Real tax questions from real readers, answered. Got a question of your own? This is where Taxgirl answers them.
Taxpayer asks: Hello, I appreciate reading your comments about this topic and hope that you can tolerate one more. First, do I understand it correctly that married couple filing jointly can claim $800, even if only one of them earned an income? Second, I’ve never heard about this credit so I went to the IRS…
Taxpayer asks: Can you get money back for purchasing a washer and dryer in 2009 that has the energy star on it? Thanks for the info!!!! Taxgirl says: Unfortunately, no. What you’re probably thinking about are Home Energy Efficiency Improvement Tax Credits. Those credits were for the installation of specific products like energy-efficient windows, insulation,…
Taxpayer asks: Hi Tax Girl. I on social security and am using Turbotax to file my taxes. I have not as yet found out where to put the $500 received by my wife and myself from the federal government in June of 2009. Is this taxed? Taxgirl says: It sounds like you’re talking about the…
Taxpayer asks: If you are married and did not work, but your spouse earned $156,00, are you entitled to $800 credit or $400 for the working spouse? Taxgirl says: Your comma threw me – so I’ll answer it both ways. If your spouse earned $15,600 and you file married jointly, you would be entitled to…
Taxpayer asks: Hi, I am a stay-at-home from California and I have a daughter in Cheerleading. Can I deduct the expenses? She also attends a public school that requires uniforms – why can I not deduct those? Thank you so much, Taxgirl says: Nope, you can’t deduct the costs associated with your daughter’s cheerleading (unless…
Taxpayer asks: Thanks for your blog entries on the Making Work Pay tax credit – very helpful. I’m wondering if the tax tables have been “fixed” for 2010 so that people with more than one job or spouses who both work don’t get the tax credit twice. About 3 – 4 months ago the story…
Taxpayer asks: Can you tell me is alimony and maintenance the same thing and do I have to claim this money on both my federal tax and NYS tax? Taxgirl says: If it’s court-ordered spousal maintenance, then yes, that’s likely alimony and you have to report that as income on your federal taxes. For more…
Taxpayer asks: hi can you deduct the sales tax paid if you leased a new car in june of 2009? Taxgirl says: Nope, sorry. If you’re referring to the new car sales tax deduction, leases are specifically excluded. However, if you itemize your taxes, you might still be able to claim sales taxes paid as…
Taxpayer asks: Hi Taxgirl, This is related to a previous question you answered. I am searching all over the place for the answer to this question, and I can’t seem to find it. I know that my work-related education is tax-deductible and that I have to include it on my Schedule C form. However, I’m…
Taxpayer asks: What are my options if an employer has not provided me with my 1099 yet? I have asked them at least once a week since February 15th and keep being told they are coming. I have a full record of how much they have paid me, am I able to just leave their…