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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There’s a lot of confusion about the definition of independent contractor when filing tax returns. According to the IRS, “An individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to direct the result of work, but not how it’s done or how it will be done.” The definition by the IRS doesn’t necessarily provide clarity for tax filers and serves to create more confusion.

Self-Employed

Independent contractors are considered to be self-employed. That means their earnings are subject to taxes, and they’ll pay Social Security and Medicare related taxes. Individuals that operate a part-time business are also considered to be self-employed, along with those that receive money in connection with hobbies and similar activities.

Net earnings of $400 or more from self-employment activity must be reported or if they meet other filing requirements as determined by the IRS. The IRS tax form 1040 or 1040-SR will be needed, along with Schedule C for losses. A 1099-NEC should be obtained for non-employee compensation.

Gig Workers

An independent contractor, as defined by the IRS, is especially important for the increasing number of gig workers. Income taxes aren’t withheld from their earnings and the full tax burden falls on them at tax time since they’re considered self-employed. The same rules and forms apply to gig workers as those that are self-employed.

Consider a Professional

The tax laws governing the self-employed can be extremely difficult to navigate. While most online tax services may be adequate for completing filing requirements and providing the needed forms, individuals that are considered self-employed can benefit from a professional tax preparer or a tax attorney.

The professionals will know exactly what forms are needed for each individual situation, along with any related deductions. Whether an individual is operating a full-time or part-time business in which they’re paid for their services, they’re considered self-employed for the purposes of the IRS.

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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The U.S. utilizes a progressive system of income tax in which individuals are taxed different amounts on each portion of their yearly income. It’s a confusing system that leaves taxpayers reeling. There are multiple tax brackets and each one is assigned a tax rate percentage. A person’s yearly income determines their tax rate.

Tax Brackets

When individuals file their annual taxes at the end of 2021, they’ll find 7 different tax brackets.

• 10 percent for $0 to $9,950
• 12 percent for $9,951 to $40,525
• 22 percent for $40, 526 to $86,375
• 24 percent for $88,376 to $164,925
• 32 percent for $164,926 to $209,425
• 35 percent for $209,426 to $523,600
• 37 percent for $523,601 ad over

The number of deductions claimed on federal income tax reduces the amount of taxable income. The more deductions an individual has, the less of their income will be taxed at a higher rate. There are a number of deductions that individuals can claim on their federal income tax to reduce their tax burden.

There are also dollar-for-dollar tax credits that can reduce the actual tax bill. Tax credits typically produce a better result than deductions. That doesn’t mean individuals will receive the difference in the form of a refund, just that they will have less to pay taxes on.

People can itemize deductions, but there are some types of itemizations that have limits on the dollar amount that can be claimed. However, deductions reduce the amount of taxable income, and thereby the amount of taxes to be paid. A number of life events, such as having a child, may qualify individuals for additional deductions and credits that reduce their tax liability.

Many individuals purchase income tax software or use an online tax service to do their taxes and those methods are acceptable for people with simple taxes to calculate. For those making $200,000 or more or who own a business, a tax accountant is a better option. The professionals are experts at finding legal ways to reduce tax burdens and the amount of taxes their clients have to pay.

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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There are a number of ways that even the average taxpayer can utilize to reduce their taxable income, thereby mitigating their tax burden. Those methods are also available to lower income earners of less than $100,000 per year. The following are just a few of the ways that people can use to lower their taxable income.

Charitable Donations

Taxpayers will need to itemize deductions to take advantage of the credit if they contribute more than $300 in cash or goods. Those with cash donations of $300 or less can also claim the deduction.

Earned Income Credit

Even individuals that aren’t required to pay taxes may qualify for the earned income tax credit (EITC) worth a maximum of $6,660, providing they meet income limits and other criteria. It’s available for single people with no children and married couples with 3 or more children.

Education

Higher education costs can net individuals a $2,500 per person tax credit. Adults that return to school or training can receive a $2,000 credit per year.

Health Care

A flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) sets aside a portion of earnings for out-of-pocket health care expenses and the money is untaxable. FSA contributions are limited to $2,750 per year and HSA contributions are capped at $3,600 per individual.

Home Business

Anyone operating a business from their home can claim a deduction for a portion of their home used as their office, equipment and supplies. The deduction can also be beneficial for individuals that have a side-hustle or are working in the gig economy.’

Military

Active military and military reserve personnel can deduct moving costs associated with a change of duty station.

Mortgage Insurance

Premiums to private mortgage insurance companies can be deducted if deductions are itemized.

Retirement Savings

Employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k) and 403(b) can contribute up to $19,500 and people over 50 can make catch-up contributions. The contributions are made before taxes and don’t count toward taxable income. An IRA serves the same purpose for those that are self-employed, though the contribution amounts are different.

Self-Employment

People that are self-employed can deduct 50 percent of the amount paid from income taxes to compensate them for paying the full amount for Social Security and Medicare taxes. Itemizing deductions isn’t required.

