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Midyear Tax Planner
No more SNOW..............
The beach is OPEN FOR BUSINESS........
Baseball is starting to buzz about the All-Star Game......
Children are going barefoot.........
WE are halfway through the year
Are YOU confident that you will maximize your deductions and not ... << MORE >>
Feels like New Year's Eve.......
The IRS announced this weekend that electronic filing of the 2010 taxes has been trouble-free, with a record number of returns filed electronically. (the report forgot to mention the little glitch that kept us from filing until 2/15-ish).
... << MORE >>
What if we have a government shutdown?...
You just found out that you owe the IRS a big chunk of change...........and the news today is full of speculation that government workers will
be furloughed due to lack of budget funds....
Is this your own furlough from paying your owed taxes?
Sorry - but the IRS stated that there will be no extensions of the April 18 filing deadline.
So make sure you file on time ...
Almost April!
Almost Summer
Opening Day for Baseball (Go Cards!)
and Past Time for tax planning.
I don't just mean planning on how to pay the taxes you owe.
Have you really looked at your bank account and credit cards spending?
Let's do some quick and easy tax planning...............
Ask yourself this - why do I eat (overeat) out 9 times each week just to dread going to the gym?
What if I ... << MORE >>
YIKES - What if I can't pay my taxes??? :(
What will happen and what you should do if you cannot pay your taxes on time?
First and most importantly, don't let your inability to pay your tax liability in full keep you from filing your tax return properly and on time. It is also important to remember that an extension of time to file your tax return doesn't also extend the time to pay your tax bill.
Even if you can't ...
<< MORE >>37 days & counting down........but "Tax Filing is a Breeze"
The IRS sent out a reassuring missive - Tax Filing is a Breeze.
So I feel rejuvenated! so - I am walking (actually running!) away from the computer for 3 hours today to cheer on the UNCW Seahawks baseball team at sunny Brooks Field.
If you need this same carefree burst of energy - here is the IRS missive.
The IRS clearly has new copy writers this year. Writers ... << MORE >>
Tax Filing Instructions
Pub 17 is designed to answer all your question when filing your 1040.
My fingers started laughing when I typed that.
Link to the downloadable PDF file is below:
I know. I know - this is supposed to be a blog of FUN WITH TAXES........
The IRS just keeps blocking our earnest efforts!
Okay - it's Saturday,
the sun is finally out
and you have 60 more days to procrastinate on tax filing
What would Tim Geithner do?????
(not file his taxes today, that's for sure)
Here is the ANTI-FUN link -
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p17.pdf
Off to the beach!
Ann
IRS providing Free E-filing for Income Tax
IRS announces Free E-filing for Individual Income Tax
To qualify for free federal e-filing - your 2010 AGI must be $58000 or less (single or married/joint).
The IRS has partnered with 20 tax file software companies to jointly provide the free e-file service. Be sure to read about the various software providers, as some also offer free state e-file BUT others have a $10 - $20 fee.
If you find that the free e-file process is too time-consuming or that you have specific questions about special situations, please call the IRS at their provided phone numbers.
If, after talking with the IRS, you still have questions or uncertainties, remember there are many IRS authorized e-File providers who can provide tax services at surprisingly reasonable rates. The rates may even be less than the aspirin you are swallowing.
You can access the local list of paid providers at:
http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118449,00.html
For more information about the free e-File:
http://www.freefile.irs.gov/how-efile-works.html
New topics NEXT WEEK!
Ann
ann@annwjohnson.com
www.annwjohnson.com
Happy Tax Day???
Happy Tax Day?
No one has ever greeted me with that on April 15 - Probably because their front teeth would be expensive to replace! And probably because most last-minute, April 15 tax filers are NOT getting refunds. But a Large Refund may not be such a great deal. And that's because a tax refund is misnamed. It is actually the repayment of an interest-free loan you have made to the IRS.
If you would rather keep your money in your paycheck each week, then it's time for you to look at your W-4 (that's the multi-box form you fill out when starting a new job.) An IRS-compliant employer will provide you with a new blank W-4 each year. But - most employees just say "whatever I claimed last year', sign the new W-4, and wait an entire year for their "Tax Refund / Interest Free Loan to the IRS."
If the IRS returned lots of your last year's wages to you in the form of a tax refund this year, then please take a few moments to review your W-4, especially if you have had any major "life changes". A life change could be: a new job, a new home, a new child, an empty nest, an investment windfall (or loss), a change in health, and on and on. These "life changes" affect your tax liability to the IRS. So grab that W-4 and see what you can do to keep your money this year instead of waiting for a "refund" next year. This link is to a free-use website that helps you calculate your paycheck and tax liability.
(Select the FREE option on the left of the webpage when it loads.)
http://www.paycheckcity.com
Be sure to check this website throughout 2011, especially if you experience "life changes". You can change your W-4 anytime throughout the year and as often as you need to, but remember that W-4 changes are not retroactive.
You can control your money and avoid those interest-free loans/refunds!
Welcome
I will try to MAKE TAXES FUN.
If that doesn't work, at least enjoy the beautiful summer vacation picture.
I say that as today, in sunny Wilmington, we are ducking cold raindrops that just may turn into a little slushy snow.
Anyway, even if you fail to find any humor in taxes, you may at least learn a few things to keep your bucks in your pocket!
Thank you for visiting