Ask a CPA
The most frequently asked tax questions, answered by our network of licensed accountants.
Can't find the answer to your question? Ask a tax question.
Lifetime Learning Credit - 2013
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA 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 $107,000 for joint filers, up from $104,000, and $53,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $52,000.
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 $107,000 for joint filers, up from $104,000, and $53,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $52,000.
Foreign Earned Income Deduction - 2013
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The foreign earned income deduction rises to $97,600, an increase of $2,500 from the maximum deduction for tax year 2012.
Foreign earned income deduction
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA 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,
Earned Income Tax Credit
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
For tax year 2016, the maximum earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate- income workers and working families Maximum Credit Amounts
The maximum amount of credit for Tax Year 2016 is:
$6,269 with three or more qualifying children
$5,572 with two qualifying children,
$3,373 with one qualifying child
$506 with no qualifying children
$5,572 with two qualifying children,
$3,373 with one qualifying child
$506 with no qualifying children
Earned Income Tax Credit
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
For tax year 2016, the maximum earned income tax credit (EITC) for low- and moderate- income workers and working families Maximum Credit Amounts
The maximum amount of credit for Tax Year 2016 is:
$6,269 with three or more qualifying children
$5,572 with two qualifying children,
$3,373 with one qualifying child
$506 with no qualifying children
$5,572 with two qualifying children,
$3,373 with one qualifying child
$506 with no qualifying children
Lower Capital Gains - 2012
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
Lower Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates Extended Through 2012.
The tax rate reductions for long-term capital gains remain in effect for 2011 and 2012.
If tax bracket = 10% or 15% the Short Term CG taxed at ordinary rates
Long Term CG and Qualifing Dividends tax rate = 0%
If tax bracket = greater than 15% the Short Term CG taxed at ordinary rates
Long Term CG and Qualifing Dividends tax rate = 15%
The tax rate reductions for long-term capital gains remain in effect for 2011 and 2012.
If tax bracket = 10% or 15% the Short Term CG taxed at ordinary rates
Long Term CG and Qualifing Dividends tax rate = 0%
If tax bracket = greater than 15% the Short Term CG taxed at ordinary rates
Long Term CG and Qualifing Dividends tax rate = 15%
American Opportunity Credit
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
A credit is available up to $2,500 per student for the first 4 years of higher education for 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 phase out for married taxpayers is Adjusted Gross Income between $160,000- $180,000.
The phase out is between $80,000 and $90,000 for single, head of household or qualifying widower(s) filing status taxpayers.
Married filing separately status are not allowed a American Opportunity credit.
The phase out for married taxpayers is Adjusted Gross Income between $160,000- $180,000.
The phase out is between $80,000 and $90,000 for single, head of household or qualifying widower(s) filing status taxpayers.
Married filing separately status are not allowed a American Opportunity credit.
American Opportunity Credit
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The American Opportunity Tax Credit remains in effect through 2016.
A credit is available up to $2,500 per student for the first 4 years of higher education for 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 credit begins to phase out for single taxpayers who have adjusted gross income between $80,000 and $90,000 and for joint tax filers when adjusted gross income is between $160,000 and $180,000. The credit is unavailable to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds the $90,000 and $180,000 thresholds.
A credit is available up to $2,500 per student for the first 4 years of higher education for 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 credit begins to phase out for single taxpayers who have adjusted gross income between $80,000 and $90,000 and for joint tax filers when adjusted gross income is between $160,000 and $180,000. The credit is unavailable to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds the $90,000 and $180,000 thresholds.
Child Tax Credit
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The credit of $1,000 per eligible child.
Child Tax Credit
Asked Thursday, April 05, 2012 by an anonymous userCPA Answer:
The credit of $1,000 per eligible child.