Real tax questions from real readers, answered. Got a question of your own? This is where Taxgirl answers them.
Taxpayer asks: Hi Taxgirl, My parents are willing to pay for me to have gastric bypass and whatever that entails (Dr appointments, nutritionist and so forth). They then want to write the payments off to their taxes. Is that legal? I am no longer a dependent of theirs. Also I have an FSA account if…
Taxpayer asks: I have a child that moved in with me from Canada in July and I do not have a social security number for him how do I go about claiming him on my taxes? Taxgirl says: You generally need a Social Security Number (SSN) to claim a dependent on your federal income tax…
Taxpayer asks: Hi, Tax Girl, With all the electronic sales these days, publishers and authors can promote their books for free for a period of time in order to gain readers and increase their rankings on sites like amazon.com. Even though there is no cost to author or publisher for the free electronic giveaways, can…
Taxpayer asks: How much do you get for child tax credit this tax season? taxgirl says: For the tax year 2012, the child tax credit may be worth up to $1,000 per qualifying child. The amount that you can claim is limited if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above $110,000 for couples married…
Taxpayer asks: Where I live, you prepay property taxes by 6 months. So in 2012 I paid taxes In Jan and then in June. In July, I sold the house so at the closing I paid (I guess to the seller) the taxes for Jan-July that I occupied the house. Can I deduct these taxes…
Taxpayer asks: Is there a way to complete the W9 form that is technically legal that will avoid being 1099’d for income paid to you? Taxgirl says: No, not legally. The rules about when a form 1099 must be issued are pretty clear and there’s no magic language or box that you can check that…
Taxpayer asks: I read your article that said you can’t file your taxes until 1/30 but my tax guy says that’s only for people who itemize. He says I can file this week and get my refund faster. Now I’m confused. taxgirl says: ARGH. *clears throat* Sorry, I just had to get that out of…
Taxpayer asks: Can I file my taxes before January 30? I want my refund. Taxgirl says: I’ve received about thirty different variations on this question alone since the IRS announced that they were delaying the start of filing season. E-file was set to open on January 22, 2013, but due to the last-minute tax deal…
According to the Weather Channel, it feels like 92 degrees right now. I firmly believe that it should never feel like 92 degrees in the evening in Philadelphia. On the plus side, after a grueling day gardening in the heat (hey, it had to be done), I now have the opportunity to sit down, check…
Taxpayer asks: A not for profit hosted a competition in which my 11 yr old daughter won $500. In order to write her the check, They have asked to have her complete a W-9. I thought that since: 1. The value is below $6002. She is a child that will not be filing a return…