Tax news and guidance for individual taxpayers — filing tips, deductions, refunds, and everything else that hits your personal return.
President Elect Barack Obama has promised that he will do “whatever it takes” to stimulate the economy. While he hasn’t laid out the entire plan, Obama has put an economic team in place to begin work on a stimulus package. Calling the potential package “costly” (imagine that!), Obama refused to put a price tag on…
Taxpayer asks: Hello Taxgirl, My girlfriend and I were common law married in 2005. We filed our own taxes for 2006. In 2007, we went to a tax accountant. He says we cannot file as married on our tax return. I say we can since we’re common law married. Who’s right? We live in Pennsylvania….
NOTE: This article is from 2008. Welcome to my second in a series on state taxes! For information about what I’m trying to do, read my introductory bit. Next on the agenda: Alaska! ALASKA Population: 683,478 (47th) Capital: Juneau Largest City: Anchorage Gross Domestic Product: $160 billion GDP per capita: $43,748 (7th) 2004 election winner:…
If you watched President Elect Obama’s first press conference, you might have heard him say: The one thing I can say with certainty is that we are going to need to see a stimulus package passed either before or after inauguration. For some, that translated to: another check is on the way. Not so fast….
Taxpayer asks: I have a question.. when I filed my taxes in february of this yearI had 2 dependant one was 3 and the other one was 17 he turned 17 on december 23rd of 2007 when I filed in feb 2008 they did not give me the tax credit for him they said because…
Oh to be in politics and have lawyers at my beck and call that can devise the most creative strategies ever for not playing fair… No, I’m not talking about the McCain/Obama presidential race. I’m referring to Charles O’Byrne, the now former Chief of Staff for the Governor of New York. O’Byrne, a law school…
It’s Fix the Tax Code Friday! As the economy continues to sour, Congress and the White House both agree that some measure of economic stimulus is needed. The problem? They can’t agree on what would work best. So, I’m taking it to you, the taxpayers… Which of the following scenarios currently being contemplated by Congress…
As the economy continues on its wild ride, the IRS has announced a series of adjustments for tax brackets and other provisions for the 2009 tax year. These adjustments, in response to inflation, are required by law. Note that these adjustments will affect your 2009 tax return, normally filed in early 2010. Your 2008 tax…
It turns out that “Joe the Plumber” has more tax issues than were spotlighted during the final presidential debate. He doesn’t just not like taxes, he apparently doesn’t like to pay them. He owes the State of Ohio nearly $1200 in back taxes; Ohio has filed a lien against him to recover amounts due. “Joe…
If you’re one of many – and by many, I mean a quarter million – couples who did not received a rebate check due to an error matching your spouse’s married name and Social Security number, I’ve got good news! The IRS has changed its position on this issue. Last month, the IRS was adamant…