Author - SFS Tax & Accounting

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The Marriage Penalty Tax is Still Around

The marriage penalty is still alive and well. If you're changing your filing status in 2019 because of marriage, divorce, or another life-changing event the information below will shed some light on this quirky tax. Just what is the marriage penalty? The marriage penalty occurs when the dollar ranges for married taxpayers (joint filers) are not exactly double the dollar ranges for single taxpayers. It results from the way the graduated tax rate system works, based on your tax filing status and other...

August 13, 2019Read more...
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Real Estate Agents: Updated List of Available Deductions

Real Estate Agents: Updated List of Available Deductions For busy real estate agents who manage their own finances, it can be hard to find the time (and energy) to get expenses in order. If this is you, make these tasks top priority. Setting aside time now can save you thousands of dollars later on down the road. To help kick-start your preparations, here are several tax deductions that you should take into consideration. From commissions paid to home office expenses, there...

May 1, 2019Read more...

Where’s My Tax Refund? The Myths…

Where’s My Tax Refund? Now that the April tax-filing deadline has come and gone, many taxpayers are eager to get details about their tax refunds. When it comes to refunds, there are several common myths going around social media. Here are five of these common myths: Myth 1: Getting a refund this year means there’s no need to adjust withholding for 2019 To help avoid an unexpected tax outcome next year, taxpayers should make changes now to prepare for next year. One way for...

April 30, 2019Read more...
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Tax Law Tips for Truckers in 2019

Tax Law Tips for Truckers in 2019 When President Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 it came under immediate criticism by many as a boon to those in the higher tax brackets and a gift to corporations at the expense of mid- to lower-level wage earners. Trump’s administration rejected these characterizations as wrong. However, as of February 8, total refunds for all filers, the majority of which were personal returns, were $22.18 billion compared to $28.86 billion for the...

April 25, 2019Read more...
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10 Times When Only a Tax Professional Will Save You

10 Times When Only a Tax Professional Will Save You The Limitations of DIY Tax Preparation and How They Can Get You Into Tax Trouble The widespread availability of tax preparation software has made Do-It-Yourself tax prep easier than ever. These software packages are simple to use, with step-by-step instructions and built-in checklists that make mistakes less likely. But mistakes do happen, and when they do, the IRS will be out to collect any back taxes you might owe plus penalties and...

April 18, 2019Read more...

The 2019 IRS “Dirty Dozen” List of Tax Scams

2019 “Dirty Dozen” List of Tax Scams The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams. Pay attention to these often aggressive and evolving schemes throughout the year. These scams will cost you and can often be dangerous. 2019’s “Dirty Dozen” list highlights a wide variety of schemes that you may encounter at any time, although many may peak during tax-filing season. These schemes range from simple refund inflation scams to complex tax shelter deals. A common...

April 10, 2019Read more...

Bitcoin: Property You May Have Forgotten is Taxed

Even though Cryptocurrency was originally proclaimed anonymous, transactions today are transparent. Governments have observed surges of black-market trading using Crypto in the past. Exchanges now impose anti-money laundering requirements on Crypto traders to avoid drawing the ire of regulators. The biggest change for Crypto traders, though, has been taxes. Regulators, central bankers, and federal judges all have different opinions on how to categorize cryptocurrency. However, they all seem to agree it should be taxed. Most major countries tax cryptocurrencies similarly, too. So, what does...

April 9, 2019Read more...

5 Tax Tips for the Self-Employed

Freelancers and independent contractors face unique challenges during tax season. Here are some quick tips to better manage the process and maximize your deductions. Ever feel a little lost during tax season as a self-employed taxpayer? Whether you did a few extra freelance gigs on the side or manage your own business, income tax filing can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t done it before. Here are some quick tips to help you understand and better manage the process. The more you...

March 21, 2019Read more...

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit? Do I Qualify?

What is the Earned Income Tax Credit? Do I Qualify? The Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC or EITC) is a refundable credit for workers who earn low or moderate incomes. This credit is meant to supplement the income you have earned through working, whether for yourself or for someone else. As a result, if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, you can reduce your taxes and increase your tax refund. The EITC allows more working people and their families to...

March 14, 2019Read more...

Tax Breaks for the Military Family

Tax Breaks for the Military Family There are certain tax breaks available to members of the U.S. military and their dependents: Sale of the principal residence A taxpayer on qualified official extended duty in the US Armed Services or the Foreign Service may suspend for up to 10 years of such duty time the running of the 5-year ownership-and-use period before the sale of a residence. This election applies to one property at a time. To qualify, a taxpayer must meet the following criteria...

March 13, 2019Read more...