Security Administration. By filing a final tax return, you can put the breaks on unwanted communication from the IRS as they wait for this confirmation.
Check mark You want withholdings returned to you. Always file a tax return if an employer or other supplier withheld tax funds. It is the only way you will receive them back from the federal government.
Check mark You wish to protect against someone else filing a tax return. With the vast increase in identity theft from the IRS, filing a tax return can close the door on would-be thieves. Your filed tax return can block attempts by someone else who files a second tax return with fake information.

Non-profit Annual Filing Due

Posted on by

Food donationsAnnual reporting is required for all organizations that wish to keep their non-profit status intact. The due date for this filing is May 16, 2016 for calendar year organizations. How can you help ensure your favorite charities stay compliant?

 

Check mark It is not too difficult. If the charitable organization has less than $50,000 in gross receipts, they can comply by sending in a Form 990-N e-Postcard. Larger organizations must fill out Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Check mark Failure to file could cause your favorite charity to lose its non-profit status. This can have a cascading effect on all those donating who wish to deduct their donation on their tax returns.
Check mark Check on-line. The IRS has a master list of charitable organizations recognized as non-profits in good standing. Here is a link: Exempt Organizations Select Check
Check mark Remind the organization. Many small non-profits like youth sporting groups and local school booster clubs often forget about this reporting because officers are constantly rotating in and out of the organization.

2015 Tax Quiz

Posted on by

Pencil and quiz

The states must be crazy

Historically, nexus laws protect consumers and businesses from paying taxes to states where they do not visit or live. These laws are intended to protect interstate commerce. With the lack of strong federal tax guidance, many states are now passing fairly creative laws to reach into the pockets of their fellow states’ tax revenues. Can you match the creative law with the state?

 

 

 

Question Consultants pay more tax than employees. This state wants income tax on your consulting work as a non-resident but does not require you to pay tax if you are a non-resident “employee” doing the exact same work despite the fact you never set foot in their state.
Answer California
Question A non-resident gets married and pays tax to a state he has never visited. A widower who lives and works in Florida marries a widow from another state. The widow’s state demands income tax on the new husband’s earnings made while living and working in Florida.
Answer Utah and others
Question New gross receipts tax concept. This state’s recent law introduces a Commerce Tax based on a business’ gross receipts and the type of business they conduct. This departure from traditional sales/use tax and income tax is placed on any business that has $4 million or more in state gross receipts. The tax is owed even if the business is located in another state. To make matters worse, the law requires the out-of-state businesses to pay for any audit related expenses should the state wish to examine their books. Expense reimbursement could be required even if no tax is due as a result of the audit.
Answer Nevada
Question Tax your inheritance. The federal government and most states will tax the estate of a person who passes away. But a few states also tax the other end of the death spectrum; those who receive an inheritance. If you expect money from a rich relative, you will not want to live in any of these states when your new found wealth arrives.
Answer Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland