Quick Tax Tips for Single Parents

Being a single parent can bring its own unique challenges and concerns in life, but filing taxes shouldn’t be one of them!

Here are some basic things to consider before filing your taxes this year.

Dependents:

Determining who you claim as dependents affects your ability to receive some credits and deductions. In a separation or divorce, this is usually a stipulated agreement between the two parents. However, the both parents can benefit if the parent who normally claims the child agrees to sign a waiver allowing for the non-custodial parent to make the claim. While you cannot split the deduction for a single year, parents can alternate years making the claim or only claim certain children if there are more than one. Remember that a child can only be a dependent if the child has lived with a parent for at least six months out of the year and was financially supported from that parent.

Head of Households:

You can file as head of household if you were not married on December 31, 2014, your kids live with you for at least 50% of the year, and you earn at least 50% of your household income. Head of household status will allow you a lower tax rate and higher deductions.

Exemptions:

For every dependent child you are allowed to deduct $3,950 for 2014. Head of households earning $275,650 or more are phased out.

Tax Credits:

Single parents earning $75,000 adjusted gross income or less can take $1,000 off their tax bill for each dependent 16 and younger in 2014.

Child Care:

Head of households who have an income or are full-time students can claim up to $3,000 per child for qualifying health care. This includes day care, summer day camps, and after school programs. Phaseout starts at $75,000 for single head of household filers.

Earned Tax Income Credit:

The maximum credit is $6,143. If you have three or more children and earn less that $46,997 as a single parent you can take this credit. If you have two children you can still qualify if you have a smaller income.

We hope this will help you begin to file your taxes! For all your tax preparation and tax debt needs call 888-737-0200. The tax experts at Advocate Tax Solutions are here to be your one stop shop for every tax question and problem. Visit www.advocatetaxsolutions.info for more information today!

Obama’s State of the Union Tax Proposal

Last night, President Obama proposed several tax changes in the State of the Union. The proposals will benefit middle-class taxpayers but will cost the wealthy taxpayers and financial services more. According to White House estimates, the proposals could raise $320 billion over 10 years. President Obama hopes to use that money to give middle class taxpayers $175 billion in tax breaks and to make community college free for two years.

The tax breaks:

• A tax credit of up to $500 for two-earner filers. Tax credits reduce your tax dollar for dollar, unlike deductions that reduce your taxable income. The full credit would be available for two-earner families with incomes up to $120,000. Partial credits would be available for those with incomes up to $210,000.
• The tax breaks would increase the income level at which the credit phases out and expand the earned income tax credit for workers without qualifying children. It would be made available to workers 21 years of age and older.
• Increase the child care tax credit to $3,000, and make the maximum credit available to most families with incomes up to $210,000.
• Simplify the student loan interest tax deduction.
• Make the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent.
• Give full time college students a tax credit of up to $2,500 a year for five years and part-time students would be eligible for a $1,250 AOTC. In order to pay for some of the students’ tax credits, the proposal would roll back expanded tax cuts for 529 education savings plans that were enacted in 2001 for new contributions and the proposal would make distributions on 529 plans taxable to students.

Retirement Plans:

• Every employer with 10 employees would have to enroll workers automatically in an individual retirement account. Workers would be able to opt out if they chose.
• Any employer with 100 or fewer employees would get a $3,000 tax credit for offering an auto-enroll IRA. Employers would get a $1,500 start-up credit for setting up a plan.
• Long-term part-time employees would be eligible to enroll in company retirement plans.
• The proposal would target individual retirement accounts with unusually high balances and limit contributions and accruals of IRA benefits higher than about $3.4 million.

The Tax Increases:

• A higher capital gains tax, or the tax on long-term capital gains, for the wealthy. Currently the maximum gain capital is 23.8%. The proposal would set the rate at 28%. In the 2014 tax season, single filers with taxable income above $406,750 and joint filers with taxable income above $457,600 pay the highest capital gains rate.
• Currently, you can pass stocks onto your heirs without paying capital gain tax. When you inherit an asset your basis in the asset is the higher of the fair market value at the time of death or the decedent’s original basis. Usually, the fair market value is higher. The Obama proposal would eliminate that. When you inherit an asset your basis while simply be the decedent’s original basis. Capital gains would be owed at death, and in the case of couples, at the death of the second spouse. Capital gains of $100,000, or $200,000 for joint filers, would be free from tax. Couples would have an exemption of $500,000 on the gains of their personal residences. No taxes would be due on inherited small-family businesses until those businesses were sold.
• The proposal would instate a fee on large financial institutions, 0.07% of liabilities annually, levied on about 100 companies with $50 billion or more in assets in order to discourage excessive borrowing.

