Forgot to file tax returns. Now what? [more inside]
posted by doomtop on Oct 26, 2009 - 6 answers

HELP! It's tax day. Tax return due tonight. HELP! [more inside]
posted by SallyHitMeOntheHead on Oct 15, 2009 - 8 answers

When I bought my car from out of state, the dealer never collected sales tax. Now I moved to that state and the state wants to collect! Help! [more inside]
posted by Tu13es on Oct 13, 2009 - 10 answers

SweepstakesFilter: My wife (a Canadian like myself) recently won a large number of travel rewards points from an American chain of hotels. Help us determine if the prize is worth keeping considering what we'll have to pay in taxes to the IRS. [more inside]
posted by stungeye on Sep 25, 2009 - 6 answers

Property Tax filter: In August I bought a house in King County WA. The county's assessment of the property is very high. I would like to appeal for a review of the assessment. The desired result is a lower tax bill. I would be grateful for any strategy or advice. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 1, 2009 - 7 answers

What important household papers and documents must I keep and file? What papers are OK to throw away? [more inside]
posted by fiercecupcake on Jul 28, 2009 - 7 answers

You Are Not My CPA Filter: I have a friend who is running for a small-time local political office (city charter commission) and who is paying all his campaign costs (signs, literature, etc.) out of his own pocket. Are these expenses tax deductible? We're having trouble wading through the thousands of Google results on business deductions to find an answer....
posted by anastasia on May 5, 2009 - 5 answers

I have not filed my tax returns for the past THREE years and would to rectify that. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 3, 2009 - 14 answers

I can't pay my taxes right now, but according to the IRS's information form on payment plans, if I can pay within 120 days I don't need a installment plan -- which would charge interest. The form requests that I call the IRS to notify them and get more information. However, I haven't been able to get through on their phone line for the last week, and now it's the 15th. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Apr 15, 2009 - 11 answers

New York City resident. I earned very little in 2008 and am getting all my withheld taxes back. So far so good. TaxACT seems to think I deserve an additional $145 "New York City School Tax Credit". In other words, I'd be getting more money than I put in. Is this plausible? [more inside]
posted by limon on Apr 14, 2009 - 9 answers

My funds to pay my (large) tax bill might not clear into the account I transferred them to until April 16th or 17th. What can I do to prevent the IRS from getting angry that they can't do the desired electric withdrawal on the 15th itself, or my bank getting pissed that the IRS trying to withdraw funds that just aren't there (yet)? [more inside]
posted by lexfri on Apr 9, 2009 - 9 answers

Today was the first day the stimulus withholding showed up in my paycheck. I can't tell: is this additional $13 just a change in withholding, or is my annual income tax actually reduced by $400? If it's just another bullshit rebate, I do not want this money. Please advise. [more inside]
posted by mwhybark on Mar 20, 2009 - 10 answers

Taxfilter: Why does the (US) federal government bother with payroll deductions? [more inside]
posted by Rykey on Mar 4, 2009 - 25 answers

Will the stimulus law affect my tax filling? [more inside]
posted by photomusic86 on Feb 24, 2009 - 3 answers

Self-employment tax help for out-of-state web work [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 24, 2009 - 9 answers

TaxFilter, specifically Department of Part-time Expatriate Freelance Taxation. A thorn in my side, inside. [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Feb 20, 2009 - 9 answers

I filed my taxes online about two or three weeks ago, and completely forgot about a mutual fund I own. Or rather, I remembered it, but because I didn't take anything out of it or put anything into it, I didn't think anything of it. Of course, I forgot about the dividends. So, today I get my Form 1099-DIV from Goldman Sachs, and find that I received $71.04 in total ordinary dividends. What should I do? My taxes were filed electronically and I've already received my state refund. Should I just sit on it and if I'm questioned by the IRS, pay the $10 or whatever in extra taxes? Will I get fined a huge amount if I don't alert them now? If I do alert them, how would I go about doing that? Asking anonymously because I feel like an idiot.
posted by anonymous on Feb 19, 2009 - 8 answers

If I interned for 3 months in Seattle but live and go to school in Wisconsin, do I need to pay WI state tax on the money I made over the summer in Washington, which has no state tax? [more inside]
posted by mezamashii on Feb 11, 2009 - 3 answers

Which version of Turbo Tax should I use? [more inside]
posted by conigs on Jan 22, 2009 - 3 answers

Please recommend a local tax preparer in the SF Bay area (San Jose preferred). I have a fairly straightforward situation: single, 401(K), charity donations that need to be itemized and some interest income from a money market account.
posted by JDC8 on Jan 5, 2009 - 9 answers

Looking for a good tax preparer in the Boston area. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 9, 2008 - 6 answers

blogging as a business and taxes - it can't be so difficult! Or can it? The Plan - spouse and I want to start a travel blog (we love to travel and are *good* at it!) as a business. You know, run some google ads, make a little money. Actually, if we make enough to cover our travel, we'll be happy (until the eventual greed kicks in). Soooo... if we're going to make more than $600 here in America, the IRS is going to want it's share. But two can play at that game! We want to take all the deductions we can (home office, website costs and, of course, our travel). It will just be the two of us, no employees. But therein lies the confusion... [more inside]
posted by catcatwomanman on Dec 8, 2008 - 15 answers

With all the bickering over taxes in the election campaign, I'm trying to get a broader picture of US income tax history, theories behind past policies, and analysis of how they worked (in idiot friendly language). [more inside]
posted by p3t3 on Oct 17, 2008 - 4 answers

How do changes to the tax rates correlate with changes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and how are those changes forecasted? [more inside]
posted by brandnew on Oct 14, 2008 - 4 answers

How do tax settlement services work? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 28, 2008 - 4 answers

What is the best financial/tax situation for us? Kid on way, financial aid eligibility concerns. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 2, 2008 - 4 answers

How do taxes work for a Canadian citizen producing creative content for an american publication? How about a Canadian providing 'e-training' to an American? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 26, 2008 - 6 answers

I need to better understand the proposed tax systems. Mainly the fair tax or sales tax versus an income tax. I am writing a paper for school on the viewpoints of TTARA (The Texas Taxpayers and Research Ass.) and CTJ (citizens for tax justice) but cannot gain a clear idea of what each side is proposing. Obviously the republicans want the fair tax, and since TTARA is business minded, I assume they too seek the fair tax, or at least support it. But what is the Dem idea of fair taxation? Do they want an income tax? What is all this talk on CTJ about income tax cuts? I don’t have the patience to sift through all the material so I'm hoping someone can give me a basic idea of the differing positions on the matter. Mainly answer the question of who wants what and why, and who benefits most from each plan.... Also what about the working poor, do they benefit most from an income tax? Etc. Etc.
posted by madmamasmith on May 4, 2008 - 17 answers

I have never filed my taxes in Ontario, Canada before. Are there any benefits to doing so even if I have no income to declare?
posted by alse on Apr 30, 2008 - 8 answers

What date acquired and cost basis should I put for two items reported on a 1099-B, when there are several unknowns? [more inside]
posted by daisyace on Apr 10, 2008 - 8 answers

Help! I incorrectly filled out my W-4! I'm in the process of rectifying this, but what happens after the fact? [more inside]
posted by chan.caro on Mar 18, 2008 - 6 answers

Nevermind that I should have backed up or have them on hand somewhere in a filing cabinet. How can I get a copy of my 2006 tax return on the quick, and on the cheap?
posted by mboesch on Feb 29, 2008 - 1 answer

I sent out my taxes (for the first time MONTHS early) and sent them Certified Mail (upon the recommendation of an accountant) for the first time as well. I got the little green card back for the State Taxes but I never got one for my Federal Taxes. Does this mean that my Federal Tax return was lost in the mail? How do I go about verifying if my tax return was lost? Can I send them a copy? What do I do?
posted by starsixnine00 on Feb 27, 2008 - 15 answers

