Social Security benefits include monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits; they do not include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, which are not taxable. Generally, you pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits only if you have other substantial income in addition to your benefits. Your income and filing status affect whether you must pay taxes on your Social Security. About 40 percent of people who get Social Security must pay income taxes on their benefits.
Employee Business Expense Deductions: Who Qualifies?
Before tax reform, an employee could deduct unreimbursed job expenses and other miscellaneous expenses that were more than two percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) as long as they itemized instead of taking the standard deduction. Starting in 2018, however, most taxpayers can no longer claim unreimbursed employee expenses as miscellaneous itemized deductions unless they are a qualified employee or eligible educator.
Refundable vs. Non-refundable Tax Credits
Tax credits can reduce your tax bill or give you a bigger refund, but not all tax credits are created equal. While most tax credits are refundable, some credits are nonrefundable. Still, before we look at the difference between refundable and nonrefundable tax credits, it’s important to understand the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction.
Small Business: Rent Expenses May Be Tax-deductible
If you’re a small business owner just starting out, you may not realize that some rent expenses may be deductible on your tax return. Here are some things small business owners should keep in mind when it comes to deducting rental expenses:
Tax Implications When Employed in the Family Business
When a family member employs someone, the tax implications depend on the relationship and the type of business. Taxpayers and employers need to understand their tax situation. Here is what to know:
New Online Option for Certain IRS Notices
Taxpayers who receive certain notices requiring them to send information to the IRS can now submit their documentation online through IRS.gov. This new secure step will allow taxpayers or their tax professionals to upload documents electronically rather than mailing them in, helping reduce time and effort in resolving tax issues.
What To Do if You’re Missing Important Tax Documents
As the April 18th tax deadline quickly approaches, last-minute tax filers should make sure they have all their documents before filing a tax return. You should have received a Form W-2, Wage, and Tax Statement from each of your employers for use in preparing your federal tax return. Employers must furnish this record of 2022 earnings and withheld taxes no later than January 31, 2023. As such, most taxpayers should have received their documents near the end of January, including:
- Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement
- Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income
- Form 1099-INT, Interest Income
- Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation
- Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments; like unemployment compensation or state tax refund
State Payments Excluded From 2022 Federal Returns
Taxpayers in 21 states received special payments related to general welfare and disaster relief in 2022. However, according to recently issued guidance from the IRS, they will not need to report these payments on their 2022 federal tax returns. The special tax refunds or payments made by certain states were related to the pandemic and its associated consequences. Generally, payments made by states are includable in income for federal tax purposes. Due to this unique and complex situation, the rules surrounding their treatment for federal income tax purposes are more complex.
Five Overlooked Tax Breaks for Individuals
Are you confused about which credits and deductions you can claim on your 2022 tax return? You’re not alone. With tax law becoming more complicated every year, it’s hard to remember which tax breaks are available in any given year. With that in mind, here are five tax breaks you might not want to overlook.
There’s Still Time To Make an IRA Contribution for 2022
If you haven’t contributed funds to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for tax year 2022 or put in less than the maximum allowed, you still have time to do so. You can contribute to either a traditional or Roth IRA until the April 18, 2023, due date, not including extensions.