Tax talk

^{Updated on March 27, 2020}

With the Federal Government’s national recommendation to stay at home affecting businesses across the country, it may be time to file your taxes if you haven’t already done so. Remember, the majority of Americans filing taxes receive refunds, and additional funding during this time of uncertainty could provide you and your family with greater peace of mind.

2020 is Bringing Some Much-Needed Updates to Education Savings Plans, Like Your 529 savings account.

Good news. You now have three more years to claim these popular deductions. At the end of December 2019, several very popular tax provisions were resurrected when the president signed the “Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Bill.” It extended a handful of mortgage, health, and tuition deductions for 2019, retroactively to 2018, and ahead through the end of 2020.

Why fear an audit? When you could help prevent it. The thought of the IRS combing through years of back tax returns is enough to send a shudder down anyone’s spine. And you try not to think about what might happen if they find a mistake. But there are steps you can take to help keep it from happening.

Yes, it’s true. Don’t abbreviate “2020” when writing the date. The new decade has barely begun and already we’re facing a new way to get scammed. The good news is that protecting yourself, your tax return and other finances from this one is as easy as writing out the entire year “2020,” rather than shortening it to just “20.”

A recent survey by the American Pet Products Association has revealed that owners of pets in the United States spent over $75 billion on their animals in 2019, a significant portion of which was related to food, followed by veterinarian costs. While it may not be possible to put a value on the importance of having a pet in your life, there are definitely ways to recover the costs of their maintenance to some extent.

Complaining about taxes is as American as apple pie and goes all the way back to colonial days. So, this President’s Day, let’s take a look at our long and fascinating history with taxes.

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, a joint project from Babson College and the London Business School, some 30 million working-age Americans are starting or maintaining new businesses – this means almost 14% of the adult population of the US is involved in pursuing entrepreneurship. 

When it comes to health insurance plans, deductibles and premiums tend to have an inverse relationship -- the higher one is, the lower the other tends to be. And many workers choose to get on high-deductible health plans to save money on premium costs. In fact, 40% of employees are enrolled in this type of plan nationwide, according to Bank of America's 2019 Workplace Benefits Report. And while employers aren't obliged to offer a health savings account, or HSA, in conjunction with a high-deductible health plan, 90% of companies with these plans do just that.

I recently got married, and now that the wedding planning is out of the way, my husband and I are settling into our new life together. It's exciting in many ways, but it also brings new financial concerns. We've been used to paying for our own things separately, and now we have to plan for a future -- including having a family -- together. It changes things.

The challenge of being young often boils down to having a limited income. After all, it stands to reason that the further along you progress in your career, the more money you stand to earn, and the newer you are to the workforce, the lower your paycheck reads. But in spite of this, it still pays to focus on certain financial goals when you're young. Here are a few key moves that could set the stage for a lifetime of success.

There's little question that Social Security is our nation's most valuable social resource. Of the nearly 64 million beneficiaries netting a monthly payout, over a third are being lifted out of poverty, with more than 15 million of these folks being retired workers.

Working Americans are often urged to save independently for retirement, rather than rely on Social Security alone to pay the bills when they're older. But a troubling number of U.S. adults aren't making decent headway in this regard.

No matter what lifestyle you plan in retirement, preparing for it is never simple. Those who don't put off planning altogether often look for simplified rules to follow instead. But these rules can give you a false sense of security about how prepared you are, causing you to come up short in your later years. 

Millions of seniors depend on Medicare for health benefits in retirement. But as current enrollees can attest, coverage under Medicare is by no means free.

The IRS recently announced its inflation-driven tax changes for 2020, and the IRA contribution limits are remaining the same. Individuals can contribute as much as $6,000 to their IRAs in 2020, with an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution allowed if the account owner is 50 or older.

Recent research by ING showed that almost a third of Americans have no money in savings. If you are one of them, you may lose sleep over things like retirement, how you'll pay for your children's education, and what you'll do if there is an emergency.  

Many people dream of retiring early, and for you, that could mean leaving the workforce during your 50s. And there are plenty of good reasons to go this route. By retiring young, you'll get a chance to travel or enjoy your newfound free time at a point when you're likely to have a decent amount of energy and be in relatively good health.

