Tax News

February 2012

Pros & cons of investing in company stock

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
Company stock is a common workplace perk, but it's not always a good investment.

IRS Releases the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2012

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 9:49 am - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-23, Feb. 16, 2012 –– The Internal Revenue Service today issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud.

Updated Rules Issued for IRS Communications with Appeals Office

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 4:06 pm - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-22, Feb. 15, 2012 — The Internal Revenue Service updated rules on permissible communications between the Office of Appeals and other parts of the IRS.

Getting married? Don't fall for these money myths

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 6:15 pm - USATODAY.com
In honor of Valentine's Day, here's a look at some common myths about marriage and money.

IRS and Treasury to Hold Town Hall and Consultation Listening Meetings on Possible Approaches to Governmental Plan Guidance

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 4:56 pm - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-20, Feb. 13, 2012 — Town hall and consultation listening meetings will be held across the country to discuss proposed guidance on possible standards for determining if a retirement plan is a governmental plan under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

IRS Issues Rules for Providing K-1s Electronically

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 3:51 pm - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-21, Feb. 13, 2012 — Partnerships may now provide K-1s to partners electronically.

IRS Extends Comment Period for Guidance on Indian Tribal Government Programs

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:01 am - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-19, Feb. 13, 2012 — Commenters now have until March 14 to submit to the IRS their written comments regarding the application of the general welfare exclusion to Indian tribal government programs.

The $13,000 adoption tax credit is back!

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 5:15 am - CNNMoney.com
An adoption tax credit that brought huge refunds to many unsuspecting families last year is back.

Congress Eyes New Rules For Inherited IRAs

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
A surprise proposal to drum up tax revenue is raising eyebrows—and making some financial advisers nervous.

Making 529 Plans Work

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 9:17 pm - WSJ.com
Net contributions to these state-sponsored plans have been falling—and that means many people are leaving a big tax break on the table.

U.S.: Swiss Bank Is 'Fugitive' in Tax Case

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 5:44 pm - WSJ.com
U.S. prosecutors labeled Switzerland's oldest bank a "fugitive" after its representatives failed to appear at a court hearing on charges it helped wealthy Americans hide from U.S. tax authorities more than $1.2 billion.

5 Ways to Avoid an IRS Audit

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 4:41 pm - SmartMoney.com
Real-Time Advice: As the U.S. cracks down on tax dodgers, some tips for keeping the taxman away.

IRS Reminds Preparers and Providers of New Continuing Education Requirements

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:32 am - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-18, Feb. 10, 2012 — Completion of the education requirement, which must be taken from IRS-approved providers, is a condition for the annual renewal of the PTIN, which is required to prepare federal tax returns.

IRS Releases Guidance on How to Claim Expanded Veterans Tax Credit; Certification Requirements Streamlined

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 11:37 am - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-17, Feb. 9, 2012 — New forms and guidance available on claiming the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, expanded for hiring veterans.

Foreign Deal on Tax Dodging

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
The Treasury Department and the governments of five European nations reached broad agreement Wednesday on a proposal to prevent U.S. taxpayers from dodging taxes through foreign accounts.

Should Married Taxpayers File Separately?

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 4:25 pm - SmartMoney.com
Bischoff: Conventional wisdom says no, but for some couples filing separately is actually the best move.

New IRS Online Tool Helps Low- and Moderate-Income Taxpayers Find Locations for Help

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:00 pm - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-14, Feb. 6, 2012 — A new online tool to help people easily find a location for volunteer tax preparation assistance is announced .

IRS Unveils New Version of Smartphone App; IRS2Go 2.0 Offers Videos, Tax Help

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 11:30 am - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-16, Feb. 8, 2012 — IRS2Go 2.0, an expanded version of the IRS smartphone app, provides taxpayers easier access to practical tools and information.

Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Regulations for FATCA Implementation

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 9:25 am - IRS News Releases
IR-2012-15, Feb. 8, 2012 — The Treasury Department and the IRS issued proposed regulations for the next major phase of implementing FATCA.

When a tax audit isn't an audit, and why you should care

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:13 am - USATODAY.com
Only 1.1% of taxpayers are audited every year, but that doesn't mean you have nothing to fear. Other ways the IRS goes after taxpayers.

Good news! Not everything is taxed

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
The IRS wants a bite of your income, but in some cases your money is taxed only partially.

Video: American opportunity tax credit helps pay for college

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
If you have a child in college, the tax code may help you pay for some of the costs.

Money in offshore account? Better report it!

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
The IRS imposes stiff penalties on individuals who don't report offshore account earnings.

10 new tax laws that may affect 2011 return

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
Before filling out your tax return, check out these changes that may affect your IRS bill.

A Low-Cost Choice for Muni Income

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
Spotlight: A fund that offers a low-cost option for investing in munis, whose yields remain higher than on some other bonds, such as U.S. Treasurys.

Reporting gambling winnings

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
Did you win big at the races? Uncle Sam wants to know about your good luck.

What to Do With 529-Plan Leftovers

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 5:05 pm - WSJ.com
If you haven't used all the money in your college savings plan, don't just cash it in. You have other options.

Retirement Plans Will Soon Start Talking Fees

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
Under a new Labor Department rule, mutual-fund companies and other 401(k) administrators must disclose plan fees to employers and to the workers investing in the plans.

Will Sales-Tax Deduction Live On?

Sun, 5 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
It appears likely that lawmakers will extend the provision, which lets people deduct the general state and local sales taxes they paid, beyond its scheduled expiration at the end of the year.

Popular tax breaks dead. What happens next?

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
More than 77 temporary tax breaks that expired at the end of 2011 will likely be renewed. When?

Annuitizing Your 401(k)

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
Washington is making it easier for workers to purchase lifetime-income products in retirement-savings plans—and insurers are following suit.

Frequent-Flier Tax Traps

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
Consumers who got a chunk of frequent-flier miles as a reward for signing up for a new Citibank credit card are upset that Citi has sent a list of recipients to the IRS. Does this mean such rewards are taxable?

Corporate Taxes Fall to 12.1%

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 1:02 pm - WSJ.com
Total corporate federal taxes paid fell to 12.1% of U.S. profits in the government's latest fiscal year, the lowest level since at least 1972 and well below usual rates of around 25%. Most of the credit--or blame--goes to a temporary break to spur investment.

Checking out your tax preparer

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
Protect yourself from tax headaches by hiring a reputable tax preparer who fits your needs.

Figuring taxes from flipped property

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
As long as flipping property is not a business, you can offset the gain with stock market losses.

IRS Spearheads Bid to Head Off ID Theft

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 12:01 am - WSJ.com
The U.S. arrested 58 people over the past week in a national crackdown on identity theft led by the IRS and the Department of Justice, the tax agency said, as it steps up prevention efforts.
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Getting the most from tax software

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
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IRA Heirs Do's and Don'ts

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We answer readers' questions about the best ways to get the full value out of an inherited retirement account.

Pros & cons of investing in company stock

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
Company stock is a common workplace perk, but it's not always a good investment.

Rich, Gingrich and crazy rich

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:07 pm - CNNMoney.com
Which presidential candidate paid the most in taxes? Who is the most charitable? Here's an inside look at the top candidates' 2010 income tax returns.

Properly defined dependents can pay off at tax time

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 7:00 pm - Bankrate.com
Kids depend on you for a lot, but at tax time they could pay off when you claim them as dependents.

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