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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There’s a wealth of deductions that couples and parents of children can take to lessen their tax burden. Single people aren’t typically so fortunate, but there are ways that singles can utilize to reduce their monetary burden at tax time.

Adjust Withholding

A large tax refund is a good indication that an individual is having too much withheld from their paycheck. The solution is to file a new W-4 form with their employer. By reducing withholdings individuals will receive more money in each of their paychecks.

Health Care

A health care flex plan diverts money from a paycheck into an account that an individual can use to pay medical bills. Neither income taxes or Social Security taxes need to be paid on the money. The maximum contribution each year to a health care health plan is $2,500.

Job Hunting

For singles that are looking for a new position in the same line of work, job hunting expenses can be deducted. That includes transportation, food, lodging and other associated costs, not to exceed 2 percent of adjusted gross income. Moving costs can be claimed if a new job is more than 50 miles farther from the individual’s home. If the individual is using their own vehicle, they can claim 56 cents per mile, along with tolls and parking fees.

Restricted Stock

Taxes on stock received as a fringe benefit can be paid at the time of the stock’s value rather than until the restrictions disappear. The benefit is that the tax rate could be far more after the stock vests.

Side Hustles

Individuals that are making extra money at home through a side hustle can deduct a percentage of the space as a home office. However, individuals that make more than $400 may be taxed at the increased level reserved for the self-employed.

Pandemic

For singles that have been sharing their home with a family member of friend during the pandemic, if they’ve been providing more than 50 percent of that person’s living expenses, they can claim them as a dependent. Many people didn’t receive one or more of the three stimulus payments that were distributed by the federal government. For others, the full amount wasn’t received. Anyone that experienced one of those situations can claim the amount as a tax credit.

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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People that are self-employed typically pay a self-employment tax, income tax, and are required to file quarterly. Estimated taxes are similar to the Medicare and Social Security taxes that are withheld from a person’s paycheck. The goal for the self-employed is to subtract business expenses from business income to determine estimated taxes.

If expenses are less than income, the difference becomes net profit and part of the income. The reverse is also true. If expenses are more than income, the difference is the net loss. Net earnings of more than $400 requires the filing of self-employment taxes and the individual may also have to file an income tax return.

Since there’s no employer taking Medicare and Social Security taxes from a paycheck, those that are self-employed have to estimate their tax liability. Specialized forms and worksheets will be required and it’s at this point that most individuals hire a tax professional. They will know when the client needs to file and they have the advanced software needed for the complex computations. They can also e-file.

Business Structure

When an individual launches a business, they must decide what type of business structure the enterprise will follow to ensure they’re estimating the correct level of taxation. People most commonly establish a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership or S corporation. They may also choose to operate as a limited liability company (LLC), which is a relatively new type of entity that most states deemed allowable in the 1990s.

Joint Venture

When spouses form a business venture, it’s considered a joint venture for tax purposes and the rules are slightly different. They have the option, if they’re the only employees, to elect to file taxes individually rather than as a partnership.

Penalties

Business owners will find that they’re charged a penalty if they don’t pay enough taxes through estimated tax payments if they receive other income. Those sources can include alimony, dividends and capital gains, and prizes and awards. It’s just one of the reasons why it’s easier and more efficient to hire 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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A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an often-overlooked strategy that has tax advantages. An HSA allows individuals to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualifying medical expenses. The savings account can be used to pay for insurance copayments and other expenses that can save money on overall healthcare costs.

It’s important to remember that employer contributions will also figure toward those amounts. Individuals that contribute more than the allowable amount will incur a 6 percent tax. However, not everyone can take advantage of an HSA.

The HSA funds can be utilized at any time, but funds can only be contributed if individuals have a high deductible health plan – such as those available through the Health Insurance Marketplace. In 2022, individuals can contribute up to $3,650 and up to $7,300 for families. The funds also roll over from year to year if they’re not spent. HSAs have the potential to earn interest or other benefits that aren’t taxable.

Contributions

Contributions are tax free. They can be made through a pre-tax payroll deduction and isn’t counted as income so it can’t be taxed. Self-employed people can make pre-tax contributions and it won’t count as taxable income.

Interest

An HSA is a savings account and it will earn interest like any other savings account. The good news is that interest earned won’t be deemed as taxable income.

Withdrawals

Withdrawing funds to pay for allowable medical expenses can be done without penalty. An added bonus is that the HSA will perform like a traditional IRA once an individual turns 65 years old. Funds can then be withdrawn for any reason, not just for medical care and costs. However, individuals will be taxed on the money if they do. Anyone that’s enrolled in Medicare won’t be able to contribute to the HSA any longer. The good news is that any unused money that rolled over for all those years will still be there to pay for medical expenses tax free.

