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Archives for April 2022

tax brackets

Biggest Tax Credits You May Qualify For

Everyone is looking for ways to reduce their tax liability. There are dozens of ways business owners can reduce their taxes, but not necessarily for the average person. The following are 5 big tax credits that you may qualify for without even knowing it.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The EITC is one of the best-known credits. It can range from a few hundred to several thousand, depending on the number of children you have and your filing status. The credit will factor in your adjusted gross income, investment income and earned income. You won’t qualify if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes, lived outside the U.S. for 6 months or more, or earned more than $10,000 in investment income. You may be able to claim children up to 24 years of age if certain criteria are met.

American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)

Formerly known as the Hope Credit, the AOTC helps if you’re paying for college expenses that includes tuition and course materials. The allowable amount is determined according to your modified adjusted gross income. Students must be enrolled at least half time and the credit is available on a per-student basis.

Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC)

You can claim this to help offset the costs of post-secondary education, even if you’re not pursuing a degree. It’s available to those within specific income brackets.

Child and Dependent Care Credit (CDCC)

The credit is available to help mitigate the costs of child care services for children under age 13 so parents can work. The credit also encompasses caring for a spouse, parents, or other individual that’s mentally or physically incapable of caring for themselves.

Savers Tax Credit (STC)

Previously known as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, it provides a credit if you contribute to retirement plans encompassing a 401(k), investment retirement accounts, and some other types of retirement plans. Age, along with dependent and student status will be factored in.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

 

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What is the Penalty for Not Paying Taxes?

Individuals that don’t pay their taxes in full by the deadline of April 15 each year are subject to a monetary penalty. The IRS can charge up to 6 percent interest on the unpaid balance and may choose to add a late payment penalty of 0.5 to 25 percent. Individuals that don’t pay their taxes are digging themselves a financial hole that can be almost impossible to escape.

Notices about the unpaid balance will begin to arrive and the letters will take on a more severe tone the longer a taxpayer ignores them. The IRS may place a tax lien against any property and financial assets that the person owns. The IRS will then be entitled to some or all of the money if an asset is sold.

Even if the actions aren’t reported on the taxpayer’s credit report, liens are part of public records. It can affect the person’s ability to maintain security clearance, obtain employment, a credit card or loan. Filing bankruptcy is no guarantee that the lien or tax bill will be dismissed.

The account may be sent to a collection agency for recovery. For those that owe tens of thousands of dollars or more, an individual could receive a visit from a revenue officer. During this time, the IRS may begin seizing assets.

The law says the IRS can take the taxpayer’s vehicle to sell at auction, 401(k) accounts, IRAs and homes. The State Department may get involved and can refuse to renew or issue a passport or revoke an existing passport.

However, what many don’t know is that the IRS generally won’t pursue individuals for unpaid taxes after 10 years, but they might, due to the 10 Year Statute of Limitations. The IRS doesn’t consider it in their best interests or cost effective to continue trying to collect and will wipe it clean from their books. It’s a complicated process that can be temporarily suspended under circumstances and the only one qualified to advise an individual on this is a tax professional.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

 

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Can You Write Off Pets on Your Taxes?

Pets are members of the family, but as much as you love them you can’t claim them on your annual tax return – unless they’re a certified service animal. You can’t claim them as a deduction, but you can claim the cost of their medical care, training and maintenance.

The IRS doesn’t recognize therapy animals as certified service animals. If you’re visually impaired, have audio deficits, or have a physical disability, then you can claim certain expenses for your service animal. Be very careful when trying to claim expenses for an animal on your taxes. It’s best to hire a tax professional or you could find yourself running afoul of the IRS.

Some of the expenses you can claim for your certified service dog includes veterinary bills, grooming, training and pet food. Be aware that you’ll need a doctor’s prescription indicating the need for the animal and a receipt for every expense.

The IRS recognizes service dogs for tax purposes. No other animals are allowed and are typically considered farm animals. However, if you have a business, you’re self-employed, and can prove the dog provides a service for the business, you can write off his/her expenses.

An example would be a Doberman or mastiff as a guard dog, but not a Yorkie or Pomeranian. You may also be able to claim a cat as rodent control, provided they live at the business. If the animal produces income through social media, breeding, animal shows, or films, TV or advertisements, there are expenses you can claim. Very precise records will need to be provided.

If you nurture dogs for charitable organizations, you can claim the associated costs as a charitable donation. A portion of travel costs related to volunteer work at a shelter or rescue can be deducted. You can only claim 7.5 percent of the costs of your adjusted gross income (AGI), and the amount will need to total more than your standard deduction.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

 

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tax deductions

Tax Write-Offs for Alarm Systems

Any business owner that’s been considering the installation of an alarm system should know they can deduct the cost on their federal tax return. The IRS recognizes a variety of qualifying equipment ranging from fire alarms to security systems if they were purchased or financed during the tax year.

Businesses can deduct the entire purchase price up to a specified limit and fire protection systems can now be written off. Allowable expenses include heat and smoke detection units, sensing devices, audible alarms, sprinkler systems, motion detectors, and door and window locks. Monitoring services may be deductible.

Individuals that work from home can deduct the cost of a security system as a business expense, within limits. The line between home office and business can be a little blurry. It’s best to hire a tax professional that is well-versed in the intricacies of the law. Those that work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic don’t qualify, as they’re employees not business owners.

To claim a security system installed at a home as a business expense, individuals will need to prove that the home is their principal place of business where they meet with patients or clients. The home must also be the exclusive space where inventory is stored. Daycare facilities and properties for rental use are included.

Individuals will need to establish the allowable area where business is conducted. The IRS allows people to deduct a portion of the security system in relation to the area actually used for business purposes. There are two ways that percentage can be determined, so be sure to calculate both ways for the maximum benefit.

As with all IRS rules, there are exceptions. The business expense can’t equal or exceed the individual’s income. However, business owners operating a business from their home can claim depreciation of the system for the portion that protects the business space.

At Peavy and Associates PC our mission is to assist you with all your tax preparations, payroll and accounting needs.  We provide our clients with professional, personalized accounting services and guidance in a wide range of financial and business needs. Give us a call today and discover why our clients return to Peavy and Associates, PC year after year!

 

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