If you owe taxes for this year or have arranged an installment payment plan for previous year's taxes, you can have Free Federal Tax Preparation online now onwards. In recent years, the IRS has become much more user friendly, and one result is that taxpayers can relax and make their payments from home. If you have a checking account, you can enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.
Once you're enrolled, all you have to do is to go online at least one day before your payment is actually due. You will authorize the payment much the same way you would if you were making an online purchase, and the payment will be withdrawn from your account as planned. According the IRS, this method is fast, convenient, easy, and secure. Because there are steps in the process to verify your personal information, you can be sure that no one else will have access to your account.
Pay Federal Tax Online Any Time
You can pay your taxes online at any time. The IRS will know that it's you making the payment because, when you enroll in the system, you will be given a personal identification number (PIN) to use whenever you make a payment. Every time you do make a payment, you'll receive a numbered Electronic Funds Transfer acknowledgement.
If you're thinking about paying your taxes online this year, be sure to enroll several days before the filing deadline. According to the IRS website, it may take up to ten days for your enrollment to be processed. Once you have your PIN and are enrolled, however, you only need to make payments one day before they're due.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Free Federal Tax Return Preparation
Federal Tax Return Preparation - Should I File On My Own Or Hire An Expert?
Sometimes people need help with their taxpreparation. Most of the time, people don't have the time or interest to dig through all the details of completing their federal and state tax preparation documents.
The advantage of hiring an tax expert or a firm is that you will not have to worry about filing the federal or the state returns. You simply have to collect all the documents (previous year's returns, W-2s, 1099's, receipts etc) and forward them along. Depending on your choice of tax preparation there will be an expense associated with it. A lot of experts charge you a basic fee for filing along with charges for any additional forms that they file depending on your situation.
A useful tip - If you anticipate that your returns aren't complicated consider using tax preparation software or file taxes online. In this way, you will be able to use the 'basic' versions of these tools for tax preparation. When it comes time to file, you can choose to file electronically or print the completed forms and mail these to the IRS. Depending on your situation, you can make the appropriate choice.
Even though it will be more expensive to hire a tax preparer people will feel that this method is more cost-effective, because it helps relieve some of the anxiety associated with tax preparation. Besides giving you peace of mind this will also help save time to do more interesting stuff.
The good news about preparing federal taxes is that the rules are the same country-wide. Its not like state returns where there are a variety of rules that you have to keep in mind before filing your return. So you can see that preparation of federal taxes are the same for everybody regardless of the state of residence or where they are living at the moment.
Sometimes people need help with their taxpreparation. Most of the time, people don't have the time or interest to dig through all the details of completing their federal and state tax preparation documents.
The advantage of hiring an tax expert or a firm is that you will not have to worry about filing the federal or the state returns. You simply have to collect all the documents (previous year's returns, W-2s, 1099's, receipts etc) and forward them along. Depending on your choice of tax preparation there will be an expense associated with it. A lot of experts charge you a basic fee for filing along with charges for any additional forms that they file depending on your situation.
A useful tip - If you anticipate that your returns aren't complicated consider using tax preparation software or file taxes online. In this way, you will be able to use the 'basic' versions of these tools for tax preparation. When it comes time to file, you can choose to file electronically or print the completed forms and mail these to the IRS. Depending on your situation, you can make the appropriate choice.
Even though it will be more expensive to hire a tax preparer people will feel that this method is more cost-effective, because it helps relieve some of the anxiety associated with tax preparation. Besides giving you peace of mind this will also help save time to do more interesting stuff.
The good news about preparing federal taxes is that the rules are the same country-wide. Its not like state returns where there are a variety of rules that you have to keep in mind before filing your return. So you can see that preparation of federal taxes are the same for everybody regardless of the state of residence or where they are living at the moment.
Federal Tax Issues When Selling Your Home
Once you make the decision to sell your home, there are a bevy of issues you need to keep in mind. As with most anything involving money, taxes are one such subject.
The real estate market is definitely pulling back. There is no longer any dispute about that. Still, people that have owned their homes for more than three years are sitting pretty because property appreciation was on steroids for so long. If you are one of these people or have owned your home even longer, you are sitting on a big profitable nest egg. So, what happens when you sell it?
The sale of a home is viewed as a business transaction for the most part by the IRS. Simply put, is there a profit? If there is, the profit is going to be taxed. Unlike what you would expect with a business, the tax is going be a capital gain version. The tax will be based on the sales price minus the original purchase price plus any improvement costs. Let's look at a simple example.
Assume I purchased a home in San Diego in 1995 for $300,000. I spent $50,000 over the years doing improvements. In 2008, I decide to sell and move to a less crowded area of the nation. I sell my home for $600,000. How do I look on taxes? Well, I have a profit of $250,000 [$600,000 - $350,000].
