FAQ

Remembering important tax deadlines can be key to avoiding costly mistakes down the road. If a deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline will automatically be extended to the following Monday. In addition, if you are unable to meet a deadline, you may be able to petition for a 6-month extension or a 5-month extension for LLC returns.

Tax return deadlines in the State of California are as follows:

• W-2 and 1099 Forms – Must be mailed by employers before January 31st
• Personal Returns – April 15th
• Business Returns – March 15th
• Partnership and LLC Returns – April 15th
• Self-Employed Tax Returns for Business Tax Renewal – Last day of February
• Employer Payroll Forms & Taxes – Required every quarter on April 30th, July 31st, October 31st, and January 31st

If any of your tax deductions should be questioned, having proof of documentation will be key in avoiding serious inspections or audits. We suggest that our clients always keep records of bank statements, credit card statements, canceled checks, invoices, and receipts. Mileage logs, meal expenses, and other records for business purposes can also be important. Donations or non-cash contributions, such as clothes or other property, should be verified with proof of receipt or acknowledgment letters from charities.

Your mortgage company should send you Form 1098, which reports the mortgage interest you paid.

The forms to prove employment may vary depending on individual situations. For most, an employer will provide a W-2 form. The self-employed (i.e. independent contractors, product sales representatives such as Mary Kay, etc.) should receive a 1099-MISC from the company.

If you received unemployment benefits from your state over the past year, you must claim that as income and, therefore, pay taxes on those benefits. The unemployment agency should provide you with a 1099-G form, which explains the number of benefits you drew during the past year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) receives a copy as well and will tax you at the appropriate rate in your tax bracket. Not everyone owes. If you worked a portion of the past year, chances are you paid payroll taxes and may earn a refund if those deductions were overpaid.

You will need to file a Schedule C using IRS Form 1040. Depending on your type of business and where you conduct business, there may be other forms you will need. You may also need to make quarterly estimated payments by filing Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals.

Taking necessary steps before tax time will make things easier once you file your taxes for the first time after a divorce. Change your W-4 through your employer so taxes will be withheld at the correct rates. Also, if you (or a family member) changed your name, file Form SS-5 with the Social Security Administration to ensure there aren’t any complications with the IRS.

The standing deadline for personal taxes is April 15. However, sometimes that date falls on a weekend or after Emancipation Day (a holiday in DC) and pushes the deadline to as late as April 18.

When you get your W-2, you can have your taxes prepared right away, but the IRS will not accept them before a pre-defined date.

Yes, you can opt to pay your tax liability through an installment plan. In addition to paying taxes through an installment payment plan, there may be other options such as the Offer in Compromise (OIC). Under an OIC agreement, the IRS may agree to settle the taxpayer’s liability for less than the full amount of taxes owed. The IRS is not likely to approve an OIC if there’s evidence that the taxpayer could pay the full amount through an installment payment plan or another method. A taxpayer can request consideration for an OIC by filling out Form 656, Offer in Compromise, or Form 656L, Offer in Compromise (Doubt as to Liability), and mail the application package to the IRS.

Below is a list of documents to bring with you to your tax appointment.

PERSONAL INFORMATION FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER:

• Name
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Card /ITIN/ATIN
• Last Year’s Tax Return
• Valid Driver’s License

INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION:

• W-2’s
• Interest (1099-INT or substitute)
• Dividend Slips (1099-DIV or substitute)
• Stock Sales (1099-B or Broker Statement)
• Self-Employment Income and Expenses
• Sale of a Personal Residence
• Rental Income and Expenses
• Sale of any Business Assets
• Gambling or Lottery Winnings (W-2G for some winnings)
• State Income Tax Refund (1099-G)
• Pension Income (1099-R)
• Estimated Taxes Paid
• Social Security or Railroad Retirement (SSA-1099 or RRB-1099)
• IRA or 401(k) Distribution (1099-R)
• Unemployment Compensation (1099-G)
• Miscellaneous Income (1099-MISC)

DEDUCTIONS/ADJUSTMENTS:

• Medical Expenses
• Real Estate or Personal Property Taxes
• Mortgage Interest
• Charitable Contributions (cash and non-cash)
• Employee Business Expenses
• Gambling Losses
• Moving Expenses
• Traditional IRA Contributions
• Higher Education Expenses
• Educator Expenses
• Student Loan Interest

TAX CREDITS:

• Child Care Provider/Address and Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN)
• Adoption Expenses
• Retirement Savings Contributions Credit

Yes, you can as long as you keep good records in case you are ever audited by the IRS. Be sure to record the name of the organization, the date, and location, as well as a detailed description of what you donated. Keep notes on the amount you claimed as a deduction and how you figured the fair market value on the items you donated. In the case of a monetary donation, as long as it’s less than $250, a canceled check or even a payroll deduction can suffice for proof of the donation.

