Taxpayer asks: I am a single mom. My ex-husband did not pay support for his daughter for more than 5 years. He just came into some money and has recently paid almost all of his back support to me. Now I’m worried because my mom says I have to pay taxes on that money. I…
Taxpayer asks: Several elderly friends have asked me to help them with administratrive work in there home. I would probably do this on an ongoing basis and I am sure each would end up paying me more that $600 a year. I would report all of this money (Schedule C I think) but am concerned…
That yellow ball in the sky this morning threw me for a loop. They say it’s called the sun. At any rate, I was thrilled to see it. I grabbed a cup of coffee and cozied up to the computer for another edition of “Sunday Mailbag.” Here’s a couple of “nontax” ask the taxgirl questions…
Taxpayer asks: Thanks for taking my question. I moved back home last year after I lost my job. I’ve been paying my parents some rent but I can’t afford to pay the original amount that we agreed on. Can they take the difference between what I promised to pay and what I actually paid as…
Taxpayer asks: I read this article today and it seemed very aggressive, bordering on overly aggressive. Can you comment? http://www.startchurch.com/blog/view/name/can-pastors-deduct-tithes-as-business-expenses The tithe situation here just seems too good to be true. Next, my understanding that pastors are considered self-employed only for purposes related to the SE tax, not for deducting expenses. Therefore the home office…
Taxpayer asks: Two weeks into the school season and my son has already brought home his first fundraising catalog. They have asked each child in the class to try and sell $150 of merchandise, mostly gift wrap and cookie tins. I don’t have the time or inclination to sell this crap. Can I buy it…
Taxpayer asks: Hi Kelly, With all the publicity about UBS and foreign bank accounts, I have some concerns that a lot of parents may be sharing… I know you’re a mom too (though your kids are too young for you to have to worry about this right now!) But, if you were in my shoes,…
Taxpayer asks: A friend of mine asked me to buy an ad in a book for her daughter’s beauty pageant. She claims that it is tax-deductible. I didn’t think that beauty pageants were charities, so how is this true? Taxgirl says: This question turned out to be far more complicated than I thought – even…
Taxpayer asks: Do you have any advice for how SELLERS should best take advantage of the credit? Should we advertise about the credit with our real estate listings? Taxgirl says: That’s a great question! I think the credit is a real selling point (though I’m not a fan of the concept). It definitely makes sense…
Taxpayer asks: Hi Taxgirl, [I emailed you last week when we received the refund to our amended return for 2008 because we claimed the new homebuyers $8000 credit. I was perplexed that it was for $7978 instead of for $8000. The following info explains why, and continues my question.] We just received a letter from…