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You can avoid headaches at tax time by keeping track of your receipts and other records throughout the year. Good record-keeping will help you remember the various transactions you made during the year, which in turn may make filing your return less, well, taxing. Records help you document the...

QuickBooks’ standard reports are critical to understanding your company’s past, present, and future. But the program also offers innovative tools that can make them significantly more insightful and comprehensive. QuickBooks offers two simple conventions that let you identify related data: classes and types. Classes are used in transactions. Types...

Penalties for S-Corps, Partnerships, and Fiduciaries failing to file returns have been steadily rising, but starting in tax year 2010 penalties for S-Corp, Partnership, and Fiduciary filing late returns increased to $195. The IRS states that for returns on which no tax is due, the penalty is $195 for...

Millions of Americans have hobbies such as sewing, woodworking, fishing, gardening, stamp and coin collecting, but when that hobby starts to turn a profit, it might just be considered a business by the IRS. Definition of a Hobby vs a Business The IRS defines a hobby as an activity...

A trust, like a corporation, is an entity that exists only on paper but is legally capable of owning property. However, a live person called the trustee must be in charge of the property. Further, you can actually be the trustee of your own living trust, keeping full control...

The IRS does not send taxpayers unsolicited e-mails about their tax accounts, tax situations, or personal tax issues. If you receive such an e-mail, most likely it’s a scam. IRS impersonation schemes flourish during filing season. These schemes may take place via phone, fax, Internet sites, social networking sites,...

With the 2010 tax filing deadline behind us, it’s time to plan for 2011. The standard and itemized deductions for 2011 are as follows: Standard Deduction for 2011: $5,800 for unmarried taxpayers or married taxpayers filing separately $11,600 for married taxpayers filing jointly $8,500 for taxpayers filing as head...

Filing a past due return may not be as difficult as you think. Taxpayers should file all tax returns that are due, regardless of whether full payment can be made with the return. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, a taxpayer filing late may qualify for a payment plan. It...

If you employ someone to work for you around your house, it is important to consider the tax implications of this arrangement. While many people disregard the need to pay taxes on household employees, they do so at the risk of stiff tax penalties. As you will see, these...

Review Your Insurance Policies You reviewed your “asset” policies in August. This month, review your life, health, and disability insurance policies. Check with your employee benefits office as to what programs are available. Make certain you have adequate coverage. Call us to determine the appropriate amounts for your age...

A Slip of the Lip May Bring on a Tax Audit Many taxpayers have learned, to their dismay, that it generally isn’t wise to talk carelessly about their taxes – especially about sensitive areas. Why? Because the wrong person overheard their careless talk and “turned informer,” either for revenge...

Estimated tax is a method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. Depending on what you do for a living and what type of income you receive, you may need to pay estimated taxes during the year. These six tips from the IRS will...