Ask a CPA

This safe harbor method is an alternative to the calculation, allocation, and substantiation of actual expenses for purposes of satisfying the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
The new optional deduction is capped at $1,500 per year and is based on $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet.
Homeowners using the new option cannot depreciate the portion of their home used in a trade or business nor deduct actual expenses related to the qualified business use of that home. Also, they may not carryover any excess deductions in any other taxable year.
The current restrictions on the home office deduction, such as the requirement that a home office must be used exclusively and regularly for business and the limit tied to the income derived from the particular business, still apply under the new option.

For victims of identity theft who have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not achieved a resolution to their case, they can contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service toll-free at 877-777-4778.

For victims of identity theft who have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not achieved a resolution to their case, they can contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free, at 800-908-4490.
If victims can’t get their issue resolved and are experiencing financial difficulties, contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service toll-free at 877-777-4778.

In addition to contacting the IRS, you should take additional steps with agencies outside the IRS:
Report incidents of identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.ftc.gov or the FTC Identity Theft hotline at 877-438-4338 or TTY 866-653-4261.
File a report with the local police.
Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus:Equifax – www.equifax.com, 800-525-6285, Experian – www.experian.com, 888-397-3742, TransUnion – www.transunion.com, 800-680-7289Br> •Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

If you receive a notice from IRS and you suspect your identity has been used fraudulently, respond immediately by calling the number on the notice.
If you did not receive a notice but believe you’ve been the victim of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490, extension 245 right away so we can take steps to secure your tax account and match your SSN or ITIN.
Also, fill out the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039. Please write legibly and follow the directions on the back of the form that relate to your specific circumstances.

Taxpayers can find more information on claiming EITC on irs.gov/eitc. The EITC Assistant available on irs.gov/eitc or the Instructions for Form 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ can help individuals determine their eligibility.
The instructions contain a worksheet and the earned income credit table to help determine the amount of the credit.

Special Rule for Combat Pay. Combat pay received by members of the military serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other combat zone localities is usually exempt from tax.
But under a special rule, the taxpayer can choose to count all of this as taxable income when figuring the EITC. In many cases, making this choice enables the person to claim the credit, or if already eligible, claim a larger credit.

Special Rule for Combat Pay. Combat pay received by members of the military serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other combat zone localities is usually exempt from tax.
But under a special rule, the taxpayer can choose to count all of this as taxable income when figuring the EITC. In many cases, making this choice enables the person to claim the credit, or if already eligible, claim a larger credit.

Taxpayers without a qualifying child must meet three additional tests.
Lived in the U.S. for more than half of 2016, at the end of 2016, was at least age 25, but under age 65, cannot qualify as the dependent of another person.

People who claim the credit, based on having one or more qualifying children, each child must meet the relationship test, age test, residency test and joint return test. Each child must meet all four tests.
Relationship test. The child is the taxpayer’s: •Son or daughter, including an adopted child or child placed for adoption •Stepchild or grandchild •Foster child placed by an authorized placement agency or court •Brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, or •A descendant of any of them
Age test. At the end of 2016, the child was: •Younger than the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse if filing a joint return and younger than 19 •Younger than the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse if filing a joint return and younger than 24 and a full-time student, or •Any age if permanently and totally disabled
Residency test. The child lived with the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse if filing a joint return in the U.S. for more than half of 2016.
Joint Return test. A qualifying child who files a joint return can only do so to claim a refund with neither the child nor child’s spouse being required to file.
More than one person cannot claim the same qualifying child to claim EITC. If a child meets the rules to be a qualifying child of more than one person, only one person can use that child to claim the EITC. Also, if the child qualifies for both a parent and another person, the other person can only get the credit by having a higher AGI than the parent.