I live in NH but still have a CT driver's license... due to a combination of supposed lack of need and laziness. [more inside]
posted by Jimmie on Jan 20, 2008 - 9 answers

TaxFilter2007: I earned income at my job in StateA. However, all my bank addresses (permanent and mailing) are for StateB, where someone collects my mail for me. I used StateB for banks to not have to deal with remembering zip codes and changing addresses. Furthermore, I've worked in 2006 in StateC but didn't receive the last paycheck until 2007. Will I have to file state taxes in all these states? This is my first time doing my own taxes. [more inside]
posted by lpctstr; on Jan 19, 2008 - 7 answers

I haven't filed (US and NJ) taxes in... hm. Possibly ever. I'd like to fix that, but have no idea what I made and when, and how to start. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 17, 2008 - 16 answers

TAX-Filter: Please help me understand the difference between: (a) Deducting child care expenses from my taxes, (b) claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit on my tax return, and (c) Using a section 125 Flexible Spending Account to pay for child care expenses. [more inside]
posted by yet.another.boston.question on Jan 5, 2008 - 6 answers

Can Canadians give tax-deductible donations to American non-profit organizations? [more inside]
posted by purplefiber on Dec 18, 2007 - 2 answers

TaxFilter: What is the most reliable withholding/refund calculator out there? [more inside]
posted by AthenaPolias on Nov 5, 2007 - 6 answers

I'm planning to do some on-the-side freelance photography in the next year. I'd like some advice on how to play the tax game most effectively. [more inside]
posted by sprocket87 on Sep 28, 2007 - 8 answers

If you found a diamond on the street, would you have to pay taxes on it?
posted by paulinsanjuan on Aug 22, 2007 - 17 answers

TAX FILTER: We are on a grand adventure on our sailboat which we are documenting via our website. My wife is an established writer/editor and I am an established photographer and a wanna-be writer. We are planning on writing a book based on our adventure and having difficulty deciding what is deductible and what is not. Hivemind, please help. [more inside]
posted by Fuzzy Dog on Jul 6, 2007 - 8 answers

My friend and I were having a discussion over acceptable marginal tax rates. I'm wondering where I would look to quickly find out how much of my income I would have to pay in state and federal taxes at different income levels. Is there a quick (online) way to figure this out? Exclude complications like stocks, marriage, other tax breaks, etc. If you want a specific salary, how much would I have to pay in taxes on a $100,000 salary? Thanks!
posted by JamesJD on Apr 23, 2007 - 6 answers

Why is my 'effective tax rate' listed on my return much lower than the amount of taxes I actually paid?
posted by jazzkat11 on Apr 12, 2007 - 6 answers

Tax planning advice for the self employed. The web is full of articles, the bookstores are full of guides. But there is so much "get rich quick" and "pay zero taxes" crap out there that I am not sure where to go for good, solid tax planning advice. [more inside]
posted by Nothing on Mar 26, 2007 - 5 answers

Are there any US citizens here who have lived abroad but did freelance or contract work for clients in the States who can share their experiences? I am a US citizen living in Australia as a Permanent Resident since 2001. I have just gotten some freelance work from the States and need to figure out who I need to talk to on which shores to figure out the details. [more inside]
posted by LongDrive on Mar 13, 2007 - 10 answers

Tax preparer in the Seattle area? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library on Dec 30, 2006 - 2 answers

1. Is there free tax preparation software? 2. If not why? when so many people have to file taxes every year.
posted by antisocialiting on Dec 29, 2006 - 16 answers

Can I start a LLC (or similar) who's only business is to manage investments and reinvest any gains? What are the tax implications? [more inside]
posted by blueplasticfish on Nov 28, 2006 - 13 answers

tax-audit-filter: how can i find a reliable and inexpensive tax representative in the washington d.c. area, for help with a surprise audit? of course there's [more inside]
posted by garfy3 on Sep 4, 2006 - 1 answer