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Tax Organizer - brief format

An employee is someone who:

Credit for dependents attending kindergarten through 12th grade at an Iowa school.  Select article for details.  In addtion, items required by school for entrollment are included, such as the list a school may provide as required items the first day of school (or ongoing).  It would be best to keep the documented list with accompanying receipts. 


The standard Meal/Snack Rates increased slightly for 2012.  For 2011 breakfast was $1.19, lunch/dinner $2.22 and Snacks $.66.  For 2012 the rates are breadfast $1.24, lunch/dinner $2.32 and snacks $.69

If you would like a copy of your tax return sent to a bank or someone else please Select Consent to Disclose Tax Return Information, print the form and return to us via e-mail or fax.  We will assist with your request as soon as possible.

Need help with preparation of 1099's?  Select 1099's for questionnaire  to let us know information so we can be of assistance.  just print the questionnaire  and return the completed information to use via e-mail or fax.

Select job related expenses deductible job related expenses.  (uniforms are deductible if required by employer and not suitable for ordinary wear - For example, Rocky Wolverine's work boots were disallowed when he wore them to the IRS audit)  There is a deduction of 2% of income from the total of these expenses (and you must itemize), so small amounts will not create a tax deduction.

Selcted Lawsuite settlements for list of awards and info about taxability

Select Disaster Losses to review computation of a disaster loss.  The IRS indicates a claim must be filed with insurance company or FEMA to get a tax deduction.  Appraisals before and after loss will be helpfull if audited.

Select Travel heading for list of required proof to deduct these business expenses

We've heard for many years, social security may not be around when I need it.  Select Social Security to find list of what does my social security/self employment tax really get me. 

Horrible things happen if you are determined to be operating a hobby.  Losses are not deductible, no office in home deduction, no reduction in social security taxes, sales are added to income, expenses are deducted as an itemized deduction reduced by 2% of total income.  The overall impact is paying taxes on additonal income rather than a tax write-off.  Select Business or hobby for what the Internal Revenue looks at to determine if business or hobby.


Select Depreciation Schedule for a list of various equipment and properties with the current length they are depreciated.  This is after applicable Bonus or first year depreciaiton.


Select standard mileage rate for a list of standard mileage rates for the last 6 years.  For 2012 the business reate remains at $.555 per mile but the medical rate decreases to $.23 and charitable to $.14.

Select Charitable Contributions to find a list of normal Charitable Contributions that are deductible and those that are not.  Remember donations of over $250 at one time or in one day requires a receipt to reflect the charity's name, amount and date and must be dated before the due date or actual filing date of the tax return.  A cancelled check is not adequate.  ALL deductilbe contribtuions must be substantiated with a receipt. 


The are some tricky rules about who can claim the College Tuition and related expenses based on who is eligible to claim the student and who actually pays for the tuition.  In some cases the tuition may not be deductible by anyone.

Several free online calculators are available to help you weigh option of whether it is better to purchase or rent a home. 

Taxpayers received about $659 million in refunds during fiscal year 2023, representing a 2.7 percent increase in the amount of refunded to taxpayers in the previous fiscal year.


The IRS announced that final regulations related to required minimum distributions (RMDs) under Code Sec. 401(a)(9) will apply no earlier than the 2025 distribution calendar year. In addition, the IRS has provided transition relief for 2024 for certain distributions made to designated beneficiaries under the 10-year rule. The transition relief extends similar relief granted in 2021, 2022, and 2023.


The IRS, in connection with other agencies, have issued final rules amending the definition of "short term, limited duration insurance" (STLDI), and adding a notice requirement to fixed indemnity excepted benefits coverage, in an effort to better distinguish the two from comprehensive coverage.


The Tax Court has ruled against the IRS's denial of a conservation easement deduction by declaring a Treasury regulation to be invalid under the enactment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).


For purposes of the energy investment credit, the IRS released 2024 application and allocation procedures for the environmental justice solar and wind capacity limitation under the low-income communities bonus credit program. Many of the procedures reiterate the rules in Reg. §1.48(e)-1 and Rev. Proc. 2023-27, but some special rules are also provided.


The IRS has provided a limited waiver of the addition to tax under Code Sec. 6655 for underpayments of estimated income tax related to application of the corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT), as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169).


The IRS has issued proposed regulations that would provide guidance on the application of the new excise tax on repurchases of corporate stock made after December 31, 2022 (NPRM REG-115710-22). Another set of proposed rules would provide guidance on the procedure and administration for the excise tax (NPRM REG-118499-23).


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