Tax news and guidance for individual taxpayers — filing tips, deductions, refunds, and everything else that hits your personal return.
Taxpayer asks: Hi taxgirl, I have a strange question. I write a food blog. I create and cook all of my own recipes and post them online. Two years ago, I found out that someone was stealing my recipes and some of my photos and using them on another site. I ended up hiring a…
Taxpayer asks: I read your post about Mary Kay and I am still confused about hobbies. I own a bunch of blogs. I make money on some of them and I lose money on some of them. Does this make me a hobby? Taxgirl says: You’re right to be a little confused because this is…
Taxpayer asks: Thanks for taking my question! I wanted to say that I appreciate your blog, I find it easy to read and understand. I also like how you talk about your children as though they’re a real part of your life instead of accessories. That’s very refreshing to see online. That brings me to…
I’ve been getting a lot of questions from disabled taxpayers about whether any special tax breaks exist for them in 2009. The answer is yes – and no. As I stated in a prior post, there was some economic relief for disabled Americans in 2009 in the form of the Economic Recovery Payment (ERP) –…
Taxpayer asks: I heard that I can get more money back from my taxes this year because I am disabled. Is this true? I am on fixed income and it would help me. Taxgirl says: I think what you’re referring to is the one time payment for retirees and disabled persons as part of Obama’s…
Taxpayer asks: Just before Christmas, I bought a 2007 VW Jetta. It was a great deal since it had very low miles on it. When I bought it, the dealer said that I could deduct the sales tax from my taxes but I read on your site that the car has to be new, not…
Taxpayer asks: I started a new business working from home in November 2009 and so far dont have income just losses. I also have my child in daycare and wanted to file his daycare tuition but with no income to report turbo tax isnt letting me use this. How do I go about using the…
Taxpayer asks: This last year I had a son born who only survived 1 day. Do I need to get a Social Security number for him? Do I claim him as a dependant? Taxgirl says: Gosh, I honestly can’t imagine how difficult this is for you and your family. My sympathies and thoughts are with…
Taxpayer asks: My daughter worked as a bagger (bagged groceries) last year at our base commissary. The baggers do not receive a salary and work strictly for tips. I already checked with the “Head Bagger” at the commissary who said no type of 1099 will be sent. How do I go about claiming the monies…
Taxpayer asks: I was told that if I make more than 46,000.00, my family didn’t qualify for the EIC. My wife saw on the news this morning that if you make less then 71,000.00 that we should qualify. I’m married with two children, one born in 2009. Which is correct? Thanks Taxgirl says: Hmm. As…