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

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 gros...

Here is some information on how to determine your tax filing status. For more information or other tax related questions, place contact the Law Office of Martin Cantu or sataxhelp.com. Determining your filing status is one of the first steps to filing your federal income tax return. There are five filing statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household and Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child. Your filing status is used to determine your filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits and deductions, and your correct tax. Some people may qualify for more than one filing status. Here are eight facts about filing status you'll need to know so you can choose the best option for your situation. 1. Your marital status on the last day of the year determines your marital status for the entire year. 2. If more than one filing status applies to you, choose the one that gives you the lowest tax obligatio...

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 win...

Tim Tebow is the most discussed, hated, vilified player in the history of the National Football League. Listen to talk radio or ESPN - a day does not go by without a discussion of Tebow. The discussion always centers on what he can't do. He can't pass. He doesn't throw like an NFL QB. He can't succeed. All this before they get into his faith, the main source of criticism in college. Collin Cowherd, ESPN talk show host on radio and TV has made a career based on criticism of Tebow. As I write this I'm waiting for Cowherd's show on the day following Denver's victory over the New York Jets. My guess is that the over under on the number of seconds before Cowherd mentions Tebow is 10. Cowherd, like most other hosts, follows the same formula - 1. I like the guy and don't want to bang on him; 2. He isn't that good so I don't want to waste time disparaging his abilities; 3. Spend the next 2 hours banging on everything Tebow. Cowherd and the other critic...