Social Security Benefits – Are They Subject to Tax?

In Common Tax Questions by Sarah E. Martello

You, like many other Social Security recipients may be wondering whether your 2011 benefits are taxable. All Social Security recipients should receive a Form SSA-1099 from the Social Security Administration which shows the total amount of their benefits. You can use this information in addition to the following to determine if your benefits are taxable: Did you receive other income? …

Tax Tips For 2012

In IRS Tax Help by Sarah E. Martello

With football season winding down, another season is just starting – Tax Season.  Although watching the college bowl games and NFL playoffs is clearly much more exciting than watching the IRS’s youtube video above, you can stay on top of your “tax game” by following these tips: 1. GATHER YOUR DOCUMENTS you’ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled checks …

Tax Q & A – I Currently Can’t Pay the IRS because of an Economic Hardship

In IRS Tax Help by Sarah E. Martello

QUESTION:  What happens if I owe the IRS money but after paying my living expenses/bills, I currently can’t afford to pay my tax liability? ANSWER:  Depending on your particular situation, there are several options.  If you are going through a financial hardship, the IRS may be willing to suspend collection activity to allow you the opportunity to get back on …

IRS Audits and Letters…AUGH, what does this mean?!

In IRS Tax Help by Sarah E. Martello

If you just received a letter from the IRS, you may be freaking out and envisioning the IRS breaking down your door – swat team in tow – to raid your house for valuables to satisfy your tax debt.  Before you shred the letter in hopes it will magically disappear forever, take a moment to educate yourself on what’s going …

The Dreaded IRS Audit: Will Your 2010 Tax Return Get Flagged for an Audit?

In Tax Planning by Sarah E. Martello

With “Tax Day” right around the corner, most people are scrambling to put together and file their 2010 tax return before April 18, 2011 (yes, the IRS has graciously provided us a few extra days this year).   Accordingly, I have put together some information and pointers to help you decrease your chances of having the IRS audit your return. “Red …

November Elections and Your Taxes…The Possibilities are on the Table

In Florida Tax Issues, Tax Planning by Sarah E. Martello

With the results of the November elections still looming, taxpayers are left with an uncertain tax future as Bush’s tax cuts remain in a state of uncertainty.  Although legislative action to extend or modify the Bush-era taxes seem non-existent, the President still refuses to throw tax reform out the window. With a month and a half left before our tax …

Florida Tax Issues for Voters – November 2010 Elections

In Florida Tax Issues, Tax Planning by Sarah E. Martello

With just over a week left before Election Day, I encourage voters to become more acquainted with the candidates and issues they will be confronted with on the ballot.  Because most ballot initiatives are written in what resembles either a foreign language or horrific grammatical capabilities, I’ve compiled a brief synopsis of the tax issues that will be presented to …

Settle Your Tax Debt for Pennies on the Dollar – If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, It’s Probably a Scam!

In Uncategorized by Sarah E. Martello

FTC Shuts Down American Tax Relief Scam New York Times, FTC Says Company Promised Tax Relief but Failed to Deliver: Who wouldn’t like to settle with the IRS for pennies on the dollar? In recent years, some 20,000 people have turned to American Tax Relief of Beverly Hills, Calif., to do just that after seeing the company’s advertisements on television, …