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Your Questions Answered - EA Journal May/June 2020
TTI senior tax researcher Brittany J. Benson, Esq. answers questions in this edition of EA Journal May/June 2020.
Recent Media
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When are you getting your coronavirus stimulus check? Here's a new way to find out
Jackie Perlman, TTI principal tax research analyst, discusses how much stimulus payment taxpayers can expect in this article for the Detroit Free Press.
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CBS News: Changes in tax law you should know about this year
H&R Block chief tax officer Kathy Pickering spoke with CBS News about changes to tax law including private mortgage insurance premiums are deductible once again.
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CNBC: Here’s how to get your tax return out the door faster — and get your refund sooner
TTI director Andrew Phillips talks with CNBC about the benefits of filing early including keeping scammers from filing returns using your data and ensuring key tax benefits aren't missed.
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USA Today: You might have to prove your identity to get Michigan tax refund
TTI director Andrew Phillips tells USA Today that the IRS expanded its voluntary Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to a number of states in 2020--a way for taxpayers to protect their identity from fraud.
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As you prepare 2019 tax returns, make changes to ensure refund next year
Chief Tax Office Kathy Pickering explains to NBC why people were surprised by their refunds last year and to consider updating withholdings on Form W-4, especially if any life changes impact your taxes in 2020.
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WSJ: What You Need to Know About Amending Your Tax Returns
TTI director Lynn Ebel talks about amending returns with the Wall Street Journal in "What You Need to Know About Amending Your Tax Returns" on Dec. 15, 2019.
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IRS proposes update to Form W-4 to increase accuracy
Andy Phillips, director with The Tax Institute at H&R Block, emphasizes in this article with the AP that taxpayers should update their Form W-4 information as soon as possible.
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Inherited 401(k)s: 6 Questions Heirs Need to Ask
Gil Charney, former director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block, explains that a surviving spouse can roll an inherited 401(k) into their own 401(k) plan.
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Tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes: What does home insurance cover after a disaster?
The Tax Institute's executive director, Kathy Pickering, discusses claiming losses from a federally declared disaster area.
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Why that IRS calculator might not be enough to pinpoint your 2019 tax liability
TTI lead tax research analyst Nathan Rigney addresses how and when to update your Form W-4.
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Some people are terrified to file their taxes this year
TTI director Gil Charney talks to MarketWatch about the delay in filing this tax season.
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Sports Betting Tax Tips And Advice From An H&R Block Analyst
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney talked with The Lines about sport betting income and says, "[t]axpayers still have a responsibility to report their prize on their tax return as ‘other income.’"
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Unsure whether to take the standard deduction on your taxes? Here’s how to decide
TTI principal tax research analyst Jackie Perlman tells CNBC that for taxpayers to figure out whether or not they should still itemize, they'll have to do their homework.
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Taxes with Tim: How Tax Reform Affects Families
TTI director Andy Phillips talks with Cheddar's Taxes with Tim, this time he breaks down the changes to the child tax credit and mortgage interest deduction.
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How to Go Paperless With Your Home Office
Wirecutter features TTI director Gil Charney with advice on what do with tax docs when you're trying to go paperless in your home office.
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Taxes with Tim: What You Need to Know About Crypto Taxes
TTI director Andy Phillips is tapped by Cheddar's Taxes with Tim segment to discuss taxes on cryptocurrency.
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The Tax Institute Executive Director Discusses Tax Reform
In this interview with Yahoo! Finance, TTI executive director Kathy Pickering talks about taxpayer expectations vs. reality under the new tax law.
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Taxes with Tim: How Tax Reform Changed the Way You File
TTI director Andy Phillips is featured in this Cheddar interview where he describes some of the considerations for taxpayers deciding between the standard deduction and itemizing.
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Yes, You Can Deduct Your (Illegal) March Madness Betting Losses on Your Taxes
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney talks to OZY about how taxpayers can deduct illegal gambling losses but only against gambling income.
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So you waited until the last minute to file your taxes, again?
TTI executive director Kathy Pickering talks to Detroit Free Press warning that taxpayers should either file a return or an extension and pay 90% of their tax liability.
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Why your 2018 taxes are different if you work from home
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney was interviewed for this article from Ladders where he discusses the changes that impacted taxpayers who work from home.
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Preparing For Tax Day 2019 with H&R Block’s Kathy Pickering
Fox News Radio featured TTI executive director Kathy Pickering where she provides advice for taxpayers as the deadline approaches.
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Another tax headache ahead: IRS is changing paycheck withholdings, and it'll be a doozy
USA Today interviewed TTI executive director Kathy Pickering in this article on the final Form W-4 to be issued by the end of this year for 2020.
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An easier way to get the right tax withheld from your paycheck this year
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney recommends that taxpayers in the 24% tax bracket estimate that each withholding allowance they claim will raise or lower withholding by about $1,000 per year.
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Taxes with Tim: Why It Might Be Time to Revisit Your W-4
TTI director Andy Phillips talks to Cheddar's Taxes with Tim about how the TCJA changed withholding rules and what it means to taxpayers.
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Even if you get an extension, you still have to pay your taxes in April
TTI principal tax research analyst Jackie Perlman talks to Mic about taxpayers who might need to file extensions and reminds them that taxes are due even if they extend.
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Your kids could be key to tax breaks — and maybe a bigger refund
TTI director Lynn Ebel talks with Detroit Free Press about the changes to child-related tax breaks under the TCJA.
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Why I Don't Take a Home Office Deduction—Even Though I Could
Lead tax research analyst Mike Slack is featured in this article for Realtor.com where he provides the rules for the home office deduction.
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Taxes with Tim: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
TTI director Andy Phillips talks to Cheddar's Taxes with Tim about taxes small business owners.
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Last-Minute Tips From Tax Experts
Principal tax research analyst Alison Flores provides some helpful last-minute tips in this article from AARP.
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The Surprising Winners and Losers of This Year’s Tax Season
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney worked with Bloomberg News to bring this interactive article detailing the changes to taxpayer situations this season.
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On The Money: Taxpayers slow to file as they grapple with tax law | Schiff says Dems to charge ahead with Trump probes | Feds charge Avenatti with trying to extort Nike | Yellen sees no recession in sight
TTI director Andy Phillips tells The Hill that taxpayers are filing returns later than usual.
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These people won't have their taxes ready by April 15th
TTI lead tax research analyst Mike Slack explains to CNBC that some taxpayers need more time to file because their tax situation changed after the TCJA.
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An H&R Block Tax Expert Answers The Most Commonly Asked Questions
TTI executive director and vice president of regulatory affairs, Kathy Pickering, is interviewed by GoBankingRates and answers the top six most asked tax questions.
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Here are 5 quirky deductions you may not know about that can help lower your taxes
Principal tax research analyst Jackie Perlman warns CNBC that taxpayers should be carefule if they're advised to deduct "quirky" expenses because they must still qualify for the deduction.
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14 Reasons Why You May Need A Professional’s Help With Your Taxes
TTI executive director Kathy Pickering told Bustle how major life changes could impact taxpayer returns and may be one of many reasons to get a tax professional.
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What if I can't afford to pay my taxes?
NBC News featured insights on taxpayer under withholding from TTI principal tax research analyst Alison Flores.
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Here’s how tax refunds are looking halfway through tax season
CNBC shared insights on taxable income from TTI lead tax research analyst Nathan Rigney in this halfway-through tax season look at tax refunds.
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Tax Law Is Full of Exceptions
Jackie Perlman, principal tax research analyst at The Tax Institute, is featured in this article for The Wall Street Journal where she shares her insight on tax law exceptions.
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Taxpayers slow to file as they grapple with Trump tax law
TTI director Andy Phillips tells The Hill that taxpayers may be slow to file this year because they're trying to understand the changes to their tax situation under the TCJA.
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Tax refund fraud: IRS crackdown ensnares legitimate taxpayers
TTI executive director Kathy Pickering is featured in this USA Today article where she says that the IRS will verify your identity by asking knowledge-based questions including previous addresses or credit cards .
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More Than 40% Of Working Moms Feel Overwhelmed During Tax Season
TTI director Lynn Ebel contributes to this article for Forbes on the tax reform changes that will most impact working moms, including the child tax credit.
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Lawmakers want to bring back these 3 tax breaks
TTI executive director Kathy Pickering tells CNBC that extenders must be passed for taxpayers to continue to utilize certain deductions in this article on three deductions lawmakers want to bring back.
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Anxiety grows in first tax season under Trump law
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney give his firsthand account of taxpayer frustrations and celebrations over their refunds in this article on tax season anxiety by The Hill.
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5 tax-filing tips to help you maximize your return
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney tells BankRate that tax filing time is a great opportunity to review the benefits of contributing to a retirement or health savings account and change some of your saving strategy to optimize those accounts.
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After slow start, tax refunds are ticking up, with the average check now more than $3,000
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney is interviewed by CNBC and says that taxpayers who lost deductions they used to qualify for and who didn't make changes to their withholding are most likely to be surprised by their tax return this year.
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Should you form a company for your freelance business?
TTI lead tax research analyst Mike Slack explains to Mic the benefits and considerations for taxpayers when forming a company for a freelance activity.
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Here are 6 tax breaks you’ll lose on your 2018 return
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney tells CNBC that some taxpayers will be surprised to learn that they won't be able to deduct employee expenses, home office expenses, and other previously deductible items.
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Should You Do Your Own Taxes Or Hire A Pro? Here's How To Know.
Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute, explains to HuffPost the benefit of hiring a tax professional especially if taxpayers have had a change in their tax situation.
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Relying on your tax refund? You'll likely get less money this year
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney tells the Louisville Courier Journal that most people saw a tax cut in their paychecks under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act but they might also see lower refunds as a result.
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What Does It Mean To Write Something Off On Your Taxes? Tax Experts Explain
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney explains to Bustle that freelancers and other self-employed taxpayers must report all income even if they didn't get a 1099 form.
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This group of Americans will most likely get the biggest tax refunds
TTI director Lynn Ebel tells CNBC that children still living at home may see a larger tax refund this year especially if they live in low-tax states.
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3 experts explain the changes in the Trump tax law
TTI executive director Kathy Pickering talks with the Associated Press about the major changes this tax season after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act took effect in 2018.
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Some Americans face a costly surprise this tax season: tiny refunds or bigger bills
TTI director Lynn Ebel tells USA Today that many taxpayers will be affected by tax reform but might not realize they should have changed their tax plan to accommodate the changes.
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Tax Overhaul’s ‘Simpler’ Code Making Complex Filing Season
TTI director Lynn Ebel discusses with Bloomberg Tax how taxpayers have to plan ahead to get the refund (or lack thereof) they hope for.
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Five ways to jump-start your tax return
TTI director Andy Phillips tells CNBC one way to help speed up the tax return filing process is to have your identity protection PIN for this year ready when you go to file.
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Many Americans Are Shocked By Their Tax Returns in 2019. Here’s What You Should Know
Time Magazine interviews experts including TTI director Lynn Ebel to decode which taxpayers will see changes on their 2018 returns.
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5 Things All Homeowners Need to Know About Their 2018 Taxes
TTI director Lynn Ebel is guest writes this article for PureWow detailing five things all homeowners should know about tax reform.
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Why Is My Tax Refund Lower This Year? Here's Why Officials Say It Might Not Be A Bad Thing
Bustle quotes TTI vice president and executive director Kathy Pickering as saying that it's still too early to gauge the effect of tax reform on returns filed in 2019.
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For many Americans, the Trump tax cut doesn’t feel like a boost
TTI director Lynn Ebel talks about the new tax return forms as part of this article generally discussing tax reform and its effect on taxpayers in 2019.
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A Tax Expert Untangles What Trump’s Tax Law Means for You
TTI vice president and executive director Kathy Pickering shares with GoBankingRates the common mistakes people make when they file returns and how tax reform has changed every taxpayer's return.
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What you need to know about paying taxes as a freelancer
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney talks with Mic about what freelancers can expect during tax season.
