Daily Tips

StrataTax believes in sharing facts and strategies so that you have the knowledge to successfully reach your goals and take control of your future.

Be sure to check back often to stay up to date with the latest tips or peruse the archived tips below to see what you missed.

Current and archived tips are provided below.

Itemized Deductions – Medical Expenses, Charitable Donations, Taxes, Interest, and Other
If you are looking for a job you may be able to deduct some of your job seeking expenses on your tax return. More Information.

Making a charitable donation can bring you more than just a good feeling – it may also result in a taxable deduction. Contributions to qualified charitable organizations are deductible if you itemize. More Information.

Your medical expenses may make up a large part of your itemized deductions. While a large amount of deductions can lead to a large income tax refund, it is important not to overstate your medical expenses by including medical reimbursements. More Information.

Don’t miss out on these commonly overlooked miscellaneous itemized deductions. More Information.

Real Estate – Personal Residence and Investment Properties
Good news for home sellers! If you have a gain from the sale of your home, you may be able to exclude all or part of that gain from your income. More Information.

Paying your mortgage bill can be quite a burden, but it does provide most homeowners with a nice income tax return, thanks to deductible home mortgage interest. 

If you and your spouse file separate returns and live in a community property state, you have to determine your community income and your separate income. More Information.

Tax Planning and Strategies
If you’re newly married, reduce stress at tax time by taking time now to change your name and address, check your withholding, and choose the best filing status. More Information.

The IRS recently issues the new standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for charitable, medical, moving, or business purposes in 2012. More Information.

Have you borrowed money to buy property that you hold for investment? If so, you may be able to deduct the interest you pay as an expense on your tax return. More Information.

Be aware of your appeal rights if you receive a letter from the IRS proposing adjustments to your tax return. More Information.

The IRS has a number of ways for people to meet their tax obligations and pay their tax bill. These new methods from the IRS are also designed to help taxpayers pay back taxes and avoid tax liens. More Information.

Late, Amended, and Extended Returns
 If you discover an error after your return has been mailed, you may need to amend your return by filing an Amended Return, Form 1040X.  The requirement depends on the error that needs corrected.

Filing a past due return isn’t as difficult as you think and the IRS offers you options for paying your bill. Regardless of whether or not you can pay the full amount due, you should file all tax returns that are due. More Information.

Business Tax Strategies
Business owners may have the opportunity to ease their financial burden of starting a new business by deducting a limited amount of start-up costs.

Normally, the records a business keep throughout the year account for income for financial purposes.  For tax purposes, business transactions may be accounted for differently.  StrataTax provides an overview of the differences. 

Education Credits and Deductions
The IRS has provided tax benefits to help offset the high cost of getting an education.   The tuition and fees deduction is structured to allow certain taxpayers to reduce the amount of income subject to tax by up to $4,000.

The IRS has provided tax incentives for people who pursue higher education.  The Lifetime Learning Credit provides a tax credit of up to $2,000 for any level of college education (even graduate school).   

Job Loss and Unemployment
A record number of people are currently receiving unemployment benefits.   These unemployment benefits receive special treatment when it is time for you to file your income tax return.  The tax treatment of unemployment benefits you receive depends on the type of program paying the benefits.

Are you one of the many who lost their job recently?  The loss of your job may have affected your personal and financial life.  In this article, we look at how your job loss impacts your taxes and provide you with guidelines for your taxes.  

‘What If” Scenarios in a Down Economy
Events such as having debt forgiven, selling a home for a loss or filing bankruptcy can have significant impact on your taxes.  StrataTax examines some of the most common debt-related “What If” scenarios and their possible tax impact.

Are you currently suffering financial difficulties or preparing for ‘worst case’ scenarios because of the current down economy?  StrataTax examines some of the most common job-related “What If” scenarios and their possible tax impact.

 

TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER:
Please be advised that in order to ensure StrataTax’s compliance with the rules and standards required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), we are informing you that any tax advice contained in this communication, including attachments, is not intended or written to be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or promoting, marketing or recommending this transaction or a tax related matter to another party.