When tax time rolls around, having all of your documents ready to go can eliminate some of the stress of filing. Keeping up with receipts throughout the year can be a hassle but a handful of apps are making it easier for taxpayers to stay organized. Instead of wading through stacks of paper or maintaining [...]

If you’re looking for ways to trim your tax bill, itemizing your deductions can potentially reduce what you owe to Uncle Sam. Depending on your situation, you may be able to deduct medical expenses, charitable donations or job-related expenses. If you’re thinking of taking advantage of these or other deductions this tax season, accurate records [...]

At more than 73,000 pages, the federal tax code is a complex document and navigating tax law can be a frightening prospect for the average person. Every year, millions of Americans seek professional help in preparing their tax returns but there are still plenty of taxpayers who tackle the job themselves. There are pros and [...]

While the April 15th tax deadline is still months away, you don’t want to wait until the last minute to file. Taking the time to get organized before you prepare your return can ensure that you’re taking advantage of every available deduction and credit, reporting your income accurately and eliminating room for potential error. The following [...]

Does the subject of the income tax code make your eyes glaze over?  Do the terms tax bracket, marginal tax rate and filing status make your head spin?  It doesn’t have to be that way.  While the nuances of the federal tax code may be complex, the basics are not.  Here’s how the progressive tax [...]

Some people make a decision to give up United States citizenship in an effort to avoid US tax obligations.  Ending US citizenship is simple – just need to announce it formally and surrender passport; but the wealthier you are, the more expensive this strategy becomes.  In June of 2008, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax [...]

Tax preparation should be a year-round process. If you have not started thinking about your 2012 taxes, now could be a great time to start. With a few exceptions, the documents you will need to file your tax return stays the same each year as well. There may be occasions when certain changes in your [...]

If you’re thinking about starting your own business, you may have heard you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is a Federal Tax Identification Number for businesses, similar to a Social Security number for individuals. Not all businesses are required to get an EIN, but if your business needs one, there are several [...]

The vast majority of people subject to filing a federal income tax form with the United States Internal Revenue Service are entitled to what is known as a standard deduction. What is it and how does it work? Are there instances where it actually makes sense to decline the standard deduction? The Standard Deduction The [...]

For the year of 2011, we all worked to earn our wages, and we all worked just as hard to get our tax return filed for the April 17th deadline, so what should you do now? Since the IRS has the right to audit your tax return several years after it is filed, you should keep [...]