Recently, personal finance expert and TV personality Suze Orman drew criticism for scolding millennials over their coffee habits. Specifically, she likened the habit of purchasing coffee to throwing away $1 million -- money that could otherwise be used to fund a retirement.

If I wait until age 70 to begin collecting Social Security, I'll pocket 24% more than if I start receiving my benefits at age 67, which is my full retirement age. If that sounds like a good deal, you're right. It's a guaranteed increase in Social Security income of 8% per year. I won't deny it. That extra money could come in handy. Yet, I still plan to take my Social Security at 62. Here's why.

As an employee, you're generally entitled to a variety of benefits, from health insurance to participation in a retirement savings plan. And the time to choose those benefits will soon be upon us.

For years the Internal Revenue Service has been cutting back on audits due to a multitude of economic and technological reasons. And for a long time, the average taxpayer has been more than happy to live with that. But that is about to change.

As you go through life the only thing that remains constant is change. No one stays the same forever. You grow in age, responsibility, and financial stability – which means that with every life change you should evaluate how that particular event is going to affect your taxes and plans for the future.

Another year is almost over. That means the holiday season and family gatherings - which leave little time to change things that could help your 2019 taxes. So before ringing in the New Year, here are some things you can do that will make filing your taxes easier and help you get the most out of your return.

Ever since you started working, you could count on one thing: Sitting down once a year to fill out your 1040 and file your taxes. Well, now the venerable old 1040 you know so well is changing. The good news? It’s never been so simple.

Think about the traits people consider attractive. What comes to mind? You may have said physical beauty, stylish dress, and a charming personality. And those are all attractive traits. But good money habits are also an effective (and underrated) way to make yourself more appealing in the dating world.

When do you want to retire? If you've had a tough day at work or are sick of your job, your answer might be ASAP. But while retiring early and spending your days lounging around may seem like a dream life, there are a lot of reasons waiting to leave the workforce may make a whole lot of sense.

Let's face it -- unless you're a fictional character, you're going to die. And if you care about your money and your family, it will save a lot of grief if you create a funeral plan before the grieving starts. But according to a 2017 report by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), only 21% of Americans discuss details about their funeral with loved ones.

Owning a home is part of the American Dream, isn’t it? With mortgage interest rates at an all-time low, stable job market and rising wages, many people are pursuing homeownership. Despite all this, you may still be torn between buying and renting. Knowing the tax implications of buying a home versus renting one might help you make a better, more informed decision.

There’s a familiar ritual to starting a new job, isn’t there? You’re escorted to your desk, introduced to your new co-workers, and handed paperwork to fill out, especially a trusty old W-4. Well, the ritual remains, but how you fill out your W-4 is about to change.

Back in 2017, when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was passed, it included a largely overlooked provision. But that provision has huge implications for parents of all school-age children.

Happy Labor Day – a day when (most) hardworking Americans get the chance to kick back, relax, and – hopefully – forget about the rigors of the working world for just a little bit. Maybe you’re hitting the beach this weekend. Maybe you’re ready to fire up the grill. Or maybe you’re just hanging out and having a blessedly plain, boring day.

Fall is a great time of year to get organized and accomplish some deep cleaning. School has started, the weather’s lovely – what better time to get organized and, in doing so, potentially save a few bucks on your tax bill?

Fewer people are worried about having enough money.
The economy has been strong, and more Americans have faith that their personal financial situations will remain healthy. Over three-quarters, (76%) of adults ages 25-70 reported feeling somewhat or very financially secure, up from 68% in 2013, according to survey data from New York Life.

If you’re getting letters from the IRS about your tax debt, you probably have a lot of questions about what to do next and how to handle paying the IRS. We have answers! Read on to learn more about your options and where you can turn for help when paying your back taxes.

If you're guilty of it now, it's time for a change.

Chances are, you've made a few financial mistakes in your day. Maybe you racked up credit card debt when you were younger and damaged your credit score as a result. Or maybe you bought a cool car you didn't need and raided your savings in the process.

Follow these, and you should start seeing some pretty impressive results.
Thirty-nine percent of Americans don't have enough money in savings to cover a mere $400 emergency. If you're one of them, it's a sign that your savings need a serious boost. The good news? If you follow these tips, you might find that saving money isn't so difficult after all.

