Archive for February, 2016

11.02.2016 News

ALES: Information Reporting and Health Coverage

The Affordable Care Act requires applicable large employers (ALEs) to file information reporting returns with the IRS and employees. ALEs are generally those employers with 50 or more full-time employees, including full-time equivalent employees in the preceding calendar year. Read more

11.02.2016 News

Job Search Expenses May be Deductible

New year, new job? If you’ve decided it’s time to move on from your current position and look for a new one, you may be able to deduct some of your job search costs. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Same Occupation. You can’t deduct expenses for a job search in a new occupation; your expenses must be for a job search in your current line of work.

2. Resume Costs. You can deduct the cost of preparing and mailing your resume. Read more

11.02.2016 News

Reduce Your Taxes with the Child Care Tax Credit

If you paid someone to care for a person in your household last year while you worked or looked for work, then you may be able to take the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and reduce the amount of tax owed.

Here are 12 facts you should know about this important tax credit:

1. Child, Dependent or Spouse. You may be able to claim the credit if you paid someone to care for your child, dependent or spouse last year. Read more

11.02.2016 News

Missing Your Form W-2?

You should receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each of your employers for use in preparing your federal tax return. Employers must furnish this record of 2015 earnings and withheld taxes no later than February 1, 2016 (if mailed, allow a few days for delivery).

If you do not receive your Form W-2, contact your employer to find out if and when the W-2 was mailed. If it was mailed, it may have been returned to your employer because of an incorrect address. After contacting your employer, allow a reasonable amount of time for your employer to resend or to issue the W-2. Read more

11.02.2016 News

Five Ways to Improve Your Financial Situation

If you are having trouble paying your debts, it is important to take action sooner rather than later. Doing nothing leads to much larger problems in the future, whether it’s a bad credit record or bankruptcy resulting in the loss of assets and even your home. If you’re in financial trouble, then here are some steps to take to avoid financial ruin in the future.

If you’ve accumulated a large amount of debt and are having difficulty paying your bills each month, now is the time to take action–before the bill collectors start calling.

1. Review each debt. Make sure that the debt creditors claim you owe is really what you owe and that the amount is correct. If you dispute a debt, first contact the creditor directly to resolve your questions. If you still have questions about the debt, contact your state or local consumer protection office or, in cases of serious creditor abuse, your state Attorney General. Read more