Personal Taxes
The most frequently asked tax questions related to Personal Taxes
Are NYC line of duty injury payments to police officers and firefighters taxable ?
Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
No. Sick leave payments for NYC line-of-duty injuries are non-taxable.
Legal settlement
Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Legal damages or compensation awarded on account of a physical injury or physical sickness such as in an auto accident, are non-taxable.
Awards for emotional distress attributable to a physical injury or sickness are also non-taxable.
Generally, punitive damages are taxable even if they relate to a physical injury or sickness. Speak to your local CPA about the taxability of the award you received.
Awards for emotional distress attributable to a physical injury or sickness are also non-taxable.
Generally, punitive damages are taxable even if they relate to a physical injury or sickness. Speak to your local CPA about the taxability of the award you received.
Can I use income averaging on my tax return?
Asked Friday, September 22, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Income averaging is only available for farmers or Fisherman. Farmers are individuals, partnerships, corporations or syndicates that cultivate land, or raise or harvest any agricultural or horticultural commodity either as owners or tenants. A farmer may elect to average the current year's income over the three prior years using IRS Schedule J. Income averaging may not be elected by estates or trusts. Speak to your local CPA if you are a farmer or fisherman who is considering income averaging as a tax strategy.
Can I deduct the loss on the sale of my principal residence on my tax return?
Asked Thursday, September 21, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
No. You cannot deduct the loss on the sale of a principal residence on your tax return.
Can I use the loss I received from a Partnership K- 1 that was generated from a Publically Traded Partnership to offset income from other K-1s.?
Asked Monday, September 11, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
NO. A Publically Traded Partnership whose interests are traded on an established securities market. Passive activity losses from a Publically Traded Partnership can only be used to offset income or gain from passive activities of that same Publically Traded Partnership. The losses cannot be used to offset income of other entities.
Are funeral expenses deductible on my personal income tax return ?
Asked Monday, September 11, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
NO. Funeral expenses, including the funeral, burial or cremation costs, are deductible on the decedent's federal estate tax return, Form 706.
Is the amount I pay for rent deductible ?
Asked Monday, September 11, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
No. Rent payments are not deductible for Federal purposes. Some states allow a deduction or credit for rent paid. Speak to your local CPA for a possible deduction or credit on your state tax return.
Is the amount I pay for maintenance on my timeshare deductible ?
Asked Monday, September 11, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Generally, Yes. Timeshares can be considered second homes for mortgage interest deductions. Most timeshares can take advantage of the mortgage interest rules depending on the type of timeshare it is. Speak to your local CPA to determine the classification of the timeshare such as either a "fee simple" or "deeded" or "right to use" timeshare. This classification will determine its deductibility.
Are the total closing costs I paid when I purchased my house deductible?
Asked Monday, September 11, 2000 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
NO. Only the mortgage interest and real estate taxes paid at the closing are deductible in the year paid. The other costs at closing are added to your cost basis of the residence (and improvements over the years) to be used when you sell the residence to determine if there is a gain or loss on the sale.