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H&R Block: This Is Not The Year to File Taxes on Paper
Cheddar interviewed Kathy Pickering, TTI vice president and executive director, for a story on why 2019 is not the year to file tax returns on paper and how H&R Block can help consumers file. Listen here.
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Taxing the Wealthy Sounds Easy. It’s Not.
The New York Times included insights from TTI director Gil Charney in a report on tax proposals that impact "wealthy" taxpayers.
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When you should itemize your taxes
TTI lead tax research analyst Nate Rigney offers some advice to Lifehacker for taxpayers who are thinking of itemizing deductions on their 2018 return.
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How the new tax code actually helps your side hustle!
TTI lead tax research analyst Nathan Rigney talked with ABC News/GMA about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affected self-employed and gig economy taxpayers.
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YOUR MONEY: the IRS Might Be Closed, but Your Taxes Are Still Due
TTI director Lynn Ebel is quoted in this article for Reuters on the IRS and how the government shutdown impacts operations, and what that means for taxpayers.
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Tax refunds could be delayed if government shutdown drags on
TTI executive director Kathy Pickering talks with the Detroit Free Press about the impact of the government shutdown for individual tax return filers and other new issues these taxpayers could face this year.
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TAX in the News: QBI deduction round-up
All parts of the TAX in the News series on the §199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction.
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Brookville H&R Block Tax Tip – One in Five Doesn’t Claim Valuable Earned Income Tax Credit
In this article with Explore Jefferson, TTI principal tax research analyst Alison Flores reminds taxpayers to check each year to see if they're eligible for the EIC.
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How to make the most of your college tax breaks
TTI director Andy Phillips explains to Reuters how saving more for retirement by the end of the year could lower income and help certain taxpayers qualify for education expense credits, if they're close to the cut-off.
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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Five scenarios
This paper from The Tax Institute includes example scenarios to demonstrate the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.
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Smart Tax Moves to Make Now
TTI director Gil Charney discusses the higher standard deduction and new alimony deduction rules in this article for AARP.
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Experts suggest Missouri workers review income tax withholding to prevent April surprises
TTI lead tax analyst Nate Rigney shares with Fox4 Kansas City advice for Missouri taxpayers who might be affected by the state's inaccurate calculation of income tax withholding.
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State's Miscalculation Could Spring Surprises On Missouri Taxpayers
TTI lead tax analyst Nate Rigney shares with KCUR advice for Missouri taxpayers who might be affected by the state's inaccurate calculation of income tax withholding.
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7 Home Sale Documents To Stash Away for Tax Season
TTI lead tax analyst Nate Rigney gets homeowners ready for tax season with some record-keeping tips in this article from Homelight.
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5 Ways to Avoid Paying Capital Gains Tax on Your Home Sale with Simple Planning
TTI lead tax analyst Nate Rigney breaks down the capital gains tax and home sales in this post from Homelight.
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Taxes 2018: Adjust paycheck withholding now to avoid big bill, penalties next year
TTI director Gil Charney talks with USA Today about tax reform and how it affects taxpayer paychecks.
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Govt Acts to Stop High-Tax States From Skirting $10K Cap
The Tax Institute's Kathy Pickering says that individuals should review their tax situations and strategies in light of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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Officials warn to check tax withholdings before 2019
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney says that taxpayers should be aware of the changes to their paycheck after tax reform so they won't have a surprise bill next year when they file for 2018.
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Multimillion-dollar fraud bust highlights tax scam you should watch out for
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman discusses the legitimate ways to pay the IRS if you owe--and it doesn't include sending iTunes gift cards or wire transfers.
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4 New Ways You Can Avoid Fines For Not Having Health Insurance
The Tax Institute's Alison Flores talks to Kaiser Health News in this article about four additional hardship exemptions for the health insurance penalty. The penalty often surprises people when they file their tax returns.
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Tips for filing taxes close to deadline
"The failure to file penalty is 10 times more than the failure to pay penalty," The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering explains to KATV. "The best advice is pay what you can as soon as you can, and set up a payment plan to pay off the rest of it."
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IRS warns about aggressive phone scams
As the IRS issues scam warnings to taxpayers, The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering emphasizes that the IRS would never ask you to put money on iTunes cards to pay off a debt.
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Still need to file? Tax tips before Tuesday deadline
The Tax Institute's Andrew Phillips gives KMBC tax tips for last-minute filers in 2018 -- and recommends that taxpayers do their homework now for tax reform changes that go into effect for next year's taxes.
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If You Still Haven’t Filed Your Taxes — Read This
"If you're having trouble with the numbers or even a little anxiety, find the help you need," urges The Tax Institute's Catherine Martin in this LifeZette article offering filing tips for 2017.
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It's Super Easy to File for a Tax Extension Before Tax Day 2018. Here's How.
Tax experts, like The Tax Institute's Gil Charney, tell Money that you should not avoid filing your taxes because you don’t have the money to pay.
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Tomorrow is the deadline to file taxes
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering offers some last-minute tax-filing tips for 2017 tax returns.
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Your taxes are due this week – here are 11 ways to save on your bill
The Tax Institute's Andrew Phillips gives some advice about tax-trimming measures you shouldn’t overlook.
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Retirement: Planning ahead to avoid higher Medicare premiums
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks to the Chicago Tribune about Medicare surcharges, which "can be hard to eliminate, but you can mitigate it," by paying attention to modified adjusted gross income.
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5 ways to claim your pets on your tax return
The Tax Institute's Alison Flores talks to Moneyish about how pets can fetch some tax breaks in narrow circumstances, like if you have a service animal or foster a pet from an IRS-approved nonprofit.
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A millennial’s guide to filing your taxes -- What you need to know
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks to ABC News about a comprehensive set of tax tips for millenials -- from gathering tax records, to dependents, to retirement planning.
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Tax Help for Each Kind of Procrastinator
"To help alleviate the stress associated with filing your tax return ... Use a customized checklist to ensure you don’t miss any necessary documents." The Tax Institute's Andrew Phillips shares this tip and more for the tax procrastinator.
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Brookville H&R Block Tax Tips: How to Fill Out a W-4 to Avoid Tax Reform Surprises
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman explains why taxpayers should update their Form W-4 with employers to get their withholding right and avoid tax surprises.
