Category Archives: General

If you sell a service or a product, the money you make is generally defined as business income. Additionally, business income includes real estate rents and any fees for service that is paid to an individual. Business income must be reported at tax time, regardless of the type of business. There are three different classifications […]

Are you a stockholder for any corporations? In some cases, stockholders can receive dividends from the corporation as property distribution. These dividends are generally paid in cash, though they may also be distributed as additional stock or property. Dividends may also be received through trusts, estates, partnerships, and associations subject to tax as either a […]

On a Roll to Retirement

If you have money or assets saved in an eligible retirement plan, you may be able to transfer the funds to a different retirement plan without having to pay taxes on the withdrawal, as long as you perform a rollover. In order to be considered a rollover, the transfer has to happen within sixty days, […]

Is Interest Taxable?

Interest bearing accounts can help you add a little bit extra to your savings. However, if you are able to withdraw the funds without any type of penalty, then you should be aware that interest paid to those funds is considered taxable income for the year you made it available. Interest will be reported on […]

Some distributions from retirement plans, allotted from qualifying annuity or pension plans through your employer, may be taxable. If any of the following statements are true, your benefits may be taxable: You didn’t contribute to your pension or you aren’t a contributing party to the annuity. Your employer didn’t deduct the contributions from your salary. […]

What is Gross Income?

We all like getting paid. When payday rolls around, it can be the happiest time of the month, at least until the next one. But did you know any salary, wages or tips you receive are considered part of your gross income and must be included at tax time. Withholdings, such as Medicare, income tax, […]

Exemptions are a quick way to save money when you file your tax return. In addition to a personal exemption, taxpayers can take an exemption for each dependent they claim, known as the dependency exemption. There are a few requirements that parents must meet in order to claim an exemption for each dependent. The exemption […]

If this is the first year you’ve been affected by the Affordable Care Act, you may not really know what to expect at tax time. For starters, the bill mandates that all taxpayers have health insurance, and offers a credit to help offset the cost of monthly premiums. According to the IRS, approximately 80% of […]

When the time comes to file your tax return, it’s incredibly important to ensure you’ve filled out every section with the utmost accuracy. Otherwise, you risk a delay in processing and incorrect refunds. Before you click “submit” or drop your return in the mailbox, double check all sections for the most common tax filing mistakes […]

Don’t say the IRS doesn’t give you anything. While you’re forced to pay taxes, the IRS offers a personal exemption just for doing so. That means you get a deduction of a set amount each year just because you pay taxes. In 2015, the personal exemption amount is $4,000, which is an increase of $50 […]