Missing a W-2? Here’s What To Do….
Ministers working for a church or church agency should receive a Form W-2 by January 31, 2011. Ministers who report their federal income taxes as self-employed on Form 1099, may face a significant risk of additional taxes and penalties, if they are audited and reclassified as employees by the IRS. Before you file your 2010…
Want Your Tax Refund Fast – Choose Direct Deposit
Direct Deposit is the fastest, safest way to receive your tax refund. An e-filed tax return means a fast refund. Taxpayers who combine e-file and Direct Deposit can get their refunds in as few as 10 days. Here are three reasons more than 73 million taxpayers chose Direct Deposit in 2010: Security Thousands of paper…
Eight Tax Benefits for Parents
Did you know that your children may help you qualify for some tax benefits? Here are 8 tax benefits to consider when filing your tax returns this year. Dependents. In most cases, a child can be claimed as a dependent in the year they were born. Child Tax Credit. You may be able to take…
Two Tax Credits to Help Pay Higher Education Costs
There are two federal tax credits available to help you offset the costs of higher education for yourself or your dependents. These are the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. To qualify for either credit, you must pay postsecondary tuition and fees for yourself, your spouse or your dependent. The credit may be…
New Tax Court Ruling on Clergy Housing Allowance & Multiple Homes
Phil Driscoll owns two homes. One in Cleveland Tennessee and a lake home outside of Cleveland Tennessee. Phil Driscoll is an ordained gospel minister. Phil Driscoll Ministries paid for both homes and it was excluded from his income under the Pastor’s Housing allowance under Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The IRS…
Five Important Facts about Dependents and Exemptions
Some tax rules affect every person who may have to file a federal income tax return – these rules include dependents and exemptions. Here are six important facts you should know about dependents and exemptions that will help you file your 2010 tax return. 1. Exemptions reduce your taxable income. There are two types of…
Holidays & Weekends Affect 2011 Tax Deadlines
Every year, taxpayers in the United States have until April 15 to file their tax return or file an extension. Normally, the only exception is if April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or national holiday. This year taxpayers get will an extra three days to file their 2010 tax returns due to a Washington …
IRS Delays Start of Filing Season For Some Taxpayers
Clergy who claim deductions for home-mortgage interest, gifts to charity and state and local taxes will have to wait until middle to late February to file their 2010 returns. The Internal Revenue Service attributed the late start of the filing season to changes in tax law for 2010 that were finished last week. The agency…
IRS Updates Mileage Rates for 2011
2011 Standard Mileage Rates The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2011 standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for ministry, business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2011, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, or pickups ) are listed below….
Am I allowed to deduct a fundraiser as a charitable contribution?
The topic of today’s post comes from a reader. Remember, if there’s a tax topic you’d like to see covered in an upcoming edition of the Clergy Tax Law Blog. E-mail your topic to our office and it may be included in an upcoming edition. Dear Clergy Financial, Just a question on deducting charitable donations. …