So, do I have to pay capital gains tax on the $250,000? Nope! There is a great exemption built into the tax code. As long as we are talking about my main home and I haven't sold in the previous 2 years, I can claim an exemption. For a single person, the exemption is $250,000. For married couples, it is $500,000. Not bad, eh?
This exemption is not a one time affair. It can be used time and again over the years, so you should be planning your home purchase and sales accordingly. Avoiding paying capital gains tax on hundreds of thousands of dollars definitely calls for taking the time and effort to plan out the process.
The real estate market is definitely pulling back. There is no longer any dispute about that. Still, people that have owned their homes for more than three years are sitting pretty because property appreciation was on steroids for so long. If you are one of these people or have owned your home even longer, you are sitting on a big profitable nest egg. So, what happens when you sell it?
The sale of a home is viewed as a business transaction for the most part by the IRS. Simply put, is there a profit? If there is, the profit is going to be taxed. Unlike what you would expect with a business, the tax is going be a capital gain version. The tax will be based on the sales price minus the original purchase price plus any improvement costs. Let's look at a simple example.
Assume I purchased a home in San Diego in 1995 for $300,000. I spent $50,000 over the years doing improvements. In 2008, I decide to sell and move to a less crowded area of the nation. I sell my home for $600,000. How do I look on taxes? Well, I have a profit of $250,000 [$600,000 - $350,000].
So, do I have to pay capital gains tax on the $250,000? Nope! There is a great exemption built into the tax code. As long as we are talking about my main home and I haven't sold in the previous 2 years, I can claim an exemption. For a single person, the exemption is $250,000. For married couples, it is $500,000. Not bad, eh?
This exemption is not a one time affair. It can be used time and again over the years, so you should be planning your home purchase and sales accordingly. Avoiding paying capital gains tax on hundreds of thousands of dollars definitely calls for taking the time and effort to plan out the process.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Do I Have To File a Federal Income Tax Return
You must file a federal income tax return if you are a citizen or resident of the United States or a resident of Puerto Rico and you meet the filing
requirements for any of the following categories that apply to you.
1. Individuals in general.
(There are special rules for surviving spouses, executors, administrators, legal representatives, U.S. citizens and residents living outside the
United States, residents of Puerto Rico, and individuals with income from U.S. possessions.)
2. Dependents.
3. Children under age 18.
4. Self-employed persons.
5. Aliens.
The filing requirements for each category are explained in this chapter.
The filing requirements apply even if you do not owe tax.
Even if you do not have to file a return, it may be to your advantage to do so. See Who Should File, later.
Caution
File only one federal income tax return for the year regardless of how many jobs you had, how many Forms W-2 you received, or how many
states you lived in during the year.
Individuals—In General
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, whether you must file a return depends on three factors:
1. Your gross income,
2. Your filing status, and
3. Your age.
Gross income. This includes all income you receive in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax. It also includes income from sources outside the United States (even if you can exclude all or part of it).
Community income. If you are married and your permanent home is in a community property state, half of any income described by state law as community income may be considered yours. This affects your federal taxes, including whether you must file if you do not file a joint return with your spouse.
Self-employed individuals. If you are self-employed, your gross income includes the amount on line 7 of Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss
From Business; line 1 of Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040ez ), Net Profit From Business; and line 11 of Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From
Farming. See Self-Employed Persons , later, for more information about your filing requirements.
Caution
If you do not report all of your self-employment income, your social security benefits may be lower when you retire.
Filing status. Your filing status depends on whether you are single or married and on your family situation. Your filing status is determined on the last day of your tax year, which is December 31 for most taxpayers.
requirements for any of the following categories that apply to you.
1. Individuals in general.
(There are special rules for surviving spouses, executors, administrators, legal representatives, U.S. citizens and residents living outside the
United States, residents of Puerto Rico, and individuals with income from U.S. possessions.)
2. Dependents.
3. Children under age 18.
4. Self-employed persons.
5. Aliens.
The filing requirements for each category are explained in this chapter.
The filing requirements apply even if you do not owe tax.
Even if you do not have to file a return, it may be to your advantage to do so. See Who Should File, later.
Caution
File only one federal income tax return for the year regardless of how many jobs you had, how many Forms W-2 you received, or how many
states you lived in during the year.
Individuals—In General
If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, whether you must file a return depends on three factors:
1. Your gross income,
2. Your filing status, and
3. Your age.
Gross income. This includes all income you receive in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax. It also includes income from sources outside the United States (even if you can exclude all or part of it).
