Real tax questions from real readers, answered. Got a question of your own? This is where Taxgirl answers them.
Taxpayer asks: Hi Tax Girl, Thanks for taking questions. It’s a really nice thing to do. I have a trio that performs regularly and this year the venue sent me a W-9. I know it is just for informational purposes in preperaion for a 1099, but should they be sendind one to just me or…
Taxpayer asks: Do W9 forms need to be renewed each year? Or as long as I have one on file for a given contractor am I covered? Taxgirl says: Form W-9 is used to confirm three things: (1) a taxpayer ID number; (2) that the taxpayer is not subject to back-up withholding and (3) that…
My living room is suddenly much bigger. The tree is now down and except for the inordinate number of tree needles still around, the house is oddly free of Christmas accessories. The three-year-old isn’t happy about all of this: he keeps asking when we’re going to “put the tree back together” (we hacked it up…
Taxpayer asks: First, what is the next step after a Lien has been placed on someone and second is there somewhere that you can see if someone is being indicted? Thank you in advance.. Taxgirl says: Your question is really two separate questions, so I’ll answer them separately. With respect to a tax lien, I’m…
Taxpayer asks: 3 years ago I worked for a company and was W2’d, I quit after 3 months. And just yesterday the IRS sent me a notice tht I owed them $4200. I have never owed $ to anyone or have been late on anything in my life so I was shocked, I called them…
Taxpayer asks: How does someone turn someone else in to the IRS for tax evasion? Taxgirl says: There must be something in the water. I’ve received a couple of these types of inquiries lately, so I’m planning to answer a few of them over the next few days. You’re up first. Reporting tax fraud is…
Taxpayer asks: I bought a new Honda Accord in the spring which I know will qualify for the new car tax break. My wife wants to buy another car by the end of the year – our dealer is having a close-out. I told her I’d do it if we can still get the tax…
Taxpayer asks: Hi Tax Girl! My husband bought a new car this year while all the tax credit for new car purchase commercials were going on. The catch? It’s a 2009 car, but was previously owned. Does it count as a New Car for the purposes of the new car tax credit? Thanks so much…
Taxpayer asks: I have a question about my Paycheck that will determine my Taxes in 2009/10. I get paid Bi-weekly and I get paid this Friday. The next two weeks I wrk will that check be on my 2009 Taxes or rollover into my 2010 Taxes. Taxgirl says: The general rule is that cash-based taxpayers…
Taxpayer asks: The PTA 501(c)(3) at my son’s local public elementary school sponsors a language and a chess class. Is the tuition we paid for these classes considered a charitable contribution? Taxgirl says: Probably not. You generally can’t deduct the cost that you pay for goods or services provided by a charitable organization. There is…