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Thinking of freelancing? Here's what the new tax law does for you
The idea of striking out on your own after being a salaried employee can be enticing. The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks with CNN Money about the tax implications.
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Here's How Long You Should Keep Your Tax Returns, According to Experts
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney gives some advice to Money about using technology to hang on to tax records.
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What's the Difference Between a Tax Credit, Tax Deduction, and Tax Exemption?
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney contributes to this Money article explaining the differences among common tax terms: credits, deductions, and exemptions.
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Hefty Income Hikes Medicare Costs as Surcharges Kick In
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks with Kiplinger's Personal Finance about ways to mitigate Medicare surcharges, including using Roth accounts.
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Smart Moves for Your 2017 Tax Return
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney explains in this article with Kiplinger's Personal Finance that if taxpayers prepaid a portion of their 2018 property taxes, they should keep a copy of the assessment in case of an audit.
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11 tax deductions and other ways to cut your 2017 tax bill
The Tax Institute's Andy Phillips talks with CNN Money about 11 smart moves taxpayers should consider to reduce their tax bill, including IRA contributions and other itemized deductions.
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Tax Reform and the Laundry/Linen Industry
The Tax Institute's Mike Slack talks with American Laundry News about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will affect the laundry and linen industry, including the lower corporate tax rate and payroll tax changes.
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Family finances: What the new tax law means for families
Talking with The Chicago Tribune, The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman reminds taxpayers that the rules to qualify for the child tax credit didn't change under the new tax law, and provides some helpful tips about the credit.
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The Smart Tax Tips Smart People Need to Know
The Tax Institute's Catherine Martin dives into common life situations that require taxpayers to take a fresh look at their tax strategy, in this interview with LifeZette.
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Check Your Withholding Math or Risk a Painful Tax Shock
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney provides a hypothetical to the Wall Street Journal, to demonstrate how a taxpayer's withholding might be affected by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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Brookville H&R Block Tax Tips: Virtually All Taxpayers Affected by Tax Reform
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with Explore Jefferson PA about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will require all taxpayers to re-evaluate their tax strategies to ensure they get the best outcome.
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Social Security benefits stolen by hackers, leaving families with bill
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney explains how tax reporting works with Social Security benefits.
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Tips from H&R Block's Tax Institute to avoid scams, get the most out of your refund
The Tax Institute's Andy Phillips talks with KSHB about how taxpayers can avoid scams and maximize their refunds this tax season. Tips include using the correct filing status and applying for the Earned Income Credit.
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Ding Dong! The Obamacare Tax Penalty Is(n’t) Dead
In this article for California Healthline, The Tax Institute's Alison Flores clarifies that taxpayers must either qualify for an ACA exemption or they'll be subject to the healthcare penalty.
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Check your paycheck. You may have more money this month.
NBC news quotes The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about whether taxpayers need to fill out a new Form W-4 based on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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Biggest Tax Mistakes Millennials Make
Talking with The Street, The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman says that many younger filers just don't know that they need to file a tax return.
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The New Tax Law: Medical-Expenses Deduction
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks with the Wall Street Journal about how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made the medical expense deduction a little more generous for taxpayers.
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Everything You Should Know About Tax Refunds
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman clarifies tax return facts in this article with U.S. News and World Report.
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Estimate your refund and get a jump-start on your 2017 taxes
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman provides helpful insight on how to use tax forms and withholding to estimate tax refunds.
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Tax reform: It’s not just for IBM
In this piece on tax reform by the Durango Herald, The Tax Institute's Michael Slack talks about how the new 20% business income deduction is meant to help small and large businesses.
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How to Get Ready for a Tax Preparer
In this Consumer Reports article, The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks about how taxpayers should get organized before meeting with a tax preparer.
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Higher Standard Deduction Means Fewer Taxpayers to Itemize
In this article for AARP, The Tax Institute's Alison Flores talks about the elimination of certain itemized deductions under the new tax law, and how taxpayers should review their new options.
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IRS Advisory Council names new members
This Accounting Today article announces the appointment of The Tax Institute's Ben Deneka to the IRS Advisory Council.
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Will enough tax be withheld from your paycheck? Good question
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with CNN Money about how tax reform under the TCJA means it's time for taxpayers to review their Form W-4 withholding.
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Column: New tax laws may kill the beach house dream
The Tax Institute's Alison Flores discusses with Reuters the downside to holding a beach home as a business -- including paying more capital gains tax.
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What to expect when Trump's tax law takes effect
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering discusses with The Hill some of the complexities in estimated taxes after the TCJA takes effect and before the IRS issues further guidance.
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Tax cut arrives, and Americans ask what’s in it for them – and for country
The Christian Science Monitor quotes The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering, who offered advice that taxpayers should seek professional tax advice and start W-4 planning.
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Federal Tax Plan: Health Care Expenses, Property Taxes
CBS Chicago quotes The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about how the new tax plan could make it easier for people with significant medical bills to get a tax break.
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Six Ways to Make the New Tax Bill Work for You
Bloomberg quotes The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering on maximizing itemized deductions, including unreimbursed employee expenses, before the end of 2017.
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Big tax bill prompts last-minute tax tips for 2017
The Detroit Free Press quotes The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering on advice to maximize charitable contributions before the end of 2017.
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Year-end tax moves to make now
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering offers a tax tip to CNBC about deductible medical expenses.
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How fire victims can claim the casualty loss deduction
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks with the San Francisco Chronicle about how fire victims can claim the casualty loss on their 2016 or 2017 returns.
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How to avoid getting scammed come tax time
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks with CNBC about common tax scams, and the reality about how the IRS will contact taxpayers.
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File Your Tax Return Already!
The Tax Institute's Alison Flores talks with The Street about last-minute tax filing for extended returns, including tips about this year's IRS disaster relief provisions, payment plans, and taking the time to search for credits and deductions.
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Here’s How Tax Reform Could Squeeze the Middle Class
The Tax Institute's tax law and policy experts team up with Bloomberg News to analyze how tax reform could potentially affect the middle class, through five scenarios. The article looks at popular deductions, tax-advantaged savings accounts, tax rates, and more.
