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Tax-Free Rental Income
Did you know you can rent out your home or vacation property for up to 14 days and not need to claim the income? Here are some tax tips to take advantage of this opportunity. Most income you receive is taxable income that is reported to you and to the Federal/State tax authorities. However, there are a few income-producing events that the IRS has said are not taxable. One of them is renting out your home or vacation property. The rule: If you receive rental income for less than 15 days per year, that income is generally not taxable income.
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Using Losers to Make Winners
Effectively using your investment losses can make a big impact in your taxable income. Why? These losses could offset income that is barely taxed, or it could offset income taxed at 39.6% or higher! Here are some ideas to make those losers into winners on your tax return. Understanding the rules surrounding investment losses can really help minimize your tax obligation each year. This is because investment gains and income can be subject to a variety of federal tax rates as high as 39.6%. This and a newly minted tax law in 2013 that could add a 3.8% Medicare investment
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Certainty in Federal Student Loan Rates
Congress recently passed legislation that will lower federal student loan rates. This legislation provides a level of certainty for all taxpayers. While more details will be forthcoming, here is what is known. In a recent announcement, Congress has passed a bill that will take much of the politics out of establishing student loan rates….at least for now. Background With over $1 trillion in student loan debt, the cost of student borrowing is quickly becoming a major economic issue in the United States. The rates for many popular government sponsored loan programs doubled on July 1st from 3.4% to 6.8%. Since
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Should you Reduce Your Charitable Giving? – New itemized deduction phase-out causing concern
With the re-introduction of itemized deduction phase-out, does it still make sense to contribute to charities? For most taxpayers, the answer is a resounding yes. Continue to make charitable contributions. Here is what you need to know. In 2013 federal tax legislation reintroduces the phase-out of itemized deductions for certain taxpayers. Because of this, many who are subject to itemized deduction phase-outs wonder if the benefit of charitable giving is reduced. Here is what you need to know. Most taxpayers are not impacted. The phase-out of itemized deductions for 2013 is based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in excess of
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Five Big Tax Mistakes – Don’t let them happen to you
Every year thousands of taxpayers go through a ”gotcha” with the IRS. A large, unexpected tax bill. Here are five common causes of tax surprises from lost refunds to retirement plan mistakes. Every year taxpayers are hit with tax surprises that could be avoided if they just knew the rules. Here are five big ones that are easy to avoid with some simple planning. Mistake #1. Withholding too little. This results in a tax surprise when filing your income tax. Don’t be too hard on yourself if this happens to you. Social Security withholdings have changed each year and new
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