Taxes - My Tax Return

What is a Roth IRA ?

Asked Wednesday, October 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A Roth IRA is a special, nondeductible IRA. Earnings are tax-deferred and tax-free upon withdrawal if certain requirements are met. (If requirements are not met, taxes and penalties may apply). Contributions are not tax-deductible. You may continue making Roth IRA contributions after age 70 1/2 if you have earned income. Your modified adjusted gross income must be below certain limits depending on your tax filing status and you or your spouse must have earned income. You are not required to take mandatory distributions at any age during your lifetime. Non-spouse beneficiaries are subject to minimum distributions rules.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

What is a Keogh plan ?

Asked Wednesday, October 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A retirement plan that covers self-employed persons (sole proprietors or partners)is referred to as a Keogh or H.R. 10 plan. With partnerships, the Keogh must be set up by the partnership, not the partner. Employees who are at least 21 and have at least one year of service must be allowed to participate. Employer contributions are tax deductible subject to certain income limitations. Employees may be permitted to make nondeductible voluntary contributions. There are two types of Keogh plans. Different rules apply to both types of the plan. A Keogh plan can be set up as a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan which includes 3 types: a Money Purchase plan, Profit Sharing and a Combination of the two.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

What is the AMT - Alternative Minimum Tax?

Asked Wednesday, October 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

AMT stands for Alternative Minimum Tax. The Alternative Minimum Tax was developed in 1969 to make sure that wealthy taxpayers didn't escape paying income taxes. The tax was meant to target high-income taxpayers who may have many deductions and can sometimes avoid paying any income taxes at all.
To make sure that all taxpayers with substantial income are not able to avoid paying tax, the law limits the benefit a taxpayer can receive from favorable treatment of certain deductions and preferences.
The Alternative Minimum tax is computed on IRS Form 6251.
If the Alternative Minimum tax calculation results in a higher tax then the Regular income tax, then the difference is added to the Regular tax computation.
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Miscellaneous Income

Jury Duty

Asked Wednesday, October 18, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The jury duty pay you receive is taxable and reportable on IRS Form 1040, line 21 as other income.
Any pay you gave to your employer during your jury duty period is deductible from Adjusted Gross Income on IRS Form 1040, line 21.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

What income tax bracket do I fall into?

Asked Tuesday, October 17, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Your tax bracket is dependent on your filing status and your Taxable Income. Taxable Income is equal to your Gross Income, minus your itemized or standard deductions, minus your exemption amounts.
The tax bracket reflects the highest range of taxable income that your taxable income falls into and is taxed at that bracket rate. It does not mean that your "total" taxable income is taxed at that (10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, 35%,) bracket rate.
Therefore your tax liability on your taxable income is a graduated calculation.
The bottom layer of income is taxed at the 10% rate and the next layer is taxed at the 15% rate and the next layer is taxed at the 28% rate and the next layer is taxed at the 33% rate and the last layer is taxed at the 35% rate. This yields an "effective" blended rate at which your total income liability is calculated.
The current year consisits of 6 tax brackets and 6 tax rates. Income tax rates for individuals for the current year are 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33%, and 35%.
The higher bracket and rates start at $8,701, $35,351, $85,651, $177,651, and $388,351 for a single person;
$17,401, $70,700, $142,701, $217,451 and $388,351 for married filing jointly and Qualifying Widower; $12,401, $47,351, $122,301, $198,0501 and $388,351
for head of household: $8,701, $35,351, $71,351, $108,726, and $194,175 for married filing separately.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

In electronic filing, what is an ERO ?

Asked Monday, October 16, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

ER0 is the acronym for Electronic Return Originator. EROs have passed suitability and background checks by the IRS and are accepted into the Electronic Filing Program. This means that they can transmit tax returns via computer.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

Who can I contact if I feel I was discriminated against because of my age ?

Asked Thursday, October 12, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

When hiring, it is illegal to discriminate based on age, race, color, sex, disability, or national origin. If you feel you have been discriminated against, contact the US Department of Labor Office at 1 866-487-2365.
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Casualty Losses

If I did not file a claim on a casualty loss I incurred, can I still claim a deduction on my tax return?

Asked Thursday, October 12, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you are insured for the full loss you incurred, but you do not file a claim, you cannot claim a deduction on your tax return.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

Is the insurance payments I made for embezzlement deductible?

Asked Thursday, October 12, 2000 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Insurance policy premiums paid for the protection of your business covering such situaitons as embezzlement, burglary, accident, fire, storm, theft, workman's compensation, and public liability, are business expenses and are deductible.
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