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IRS penalizes more earners for mistakes, underpayment in estimated tax filings
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks with USA Today about some of the possible reasons why the IRS is penalizing nearly 33% more Americans for making mistakes or missing estimated tax filings.
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Veto override to leave many Kansans owing more tax than anticipated
The Tax Institute's Andy Phillips talks with KMBZ about the impact of the new Kansas income tax law, which means that many taxpayers with pass-through income (like LLCs and partnerships) will owe more tax than they did in previous years. Phillips suggests making estimated tax payments to alleviate the impact.
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New Kansas Income Tax Law Means Changes For Small Businesses — And Paychecks
The Tax Institute's Andy Phillips talks with The Marysville Advocate about the new Kansas income tax law. He suggests workers should increase their withholdings and businesses should check to see if their tax payments need to be updated.
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Everything You Need to Know About Your Kid's Summer Job and Taxes
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman talks with The Street about tax implications for teens who take summer jobs.
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How the new state tax law affects you
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman talks with the Lawrence Journal-World about how a new Kansas tax law will affect state residents -- and the special impact on taxpayers with business income other than wages.
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What Kids Starting Jobs Should Know About Taxes
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman talks with Kiplinger about the important items teens should know when they start working, including how many exemptions to claim on Form W-4.
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Retirees, Survive and Thrive in the Gig Economy
The Tax Institute's Mike Slack talks with Kiplinger about tax tips for gig economy workers, including record-keeping and self-employment taxes.
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How to handle tax filings for 401K, retirement plan
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with WBRZ-2, Baton Rouge, LA, about retirees and their continuing obligation to file tax returns, even if their only income is from their retirement plan.
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Meeting the Deadline: How to handle taxes if you're retired
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with Local SYR about the tax treatment for Social Security and other retirement benefits.
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Meeting the Deadline: Filing taxes with two or more jobs
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with Local SYR about tax considerations for self-earners, AirBNB hosts, and other gig economy taxpayers.
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Tax Deductions You Never Knew Existed
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with CNBC about deducting donated household items, gambling losses, and more.
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Have you filed your taxes? Time is running out
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks with The Press-Enterprise about late return filers and other information for submitting tax returns on time.
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Claim your fantasy football losses: Even tiny tax breaks can add up
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman weighs in with USA Today on deducting "tiny" tax items, such as gambling losses, personal property taxes paid, and medical expenses.
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Need a Tax Extension? 5 Things You Should Know
The Tax Institute's Glenn Brown comments to The Fiscal Times about how to easily file for an extension on an individual tax return.
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5 things to know about late-season tax returns
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks with the New Hampshire Register about common characteristics of taxpayers who wait to file a return in the last two weeks of the tax season, as well as the penalties for those who don't make the deadline.
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When to Toss Tax Records
In an interview with Kiplinger, The Tax Institute's Gil Charney weighs in on how long to keep tax records, including returns and supporting documents.
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Tax madness: What cash payouts can be taxable?
The Tax Institute's Mike Slack comments to the Detroit Free Press about how cash gambling winnings, hobby income, forgiven debt, and more are taxable income.
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3 Ways to Maximize Your Tax Refund
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks with U.S. News & World Report about ways to maximize tax refunds through saving, contributions to retirement accounts, and charitable giving.
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Who's leaving $1 billion on the table?
The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman talks with the Detroit Free Press about unclaimed tax refunds and offers advice to taxpayers who are owed a refund for a prior year.
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What to Do if You Can't Pay Your Tax Bill
U.S. News & World Report talks with The Tax Institute's Lynn Ebel about why some taxpayers are unable to pay their bill, the consequences for failing to pay, and the possible alternative payment options.
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How to Avoid Tax Scams
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney offers tips to U.S. News & World Report to help prevent scammers from using confidential taxpayer information to file returns.
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6 Tips to Avoid Costly Tax-Filing Mistakes
Writing for United Way's blog, The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering describes common tax-filing mistakes and how to avoid them.
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New fraud protections delayed Earned Income Tax Credit filings
The Pueblo Chieftain quotes The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about delayed refund payments based on new identity fraud protection measures for taxpayers who claimed the earned income tax credit.
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7 Common Tax Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands
The Fiscal Times talks with The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about the impact of common return filing mistakes, including failing to itemize deductions and choosing an incorrect filing status.
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The best tax tips for freelancers
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks with CNBC about business expense deductions, along with other helpful hints on paying self-employment taxes and saving for retirement for independent contractors and workers with a side gig.
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3 Tax Tips For Those In The Sharing Economy
The Tax Institute's Mike Slack talks to a Forbes contributor about essential tax knowledge for workers and drivers in the gig economy: understand mileage rules, correctly report income, and don't forget to make estimated tax payments.
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Seven reasons to start your taxes early
Fidelity speaks with The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about the importance of not procrastinating on taxes -- starting early can save money and stress.
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Make less than $54K? Consider this underused tax break
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a valuable but commonly overlooked credit. The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering explains more about the credit to The Associated Press.
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How to Handle Gambling Wins and Losses This Tax Season
The Street talks to The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney about the tax rules for reporting gambling wins and losses.
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Tips for Taxpayers to avoid Identity Theft
There is no fool-proof way to stop identity theft, so The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering explains the Top 8 tips taxpayers can use to help protect their personal information, in an interview with News 8 WTNH.
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7 Reasons to Do Your Taxes Right Now
The Fiscal Times talks to The Tax Institute's Alison Flores about reasons why filing taxes earlier can be better than waiting, such as reduced stress and earlier refunds.
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The one scenario where it could make sense to pay your taxes on a credit card
MarketWatch talks to The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about the pros and cons of paying taxes on a credit card. If you're responsible with credit cards, it may not be a good idea.
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If You Had an Obamacare Plan in 2016, Do This One Thing Now
Money Magazine talks to The Tax Institute's Lindsey Buchholz about smart moves people should make if they received too much in advanced premium tax credits under the ACA.