We know the proposal will ignite many party differences in Washington, but we want to know what you, the taxpayers, think! Leave a comment below and lets us know what you think is good or bad about the proposal and what tax reforms are important to you.

If you have any tax problems, Advocate Tax Solutions, your tax team is here for you to use as a resource. We can settle your taxes with the tax solutions that make sense. Call 888-737-0200 or visit www.advocatetaxsolutions.com for a free consultation.

The New Tax Laws in 2015 That Could Affect You

Every year the U.S. tax code undergoes changes that can affect the amount we owe the IRS. Knowing and planning for these changes can help you save money and confusion this year.

Here are some key changes to be aware of.

401 (k) Contribution Limits

For the past two years, 2013-2013, the contribution limit for 401 (k) retirement account was fixed at $17,500 plus another $5,500 “catch up”. This year the amount has risen to $18,000 with a $6,000 catch up for those 50 years of age and above.401 (k)s, or employer-based retirement plans can be a powerful savings builder. In order to qualify for the catch up contributions you must be of age or turn 50 any time during 2015.

IRA Deduction Eligibility

While IRA contribution limits will remain the same in 2015 ($5,500 plus a $1,000 catch-up for those 50 and older), the deduction for taxpayers making contributions to a traditional IRA is more generous. Here’s what the IRS states, “The deduction for taxpayers making contributions to a traditional IRA is phased out for singles and heads of household who are covered by a workplace retirement plan and have modified adjusted gross incomes (AGI) between $61,000 and $71,000, up from $60,000 and $70,000 in 2014. For married couples filing jointly, in which the spouse who makes the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the income phase-out range is $98,000 to $118,000, up from $96,000 to $116,000. For an IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s income is between $183,000 and $193,000, up from $181,000 and $191,000. For a married individual filing a separate return who is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out range is not subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment and remains $0 to $10,000.”

Roth IRA Eligibility

The Roth IRA’s eligibility is also expanding. The AGI phase out range has risen from being between $181,000-$191,000 in 2014 to $183,000-$193,000 in 2015 for married and filing jointly couples. For taxpayers filing as single and head of households, the range has risen from $114,000-$129,000 to between $116,000-$131,000.

IRA Rollovers

Beginning this year, taxpayers will only be able to execute one IRA rollover per year. A rollover involves removing money out of one IRA and putting it into another IRA after holding it for less than 60 days.

myRA

The myRA, my Retirement Account, is a new retirement account created by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, designed to be offered through employers. The myRA doesn’t have any fees and offers modest, guaranteed growth, ensuring that you won’t lose any money. A myRA account can be started with as little as $25 and you can add a minimum of $5 at a time. The contributions levels for myRA are the same as for IRAs ($5,5000 with a $1,000 catch-up). Once your account reaches $15,000 it has to be transferred into a private sector Roth IRA.

SEP IRA Contribution Limits

For taxpayers who are self-employed, contribution limits rise to $53,000 in 2015 and compensation limits rise to $265,000. These limits apply to solo 401 (k)s as well.

SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits

In 2015, you will be able to contribute as much as $12,500 plus a $3,000 catch up if you are 50 and older.

Health Savings Account Eligibility

This year you will no longer be eligible for a Health Savings Account if you forward any FSA money. This new rule has confused many people. You can read more here or contact your tax professionals.

Health Insurance Penalty

The penalty for opting out of healthcare coverage has risen this you. In 2014, the penalty for opting out of the “minimum essential coverage” had a penalty of 1% of their income above the tax filing threshold ($95 per adult, $47.50 per child, and a $285 family maximum. For 2015, the penalty has doubled to 2% of your income ($325 per adult, $162.50 per child, and a family maximum of $975). The penalty will continue to rise in 2016.

While these new tax laws are the ones that will most likely affect you, there are many other new tax laws in 2015 that are worth learning about as well. If you have questions concerning the new laws and how they affect you contact your tax team at 888-737-0200 or visit http://www.advocatetaxsolutions.com

Bad News Saleen Fans: Automotive Company Out of Money and Owes Millions

       Saleen Automotive recently unveiled a modified Tesla Model S and announced plans to tune the 2015 For Mustang, but information contained in the company’s latest quarterly report has some wondering if Saleen will soon fall to the same fate as Hummer and Saab.

 

Jalopnik reported that as of September 30, “Saleen owed $583,900 in unpaid payroll taxes; $1,148,574 of accounts payable was greater than 90 days past due; $352,795 of outstanding notes payable were in default; and $398,176 is owed to a bank as of November 2014, which the Company has not paid and expects to be in default unless the bank agrees to another extension.”

