Taxpayer asks: The PTA 501(c)(3) at my son’s local public elementary school sponsors a language and a chess class. Is the tuition we paid for these classes considered a charitable contribution? Taxgirl says: Probably not. You generally can’t deduct the cost that you pay for goods or services provided by a charitable organization. There is…
The holiday season is in full swing at our house. The tree is up, we’ve bought more wrapping paper since we, of course, can’t find the paper we bought last year and we have so many varieties of Domino sugar in the pantry that you’d think we own stock in the company. We ended the…
Taxpayer asks: I haven’t seen the 2010 standard mileage rates that the IRS usually puts out at the end of November. Do you know if there was an announcement on this? Taxgirl says: You have super timing! I received this email at 8:53 a.m. today. At 2:36 p.m., an email from IRS landed in my…
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,…