Tax Law changes - 2013

401(k), 403(b), 457 and TSP plans - Maximum 2013 Contribution limits

Asked Tuesday, February 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The limit on employee elective deferrals is $17,500 for 2013. ($17,000 for 2012) and $23,000 if age 50 or older ($22,500 in 2012)
The catch up contribution limit for employees 50 and over remains unchanged at $5,500.
Generally, all elective deferrals made to all plans in which you participate are aggregated to determine if you have exceeded these limits.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Retirement Plans Maximum Limitations - 2013

Asked Tuesday, February 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

IRA Contributions $5,500 - IRA Catch-up Contributions $1,000 - Defined Benefit Plan Benefit $205,000 - Defined Contribution Plan Allocation $51,000 - 401(K) or 403(b)
Salary reduction deferrals $17,500 - 401(k) or 403(b) Catch-up Contributions $5,500 - SIMPLE plans $12,000 - SIMPLE plan Catch-up Contributions $2,500 -
Salary for pension plan $255,000 - Salary for highly compensated employee $115,000 - Salary for Key employee $165,000 - Salary for SEP eligibility $550
Social Security Taxable Wage base $113,700 -
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American Opportunity Credit

American Opportunity Credit - Academic period

Asked Tuesday, February 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

An academic period is any quarter, semester, trimester or any other period of study as resonable determined by an eligible educational institution.
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Most Asked Questions

Online Payment options - Installment Agreement

Asked Tuesday, February 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

You can make monthly payments through an installment agreement if you're not financially able to pay your tax debt immediately.
Apply for an installment agreement •Apply online if you owe $50,000 or less in combined individual income tax, penalties and interest.
Go to http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Online-Payment-Agreement-Application to apply for a payment agreement with the IRS.
Fees for setting up an installment agreement: •$52 for a direct debit agreement; •$105 for a standard agreement or payroll deduction agreement; or •$43 if your income is below a certain level.
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American Opportunity Credit

American Opportunity Credit - Eligible Educational Institution

Asked Tuesday, February 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

An eligible educational institution is generally any Accredited public, nonprofit, or private college, university, vocational school or other postsecondary institution.
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American Opportunity Credit

American Opportunity Credit - claiming the dependent's expenses

Asked Tuesday, February 05, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If a student is claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, all qualifying educational expenses of the student are treated as having been paid by that person.
if a student is not claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return, only the student can claim the credit.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Teacher's deduction

Asked Thursday, January 31, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

An eligible educator's above the line deduction for up to $250 in qualified classroom expenses has been extended from 2011 to 2012 and 2013.
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Tax Law Highlights - 2012

Teacher's deduction

Asked Thursday, January 31, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

An eligible educator's above the line deduction for up to $250 in qualified classroom expenses has been extended from 2011 to 2012 and 2013.
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Social Security

Social Security - Mailing of Paper checks to end

Asked Thursday, January 31, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

On March 1, 2013, the Treasury department will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security recipients. Retirees will be required to choose to have their Social Security payments either directly deposited into a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a prepaid Direct Express Debit MasterCard.
New Social Security beneficiaries have been required to choose an electronic payment option since May 2011, and approximately 93 % of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments are already being made electronically.
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Tax Law changes - 2013

Social Security - Mailing of Paper checks to end

Asked Thursday, January 31, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

On March 1, 2013, the Treasury department will stop mailing paper checks to Social Security recipients. Retirees will be required to choose to have their Social Security payments either directly deposited into a bank or credit union account or loaded onto a prepaid Direct Express Debit MasterCard.
New Social Security beneficiaries have been required to choose an electronic payment option since May 2011, and approximately 93 % of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments are already being made electronically.
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