Martin Cantu, EA - Tax Consultant - Tax Relief Services Blog

This information is provided by The Law Office of Martin Cantu and SATaxHelp.com . Everyone can prepare and e-file their federal tax returns for free using the IRS Free File Program. Free File is offered through a public-private partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and tax software companies. Free File can help you do your taxes fast; it’s safe and it doesn’t cost anything. Free File offers two options: easy-to-use software or online fillable forms. Free File software is for taxpayers who earn $57,000 or less Here’s how it works: You must access Free File through the IRS website. At www.irs.gov/freefile , there’s an online tool which allows you to give a little information about yourself then guides you to the software for which you are eligible. Or, you can review a complete list of companies and their offerings and make a selection. Once you select a software product, you will be directed away from the IRS website and onto that company’s website

Tax Tips for the Self-employed  There are many benefits that come from being your own boss. If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor, or you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, you are generally considered to be self-employed. Here are six key points the IRS would like you to know about self-employment and self- employment taxes: 1. Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as part-time work you do at home or in addition to your regular job. 2. If you are self-employed you generally have to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax. Self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure self-employment tax using a Form 1040 Schedule SE. Also, you can deduct half of your self-employment tax in figuring your adjusted gross in

This is Part One of my continuing series of basic tax help articles.    This series of articles applies to the 2012 tax filing season for the tax year ended December 31, 2011 – Fling status and exemptions. As always, consult a tax professional for specific guidance on your individual situation.  Contact the Law Office of Martin Cantu for more information, or www.sataxhelp.com . Filing Status This is step number one in filing your tax return. You have five choices - Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household and Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child.   Filing status determines basic tax items such as filing requirements, your standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits and deductions, and your correct tax. This is the foundation of your tax return and making the wrong choice here will have detrimental impacts throughout your return. You may qualify for more than one filing status, so the choice of filing status may get complic

Nearly 160 million workers will benefit from the extension of the reduced payroll tax rate that has been in effect for 2011. The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 temporarily extends the two percentage point payroll tax cut for employees, continuing the reduction of their Social Security tax withholding rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of wages paid through Feb. 29, 2012. This reduced Social Security withholding will have no effect on employees’ future Social Security benefits. Employers should implement the new payroll tax rate as soon as possible in 2012 but not later than Jan. 31, 2012. For any Social Security tax over-withheld during January, employers should make an offsetting adjustment in workers’ pay as soon as possible but not later than March 31, 2012. The law also includes a new “recapture” provision, which applies only to those employees who receive more than $18,350 in wages during the two-month period (the Social Security wage base for 201

Six Year-End Tips to Reduce 2011 Taxes Here are six tax-saving tips for you to consider before the calendar turns to 2012: 1. Make Charitable Contributions – If you itemize deductions, your donations must be made to qualified charities no later than Dec. 31 to be deductible for 2011. You must have a canceled check, a bank statement, credit card statement or a written statement from the charity, showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution for all cash donations. Donations charged to a credit card by Dec. 31 are deductible for 2011, even if the bill isn't paid until 2012. If you donate clothing or household items, they must be in good used condition or better to be deductible. 2. Install Energy-Efficient Home Improvements – You still have time this year to make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements and qualify for either of two home energy credits. Installing energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new windows

The IRS announced a new “Fresh Start” program, designed to allow taxpayers to regroup financially, getting a new start on their finances. This program provides taxpayers an opportunity to limit the damage IRS tax collection activity may have had on their credit report and credit score, thus impairing their ability to obtain new credit, or credit at a fair market rate. Among the highlights of the program are the following: Tax Liens The IRS increased the dollar threshold for filing notice of tax lien. The new threshold amount is $10,000, up from $5,000. There is an exception in the case of a taxpayer bankruptcy or other similar action. Keep in mind that a Federal Tax lien is an IRS demand for payment from the taxpayer, within 10 days of the letter delivering a copy of the lien. This is a statutory process which the IRS must follow. A Notice of Federal Tax lien is a formal filing in the public records of the county of residence of the taxpayer and allows IRS to establish