tax preparation

Treatment of the Shared Responsibility Payment in Bankruptcy

A taxpayer who fails to carry minimum essential health coverage through 2018 and is not exempt from this requirement owes a shared responsibility payment. It is treated as a tax owed on the person’s tax return. But if the taxpayer files for bankruptcy…

No Hardship Distribution for Paying Off Student Loans

Amounts in 401(k) plans are designed for retirement savings. However, they can be tapped for an immediate and heavy financial need. There are certain situations that clearly fit this bill, such as facing foreclosure on a home or funeral costs. When it…

Are You a Freelancer? Get a Handle on Your Taxes

Freelancing brings a lot of great benefits to the table. You get to control your own schedule. You can charge what you want for your services. You can work from practically anywhere. Yet, being a freelancer also comes with its own set of challenges. On…

IRS Extends Tax Filing Deadline to April 18

Late Tuesday afternoon, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an extension to the tax filing deadline after its systems for electronically filing tax returns were offline for most of the day. Tax filers now have until midnight on Wednesday, Apri…

S-Corp vs. C-Corp: What’s Best for Your Business in 2018?

In the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, business owners nationwide are looking closely at whether incorporating as an S corporation or a C corporation will offer a greater reduction in their tax burdens over the long haul.  While C corporations …

Earned Income Tax Credit Calculator

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit designed in part to reduce the tax burden on low income individuals and families both with and without children.  In 2017, the maximum credit was $6,318 ($6,431 in 2018).Earned Income Tax Cre…

2018 Child Tax Credit Under Tax Reform

A tax credit reduces your total tax liability, and there are several types of credits available to help taxpayers do that. Traditionally popular credits are those related to children. And recent tax reform legislation expanded the availability of tax c…

Top Tax Deductions for Freelance Tutors

Freelance tutoring is a great way to earn some extra cash. Sometimes it can even turn into your full-time income stream. But being a freelancer means you are an independent contractor, not an employee of a company. In this case, the Internal Revenue Se…