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2017 Tax Tips for Homeowners
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks with Unison about common mistakes and questions that come up for home owners filing their taxes.
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How to report major life changes to the IRS
CNBC interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about major life changes and their tax effects, such as getting married, widowed or divorced; having a baby; and picking up a side job.
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6 Red Flags That Might Get You Audited by the IRS
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about common tax audit triggers, such as leaving income off a return, being self-employed, and making ACA-related mistakes.
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How to Get Ready for E-Filing Opening Day
TheStreet talks to The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about issues trending for the 2017 tax season, including new due dates, PATH Act refund delays, and tips to guard against tax identity theft.
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How to Save Your Tax Refund for Retirement
U.S. News & World Report interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about steps taxpayers can take to save their tax refunds in an individual retirement account, which could allow them to claim a tax deduction and enjoy deferred taxes.
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How Moving to a New Home Affects Your Taxes
The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney talks to U.S. News & World Report about the tax implications of three situations: moving to a new state, buying a home, and selling a home.
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1.7 Million Families Just Lost a Big Tax Break
Money Magazine interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about the tuition and fees deduction, which Congress didn't renew. The change will affect a subset of taxpayers, but other education-related tax credits remain in effect.
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How to Claim the Retirement Saver’s Credit
U.S. News & World Report talks to The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about a little-known tax credit for low- and moderate-income taxpayers who contribute to a 401(k), IRA, or myRA.
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Delays expected for some filing their 2016 tax returns
The Niagara Gazette quotes The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about refund delays that taxpayers should expect in the 2017 tax season, due to the PATH Act, and how taxpayers can plan ahead.
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How to Qualify for Retirement Savings Tax Breaks
U.S. News & World Report talks to The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about income phaseouts and tax strategies for different types of retirement savings vehicles.
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Make these last-minute tax moves before it's too late
The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering talks to CNBC about some common and valuable tax moves to make before year's end, including making charitable contributions and reducing taxes for qualified medical expenses.
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It Is Not Too Late to Lower Your 2016 Taxes
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about last-minute tax-saving tips ahead of 2017 and a few changes to expect for the upcoming tax season.
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If You Have a Holiday Job, You Might Have to Pay Income Taxes
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks to Consumer Reports about the rules for people with seasonal jobs, second jobs, and cash income: They'll all owe taxes.
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Avoid Holidaying in Tax Hell: Tips to Write Off Your Next Vacation
The Observer talks to The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about the dos and don’ts of tax deductions when it comes to business travelers who bring the family along.
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Say Goodbye to These 4 Tax Breaks Next Year
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about four popular tax breaks -- three for homeowners and one for students -- that are likely to be cut or capped next year.
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With Trump, tax changes possible, so do these things now
The Detroit Free Press asks The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about what could happen in 2017, and several smart tax moves to make before 2016 is over.
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6 End-of-Year Tax Moves to Make Now
U.S. News & World Report features analysis from The Tax Institute's Gil Charney on smart year-end tax-reduction strategies, including tax-loss harvesting, shifting income and payments, and maximizing tax deferrals.
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Retirement: Charitable donations and other year-end tax tips
Kiplinger interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about a tax break that allows seniors to donate up to $100,000 to charity directly from their IRAs. Because even small donations lower AGI, it's a useful tax break for seniors who no longer have enough deductions to itemize.
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How to Reduce Your State Tax Bill in Retirement
The Tax Institute's Gil Charney talks to Kiplinger about how states tax different income sources for retirees -- and how good planning can help.
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How The “Experts Behind the Experts” at the H&R Block Tax Institute Support the World’s Largest Consumer Tax Services Provider
CardRates.com profiles The Tax Institute, which provides unique value to H&R Block clients and tax professionals through expert research and analysis, timely and relevant insights, and important tax tips leading up to the 2017 tax filing season.
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Smart Year-End Tax Moves to Limit Your 2016 Tax Bill
Kiplinger interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about a valuable tax break that allows seniors age 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their IRAs directly to charity.
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Slideshow: Year-end Tax Moves You Could Easily Overlook
CNBC.com interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about medical expense benefits that reduce tax burden, including spending and savings accounts for health-related expenses, or the medical expense deduction.
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Reap the tax benefits of charitable donations
CNBC.com interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about how year-end charitable contributions can bring tax benefits in April.
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CPA Insider: What you need to know to bring a nonfiler back into compliance
H&R Block's Jim Buttonow discusses the most common topics that come up for tax professionals when their clients need to get back into filing compliance, such as how far back to file, penalty issues, payment-plan options, and IRS tools to help file an accurate return.
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Last-Minute Tax Extension Filing Tips
TheStreet interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about tax tips for people who filed 2016 return extensions, including rules for small business retirement funds and IRS payment plans.
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Six Tax-Saving Tips To Complete By Year-End
FidelityVoice interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about important tax moves to make now -- as well as the importance of comprehensive, year-round tax planning.
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The Tax Institute's executive director selected for IRS Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC)
Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute and vice president of regulatory affairs at H&R Block, was selected for ETAAC, which advocates for electronic tax administration initiatives at the IRS, including paperless filing, and preventing identity theft and refund fraud.
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The Cost of Buying and Selling Your Tiny Dream House
The Billfold interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about how property and real estate taxes may apply to owners of mobile and tiny homes.
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Susan Tompor: Baby boomers, like Cher, must study IRA rules
In a Detroit Free Press column, The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman discusses some of the rules and complexity involved in taking required minimum distributions from retirement accounts.
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Avoid the Penalty for Early Withdrawals From Your IRA
Kiplinger interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about strategies taxpayers can use to avoid the 10 percent penalty on early withdrawals from their IRAs, including taking substantially equal periodic payments, or SEPPs.
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CPA Insider: What you need to know to help clients with an IRS extension to pay agreement
H&R Block's Jim Buttonow outlines 12 facts about IRS extension to pay agreements for tax professionals whose clients just need a little more time to pay. Facts include details about payment terms, the benefits of establishing an agreement, and how to request one.
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Why You Should Think About Your 2016 Income Tax Now
Consumer Reports interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about strategies taxpayers can pursue to reduce taxes before it's time to file, including contributing to tax-advantaged accounts or adjusting their withholding.
