Archive for Tax Payments

Should You Use A Credit Card To Pay Your Taxes?

With tax filing season out of the way, paying off those tax bills that weren’t paid by April 18th is the next major concern for people. While there are a few options for payment agreements if you can’t afford to write a check for the full amount immediately, there’s also the option of paying your tax bill with a credit card. It can be less confusing than navigating IRS payment plans, and if your credit card has a nice rewards program, then it’s something to think about.

Depending on how much you owe in taxes and what terms your credit card offers, it may or may not be worth putting your tax bill on your credit card. Here are some of the pros and cons of using a credit card to pay your taxes and why you would or wouldn’t want to pursue this option.

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Written by | Posted in Tax Education • Tax Payments • Tax Refund

Time Is Ticking: Taxpayers Pay Attention

Every year, millions of taxpayers ask for an extra six months to file their taxes. These taxpayers should have paid the tax they owed by the April deadline, but those who requested an extension should mark Monday, Oct. 16 as the extension deadline for 2017.

Every year, millions of taxpayers ask for an extra six months to file their taxes. These taxpayers should have paid the tax they owed by the April deadline, but those who requested an extension should mark Monday, Oct. 16 as the extension deadline for 2017.

While the deadline normally falls on Oct. 15, that date falls on a Sunday this year so the due date is moved to the next business day. Every year, millions of taxpayers ask for an extra six months to file their taxes. These taxpayers should have paid the tax they owed by the April deadline, but those who requested an extension should mark Monday, Oct. 16 as the extension deadline for 2017. While the deadline normally falls on Oct. 15, that date falls on a Sunday this year so the due date is moved to the next business day. Read More

Written by | Posted in Tax Payments • TaxConnections

Study Finds Taxpayers Enter IAs They Cannot Afford

In this and next week’s blog, I will discuss my recent Most Serious Problem on Installment Agreements (IAs) and the corresponding Research Study that was published in my 2016 Annual Report to Congress. Today I will focus my concerns on IAs and discuss the results of the study; in next week’s posting, I’ll review the recommendations my office made to address the problems identified in the study and the IRS’s response to our recommendations. Read More

Written by | Posted in Tax Payments

The Exclusion Amount Of The Gain From The Sale Of Your Main Home

If you sold your home during the year and made a gain, you may be able to exclude all of that gain from your taxable income. To qualify for this tax benefit, the home sold must have been your principal residence. You can exclude from your taxable income, the gain from the sale of your main home, of up to $250,000 ($500,000 if filing a joint return). To qualify for this exclusion, however, all of the following must be true:

• You owned the home for at least 2 of the last 5 years (the ownership test).
• You lived in the home as your main home for at least 2 of the last 5 years (the use test).
• You did not exclude gain from the sale of another home during the 2-year period ending on the date of the sale. Read More

Written by | Posted in Income Tax • Tax Education • Tax Payments • Tax Planning • Tax Tips

Tax To Do List For The Upcoming Filing Season

If you’re looking for things to do to get ready for the upcoming filing season or want to check your list against another, I have one for you.  Please see “Preparing for the 2016 Filing Season,” AICPA Tax Insider, 12/17/15.

The article was written before passage of the extenders and appropriations tax package.  Here is a list of links to that legislation you may find useful along with a list of some items for immediate consideration.

P.L. 114-113 (12/18/15) – H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 – includes appropriations and other changes along with the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH), which is the extenders bill.

NOTE ON EXTENDERS: The bulk of the tax changes are in PATH, although a few, including a two year extension of Read More

Written by | Posted in Tax Payments • Tax Return • Tax Tips

Important Tax Dates and Tax Payments, Tax Season Begins (January 2016)

TaxConnections Member Barry Fowler
Individual Due Dates

January 4 – Time to Call For Your Tax Appointment –

January is the beginning of tax season. If you have not made an appointment to have your taxes prepared, we encourage you do so before the calendar becomes too crowded.

January 11 – Report Tips to Employer –

If you are an employee who works for tips and received more than $20 in tips during December, you are required to report them to your employer on IRS Form 4070 no later than January 11.

January 15 – Individual Estimated Tax Payment Due –

It’s time to make your fourth quarter estimated tax installment payment for the 2015 tax year.

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Written by | Posted in Tax Dates • Tax Payments • Tax Planning • Tax Return • Tax Tips