Real tax questions from real readers, answered. Got a question of your own? This is where Taxgirl answers them.
Taxpayer asks: Hey taxgirl, if I’m a freelancer, buy a desk/chair and try to deduct it is that like begging for an audit? Advice on what to deduct/not? Taxgirl says: First of all, I’m psyched! This was my first taxgirl question via twitter! How exciting! And now for the answer! The short answer is yes,…
Taxpayer asks: Is a membership to Jenny Craig tax deductible? Taxgirl says: Probably not. I say “probably not” because some weight loss programs are tax deductible, but the rules are very narrow. Programs like Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers are only deductible as a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician. Now the…
Taxpayer asks: I am serving in the military in Hawaii. My wife is not a US citizen and she has an ITIN number. I’ve read on the internet, including on your blog, that I will not qualify for the stimulus check because she is not a citizen. But my CO says I will. Who is…
Taxpayer asks: I had my accountant prepare my mom’s tax return this year. She only filed in order to get her stimulus check. She is old and can’t do anything for herself. When she gets it, can I cash it for her? Taxgirl says: It depends – do you have Power of Attorney for your…
Taxpayer asks: question, filed jointly with my wife, got a joint return, but at the time i got the stimulus, we’re separated and shes halfway across the country, the check has both our names on it, mine first, and i was the “main” filer or whatnot, ie, they used my social, so the problem is,…
Taxpayer asks: My father my grandmother and (unofficially) I, are administers of a simple (non trust) estate for my recently deceased Uncle. the estate has hired an attorney, a funeral home, a grave tending service, and a guy to help clean the house he lived alone in, and sell personal property contained in the house….
Taxpayer asks: I work for an accounting firm and my boss mentioned she had heard on TV (gotta love the media) that because the first round of stimulus checks didn’t stimulate the economy as they thought ( I loved your – who really did profit from the stimulus checks), that the IRS was considering another…
Taxpayer asks: My mother in law has lost about 7000 in the past year with her stocks and bonds. She is thinking about taking them all out and paying off her mortgage. What kind of penalty will she pay and is there any additional IRS penalties that she is not aware of? Is there any…
It’s that time of year! I’m cleaning out my inbox – there are a lot of “ask the taxgirl” questions and I’ve been busy reporting tax news, as well as speaking engagements (whew). Look for a slew of “ask the taxgirl” posts this week. And if you have questions that you haven’t yet asked, don’t…
Taxpayer asks: Hey taxgirl, I get that we have overspent in Congress. But who do we owe exactly? And what is the difference between the deficit and the debt? I know these aren’t really tax questions but you talk about it on your blog so I thought you might know. Taxgirl says: What great questions!…