Saleen’s cash assets were listed at $7,261 at the end of the quarter; definitely not enough to run a car company. The situation is so bad that Saleen is counting on another bank extension so the company can continue operating and hopefully turn things around.
This news casts doubt for Saleen enthusiasts and buyers. Saleen’s recently modified Tesla Model S, the Saleen FourSixteen, and the new Saleen 302 Black Label, that just started coming to the market, could be quickly put on hold.
It’s a sad day when ingenious companies come to a struggle due to financial issues and tax debts. We hope Saleen has the turnaround it hopes for and gets the representation it needs. Saleen if you need new accountants, we’re here for you!

 

Do you owe over $10, 000 in back taxes? Call us today@: (888)737-0200 

or visit www.AdvocateTaxSolutions.com to learn more about back tax resolutions and IRS debt help.

 

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SIMPLE BACK TAX LESSONS FROM AL SHARPTON

Advocate Tax Solutions gives their views on the recent back tax problems of the rich and famous

 

“If we owed $4.5 million in ’08 then how could we owe this now, unless you’re saying that everybody just went to sleep on this and just gave us a pass, which is ridiculous,” Sharpton said in the CNN article.

This week Civil Rights Leader Al Sharpton blasted the extensive New York Times Report saying he owed $4.5 million in back taxes. Sharpton argued that it wasn’t  possible for him to owe that much. “The MSNBC host said in a press conference Wednesday that the $4.5 million was the original figure he was ordered to pay back in 2008, but that he has been making regular payments since then and the amount is now less,” reports CNN.

“If we owed $4.5 million in ’08 then how could we owe this now, unless you’re saying that everybody just went to sleep on this and just gave us a pass, which is ridiculous,” Sharpton said in the CNN article.

The Times articles describes poor planning, with Mr. Sharpton’s entities paying for and owning everything. This could include his personal items. If Sharpton is trying to merge personal and business expenses he is not adhering to the fundamental tax law that separates them.  While you can write off many things with a dual motive, your tax life will be easier if you avoid them and keep records.

The IRS keeps good records and so should you. Keeping records will help you in a tax dispute and can help you keep out of tax trouble.  The IRS audits may reject your tax deductions unless you have records to validate them.

Despite the great amount Mr. Sharpton owes in tax liens, he is not alone in his problems and went through the same process as everyone with back tax problems.  The process starts with notices. The IRS can only file a Notice of Federal Tax Lien after the IRS assesses the liability and sends a Notice and Demand for Payment, which states how much you owe. The IRS automatically has a tax lien if you don’t send the full payment within 10 days.

An IRS tax lien covers all of your property before and after the lien filing. IRS tax liens last 10 years, but it is better to remove them immediately. This involves paying the tax, interests, and penalties; or posting a bond guaranteeing payment.

Mr. Sharpton says he has been compliant to this process and is doing his best to pay his back taxes.  The IRS still has not revealed how much Mr. Sharpton owes and Sharpton believes his name is being dragged through IRS-ruin because of politics. He told Business Insider the negative story by the New York Times comes just as a grand jury is about to release its findings in the shooting of Michael Brown by a white Ferguson, Mo., police officer.

“Every time there’s a Sean Bell or a Ferguson or a Trayvon Martin, we go through my taxes. It’s the same agreement y’all. It’s the same thing we announced in ’09. It is the same thing we’ve been paying every month,” he said.

That could be possible, but either way it is evident that the best way to get out of IRS debt is to keep records and be compliant and active with your payment agreement.  Millions of American’s owe back taxes, and we hope Rev. Sharpton found the representation he needed to resolve his back tax debt.  However, if we were his accountants he probably wouldn’t have had this problem in the first place!  Tax per return is usually the result of either not making estimated tax payments or improperly filing your return.  Al Sharpton, we are available if you are seeking new representation!

Do you owe over $10, 000 in back taxes? Call us today@: (888)737-0200 

or visit www.AdvocateTaxSolutions.com to learn more about back tax resolutions and IRS debt help.

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5 Simple Ways to Avoid A Tax Lien and Settle Your IRS Tax Debt

 

A tax lien, not to be confused with a tax levy,  is a hold that the IRS places against some or all your assets. Some what like a warning.  Basically the IRS saying “take care of your back tax debt now or we are going to levy you”. By doing so, the IRS is attempting to ensure that it receives payment for the unpaid taxes that you owe.  Usually receive a Tax Lien Notice in the Mail via certified mail notifying you of the Lien.  A IRS Tax Levy is when they begin to seize your property or rights to property.  Tax Levies come in the form of Freezing your Bank accounts, attaching a IRS Wage Garnishment, or even worse the IRS taking your home or even Jail time!

