Minimum Wage

Minnesota

Asked Monday, December 30, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For 2014, the minimum wage is $6.15.
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Minimum Wage

Georgia

Asked Monday, December 30, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For 2014, the minimum wage is $5.15.
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Minimum Wage

North Dakota

Asked Monday, December 30, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

For 2014, the minimum wage is $7.25.
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Offers in Compromise

Processing fees for installment agreements will increase in 2014

Asked Friday, December 27, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Starting in 2014, the Internal Revenue Service plans to increase the processing fees for installment agreements and offers in compromise, in addition to other payment arrangements.
Effective January 1, 2014, processing fees for standard installment agreements will increase, Fees for direct debit installment agreements, however, will remain unchanged. Low-income fees and fee waivers will also be unchanged.
Starting January 1, 2014 the fee for entering into an installment agreement will increase from $105 to $120, according to the Federal Register. The fee for restructuring or reinstating an installment agreement will go up $5 from $45 to $50. The fee for processing an offer in compromise will rise from $150 to $186.
Under the regulations as originally proposed, the reduced fee of $43 for low-income taxpayers who request a new installment agreement would remain unchanged.
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Credits

Savers Credit

Asked Thursday, December 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The saver’s credit can increase a taxpayer’s refund or reduce the tax owed. Though the maximum saver’s credit is $1,000, $2,000 for married couples
The saver’s credit can be claimed by:Married couples filing jointly with incomes up to $59,000 in 2013 or $60,000 in 2014;
Heads of Household with incomes up to $44,250 in 2013 or $45,000 in 2014; and Married individuals filing separately and singles with incomes up to $29,500 in 2013 or $30,000 in 2014
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Pension Plan Limits

Catch-up contribution

Asked Thursday, December 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans is $6,000, In 2017, the total maximum contribution would be $18,000 plus $6,000 catch up = $24,000.
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Credits

Savers credit- limitations

Asked Thursday, December 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Eligible taxpayers must be at least 18 years of age.
Anyone claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return cannot take the credit.
A student cannot take the credit. A person enrolled as a full-time student during any part of 5 calendar months during the year is considered a student.
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Expiring Tax Provisions

2013 Tax Provisions due to expire as of November 2013 - Cancellation of Debt Income on Primary Residences

Asked Monday, November 25, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Debts that are forgiven or canceled are generally considered taxable income. A notable exception for the years 2007 through 2013 has been available for individuals whose mortgage debt is canceled as a result of a foreclosure, short sale or mortgage restructuring. In those cases, the mortgage debt forgiveness can qualify to be exempt from the income tax.
This special provision expires at the end of 2013. For 2014, mortgage debt that is canceled by a lender as part of a loan restructuring or foreclosure or short sale will be taxable, unless other exception applies.
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Expiring Tax Provisions

2013 Tax Provisions due to expire as of November 2013 - Mortgage Insurance Premiums

Asked Monday, November 25, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Deduction for Mortgage Insurance Premiums - Homeowners can deduct the cost of mortgage insurance premiums as part of their deduction for mortgage interest. However, this deduction expires at the end of 2013.
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Expiring Tax Provisions

2013 Tax Provisions due to expire as of November 2013 - Tuition deduction

Asked Monday, November 25, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

There are 57 tax provisions set to expire on December 31, 2013, Many taxpayers anticipate that these expiring provisions are going to be retroactively reinstated
Some popular ones that will effect some taxpayers are:
Tuition and Fees Deduction - The above-the-line deduction for college tuition expires at the end of 2013. For 2014, both the Lifetime Learning Credit and the American Opportunity Credit will be available for college students.
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