New parents, newlyweds, and recent homeowners are among those who are likely to perpetually have money concerns on the brain. And that's understandable. Life changes can result in financial upheaval, though they're not the only catalyst for money worries. If you're concerned about money to the point where it's really all you can think about, it's imperative that you take control of the situation. Here's how.

It’s a terrible feeling. You’ve entered all of your information on your annual income tax return and find that you owe the Internal Revenue Service—and not just a little, but more than you can afford to pay. It’s tempting to avoid the problem by not filing your return or not paying the tax bill, but that has consequences. If you aren’t sure what to do about your tax bill or letters or notices from the IRS, start here.

Back taxes are simply money that you owe to the Internal Revenue Service. When you don’t pay your taxes or pay the wrong amount, you owe “back taxes.” If you continue to miss payments, you have “tax debt” that the IRS will try to collect. And, whether you forgot to file, miscalculated your return, or just couldn't come up with the money, it's important to know that you are not alone. Actually, you're among more than 14 million American taxpayers who owe back taxes, according to the 2018 IRS Data Book. So, don't take it personally, but do take back taxes seriously.

The good news? Tax debt relief is possible.
The not-so-good news? Not everyone qualifies for a settlement, but there are several options to explore and consider. The IRS offers a variety of tax debt relief programs and a lot of online tools and forms to make it easier to apply for them. If you are overwhelmed by the complexity of your situation, consult a professional. Either way, it’s best to deal with tax debt as soon as possible.

When we think of millennials, we often picture flannel-clad hipsters sipping overpriced coffee, bemoaning their overly difficult lives. In reality, though, millennials do have it rough, and their net worth reflects that struggle.

If you’ve received a notice from the IRS about a tax audit, you’re probably feeling a bit dizzy right now. First, don’t panic – most audits are done by mail, and there are some immediate steps you can take to improve your situation. Instead, do get organized. You can ace this audit if you do the following five things.

Paycheck withholdings represent a huge part of how most American workers pay income tax and can help determine an employee’s tax liability each year. If you’re currently working through your taxes, you might be wondering: how much should I be withholding?

Warm weather, sunny days, and more daylight can make summer a great time to earn extra money. Summer jobs can range from driving for a rideshare service to working shifts at your local restaurant or retail store. Whether you are a teacher who is off for the summer, a college student looking for extra cash, or someone who just wants some additional income, don’t forget Uncle Sam at tax time.

Social media is full of gorgeous men and women whose looks we want to emulate. So, we turn to you, our local hairstylist, barber or cosmetologist to magically transform us. And you go to work – washing, plucking, trimming and polishing to bring out our natural best. We know we can count on you. You are both beautifier and confidante – only you know our real hair color!
This National Beautician’s Day we thank you for glowing skin, fabulous hair and fierce nails as we offer tips on how to take care of your taxes.

Dad is the original superhero - Captain America, Iron Man, Black Panther, and in my case, the Tax Hero – rolled into one. This Father’s Day, we celebrate all the great dads and dads-to-be with a list of handy tax-related benefits, along with some commonly overlooked tips, that come with being a dad:

In honor of National Doughnut Day, we’re talking tips and taxes – so let’s jump in and walk you through how to keep track of, claim, and report tip income.

Chances are, the Westeros Revenue Service (WRS) has its eye on that dagger, Catspaw, for gift taxes; and what with all the deaths that have occurred, don't get us started on estate taxes.

Few can argue that no one works harder than mom to keep the family happy. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate all the hardworking moms and moms-to-be with a list of handy tax-related benefits, along with some commonly overlooked tips, that come with being a mom:

The process of filing taxes every year takes plenty of time and effort even if everything goes perfectly. Add to that the worry about tax return identity theft, and your stress levels are bound to skyrocket. Knowing the signs to watch out for and keeping a close watch on the status of your tax return can help you stay safe and minimize risks of falling victim to scammers.

Did you know that it is possible to amend a tax return after you have submitted it? If you made a mistake when filing your tax return, or you have come upon information that was not mentioned in your original return, then it may be possible to fix that mistake – even after you’ve sent in your original return – by amending it with the IRS.