Community income. If you are married and your permanent home is in a community property state, half of any income described by state law as community income may be considered yours. This affects your federal taxes, including whether you must file if you do not file a joint return with your spouse.
Self-employed individuals. If you are self-employed, your gross income includes the amount on line 7 of Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss
From Business; line 1 of Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040ez ), Net Profit From Business; and line 11 of Schedule F (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From
Farming. See Self-Employed Persons , later, for more information about your filing requirements.
Caution
If you do not report all of your self-employment income, your social security benefits may be lower when you retire.
Filing status. Your filing status depends on whether you are single or married and on your family situation. Your filing status is determined on the last day of your tax year, which is December 31 for most taxpayers.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Removing Federal Tax Liens
Several years ago the IRS was taken to task by Congress over reports about customer abuse. To their credit Congress managed to reign in the IRS somewhat and caused them to adopt a more user-friendly system along with a new attitude.
If you do have a Federal Tax Lien filed against you then your options for financing anything are nearly impossible. Forget the new car, much less the home you're thinking of buying in Florida. The government wants their money....period. However, the IRS did release a paper that identifies four reasons whereby a tax lien can be removed from public records. This includes public records like credit reports. This does not mean you no longer owe the money. It simply means you are free to go and purchase a new home without the tax lein working against you.
Now the four reasons for having a tax lien removed are:
1. If, by releasing the tax lien, this would enable the taxpayer the ability to borrow money for his or her business. This would increase the government's chances of collecting because the business would most likely succeed with an influx of fresh capital.
2. If by releasing the tax lien, this would enable the taxpayer to settle with the IRS for a lesser amount.
3. Administrative or premature procedures. This happens when a field officer in their haste to record a lien does so prior to having their superior approve the lien.
4. When removing the lien is in the best interests of the United States and its taxpayers.
Now that you know this you don't have to feel so intimidated when dealing with the IRS.
If you do have a Federal Tax Lien filed against you then your options for financing anything are nearly impossible. Forget the new car, much less the home you're thinking of buying in Florida. The government wants their money....period. However, the IRS did release a paper that identifies four reasons whereby a tax lien can be removed from public records. This includes public records like credit reports. This does not mean you no longer owe the money. It simply means you are free to go and purchase a new home without the tax lein working against you.
Now the four reasons for having a tax lien removed are:
1. If, by releasing the tax lien, this would enable the taxpayer the ability to borrow money for his or her business. This would increase the government's chances of collecting because the business would most likely succeed with an influx of fresh capital.
2. If by releasing the tax lien, this would enable the taxpayer to settle with the IRS for a lesser amount.
3. Administrative or premature procedures. This happens when a field officer in their haste to record a lien does so prior to having their superior approve the lien.
4. When removing the lien is in the best interests of the United States and its taxpayers.
Now that you know this you don't have to feel so intimidated when dealing with the IRS.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
What Is a Feeral Tax Lien? And How to Avoid it?
What Is a Fderal Tax Lien?
A Federal Tax Lien (FTL) is a legal instrument that secures the claim of the United States in the right, title, and interest of a debtor taxpayer's assets. It is a public document and is recorded at the County Clerk's office or the Secretary of State, depending on local law. This is done to serve notice on all creditors or other interested parties of the government's claim.
The Federal Tax Lien is a negative item on the credit bureau report of the debtor. It may result in some creditors calling in their notes upon becoming aware of the FTL.
How To Avoid Federal Tax Lien?
When faced with a mountain of unpaid tax debt, your best bet is to work with the IRS in order to prevent the execution of a federal tax lien. Here are some tips that will help you work out terms that will be amicable to both you and the government, and get you back on track.
When faced with a mountain of unpaid tax debt, your best bet is to work with the IRS in order to prevent the execution of a federal tax lien. Here are some tips that will help you work out terms that will be amicable to both you and the government, and get you back on track.
First, get some professional help. The fact of the matter is that the Internal Revenue Service has well trained tax experts working for them. You will need some professional assistance yourself, especially when looking at huge sums of money. Professional tax attorneys will know how to provide you with the best options to avoid the implementation of a federal tax lien. In many cases, they can help you work out a payment plan with the IRS that will allow you to make monthly payments voluntarily, rather than go through garnishing of your wages.
Next, be completely honest about your financial status. Nothing will derail the willingness of the IRS to work with you like trying to hide assets or not providing full disclosure about your current sources of income. Don't waste time thinking you can hold back details about that part time job so that you can still have a little extra spending money while paying off your tax debt.
As tempting as it may be to hold something back, you will do much better in the long run to lay everything on the table. If you are not, negotiations are likely to cease, and a federal tax lien imposed immediately.
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