A Guide to State Bank Garnishment Laws


by Jill Bridges on December 02, 2018  0 Comment

A Guide to State Bank Garnishment Laws
If a creditor has obtained judgment against you, they may try to seize money from your bank account or wages to pay an overdue debt. This is known as bank account garnishment, wage garnishment, or a levy.In most cases, this requires a court order to proceed, but the federal government can issue a levy without the involvement of a court. Fortunately, there are many specific laws at the federal and state levels that apply to levies and may protect your funds. Bank Account Garnishment Process In the event that a bank receives a notice of a levy, they are required to immediately freeze the debtor's account. When this occurs, you're unable to withdraw money, and if you don't have ...

What is the Statute of Limitations on Back Taxes?


by Andrea Miller on December 02, 2018  0 Comment

What is the Statute of Limitations on Back Taxes?
If you're living under the shadow of unpaid taxes, it's likely that you have a variety of questions, including how long the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has to come after your back taxes. Fortunately, your back taxes is subject to a statute of limitations (SOL).After the statute of limitations has expired, there are only a few circumstances in which the IRS can come after you for unpaid taxes. Here are a few things about the statute of limitations on back taxes that you should know if you have unpaid taxes hanging over your head. What is a Statute of Limitations? If you're not familiar with the term “statute of limitations,” the best way to think of it is as ...

Does Bankruptcy Clear Back Taxes?


by Andrea Miller on December 02, 2018  0 Comment

Does Bankruptcy Clear Back Taxes?
If you're struggling with back taxes you're unable to pay, you may have considered bankruptcy. Bankruptcy removes your responsibility for certain types of unsecured debts. But is filing bankruptcy an effective way to clear your back taxes? Only some types of back taxes will be wiped out if you file, so it's not always in your best interest to do so. Here's what you need to know if you are thinking about bankruptcy but owe money to the IRS. When Can Back Taxes Be Discharged? If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the most common type for individual taxpayers, some or all of your back taxes may be discharged. Discharged means that you are no longer responsible for paying the back ...

Tax Tips for Nurses


by Andrea Miller on November 29, 2018  0 Comment

Tax Tips for Nurses
Nursing is an attractive career for those who want to serve others while enjoying challenging work, competitive pay, and the opportunity for professional growth. If you're a nurse, keep in mind these tax tips to maximize your potential refund. Nurse-Specific Tax Deductions Itemizing your tax deductions can potentially reduce your tax burden compared to taking the standard deduction, depending on the total amount of your deductions. Nurses might be unaware of certain professional deductions they can claim on their tax returns, including:Medical supplies and tools beyond what your employer provides. For example, perhaps you purchased your own stethoscope; the cost is tax-deductible. Keep in mind that equipment that will be used for longer than a year must be deducted ...

Reduce Your Federal Back Taxes With These Actions


by Shannon McKee on November 28, 2018  0 Comment

Reduce Your Federal Back Taxes With These Actions
Most individuals that file taxes consider how they can go about not owing anything and getting a larger refund. With a little planning, it's possible. It's all about being proactive about your finances and tax debt. These may seem like little tricks, but they can make a huge difference when it comes time to pay your tax debt. Who wouldn't want a larger refund check from the federal government? The good news is that anyone can implement these changes. They don't require a large salary or a big checking account balance. Change Your Withholding Amount One of the easiest things you can do to reduce the amount of tax you owe is to change the amount you withhold from your ...

How Will a Deed in Lieu Impact Your Taxes?


by Andrea Miller on November 28, 2018  0 Comment

How Will a Deed in Lieu Impact Your Taxes?
If you've struggled to pay your mortgage, you might have heard the term "deed in lieu of foreclosure" as a possible solution to your situation. A deed in lieu agreement means you will surrender the deed for your home to the bank instead of the bank taking action to foreclose on your home. However, if you owe more than the home is worth, the bank will forgive the remaining loan balance. Although tax consequences apply to many debt forgiveness arrangements, a tax forgiveness measure in 2016 may relieve those who successfully negotiate a deed in lieu. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act This 2007 law waives the provision in which the IRS considers forgiven mortgage debt taxable income. Previously, homeowners ...

Taxes for Rideshare/Uber Drivers


by Anna Chumakova on November 28, 2018  0 Comment

Taxes for Rideshare/Uber Drivers
If you recently began driving for Uber, whether full-time or just to make some cash for holidays, you need to know about the tax implications of providing ridesharing services. When you are self-employed, as is the case with Uber drivers, your income tax filing requirements are completely different than those for employees. To prevent any unpleasant surprises, such as back taxes, let's review what changes are in store once you start working for yourself, and discuss your new tax filing process. Uber Drivers Tax Classification Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors providing driver services. At the end of the year, they usually receive Form 1099 instead of a W-2 used for employees. Since Uber drivers are non-employees, Uber doesn't ...

How Long the IRS Can Look Back to Audit Mistakes?


by Shannon McKee on October 30, 2018  0 Comment

Filing your tax return to the IRS can be an absurdly arcane process depending on who you are. Business owners, people with foreign assets, and even charity contributors all seem to have extra hoops to jump through to satisfy the IRS. It is not surprising that people make audit mistakes under those circumstances. In some cases, these mistakes can result in you understating your income, which is the best way to get on the IRS's bad books. With that said, what is the statute of limitation for an IRS audit? Standard Procedure You have been notified that the IRS suspects that your banking activities are not entirely on the up and up. Given that the issue is only a minor ...

What to Know About IRS Installment Payments


by Anna Chumakova on October 30, 2018  0 Comment

What to Know About IRS Installment Payments
The IRS offers a variety of installment-plan options to help taxpayers pay their back taxes. Although it might be easier to pay the amount you owe in smaller increments, all installment agreements generate penalties and interest.  Both short-term and long-term plans are available, depending on how much you owe, and special setup-fee options are available for low-income taxpayers.Thing's aren't looking good. You've hit rock bottom. Back taxes are at your doorstep and you have no way to make the payments — or do you? If that description sounds applicable to you, then keep reading to learn what you can and should do to improve your back tax situation. No solution is going to be completely flawless, but installment payments ...

Save Yourself From These Common IRS Penalties


by Jill Bridges on October 30, 2018  0 Comment

Save Yourself From These Common IRS Penalties
Every year, countless taxpayers find themselves penalized by the IRS for a problem with their tax returns. Failure to file and failure to pay are the two most common reasons for IRS penalties, and it's also possible to face combined penalties. There are several penalty-assistance options available to taxpayers, including a first-time penalty abatement or an administrative and statutory waiver.Filing your taxes can be one of the most challenging processes that you do each year. Not only is it a tedious task, but there are many elements that can go wrong if you are not careful. Missing deadlines and making calculation errors is only the start of your problems. Failure to meet certain requirements can result in IRS penalties ...