Real tax questions from real readers, answered. Got a question of your own? This is where Taxgirl answers them.
Taxpayer asks: Aloha I am a bookkeeper for a small company. My boss wrote a check to a restaurant for preparing food for our Christmas party and it was over the amount for a 1099. I faxed a W-9 that week and have never heard a word. We just found out that the restaurant closed…
Taxpayer asks: Hi, Taxgirl – How do I confirm that I filed a federal tax return every year over the past 12 years? In college, I got a small tax refund every year, but (being in college) I was also lax about doing things I should – even those that got me a check! I…
Taxpayer asks: Hello there and thank you for answering my question. I am self-employed and contributed nearly $8,000 in cash/noncash donations this past year (goodwill, church, habitat for humanity). When my friend did my taxes on her computer program it did not reflect a deduction upon entering the charitable donation information. I have all proper…
Taxpayer asks: we’ve been trained that cookie donations are not tax deductible. Can u clarify? Taxgirl says: This question is actually in response to something that I posted on twitter about the Girl Scout “Cookies from Home” program. I thought it was a good question and I posted my gut reply which was: As a…
Taxpayer asks: Aloha Do I have any liability if I issue a 1099 to a contractor but they fail to report it or file their taxes? Thanks for your input. Taxgirl says: Nope. Your job is done so long as you properly and timely issue the form 1099 to the independent contractor and file the…
Taxpayer asks: my friends told me that the IRS is deducting the stimulus check money from your 08 return! I thought it was free money! And now we have to give it back? Taxgirl says: Deep breaths. You don’t have to give it back. Here’s the confusion… The last set of stimulus checks in 2001…
Taxpayer asks: I deliver newspapers. Wondering if the Christmas money I receive is taxable. Also, why are lotto winnings taxable? How are you working for that money? Taxgirl says: I believe that the money that you receive at Christmas is taxable. It is not really a *gift* (read more about gifts and bonuses here). It’s…
Taxpayer asks: there is a lot of talk that we the people will be getting another stimulus check. Is that true? Taxgirl says: I know that folks want the answer to this question to be different… I know this because I receive several variations on this question per day – including a recent email from…
Tis the season! The questions to “ask the taxgirl” are coming fast and furious. Beginning in January, I’ll be posting more questions and answers than usual to try and work through the overflow in my inbox, so keep checking back. I am happy to try and answer your questions, so don’t be shy. Read how…
Taxpayer asks: Dear Tax Girl, Do I have to pay my taxes in US dollars? Taxgirl says: What a fun question! At first, I was going to say “Of course!” But then I decided to do a little research and found out that I was wrong (sort of). According to the Tax Code (§6316 Payment…