Unanswered Tax Questions

Questions Asked by Users That Have Not Recieved a CPA Response.

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Personal Taxes

Can I file as head of household?

Asked onMonday, November 13, 2023 by John

My 16 year old daughter lives with me 4 days a week and 3 with her mother. I have always let her mother claim her, but I pay for her insurance and all medical and dental bills and anything else she needs. Can I file as head of household if I don't actually claim her on my taxes?


Business Formation

Etsy Shop

Asked onMonday, November 13, 2023 by Kendall

Hi, i live in KY and have opened an Etsy shop selling digital designs (PNG files) and there are no physical products. I am looking at getting a business license (likely single member LLC) but am curious about tax write offs. My husband purchased me a new laptop to use for the business as my credit limit was not high enough to afford the laptop. Would i be able to write off the expense of the laptop even though he purchased it? Or do i need to look at a different business model?


Personal Taxes

Overpaid sales tax on new car

Asked onSaturday, November 11, 2023 by Jarvis

I paid taxes on my new car but I paid too much. It was 34k car with 11k trade in and I was taxed at 34k and not 23k. How do I get the difference?


Personal Taxes

IRS Worksheet for Determining Support [for Dependent]

Asked onSaturday, November 11, 2023 by Brian

Here is the scenario. A single retired parent collecting social security benefits ($21k/yr) lives in Greater San Diego in a middle-class house with a young teenage son (son's total income $12k in social security benefits). Using the IRS 'Worksheet for Determining Support', calculations show the parent pays slightly more than 50% of the child's support ($12k child income/support, $12.5K parent support = total combined support $24.5K), thereby qualifying the son to be a "dependent". But since the numbers are very close, I suppose some amounts could possibly be disputed and the dependent status not accepted. So I just want to know if my numbers seem to be "in the ballpark" or if they might seem to the IRS to be off the mark and could possibly trigger an audit. I have seen articles online saying that the average cost of raising a child in Southern California is about $30k/yr so it looks like I'm in range, but I just want to be sure. Also, note that parent will file as 'Single' instead of 'HOH' since the filing status support criteria are somewhat stricter than the dependent status criteria. Preliminary 2023 tax return won't contain tax credits, won't have to pay any taxes, and won't be getting any refund. Thx, Brian


Personal Taxes

My employer is taken taxes out of my paycheck for my spouse who is not an employee

Asked onFriday, November 10, 2023 by Lakeisha

My job requires a spouse or domestic partner to open up a well portal account if they are going to be on our insurance so that they can do the biometrics. With them opening up their own separate accounts, they have the same access on their accounts as we do on ours. On of the choices that they have as we do is to complete some self verified activities each quarter and if they meet the goal they can earn $100 amazon gift card up to three times a year just as the employees can. My job makes us pay taxes on our gift cards that we receive each quarter if we meet the goal. We have learned that if our spouses or domestic partner completes the activity on their account they also receive the gift cards, however because my employer has no way of taxing them because they are not employees of theirs, they tax the employees paycheck without our permission for that spouse or domestic partner. We just gained knowledge of these and I am wondering if that is legal?


Payments and Penalties

How to best pay federal tax on taxable mutual fund capital gain distribution

Asked onFriday, November 10, 2023 by James

I have a taxable mutual fund that has been having large end of year capital gain distributions. How do I best pay federal tax on these so as to not incur a penalty? Only recently started social security and have no other place to increase tax withholding. Estimated tax is difficult since distributions can vary wildly.


Nonresident Tax Issues

If I am remote worker for a California business, when do I need to file a state tax return?

Asked onFriday, November 10, 2023 by Demi

I recently became hired as a freelancer (1099) to do copywriting for a company based in California. I live in Louisiana and anticipate making less than $10k per year with this freelance position. Would I still be require to file a state tax return with California?


Home Ownership

How long to reside in home to avoid capital gains

Asked onFriday, November 10, 2023 by Maryjane

We have resided in our home for 18 months do we pay capital gains if we previously used it as a rental home for 17 years prior to that if we sell our home or will it be prorated and only pay ΒΌ capital gains instead of none with the 2 of 5 year residence rule


Personal Taxes

Early withdrawal penalty question, Roth IRA

Asked onFriday, November 10, 2023 by Eva

I had to withdraw funds from my IRA to live on during this year. I am 41, getting divorced and suddenly stopped receiving support from my estranged partner this year. I will earn around 44,000 this year. I withdrew 20,000 early, at which time 10% was taken for taxes. How can I find out my tax burden for the early withdrawal?


Nonresident Tax Issues

Dual state properties Indiana and South Dakota

Asked onThursday, November 09, 2023 by Gilbert

Have 2 properties up for sale. Would it be more tax friendly for us to postpone selling one til after January 1st?...Or will it matter?