Typically, general home repairs cannot be deducted from your taxes. Home repairs are meant to keep your home in good condition but do not increase the value of your home. However, if you live in a “federally declared disaster area” and your home is affected, then you can claim the cost to repair the damages. If you use part of your home as a principal place of business, some repairs can be deducted, but you must itemize your deductions on Schedule A.

The first step is to check the IRS Tax Relief Site to see if your area has been determined as a “disaster area” by the President because the IRS provides specific relief to these victims. (If you do not have access to the internet, call FEMA for disaster assistance at 1-800-621-3362). If you are in a disaster area and were impacted by the disaster, meet with a tax preparer to determine which year you should claim a casualty loss. Doing so will help you figure out the best possible tax break.

For federal taxes, a foreclosure is viewed as the sale of the property. Two separate matters will impact your tax liability: any gain from the sale of your property and credited income you receive from any debt forgiveness. There are ways to calculate your Gains and Cancellation of Debt. To learn the specifics of how your particular situation is impacted, visit the Home Foreclosure and Debt Cancellation section on the IRS website.

Depending on which Chapter you filed for, taxes may not be exempt. With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, federal taxes are exempt from discharge. When filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it is very important to file and pay your taxes during the bankruptcy proceedings because the court can dismiss your claim if you fail to meet this requirement. Dismissing the claim leaves you responsible for all of your debts. For further tax information on bankruptcy, read the IRS Publication 908 (10/2012), Bankruptcy Tax Guide.

If your divorce is not final, you may choose to file a married filing jointly. Just note that you and your spouse are responsible for the tax bill and any future audits.

Since it is not a small change (missing form or math miscalculation), a missed income probably requires that you file an amendment. You’ll need to file Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, on paper; no e-filing here. Additionally, if any changes you make need forms or schedules attached, make sure you do so.

Don’t panic. You have three years since the date of filing or two years from paying (whichever is later) to correct the issue. But note, if your amended return claims more refund money, go ahead and cash your original refund check – no need to wait the average 12 weeks it takes to process your amended return. However, if your amended return shows you owe, you’ll want to lower fees and interest by paying those taxes as fast as you can.

You can then track the status of your amended tax return(s) with the IRS’s ‘Where’s My Amended Return’ tool. Check the IRS’s site about three weeks after you’ve mailed your amended return or call 866-464-2050.

No. The federal tax laws do not consider gifted money to be earned income, therefore, it is not taxable to you. No state has a tax law on gifted money either.

Generally, the property received as an inheritance is not included in your income. However, if the property you receive this way later produces income such as interest, dividends, or rents, the income is taxable to you.

Yes, any money, which you received as a result of work is taxable income and must be reported on your tax return. Attach your W-2 showing your earnings and your taxes withheld to your tax return.

The main reason for filing taxes electronically (e-filing) is to get your refund faster. Twenty-four hours after sending your tax return, the IRS will send you a confirmation of receipt or a rejection notice. Generally, e-filing is safer and faster than filing on paper.

The ‘Where’s My Refund’ tool on the IRS website provides the most up-to-date information regarding the status of your refund. This tool is updated every 24 hours.

Many factors can contribute to why your refund is less than you expected. You have to consider the three elements that define a refund: your taxable income, the amount withheld from your paycheck for federal and state tax.

Very few people enjoy filing their own taxes. Even with the help of computer software programs, the risk of running into problems still exists. In addition, computer software programs are not formulated to take into account the special circumstances or your unique financial portfolio. Not only are we prepared, trained, and licensed to take on complex tax issues, but we also offer personal and ethical tax services that can help our clients maximize their returns while minimizing the risk of unnecessary IRS involvement.