tax law changes

Tax

Six Tips for People Who Pay Estimated Taxes

If you have income that is not subject to withholding you may need to pay estimated taxes to the IRS during the year. Whether you need to pay estimated taxes is dependent upon your financial circumstances, what you do for a living (if you’re self-employed for example), and the types of income you receive. Here are six tips that explain estimated taxes and how to pay them.

1. If you have income from sources such as self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent, gains from the sales of assets, prizes or awards, then you may have to pay estimated tax.

2. As a general rule, you must pay estimated taxes in 2013 if both of these statements apply:

1) You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax after subtracting your tax withholding (if you have any) and tax credits, and2) You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of 90 percent of your 2013 taxes or 100 percent of the tax on your 2012 return. Special rules apply for farmers, fishermen, certain household employers and certain higher income taxpayers.

3. Sole Proprietors, Partners, and S Corporation shareholders generally have to make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when they file a return.

4. To figure estimated tax, include expected gross income, taxable income, taxes, deductions and credits for the year. You’ll want to be as accurate as possible to avoid penalties and don’t forget to consider changes in your situation and recent tax law changes.

5. For estimated tax purposes the year is divided into four payment periods or due dates. These dates are generally April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15 of the next or following year.

6. The easiest way to pay estimated taxes is electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or EFTPS, but you can also figure your tax using Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals and pay any estimated taxes by check or money order using the Estimated Tax Payment Voucher, or by credit or debit card.

Give us a call today if you need help making estimated payments.

Tax

Who Can’t File Until Later?

Following the January tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA), the Internal Revenue Service delayed the opening of tax season this year, but began processing individual income tax returns on January 30.

The delay is due to late tax law changes in the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) that required the IRS to update forms and instructions, as well as make critical processing system adjustments before it could begin accepting tax returns.

According to the IRS, the vast majority of tax filers–more than 120 million households–were able begin filing tax returns on January 30. The IRS reports that remaining households will be able to start filing in late February or into March because of the need for more extensive form and processing systems changes. This group includes people claiming residential energy credits, depreciation of property or general business credits. Most of those in this group file more complex tax returns and typically file closer to the April 15 deadline or obtain an extension.

Because the IRS will not process paper tax returns before the anticipated January 30 opening date, there is no advantage to filing on paper before then, and taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by using e-file with direct deposit.

Who Can File Starting January 30?

Most taxpayers were able to file starting January 30, regardless of whether they file electronically or on paper, including those who are affected by the late Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) patch as well as the three major “extender” provisions for people claiming the state and local sales tax deduction, higher education tuition and fees deduction, and educator expenses deduction.

Several tax forms were affected by the late legislation that require more extensive programming and testing of IRS systems. The IRS hopes to begin accepting tax returns including these tax forms between late February and into March; a specific date will be announced in the near future.

The key forms that require more extensive programming changes include Form 5695 (Residential Energy Credits), Form 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization) and Form 3800 (General Business Credit).

Please contact us if you need a full listing of the forms that won’t be accepted until later and rest assured, we are working closely with the IRS to minimize delays and ensure as smooth a tax season as possible under the circumstances.

Tax

Six Tips for People Who Pay Estimated Taxes

If you have income that is not subject to withholding you may need to pay estimated taxes to the IRS during the year. Whether you need to pay estimated taxes is dependent upon your financial circumstances, what you do for a living (if you’re self-employed for example), and the types of income you receive. Here are six tips from the IRS that explain estimated taxes and how to pay them.

1. If you have income from sources such as self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent, gains from the sales of assets, prizes or awards, then you may have to pay estimated tax.

2. As a general rule, you must pay estimated taxes in 2012 if both of these statements apply:

1) You expect to owe at least $1,000 in tax after subtracting your tax withholding (if you have any) and tax credits, and2)You expect your withholding and credits to be less than the smaller of 90 percent of your 2012 taxes or 100 percent of the tax on your 2011 return. Special rules apply for farmers, fishermen, certain household employers and certain higher income taxpayers.

3. Sole Proprietors, Partners, and S Corporation shareholders generally have to make estimated tax payments if they expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes when they file a return.

4. To figure estimated tax, include expected gross income, taxable income, taxes, deductions and credits for the year. You’ll want to be as accurate as possible to avoid penalties and don’t forget to consider changes in your situation and recent tax law changes.

5. For estimated tax purposes the year is divided into four payment periods or due dates. These dates are generally April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15 of the next or following year.

6. The easiest way to pay estimated taxes is electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or EFTPS, but you can also figure your tax using Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals and pay any estimated taxes by check or money order using the Estimated Tax Payment Voucher, or by credit or debit card.

Give us a call today if you need help making estimated payments.

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Copyright All rights Reserved. Financial Dream Team, like all providers of personal financial services is required by law to inform their clients of their policies regarding privacy of client information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Financial Dream Team, USA, LLC is a registered business in Califronia. Provided content is for informational purposes only.

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