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It’s important to use the right filing status when you file your tax return because the filing status you choose can affect the amount of tax you owe for the year. It may even determine if you must file a tax return. Keep in mind that your marital status...

If you haven’t contributed funds to an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) for tax year 2015, or if you’ve put in less than the maximum allowed, you still have time to do so. You can contribute to either a traditional or Roth IRA until the April 18th due date, not...

The individual shared responsibility provision requires that you and each member of your family have qualifying health insurance, a health coverage exemption, or make a payment for any months without coverage or an exemption when you file. If you, your spouse and dependents had health insurance coverage all year,...

Compiled annually by the IRS, the “Dirty Dozen” is a list of common scams taxpayers may encounter in the coming months. While many of these scams peak during the tax filing season, they may be encountered at any time during the year. Here is this year’s list: 1. Identity...

Most people file a tax return because they have to, but even if you don’t, there are times when you should because you might be eligible for a tax refund and not know it. This year, there are a few new rules for taxpayers who must file. The six...

Confused about which credits and deductions you can claim on your 2015 tax return? You’re not alone. Here are six tax breaks that you won’t want to overlook. 1. State Sales and Income Taxes Thanks to last-minute tax extender legislation passed in December, taxpayers filing their 2015 returns can...

March 10 Employees who work for tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during February, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070. March 15 Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in February. Employers –...

You could call QuickBooks a “green” computer program. It can conserve reams of paper by storing customer and vendor records, for example, emailing transaction forms, and accepting online payments. Most small businesses are a long way from being “paperless offices,” despite the predictions so many people made when PCs...

New year, new job? If you’ve decided it’s time to move on from your current position and look for a new one, you may be able to deduct some of your job search costs. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Same Occupation. You can’t deduct expenses for a...

If you paid someone to care for a person in your household last year while you worked or looked for work, then you may be able to take the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and reduce the amount of tax owed. Here are 12 facts you should know...

Updated income-tax withholding tables for 2016 have been released. The newly revised version contains percentage method income-tax withholding tables and related information that employers need to implement these changes. In addition, employers should continue withholding Social Security tax at the rate of 6.2 percent of wages paid. The Social...

You should receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each of your employers for use in preparing your federal tax return. Employers must furnish this record of 2015 earnings and withheld taxes no later than February 1, 2016 (if mailed, allow a few days for delivery). If...