Donna Peeples writes: I have seen a lot of articles in the paper about taxing sodas and foods that are bad for you. I say, “Why not?” I used to be a smoker. At one point, I was up to two packs a day. When New Jersey raised their cigarette tax, I stopped because my…
Philip Miles, an attorney in Central PA and author of the employment law blog Lawffice Space, writes: Who the heck is FICA? In an early episode of the hit sitcom Friends, spoiled rich-girl Rachel Green (played by Jennifer Aniston) is forced to take a job as a coffee shop waitress. After a few days of…
A few weeks ago, I asked my readers to chime in… What, I wondered, would you tell Congress that needed to be fixed, changed or eliminated when it came to taxes? Over the next few days, I’m posting your answers. Some short, some not, some predictable, some surprising… I hope you enjoy reading each other’s…
Taxpayer asks: I heard on the radio that we will have to pay taxes on the money from the Cars for Clunkers. If so, I am really mad because nobody said we had to pay taxes on it. Is this true? Taxgirl says: A number of web sites and um, what’s the word, liars opportunists…
Last year, United States Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), who heads up the powerful Ways and Means Committee, found himself in hot water when it came to light that he “forgot” to report some rental income on his personal taxes. Apparently, Rangel’s memory hasn’t gotten any better. In an effort to comply with an ethics…
Every summer, my husband and I have the same argument about whether we should get central air. We live in an old Victorian house in Philadelphia; it takes a while during the summer for the house to heat up but when it does, hoo boy, it gets hot. The thing is, it’s not easy to…
In just a little under three hours, the Philadelphia Eagles will hit the field for the third of their four pre-season games. So far, they’ve given their fans nothing to cheer about. They have, however, given them plenty to talk about – not the least of which is the signing of former bad boy (and…
Laura Schultz was expecting to hear from the IRS. After all, the Denver-area house cleaner owed the IRS about $80. But when she opened up a letter from the IRS, it wasn’t quite what she was expecting: a refund check for $122,783.51. Schultz felt that it was a mistake – and it was. She called…
Taxpayer asks: I have what may be a stupid question. I read your answer about FBAR and I was wondering whether you have to report bank accounts in Canada or does this just apply overseas? Taxgirl says: Oh, Canada. Land of moose, maple syrup, and an occasionally decent hockey team… Actually, Canada has a pretty…
Taxpayer asks: I was just reading about the rules for FBAR, and noticed that the IRS says that people who have Power of Attorney (POA) for elderly relatives with foreign bank accounts must submit FBAR reports if those accounts total over $10,000 at any point during the year. As it happens, I have a POA…