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10 homeowner tax breaks you should be taking advantage of
MarketWatch interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about tax breaks for homeowners, including deductions for points on a home mortgage or refinance, and special benefits for first-time home buyers.
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Still Haven't Filed? These Tax Tips Can Help!
Parade interviews The Tax Institute's Nathan Rigney about tax tips for people who still need to file, and what they need to know about filing deadlines, frequently missed tax breaks, itemizing, and IRS payment arrangements.
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Taxpayers have until April 18 to file this year’s returns, thanks to Abraham Lincoln
The Kansas City Star interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering in an article about the special circumstances surrounding the 2016 tax deadline, as well as filing and payment rules that still apply for all taxpayers.
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Tax tips for people working in the gig economy
The Washington Post interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about tax-time tips for workers in the gig economy, including rules about when an individual's home office meets the standards to qualify for a tax deduction.
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Expert: Tax Time Does Not Have to be Stressful in California
KFBK News interviews The Tax Institute's Andy Phillips about ways that people in California and across the nation can reduce their tax bills, such as deducting home mortgage interest, property taxes, qualified medical expenses, and more.
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The 1095 Tax Form for Health Care Coverage: What You Need to Know
The New York Times interviews The Tax Institute's Lindsey Buchholz about the ACA-related Form 1095-C that many taxpayers with health insurance coverage from a large employer are receiving for the first time in 2016.
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5 Tax Benefits of Owning a Second Home
Realtor.com interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about tax deductions for second homeowners, including deductions for home improvements and depreciation costs.
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Here’s When You Should Hire a Tax Pro
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about how taxpayers should choose a tax professional with specialized experience in their particular tax situations.
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Tax Breaks for People Over 50
U.S. News & World Report interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about how older people can take advantage of certain tax benefits, such as a lower threshold for deducting medical expenses, and strategies to avoid tax on required minimum distributions.
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Accounting Today: States Work to Stay Afloat in a Sea of ID Theft
The Tax Institute's Ben Deneka explains measures that states are taking during the 2016 filing season to combat the rising tide of stolen identity refund fraud.
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Have money left in your flexible spending account? The clock is ticking!
Today.com interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about the tax implications of flexible spending accounts, including the run-out period deadline to submit expenses for the previous year.
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When you should hire a tax pro
MarketWatch interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about several factors that should trigger taxpayers to seek out the help of a tax professional, including high income, ACA tax credits, retirement, and rental and business activities.
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Tax Tips If You Made Money Through Airbnb
Consumer Reports interviews The Tax Institute's Mike Slack about tax challenges for people who rent out their homes on sharing-economy websites. They need to figure out whether to file, which form to file, and how to properly keep track of records.
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How Much Do US Presidents Pay in Taxes?
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about presidential tax returns, which don't benefit from any special exceptions under the tax code.
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Tax Tips for Those Who Make Money in the Gig Economy
The New York Times interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about the implications of "on-demand" work, which means that many taxpayers are self-employed. They have a more complex set of tax responsibilities -- plus some potential benefits.
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ABLE program provides tax-free savings for disabled children
The Associated Press interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about new ABLE accounts that allow parents of children with disabilities to save tax-free for their children's disability-related expenses.
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CPA Insider: 15 things you need to know when clients owe taxes to the IRS
H&R Block's Jim Buttonow explains 15 must-know facts for tax professionals helping any of the 18 million individual and business taxpayers who owe money to the IRS. These facts explain refund considerations, alternative payment options, penalty abatement, and more.
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The costly tax mistakes most people make
CNBC.com interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about mistakes that cause many taxpayers to leave an average of $400 on the table, by not claiming all the credits and deductions they could take.
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Don't overlook this tax credit for saving
CNBC.com interviews The Tax Institute's Alison Flores about the retirement saver's tax credit, which many eligible taxpayers are leaving unclaimed every year.
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Tax Professionals Step Up to Advise on Health Care
Bloomberg BNA interviews The Tax Institute's Lindsey Buchholz about ways that tax professionals are educating their clients on ACA health care provisions, including advance tax credits, penalty exemptions, and health insurance enrollment.
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10 Financial Perks of Growing Older
U.S. News & World Report interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about the financial benefits of aging, including special tax deductions, bigger retirement account limits, and Social Security payments.
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Are you exempt from penalties under Obamacare?
The Morning Call interviews The Tax Institute's Lindsey Buchholz about the tricky aspects of figuring out and claiming ACA exemptions for tax filing.
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Government trying to make it easier to save for retirement
The Associated Press interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about federal programs designed to encourage people to save more, including the saver's tax credit and the new myRA account.
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Converting Your Traditional IRA to a Roth: A Balancing Act
TheStreet interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about the tax implications of traditional IRAs versus Roth IRAs.
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Five Tips For 2015 Tax Returns
The Fidelity Viewpoints team interviews The Tax Institute's Gil Charney about how to streamline return filing in 2016 -- starting with gathering all the necessary documents and filing as soon as possible.
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1099-C surprise: Canceled debt often taxable as income
CreditCards.com interviews The Tax Institute's Alison Flores in an article explaining why every year more than 6 million taxpayers who have successfully resolved credit card debts must report some portion of the forgiven debt as income on their federal income tax returns.
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The 6 Tax Deductions That Save You the Most Money
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about tax deductions that can go a long way for many taxpayers, from mortgage interest to various above-the-line deductions.
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Don't miss out on unusual charitable deductions
CNBC.com interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about charitable deductions that taxpayers sometimes overlook, and tips for correctly reporting and keeping track of charitable giving.
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Keep an eye out for new forms verifying health coverage
The San Francisco Chronicle interviews The Tax Institute's Lindsey Buchholz about three types of forms taxpayers will receive during the 2016 filing season, to verify their insurance coverage and comply with the Affordable Care Act.
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The 8 Most Common Tax Mistakes That Can Cost You Hundreds
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about the most common and costly mistakes that taxpayers make on their returns, according to an H&R Block study.