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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Filing income taxes can be difficult enough with the constant changes to IRS rules. The situation becomes significantly more difficult when a teen and their income are involved. You’ll need to have a variety of information at your fingertips. The IRS sets dollar amount limits and whether or not your teen will have to file a tax return will depend on their total income was from all sources.

Income Levels

Unlike adults, there’s more flexibility when a child is filing, but that can also make it more complicated. If your child has income above the level set by the IRS, he/she won’t need to file. However, when a child has both earned and unearned income, the two will have to be added together to determine their filing status.

Financial Support

You can claim your child if you provide more than 50 percent of their financial support, they live with you more than half the year, and they’re under the age of 19 during the entire year. You can claim them up to the age of 24 if they’re a full-time student, even if they live outside your home due to their education.

Wages and Salary

The type of income your child has will also affect their filing status. Dependent children that have earned income of more than $12,400 (as of 2020) through wages and salaries must file. They may also owe income taxes. A child’s standard deduction can’t exceed the larger of $1,100 or their earned income plus $350. The maximum is $12,400.

Investment Income

A child’s investment income is treated differently. It’s considered unearned income when acquired through dividend or interest payments, for example. If all the child’s money was unearned income, you can include it on your return and combine it with your income. However, doing so has the potential of elevating you to a higher tax bracket.

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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Over 55 million people are engaged in side hustles. Commonly known as the gig economy in today’s vernacular, people are turning to work they can do on their own terms to earn extra cash in addition to their regular jobs. Side hustles run the gamut from making handcrafts and freelance writing to dog walking and driving for ride-share companies.

The activities can generate significant funds to help people get out of debt, finance college, or save for retirement. It allows individuals to follow their passion, provides a measure of financial freedom, and allows for extreme flexibility on the part of the individual. What most people don’t realize is that they’ll also be responsible for paying taxes on their side hustle.

However, the IRS has an entirely different set of rules for people in the gig economy. If an individual makes more than $600 in a calendar year, they’ll have to report the money as earnings on their tax returns. The IRS then classifies individuals as self-employed and subject to a 15.3 percent self-employment tax.

To offset that, individuals will need to take every deduction possible and make sure they have enough money in savings to pay the taxes the IRS will impose. Failing to plan ahead will leave side hustlers with a large tax bill they may be ill-equipped to pay, which can set an entirely new set of problems in motion.

The first thing that side hustlers learn is to save every receipt. Individuals working from home can claim a portion of their home as office space. Expenses for driving to trade shows, assignments, and even internet services can be deducted, along with laptops, software and similar expenses for conducting the side job.

Performing work for others via online platforms is one of the most popular ways that people are engaging in side hustles. It’s important to know that these gig platforms typically don’t issue a form 1099 for taxes at all, and some only do if a certain income level is reached. Individuals will need to learn how to keep accurate records of expenses and income on their own.

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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Keeping track of your tax records does not need to mean an overflowing file cabinet. Plenty of free online resources will help keep even the most chaotic offline tax records well organized. Finding out which records should be kept and where is just half the battle. Storing them properly takes discipline, without which you will be left with an over-loaded shoebox full of receipts.

There are many different ways that you can store and organize your records; some work better than others for different people. In the case of individual tax returns, it is easier to use accounting software to manage the accounting side of things; you simply record when you make a purchase, when you make a payment or write in a check. It would be much more time consuming, however, if you want to organize your receipts and other documents.

One of the first steps in keeping up with your records is to have a system in place for storing all of the receipts that come into your business. If you are using a single computer for all of your document filing and accounting needs, then you can easily install and use one of the free accounting software programs available online. You can then print out each receipt and store it in your receipt folder. If you have more than one location for your receipt and bookkeeping needs, you can use labels or tags to organize the documents as you see fit.

If you use accounting software to organize your tax records, you may also want to purchase a receipt scanner. With this tool, you can scan every receipt that comes into your office. These scanners are usually used by accountants and other individuals who have a lot of paperwork to process. There are even models available that can be mounted on the wall so you can scan everything that comes into your office. There are even some models available that will allow you to print out everything that is scanned. The benefit of using these products is that you will be able to save money by eliminating the cost of purchasing ink and paper.

In addition to using an accounting software product to organize tax records, you can also take advantage of available online resources. One of the best options available is the ability to use an online filing program. These types of programs will allow you to electronically file your income tax documents so that you can avoid the extra time and money spent filing by hand. When you file electronically, you can usually do it from any location with an Internet connection. This will allow you to access your files from any computer with an Internet connection. This option is often times very helpful if you have a home office because you can easily conduct your tax records there.

The tax records that you maintain should be organized so that you can easily retrieve them when you need them. There are a variety of ways that you can organize these documents. If you want to save time while filing your tax returns, consider buying an accounting software product that will help you organize your tax records. If you are unsure about how to organize your tax records, then you can hire a certified public accountant to help you. There are many advantages to keeping your tax records in order and using a tax software product that helps you organize your information.

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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