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August 4th, 2008

Dialing Up Trouble: IRS Tries to Enforce Cell Phone Fringe Benefits

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Cell phones are changing the world. A few years ago, I called my mother in the afternoon on my cell phone - to my carrier, a minute was a minute no matter when you called. I remember vividly my mother’s response.
“It must be nice,” she said, “to be […]

By Kelly -- 11 comments

April 14th, 2008

Ask the taxgirl: More cell phone questions

Taxpayer asks:
I have a quick question regarding tax deductions. My husband and I are both military. I am National Guard and he is active duty National Guard. It was brought to my attention that we can deduct internet service & cell phone service as a deduction under unreimbursed employee expenses.
The justification […]

By Kelly -- 0 comments

April 14th, 2008

Ask the taxgirl: Cell Phone Plan

Taxpayer asks:
The reader who asked the question (regarding your Feb 28 cell phone deduction post) seemed to presume she’d deduct the cost of the “extra line” (which is usually a minimal cost), but let’s say she was just getting her phones set up from scratch. Could she have given her brother the primary line […]

By Kelly -- 0 comments

February 28th, 2008

Ask the taxgirl: Cell phone deductions

Taxpayer asks:
I own a single-family home as rental property out of state that is characterized as investment property on my property insurance and as a non-owner occupied home on my mortgage. My brother manages and maintains the property for me. I bought his cell phone and pay his portion of the monthly charges […]

By Kelly -- 2 comments