Updated Articles and Resources

By William Perez, About.com Guide since 2004

Credit for Child Care & Dependent Care Expenses Created: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 Updated: Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit reduces your taxes by providing a tax credit for money you spend on day care and child care services. Find out how to qualify for the Child and Dependent Care ...
Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Created: Monday, August 29, 2005 Updated: Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Americans working abroad can exclude up to $97,600 per year from their US taxable income. Find out about the foreign earned income exclusion (Form 2555), along with helpful tips for preparing an ex...
Child Tax Credit Created: Monday, March 20, 2006 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
If you have children, you may qualify for a Child Tax Credit on your federal income tax return. For 2010, the maximum child tax credit is $1,000.
Property Tax Myths and Misconceptions Created: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
Six common property tax myths and misunderstandings explained.
Michigan Tax Amnesty Slated for 2011 Created: Friday, October 29, 2010 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
Michigan's governor has approved a tax amnesty program for 2011. Eligible taxpayers who apply for Michigan tax amnesty will have all civil and criminal penalties waived. See if you qualify for Mi...
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tax Breaks and Deductions Created: Monday, December 27, 2004 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
Review of the book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tax Breaks and Deductions," by Lita Epstein. Epstein has an ambitious goal: to produce a tax book that lives beyond April 15th as a handy guide to...
Getting Married and Taxes Created: Friday, December 31, 2004 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
Dear Tax Guide, I’ve often noticed that the married amounts for various deductions are quite often substantially less than double the single amount. Can you explain why? Tax reforms and the "m...
What Documents Do I Need to Bring to My Accountant? Created: Friday, October 22, 2004 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
Find out what documents to take with you when meeting with your tax professional. And find out what you can do if you are missing some documents.
Protect Your Business Losses by Incorporating Created: Monday, December 27, 2004 Updated: Monday, May 13, 2013
New businesses often have several years of losses before becoming profitable. The IRS may disallow your losses if you are filing on a Schedule C. You can protect your losses from an IRS audit by in...
Virginia Earned Income Tax Credit Created: Monday, February 07, 2011 Updated: Saturday, May 11, 2013
Details on the Virginia earned income tax credit. Virginia has their own version of the earned income tax credit (EITC) that can reduce Virginia state income taxes for lower income individuals and...
American Opportunity Tax Credit Created: Monday, July 13, 2009 Updated: Friday, May 10, 2013
The American Opportunity Tax Credit provides up to $2,500 for people pursuing undergraduate education. Replacing and expanding on former the Hope credit, the American Opportunity credit is schedule...
Adjusting Tax Withholding from Your Paycheck Created: Monday, October 05, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, May 07, 2013
Revising your paycheck withholding involves several steps. In this article I walk you through all the steps I take whenever a client ask me to review their current level of withholding. The key is ...
Where's My State Refund? Created: Monday, October 11, 2010 Updated: Monday, May 06, 2013
A list of links to state tax authority websites where you can check the status of your state income tax refund.
Where's Your Federal Tax Refund? Created: Saturday, October 23, 2004 Updated: Monday, May 06, 2013
After filing a federal tax return, it's possible to check on the status of when the IRS will issue a tax refund. Describes different ways the status of a refund can be checked, and common reasons w...
Foreign Financial Assets Created: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Updated: Friday, May 03, 2013
American taxpayers may need to report any investments and financial assets held outside the United States to the Internal Revenue Service using Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial A...
Income Tax Deadlines Created: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 Updated: Thursday, May 02, 2013
The annual tax filing deadline is normally April 15. Find a list of deadlines relating to federal income taxes for individuals and businesses.
IRS Tax Penalties Created: Monday, November 14, 2005 Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013
If you owe taxes, the IRS will calculate penalties and interest on the amount owed. If you have a refund, the IRS may pay you interest on the delayed refund.
Tax Preparation Prices and Fees Created: Friday, October 22, 2004 Updated: Friday, April 19, 2013
The price for tax preparation services is based largely on how complex your tax return is. Find out how different companies price their services and average prices charged by various tax profession...
How To File an Extension Created: Saturday, March 05, 2005 Updated: Sunday, April 14, 2013
An extension is a way to ask the Internal Revenue Service for more time to file a federal tax return. The IRS will automatically grant extra time to file a tax return. This grace period is given on...
State Tax Extensions Created: Saturday, April 13, 2013 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Directory of income tax extensions for each state including forms and instructions.
Advance Child Tax Credit Payment Created: Thursday, October 28, 2004 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Definition of Advance Child Tax Credit Payment: In 2003 the Interal Revenue Service issued advanced payments for people who were eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit.
Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction Created: Monday, June 15, 2009 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
A one-year-only deduction for 2009, individuals who purchase a new vehicle (including motor homes) can deduct sales tax or excise taxes, even if they don't itemize. The deduction is limited to the ...
Taxes Created: Saturday, September 10, 2005 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Definition of taxes: a payment or fee paid to the government.
Extended Guarantees Give a False Sense of Security Created: Sunday, January 23, 2005 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Tax preparers should stand behind their work. Ultimately it's your tax return and you alone will have to pay any additional taxes, penalties, and interest if the IRS finds a mistake on your return....
Tips for Finding the Right Tax Accountant Created: Friday, September 01, 2006 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Taxpayers of all types can benefit from hiring a tax accountant. But before you spend your hard-earned cash, here's some simple steps you can take to protect yourself, to find the right professiona...
Getting Out of Tax Debt Created: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
There are five ways to get out of tax debt. Learn what your options are for reducing and paying off your tax debts, and how to protect yourself when hiring a tax professional.
Find an Accountant Created: Thursday, October 21, 2004 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Find an accountant to help you prepare your taxes by focusing three basic needs for professional help.
How To Find a Tax Preparer Created: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Finding a tax preparer to help you prepare your taxes is easy. Focus on your four basic needs for professional help, and use insider tips for getting the most out of your tax preparer.
How To Find an Accountant Created: Saturday, October 30, 2004 Updated: Saturday, April 13, 2013
Find an accountant to help you prepare your taxes by focusing three basic needs for professional help.
How To Fill Out Form W-4 Created: Saturday, November 13, 2004 Updated: Thursday, April 11, 2013
Filling out a W-4 is one of the first things you do when you start a new job. You may want to fill out a new W-4 if your financial situation has changed. Use Form W4 to increase or to decrease your...
7 Quick and Easy Ways to File a Tax Extension with the IRS Created: Saturday, April 11, 2009 Updated: Thursday, April 11, 2013
Need extra time to file your tax return, but don't have a lot of time figuring out what to do? Here's quick and easy ways you can file an extension in under ten minutes.
Should You File an Extension? Created: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 Updated: Monday, April 08, 2013
An extension is your way of asking the Internal Revenue Service for additional time to file your tax return. The IRS will automatically grant you an additional six months to file your return. An ex...

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