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Workers in New 'On Demand' Economy Face Different Tax Issues
The Associated Press interviews The Tax Institute's Executive Director Kathy Pickering about emerging tax implications for drivers and renters in the gig economy.
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Tax Notes: The ACA: It's a matter of timing
The Tax Institute's Lindsey Buchholz discusses administration of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, exploring problems that arise when the return-filing season and health insurance open enrollment period are out of sync. Lindsey also discusses potential solutions that industry-government working groups have discussed, many of which would require legislative changes.
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Navigating the Maze of Dependent-Related Tax Benefits
This paper from The Tax Institute explores the law that applies across dependent-related tax benefits, provides scenarios that illustrate the complexity of taxpayers' real-life experiences, and provides a navigation guide for determining eligibility for dependent-related tax benefits.
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The Tax Adviser: Wynne's effect on state and local personal income taxes
The Tax Institute’s Kevin Martin discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision invalidating Maryland's personal income tax scheme, and analyzes how other state tax systems could be affected.
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14 Outrageous Tax Deductions the IRS Denied
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about curious tax deductions that didn't work out, from dentures to dance lessons.
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The popular tax breaks that could go away (yet again)
The Washington Post interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about popular tax breaks that Congress is deciding whether to renew, from the state and local sales tax deduction, to mortgage debt relief.
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6 Popular Tax Breaks That Americans Need Congress to Renew
The Fiscal Times interviews The Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman about six popular tax benefits that won’t be available to taxpayers preparing their 2015 returns unless lawmakers extend them.
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Why You Can't Always Deduct Your Home Office
PC Mag interviews The Tax Institute's Mike Slack on common taxpayer misconceptions about deducting home office expenses.
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10 savvy year-end tax strategies
The Fidelity Viewpoints team interviews the Tax Institute's Jackie Perlman on steps taxpayers can take to reduce their overall tax bill at the end of the year.
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Accounting Today: Parsing Jeb Bush’s Tax Plan
The Tax Institute’s Jackie Perlman and Alison Flores analyze three scenarios under Jeb Bush’s tax plan that show two families would see a tax savings, while a third taxpayer would pay more.
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CPA Insider: Learn how to “speak IRS” to better help your clients
H&R Block's Jim Buttonow provides a crash course on often-confusing IRS terms and acronyms. Knowing these terms can help practitioners immediately get a clear picture of their client’s situation from the IRS’ point of view.
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CPA Insider: Be ready to answer these Affordable Care Act questions
The Tax Institute's Andrew Phillips and Jim Buttonow list the top questions that taxpayers will likely have regarding the tax ramifications of the Affordable Care Act for the 2015 filing season.
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The Tax Adviser: IRS Signals ACA compliance issues for 2015
H&R Block tax experts Lindsey Buchholz, Andrew Phillips, Jennifer Villarino, and Jim Buttonow outline 2014 updates to the Internal Revenue Manual that provide insight on the notices and enforcement methods the IRS will use to ensure that taxpayers comply with the Affordable Care Act.
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Accounting Today: Students, athletes -- and taxpayers?
The Tax Institute’s Jackie Perlman and Alison Flores examine a court ruling that could allow star college athletes to share in the money brought to their schools through athletics – and could mean tax implications for the athletes’ tax-free education and perks.
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CPA Insider: Know these penalty abatement realities to better help your clients
H&R Block's Jim Buttonow outlines need-to-know information for practitioners on IRS penalties and abatement procedures, and examines IRS procedural updates made in 2014 that streamline the process for requesting first-time penalty abatement.
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EA Journal: Preparing Accurate Returns in a Global Economy Means Knowing When to Put on Your Detective Hat
The Tax Institute’s Alison Flores lays out a three-step plan involving observation, logic, intuition, and inference, that could help tax practitioners prepare more accurate tax returns, especially for clients with foreign financial accounts or foreign assets.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to estates
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals on estate issues that can have significant tax implications after a taxpayer dies, including cancellation of debt, IRA distributions, and reporting stock sales.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to international issues
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals about issues for taxpayers who work or live abroad, including the foreign income exclusion, income from foreign trusts, and FBAR filing requirements.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to 529 plans
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals on qualified tuition plan (Section 529) distributions.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to "related parties"
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals on related party issues, including shareholder loans, meal and entertainment expenses, the self-rental rule, and prohibited transactions on a self-directed IRA.
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EA Journal: Mind the gap
The Tax Institute’s Alison Flores discusses IRS efforts to narrow the tax gap by addressing income underreporting, as well as tax professionals’ responsibilities when it comes to advising clients on properly reporting their income.
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EA Journal: The Intel on Federal Military Tax Protection under the SCRA
The Tax Institute’s Julie Sforza-Smith outlines the federal residency and income tax provisions under two laws that tax professionals should understand when helping military tax clients and their spouses.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to inherited IRAs
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals about inherited IRAs, including required minimum distributions, multiple designated beneficiaries, and the relationship of the beneficiary to the decedent.
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EA Journal: A grandmother's predicament
The Tax Institute’s Jackie Perlman explains the head of household filing status, which can provide tax benefits for taxpayers who meet the tests to use it. However, applying the tests to grandparents can be tricky.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to lawsuits
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals on reporting a settlement and back pay resulting from lawsuits.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to cancellation of debt
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals about cancellation of debt related to rental property foreclosures and short sales.
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EA Journal: Tax questions related to mortgages
The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney answers questions from tax professionals on the interest deductibility of a refinanced mortgage, and allocating mortgage interest and interest tracing.
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EA Journal: Who should jump on the PTIN bandwagon?
The Tax Institute’s Alison Flores discusses the details of preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs), including who needs a PTIN and what that means for tax practices.
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EA Journal: Shades of Gray: Revisiting Business Deductions (Part 2)
In the second article in a series, The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney explores the deductibility of certain expenses that taxpayers commonly present as business expenses, such as travel, special clothing, and research expenses.
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EA Journal: Hobby or Business? Tax Preparer Due Diligence (Part 1)
In the first of two articles in a series, The Tax Institute’s Gil Charney explores how to determine whether a taxpayer's expenses are the result of a business or a hobby – and the importance of making the right determination.