Finances

Someone once said, 'the best way to calculate your taxes is? Honestly'. For 2005, add 'Smartly' to that and you'll get to keep more than you make. This April 15th is going to be the day of reckoning for every taxpayer. If you are smart enough with your accounting and keep your eyes and ears open, this could be your favorite day of the year. Take full advantage of tax deductions due you and you can come back richer from the IRS office. As a home business owner who has been keeping track of every dollar spent, you can make a killing on your tax deductions with these smart taxpayer tips....

To read farther

"Deducting Meals and Entertainment" O. K. You've been working really hard on these lessons. Now its time for some fun. Are you with me? Imagine if you could spend time with friends, eating, drinking and seeing shows and your company could foot the bill? Wouldn't that be GREAT! Fasten your seat belt, we're going on a (tax-deductible) journey? Well, if I have lunch or dinner with a friend, that's NOT tax deductible. But, if I discuss business with that same person, suddenly it becomes a deductible expense....

To read farther

The Internal Revenue Service has certified the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as being eligible for the clean-burning fuel deduction. This certification means that taxpayers who purchase one of these hybrid vehicles new during calendar year 2005 may claim a tax deduction of up to $2000 on Form 1040. Under Working Families Relief Act of 2004, which was signed into law in October of 2004, the clean-burning fuel deduction is limited to up to $2,000 for certified vehicles first put into service in 2005 and $500 for vehicles placed in service in 2006....

To read farther

Overview In the Pre-Budget Report of December 2003 the Chancellor Gordon Brown announced proposals to levy an Income Tax charge from 6th April 2005 in those circumstances where the transferor of an asset retains and interest or continues to benefit from that asset. In the instance of real property, the 'benefit' envisaged is the transferor continuing to reside in the property he/she has allegedly given away. How the Charge Applies The Government refer to such assets as 'pre-owned assets' and, broadly speaking, its intention is to tax the 'annual value' of such assets as a benefit-in-kind on the former owner still enjoying the use of the asset....

To read farther

While there are many equally valid reasons to incorporate, saving money on taxes is a consideration that can yield relatively immediate results. Leasing assets to your corporation is a tax strategy you should absolutely consider if you already have a corporation or are thinking about forming one. Here's how it works. Just because you incorporate doesn't mean that the corporation must own all of the assets it uses. In fact there are many legal, tax and financial considerations for NOT having your corporation own its own assets....

To read farther

Adding Your First Additional Stream of Income Most new wealth builders currently have a full-time job. After realizing that means "Just ----Over Broke" they commit to quitting their job and starting their own business. The concept is good, but let's turn it around some. One of the philosophies of the wealthy is to reduce risk. In this scenario, that means keeping your job until your business has been firmly established. That's because the biggest stress point for new businesses is cash flow....

To read farther

Are you in the middle of a disagreement with the IRS? One of the guaranteed rights for all taxpayers is the right to appeal. If you disagree with the IRS about the amount of your tax liability or about proposed collection actions, you have the right to ask the IRS Appeals Office to review your case. During their contact with taxpayers, IRS employees are required to explain and protect these taxpayer rights, including the right to appeal. The IRS appeals system is for people who do not agree with the results of an examination of their tax returns or other adjustments to their tax liability....

To read farther

A Federal Tax Lien (FTL) is a legal instrument that secures the claim of the United States in the right, title, and interest of a debtor taxpayer's assets. It is a public document and is recorded at the County Clerk's office or the Secretary of State, depending on local law. This is done to serve notice on all creditors or other interested parties of the government's claim. The Federal Tax Lien is a negative item on the credit bureau report of the debtor. It may result in some creditors calling in their notes upon becoming aware of the FTL....

To read farther

The means and types of businesses have transformed with advent of era of e-commerce, resulting in global seller and buyer. The Internet offers consumer choice, business efficiency and recreation. As a means of global communication it is so powerful in operation, yet so simple to use. Coupled by these benefit, there have emerged legal issues e. g. conflict of laws, consumer protection, securities and privacy, etc and to address these issues, we have to make amendments in substantive and procedural laws for providing legal framework for collection of taxes generated by e-commerce activities....

To read farther

Do you realize that some tax forms ask you to check a box if you are BLIND? Quote: "Two years ago it was impossible to get through on the phone to the IRS. Now it's just hard to get through. That's progress." - Charles Rossotti, former IRS Commissioner Disappointed that you never had time to write the great American novel? Don't fret, just go dig out your past tax returns. Quote: "The Eiffel Tower is the Empire State Building after taxes." Under the Freedom of Information Act, a man with a small business sent a request to the IRS asking if they had a file on him....

To read farther