Most People Are Not Aware That We Have Two Tax Systems. One is for employees, which was created to take your wealth, and one is for small businesses that was designed to create economic growth. The reason is that small businesses generate over 70% of the job growth in this country. This is why Congress passes “good” tax laws (Yes, you heard me right, there are “good” tax laws) for small businesses. However, you must have a business to take advantage of these “good” laws. If you have a side business and have the right knowledge, you can deduct part […]

Property Rental Income for Individuals UK Rents and licence’s are regarded as UK land and property. Land and property income is all income deriving from such property as if it were a trade. Therefore this is calculated as all income being assessed in the tax year on an “accruals” basis. This means that income is taxed on an “arising” basis in the year of assessment, i.e. income that is due in the year, and not necessary income that is actually paid by the tenant. For example if a tenant per the tenancy agreement is obliged to pay £495 a month, […]

According to federal laws governing taxation, any person, receiving an income in one form or the other, need to pay income taxes to the government annually. But, the job of preparing tax returns, the calculations and the many tax forms involved, constitute one of the harrowing experiences being an honest tax payer. To make matters worse, the complexity of calculations increases with the income. That is, more the income, more complex will be associated tax calculations and also the number of tax forms involved. This article focuses on the last of the facts mentioned, the tax forms, especially 1040ez, 1040a, […]

How many times have you heard someone say, “I don’t pay any taxes. My accountant takes real good care of me . . . I haven’t paid a dime in taxes in years.” Does that outrageous statement sound familiar? Maybe it’s your brother-in-law, or a fellow Soccer Mom, or a co-worker at the office. And so you think to yourself, “What am I doing wrong? How come I’m paying taxes and so-and-so says he/she pays nothing? How do they do it!” Is it really possible to pay “zero taxes”? For purposes of this article, let’s give your “no-tax” friend or […]

The taxes that are withheld from paychecks amount to about 25% of your gross pay (including federal tax, state tax, social security tax and medicare tax). But these taxes that are withheld could be working for you as investments if you employ what I call the ultimate tax strategy. This tax strategy consists of how you plan to pay no taxes just like all of the large corporations. Large businesses have teams of accountants and lawyers going over the tax code to make maximum use of legitimate deductions. In my opinion, there is a distinct difference between an individual and […]

Apartment owners can face staggering expenses to maintain apartment communities. The upkeep of even a modest community could involve groundskeeping, unit renovation, and replacements, such as parking lot asphalt and fencing. Another steep expense is federal income tax – and in some areas an additional state tax on income – but through an innovative study known as cost segregation, the depreciation of property components can be used to help lower federal taxes. Today, more apartment investors, especially those whose occupancy rates are challenged by the nation’s single-family housing, are taking a close look at every possible avenue to lower costs. […]

With all the talk of the rich not paying their fair share of taxes and the tax cuts earlier this decade only going to the rich, here are some facts to contemplate and you as the reader can make up your own opinion. · The statement above could be true when you look at it from a pure dollar point of view. Someone who makes $500,000 versus someone who makes $50,000, if they each get a 5% tax cut, the first one pays $25,000 less in taxes, where the second one only pays $2,500 less in taxes. · I believe […]

Many people lose money for years to landlords because they mistakenly believe they cannot afford to buy a home. However, in most cases, these renters are where they are only because they are unaware of all their other options. Most people know that it’s better to put your money into a house that you own than into a rent check you never see again. Some are aware that mortgage payments could actually be fairly close to what they currently pay in rent. What few people realize are the tax benefits stemming from owning a home can actually save them hundreds […]

Congress has passed legislation that is supposed to result in a more “sensitive” Internal Revenue Service. You know, not such a lean, mean, tax-collecting machine. Hmmm . . . . What do you think? A few months ago, one of my clients (let’s call him Mr. Jones) got one of those IRS “love letters” requesting more information about his return, and the IRS wanted to meet with Mr. Jones in person to discuss the situation. Mr. Jones (a local small business owner) was required to show up at the local IRS office with all his records. The IRS was questioning […]

I live and work, quite literally, down the road from the main Microsoft campus. No surprise, then, that I’m commonly asked by freelance consultants for free advice about how these self-employed independent contractors can minimize their income taxes. If I can, I try to weasel my way out of the discussion, offering up such basic tidbits as, “Well, be sure to look at the home office deduction.” And “make sure you’re taking advantage of deductions for health insurance and pension funds.” Usually, those simplistic answers work. Everyone once in a while, though, I encounter some guy who’s really motivated to […]