But there are five circumstances by which taxpayers can potentially avoid an IRS tax lien. A Tax Professional like those at Advocate Tax Solutions can help you determine the best method to avoid a tax lien or a more serious tax levy.

1. Pay the Taxes You Owe in Full

If you can afford to pay the taxes that you owe in full, you can stop an IRS lien in its tracks. The IRS allows you to make payments directly from your bank account or by debit or credit card through a third-party processing service. You may also use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to make a secure electronic payment. Or you may go the low-tech route and mail a check or money order, or deliver your payment in person to your local IRS office.

Estimated Tax Payments are especially important if you are self-employed and have no other withholding and
would like to avoid tax penalties when filing your tax return. If you are figuring your end-of-year estimated
tax payment for the fourth quarter of 2013 and you are self-employed, use the worksheet at the top of page 6
of the 2013 Form 1040ES to figure your deduction for self-employment tax. The 2014 Form 1040ES has instructions on how to complete the computation of your estimated tax payment.

Visit This site to set up your electronic payments online:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/EFTPS-The-Electronic-Federal-Tax-Payment-System

Transfer the amount computed to the coupon for the quarter you are paying:
Payment Period Due Dates:

January 1 – March 31, 2014 April 15, 2014
April 1 – May 31, 2014 June 16, 2014
June 1 – August 31, 2014 September 15, 2014
September 1 – December 31, 2014 January 15, 2015*

*You do not have to make the payment due on January 15, 2015, if you file your 2014 tax return
by February 2, 2015 and pay the entire balance due with your return.
Please remember to mail your estimated tax payment by the date on the coupon. Failure to postmark a
payment by the required payment date will result in the incorrect crediting of your payment and may result
in a tax penalty when figuring your return. The payment dates are listed in each Form 1040ES applicable for
that year. If you have any questions regarding these estimated tax coupons, or would like to engage us to prepare or file your payroll or personal income tax returns please to do not hesitate to
contact Advocate Tax Solutions at 847.737.1110. 

2. Enter into a Guaranteed Installment Agreement

If you cannot pay your entire tax balance in full, but owe less than $10,000, you may still avoid a tax lien. By entering into a Guaranteed installment agreement, you set an agreement by which the IRS will receive your entire tax balance due in monthly installment payments over 60-72 months. Please note that the amount of each monthly payment and the length of the entire installment agreement vary according to how much tax you owe and when your tax debts expire.  You should always consult a tax professional prior to entering into an installment agreement to ensure it is one that will encompass all tax debt owed and is paying a tax liability that is accurate and valid!  Advocate Tax Solutions will audit your financials and our Tax Attorneys will defend and analyze risk to ensure the most accurate tax return on file with the IRS.  Additionally, we will make sure you get the best deal given your income, assets, and “reasonable collection potential” prior to negotiating a Back Tax Resolution to the IRS.

3. Enter into a Streamlined Installment Agreement

If you owe between $10,000 and $25,000 in unpaid taxes, you can still avoid a tax lien from the IRS. A Streamlined Installment Agreement works much the same way as a Guaranteed Installment Agreement. The end result is the same; you eventually pay your entire amount that you owe in federal income taxes.

4. Pay Down Your Balance

If you owe more than $25,000 in back taxes to the IRS, you must pay down your balance to less than $25,000 to avoid a federal tax lien. This payment must take place before a lien is imposed. Once your unpaid tax balance is below $25,000, you may enter into a Streamlined Installment Agreement.

5. File an Offer in Compromise

If you can only afford to pay a portion of your back federal taxes, you may still avoid a tax lien by filing an Offer In Compromise or Back Tax Settlement. If accepted, an Offer in Compromise allows you to settle your tax obligation with the IRS for less than the total federal taxes owed. But you should be forewarned: the IRS is stringent about accepting Offers in Compromise. The process for reviewing Offer in Compromise applications can be lengthy. There is also no guarantee that the IRS would not impose a tax lien while you are waiting for a decision on your Offer in Compromise application.  That is why our proprietary tax case review and financial analysis process coupled with state of the art Tax Settlement Software enables Advocate Tax Solutions and our clients a leg up against others who may be attempting that very same option.  

Call (888) 737-0200 or visit our contact us page to schedule an appointment and free analysis with an ATS tax professional today!