Archive for category 1040A

Top Ten Tips on Making IRA Contributions

The IRS has 10 important tips for you about setting aside money for your retirement in an Individual Retirement Arrangement. 1. You must be under age 70 1/2 at the end of the tax year in order to contribute to a traditional IRA. 2. You must have taxable compensation to contribute to an IRA. This includes income [...]

Itemizing vs. Standard Deduction: Six Facts to Help You Choose

When you file a tax return, you usually have a choice to make: whether to itemize deductions or take the standard deduction. You should compare both methods and use the one that gives you the greater tax benefit. The IRS offers these six facts to help you choose. 1. Figure your itemized deductions.  Add up the [...]

Social Security Benefits and Your Taxes

Some people must pay taxes on their Social Security benefits. If you get Social Security, you should receive a Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, by early February. The form shows the amount of benefits you received in 2012. Here are five tips from the IRS to help you determine if your benefits are taxable: [...]

IRS Reminds Taxpayers to Report 2010 Roth Conversions on 2012 Returns

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who converted amounts to a Roth IRA or designated Roth account in 2010 that in most cases they must report half of the resulting taxable income on their 2012 returns. Normally, Roth conversions are taxable in the year the conversion occurs. For example, the taxable amount from [...]

Determining Your Correct Filing Status

It’s important to use the correct filing status when filing your income tax return. It can impact the tax benefits you receive, the amount of your standard deduction and the amount of taxes you pay. It may even impact whether you must file a federal income tax return. Are you single, married or the head [...]

Choosing Which Form to File

IRS e-file makes it easy for taxpayers to choose which tax form to file. Tax software automatically chooses the best form for your particular situation. Most people e-file these days, but if you prefer taking pen to paper, the IRS has some tips to help you choose the right form. Taxpayers who choose to file [...]

Who Should File a 2012 Tax Return?

If you received income during 2012, you may need to file a tax return in 2013. The amount of your income, your filing status, your age and the type of income you received will determine whether you’re required to file. Even if you are not required to file a tax return, you may still want [...]

Check Your Eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit has made the lives of working people a little easier since 1975. EITC can be a boost for workers who earned $50,270 or less in 2012. Yet the IRS estimates that one out of five eligible taxpayers fails to claim their EITC each year. The IRS wants everyone who is [...]

IRS Plans Jan. 30 Tax Season Opening For 1040 Filers

WASHINGTON — Following the January tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA), the Internal Revenue Service announced today it plans to open the 2013 filing season and begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 30. The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on that date after updating forms [...]

Tips for Year-End Giving

WASHINGTON — Individuals and businesses making contributions to charity should keep in mind some key tax provisions that have taken effect in recent years, especially those affecting donations of clothing and household items and monetary donations. Rules for Clothing and Household Items To be deductible, clothing and household items donated to charity generally must be [...]

Tax Tips for Recently Married Taxpayers

If you’ve recently updated your status from single to married, you’re not alone – late spring and summertime is a popular period for weddings. Marriage also brings about some changes with your taxes. Here are several tips for newlyweds from the IRS. Notify the Social Security Administration  It’s important that your name and Social Security [...]

How to Get a Transcript or Copy of a Prior Year’s Tax Return from the IRS

Taxpayers should keep copies of their tax returns, but if they cannot be located or have been destroyed during natural disasters or by fire, the IRS can help. Whether you need your prior year’s tax return to apply for a loan or for legal reasons, you can obtain copies or transcripts from the IRS. Here [...]

Tips on How to Fix Errors Made on Your Tax Return

If you discover an error after you file your tax return, you can correct it by amending your return. Here are 10 tips from about amending your federal tax return: 1. When to amend a return Generally, you should file an amended return if your filing status, number of dependents, total income, tax deductions or [...]

Amended Returns: Eight Facts

If you discover an error on your federal income tax return after you e-filed or mailed it, you may want or need to amend your return. Perhaps you are eligible for a deduction or credit and you missed it the first time? Here are eight key points you need to know about when considering whether [...]

Need Extra Time to Complete Your Tax Return? File for an Extension

Even though the tax filing deadline is later than usual this year – April 17 – many taxpayers may still need more time to file their tax return. If you need extra time, you can get an automatic six-month extension of time to file from the IRS. Here are seven important things you need to [...]