How do tax write-offs work?
We all know the saying: “There are two certainties in life: death and taxes.” Since taxes are one of our largest ongoing expenses, we’re all interested in keeping them as low as possible. Fortunately, the government has created tax breaks in order to incentive citizens to do things it considers valuable to society. For example,…
Read MoreWhat is the Standard Deduction?
The standard deduction is the amount of income you get to deduct from your total taxable income. Because the standard deduction lowers your taxable income, it means you pay less income tax. In 2019, the standard deduction for someone filing as single is $12,200. For a Head of Household, the standard deduction is $18,350. And…
Read MoreHow Does Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) work?
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a program of the IRS. VITA sites offer income tax preparation help free of charge for people who generally make less than $56,000 annually, people with disabilities, and those with difficulty speaking English. The program is also offered on military installations. The offices are run by volunteers who have…
Read MoreCan I file taxes if my income was only SS and SSI?
Submitted by Veronica C. Living on only social security income tells me that you are resourceful and doing a good job managing your money. (SS is the benefit that you pay into during your working years and SSI is supplemental income designed to provide additional support for specific situations.) This question is tricky because I’m…
Read MoreDo I Need to File a Tax Return?
Hi, I’m Kasey, and I’m a tax expert here with Intuit’s TurboTax. I’m here today to talk about some frequently asked questions that many taxpayers have. Do I need to file? Not everyone is required to file a tax return every year. Generally, if your income doesn’t exceed certain thresholds, you don’t even have to file a return. The…
Read MoreHow to Prepare for Tax Season with Tax-Savvy Financial Moves
It’s the beginning of the year, which means (among other things) that tax season is approaching. This year especially brings a lot of uncertainty with new tax regulations. Here are a few things you can do now to make tax season a breeze. Check how changes in tax laws will affect you Tax law changes…
Read MoreAre you ready for tax time? The scammers are too!
The end of the year often feels hectic. We’re spending time with family, celebrating the holidays, and planning for the coming year. This is exactly what scammers rely on to separate you from your hard-earned money. What to do with a possible scam The first step to staying ahead of scammers is to be very…
Read MoreHow do you use your tax refund?
Every month, part of your paycheck is sent straight to the government to pay your taxes. But at the end of the year, most people owe less than they’ve already paid – so they get money back from the government. These tax refunds are a huge influx of money for many American families. If you’re…
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