A recent survey by the American Pet Products Association has revealed that owners of pets in the United States spent over $75 billion on their animals in 2019, a significant portion of which was related to food, followed by veterinarian costs. While it may not be possible to put a value on the importance of having a pet in your life, there are definitely ways to recover the costs of their maintenance to some extent.

Have you ever dreamt that you found an unexpected source of cash only to wake up and find it was all an illusion? Well, if you’re one of the 1.2 million people that did not file their 2015 federal income tax returns, it could mean a dream true.

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, a joint project from Babson College and the London Business School, some 30 million working-age Americans are starting or maintaining new businesses – this means almost 14% of the adult population of the US is involved in pursuing entrepreneurship. 

Lottery winners look happy and a bit dazed when they appear in the news, holding a big cardboard check scrawled with their winnings. Many say they can’t believe their good fortune. After all, they just received one of the biggest payouts of their lives. Then, they get the actual check – 24% is withheld to cover federal taxes and it often isn’t enough.

After a 35-day shutdown, the government has been reopened until February 15. Tax season is here and the IRS is accepting returns. We know that you have questions about how the shutdown will impact the processing of your return and refund. Below are answers to common questions. We’re here to help.

Tax law is constantly evolving and, for the most part, that’s a good thing! However, keeping up with the changes from year to year can be quite a headache, especially when you were counting on a deduction that you suddenly find out no longer exists. 

For many Americans, getting a long-awaited tax refund can be the biggest, most significant financial transaction of the year – and many taxpayers plan on putting theirs to good use. According to a recent survey, a sizable portion of taxpayers are planning on using their tax refunds to pay off holiday bills. 

While tax scams are prevalent throughout the year, their frequency picks up steam in the late winter and early spring – the months leading up to tax-filing deadlines. With filing season just around the corner, now is a great time to brush up on the basics of avoiding tax scams.

As the end of the year approaches, many American taxpayers are doing what they can to ensure they’ll see the biggest refund possible when they file their taxes in 2019. For some, this means maxing out their contributions to IRAs and other retirement accounts. 

If you’ve forgotten to file your taxes, if there’s a mistake on your tax return, or if the IRS wants to change something on your return – and you owe money to the IRS, you have tax debt. It doesn’t matter how you got this debt; it is your job to resolve any errors, file any missing returns, and pay off any remaining debt.

Have you wondered how much you’ve overpaid in taxes this year? If so, you likely want to do all you can to get as big a refund (or pay as little) as possible. As we inch closer to the end of 2018, now is the time to review what moves can and should be made during the last few weeks of the year. It’s not too late to make financial moves that can increase your refund! Take control and be proactive with this list of eight tax tips for your 2018 tax return.

Many of the changes to the tax code from the recently passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are taking effect in 2018 – which could impact your finances in a big way. Maybe you’ve already noticed a change in your take-home pay, or maybe you’ve heard about how the standard deduction has nearly doubled. The TCJA is the biggest change to the American tax code in 30 years – and its purpose is to benefit the majority of hardworking Americans.

A major promise around the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act last December involved making filing taxes simpler for American taxpayers. However, despite what you may have heard, most Americans are unlikely to be submitting their tax returns on a lone postcard any time soon.

As summer draws to a close and the school year looms, parents everywhere are gearing up to send their kids back to school. But as you’re watching supplies flying off the shelves while parents scuffle amongst themselves over laying claim to that last Wonder Woman backpack, you should also be thinking about how the upcoming school year is going to impact your finances. With tax reform, getting ready to send your child(ren) or dependent(s) back to school can pose new challenges – ones that may very well end up affecting the size of your tax refund.

Concerned about the how tax reform changes will impact your tax return? You’re not alone. The biggest tax reform in 30 years is promising simplification, but it may not be that simple for many Americans. Jackson Hewitt^® wants you to know the top things about tax reform that may impact you.

Although April 17 has come and gone, it’s a great time to go through a Spring Tax Checklist to keep you, and your small business, on track while avoiding compounding penalties. Breaking up your business tax preparation into smaller steps helps you conquer the job. Here are four things you can do to have a productive mid-year and prepare for a smooth tax season next year. 

