Don’t overlook these deductions; they’re available even if you don’t itemize

February 22, 2011

You’re probably familiar with the deduction choice you must make when you file your tax return. You either have enough deductions (such as mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and medical expenses) to itemize, or you take the standard deduction, a set amount that doesn’t require you to list specific deductible items.

What you may not be as familiar with are those deductions that you are allowed to take “above the line”; that is, deductions that you can take in addition to your itemized deductions or the standard deduction.

Here’s a quick rundown of above-the-line deductions you shouldn’t overlook when you prepare your 2010 tax return.

* A deduction of up to $250 for classroom supplies purchased by teachers for use in their classrooms.

* A deduction of up to $5,000 for individual retirement account contributions if you’re under age 50. If you’re 50 or older, you can deduct up to $6,000.

* A deduction of up to $2,500 for interest paid on student loans.

* A deduction of up to $2,000 or $4,000 for college tuition and fees, depending on your income level.

* A deduction for the expenses connected with a job-related move.

* A deduction for 50% of the self-employment tax paid if you are self-employed.

* A deduction for alimony paid. (Note that child support is not deductible.)

* A deduction for contributions to health savings accounts.

Most of these deductions have qualification requirements or income limitations. Don’t overlook above-the-line tax deductions. An added benefit: These deductions decrease your “adjusted gross income,” an important number on your tax return. The lower your adjusted gross income, the more likely you are to qualify for credits and deductions subject to income thresholds. For details or assistance in finding all the deductions you’re entitled to, give us a call.

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It’s time to pay back the first-time homebuyer credit

February 18, 2011

Did you buy your current home between April and December of 2008 and claim the then-new federal tax credit for first-time homebuyers?

If so, repayment of the credit begins this year, and the first installment is due with your 2010 tax return.

You might already have received a letter from the IRS summarizing how much you received and what amount you need to repay. Generally, your installments will be spread in equal amounts over the next fifteen years.

Example: Say you received the maximum credit of $7,500. Since $7,500 divided by 15 is $500, that’s how much you’d add to your tax liability, beginning with your 2010 return.

In some cases – such as if you sell your home or convert it to a rental – you may have to pay back some or all of the credit before the end of the 15-year “recapture” period. The repayment is due in the tax year that the ownership or use of your home changes.

In other situations, including when you move due to military or certain other government service orders, your repayment could be reduced or eliminated.

Other exceptions may apply. Please call if you have questions about how the payback requirements affect you.

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Who qualifies as your dependent? Here’s the tax answer

February 15, 2011

Who depends on you? When the people counting on you for support are qualifying children or relatives, you may be eligible for a dependency exemption of $3,650 on your 2010 federal income tax return ($3,700 on 2011 returns).

Not sure who meets the definition? Consider these facts.

* Dependents cannot have dependents. The “dependent taxpayer” test prevents you from claiming a dependent when someone else claims you on their return. Put another way, you can only claim a dependent if you yourself are not one.

* The tax code gives a definition of a qualifying child. Generally, a qualifying child must not have filed a joint return. In addition, the child must be younger than you are.

* Divorced or separated parents need a signed release to claim an exemption. If you’re a noncustodial parent who wants to claim a dependency deduction for your child in 2010, you must attach Form 8332 to your federal income tax return. As a general rule, copies of divorce decrees or separation agreements are no longer acceptable.

* Qualifying relatives can include family members who do not live with you. Do you support a parent in a nursing home or another state? You may be able to claim a dependency exemption as long as your loved one’s gross income is less than $3,650 for 2010 ($3,700 for 2011), and you provide more than half the total support.

If other family members pitch in to help but no one individually furnishes more than half of your loved one’s total support, you can still benefit. A “Multiple Support Declaration” (Form 2120) lets you decide who claims the exemption.

Contact us if you need more information.

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Choose the right filing status

February 11, 2011

While gathering information to complete your income tax return, you may give little thought to your filing status. But there’s a reason “filing status” choices appear at the beginning of tax forms: They’re important.

Why? Because filing status can impact exemptions, reportable income, deductions, credits, tax rates, liability, the type of form you file, and whether you need to file at all. In addition, some states require that you use the status reported on your federal return, which can affect the amount of state tax you pay.

Here are facts to consider when determining filing status.

1. Your status generally depends on whether you’re married or single on the last day of your taxable year (typically December 31). In cases of divorce or separate maintenance decrees, the laws of your state determine whether you’re considered married or single. Same-sex marriages are not recognized for federal income tax purposes.

2. As a married couple, you can choose joint or separate returns. When you file separately, you can change your mind later and amend your return to file jointly. However, you can’t switch from joint status to married filing separately after the due date of the original return.

3. If you were widowed during the year and have not remarried, you have the option of filing jointly with your late spouse. When you’re widowed and have dependent children, you can continue to use joint tax rates for two additional years following the year your spouse died.

4. Head of household status is intended for single taxpayers with dependent children. It may also be available when you’re single and maintaining a separate household for a parent – including one living in a nursing home.

Questions about your filing status? Please contact us if you need more information.

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IRS raises nonprofit filing threshold

February 8, 2011

Tax-exempt organizations are required to file annual reports with the IRS. Those with gross receipts below a certain threshold amount can file an E-postcard rather than a longer version of Form 990. The IRS has just raised that threshold amount to $50,000, an increase over the previous filing threshold of $25,000. The deadline for nonprofit filings is the 15th day of the fifth month after their year-end. For calendar-year organizations, that filing deadline for 2010 reports is May 16, 2011.

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IRS announces more savings bond options for your tax refund

February 4, 2011

Last year, you could use your tax refund to purchase U.S. Series I Savings Bonds in your name. This year, there are some new options for purchasing savings bonds with your income tax refund.

You can buy savings bonds for yourself and up to two other individuals. Form 8888 is used to designate the person or persons in whose name the bonds are to be issued. The savings bonds will then be mailed to those individuals.

Up to $5,000 in bonds can be purchased, and they must be bought in $50 increments. This year, you no longer need to use direct deposit for any remaining refund amount; you may request a paper check for the balance if you prefer.

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Delayed tax returns can be filed starting February 14

February 1, 2011

Taxpayers who itemize deductions, claim the educator expense deduction, or claim a deduction for tuition and fees were told by the IRS not to file their 2010 returns until the IRS had reprogrammed its computers to handle these late-2010 changes.

The IRS has just announced the filing start date for these returns: February 14, 2011. On that date, the IRS will begin processing paper and e-filed returns claiming any of these deductions.

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