Health Savings Accounts

Can HSA money be rolled into a IRA?

Asked Friday, June 22, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

No, it can only be rolled over into another qualified HSA without incurring tax consequences.
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Health Savings Accounts

What happens to my HSA when I die?

Asked Friday, June 22, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Your HSA will be treated as your surviving spouse’s HSA, but only if your spouse is the named beneficiary. If there is no surviving spouse or your spouse is not the beneficiary, then the savings account will cease to be an HSA and will be included in the federal gross income of your estate or named beneficiary.
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Health Savings Accounts

HSA Catch-up Contributions - 55 or older

Asked Friday, June 22, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Individuals aged 55 and over may contribute an additional $1,000 above the maximum for each tax year.
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Fringe Benefits

Medical Savings Accounts

Asked Friday, June 22, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) are available to employees of small businesses and self-employed individuals if they participate in high-deductible health plans. The deductible limits and out-of-pocket limits in connection with these plans differ from those for HSAs.
For tax years beginning in 2012, the annual deductible for an MSA high-deductible health plan may not be less than $2,100 and not more than $3,150 for single coverage, and not less than $4,200 and not more than $6,300 for family coverage. Also, annual out-of-pocket expenses (exclusive of premiums) cannot exceed $4,200 for single coverage and $7,650 for family coverage.
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Credits

Foreign earned income deduction

Asked Thursday, June 14, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The foreign earned-income exclusion amount under tax code Section 911(b)(2)(D)(i) will increase in 2016 to $101,300 from $100,800,
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Credits

Lifetime Learning Credit - 2016

Asked Thursday, June 14, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

A $2,000 credit is available for qualified expenses paid for post-secondary degree programs or for a non-degree program to acquire or improve job skills.
It is not limited to the first 4 years of postsecondary education.
Qualified expenses include tuition, course related books, activity fees and any equipment that must be purchased from the educational institution as a condition of enrollment. Room & Board expenses do not qualify.
The modified adjusted gross income threshold at which the lifetime learning credit begins to phase out is $111,000 to $131,000 for joint filers, and $55,000 to $65,000 for singles
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Credits

Earned Income Tax Credit - 2013

Asked Thursday, June 14, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than: $46,227 ($51,567 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children $43,038 ($48,378 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children $37,870 ($43,210 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child $14,340 ($19,680 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
Tax Year 2013 maximum credit:
$6,044 with three or more qualifying children $5,372 with two qualifying children $3,250 with one qualifying child $487 with no qualifying children
Investment income must be $3,300 or less for the year.
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Taxes - My Tax Return

Interest Rates for the year 2013 for Individuals ?

Asked Tuesday, June 12, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Interest Rates for Q1, Q2 and Q3 for 2013 will continue to be charged as follows:
3% for overpayments (2% for corporations)
3% for underpayments
5% for large corporate underpayments
0.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment in excess of $10k.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on a quarterly basis. For taxpayers other than corporations, the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points.
The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point. Further, the federal short-term rate that applies during the third month following the taxable year also applies when determining estimated tax underpayments during the first 15 days of the fourth month following the taxable year
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Five Last Minute Refund Tips

Don't Overlook the value of the IRA deduction

Asked Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

An IRA deduction can save you from $650 to $2,574 depending on your filing status and tax bracket on your federal tax return.
If you are under 50 you can put up to $5,500, Over 50 you can put up to $6,500.
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Five Last Minute Refund Tips

Check to see if you have worthless stock or loans that are completely uncollectible

Asked Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

You can deduct the loss on a worthless security without selling it but only if the stock or loan is completely worthless. If it is truly worthless, you can treat the item on your return as if it were a short term capital asset you sold for $0 on the last day of the tax year. In fact you can take a write-off over and above your gains to the extent of $3,000 this year.
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