Receiving any correspondence from the IRS can instantly strike fear in the heart of most. You have to admit that one would naturally get a little nervous when you see that the Treasury department wants to have a word with you. In this moment you don’t want to become overcome with panic, you want to prepare! Millions of taxpayers get IRS notices saying there may be an issue or error and you may owe additional tax, including penalties and interest. Just because you get a notice doesn’t mean that it’s correct.

You started the year determined to get your tax return completed way before the deadline. Then life happened and filing your taxes almost became an after-thought. Even though we’re a few weeks away from Tax Day which might sound like a lot of time, it’ll be here before you know it. The sooner you get started on that return, the more options you'll have for getting it done smoothly.

Recovering from Mother Nature’s catastrophes is never easy. With a number of FEMA disaster areas in 2018 from hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and wildfires, loss victims could use their tax filings to obtain much-needed cash. Millions of Americans who have been affected by natural disasters should be sure they are getting the most from their tax return.

Tax Day is just a few weeks away, but you still have a little time left to get your return filed to Uncle Sam. Some people say they work best under pressure and choose to procrastinate; don’t ignore, avoid, or think you'll get back to it later. The IRS can come back to bite procrastinators in two ways: with a failure-to-file penalty and a failure-to-pay penalty.

If you would rather spend your weekends researching travel destinations than IRA options, you aren't alone. According to research, most people spend more time planning where to go on vacation or which car to purchase, than they do retirement planning. Saving for retirement can be a challenge for many households in America, especially while balancing other responsibilities. Why should this be a priority? Retirement contributions are a future source of income, and contributing to these plans can often give you tax benefits now!

Understandably, the most common question taxpayers have is: “Where’s my refund?” If you are due a refund from your federal or state taxes, you'll want to know when you can expect that direct deposit to hit your account or your refund check to arrive. But waiting can be nerve-wracking, especially when you plan to use the funds to improve your personal finances, pay down holiday debt, finally make a major purchase, or treat yourself to a much-needed vacation.

What may be your biggest paycheck of the year is on the horizon! Tax season officially began Monday, January 28, when the IRS started accepting returns for the 2018 tax year. By taking advantage of every possible tax break, you can minimize your tax liability and potentially net yourself a larger tax refund. 

The sharing economy can be lucrative! More and more people are entering the sharing economy at a record pace. Whether ridesharing such as Uber or Lyft, apartment- or house-renting using Airbnb, crowdfunding with Kickstarter, knowledge-sharing through TaskRabbit, or even your online store through Etsy, the funds you receive are income. The more profitable your activities were in 2017, the more of an impact they may have on your tax return - it’s all good until you receive an unexpected tax bill.

Complaining about taxes is as American as apple pie and goes all the way back to colonial days. So, this President’s Day, let’s take a look at our long and fascinating history with taxes.

You may be missing out on thousands of dollars in tax credits without even knowing it. According to the IRS, one in five eligible people miss out on claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) each year. Many of the people who could use that extra money the most are the ones missing out on a tax credit worth up to $6,431. And that could be a big miss!

While you’re thinking about resolutions to improve your health, or making professional strides for the New Year, don’t forget about your financial well-being. It’s time to start getting organized and focused on your taxes for 2018 and planning for 2019. Here are some tips on getting ready to file, seeing the biggest refund you deserve, and protecting yourself – all at the same time.

It’s that time of year again: W-2 and 1099 forms are on their way to you. As you prep for tax season, do you ever wonder whether you’ve forgotten something and missed out on a larger tax refund?

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the most extensive update to the US tax code in more than 30 years. The bill makes major changes to the tax code for individuals and businesses and provides sweeping tax changes along all social and economic lines.

It’s your money. It’s your hard-earned, pretax dollars sitting in an account. It’s yours… but only for a limited amount of time. That’s the gift and the curse of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). In most cases, your time is up at the end of the calendar year and your contributed dollars are gone – just like that. (No, you do not get it back!)

Well, maybe not only you, but a large part of the prevention starts with you. We live in an increasingly digital world, and there is no turning back – not that we’d want to, anyway; everyday tasks are made easier through new technology. Ideally, the benefits of technology far outweigh the risks, consequences, and inconveniences.