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Do You Make These 9 Common Income Tax Mistakes?
By
Mike Makler
Article Word Count: 340 [View Summary] Comments (0) |
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Its income tax time again. With the April 15th Deadline fast approaching you need to beware of these 9 common income tax mistakes as stated by Intuit the makers of Turbo-Tax.
1 - Not taking all of your deductions.
The 2 most common deductions missed are charitable deductions and the home office deduction. Many people underestimate the value of clothes and other items given to charity. Many taxpayers who are legally entitled to the home office deduction fail to take it for fear of being audited
2 Not accounting for Reinvesting Mutual fund Dividends
Buying extra shares with reinvested dividends can affect your cost basis when you sell. Many taxpayers overpay the IRS because they dont adjust the tax basis.
3 Not claiming carryover items.
The two most common carryover many taxpayers miss are state and local income taxes paid with the prior year return and carryover capital losses.
4 Not naming a beneficiary or naming wrong Beneficiaries to your IRA, 401k or other retirement plan.
If you fail to name a beneficiary then the money passes to your estate with unwanted tax consequences to your heirs.
5 Not taking advantage of Matching employer contributions.
Many employees fail to invest in company sponsored retirement plans and loose out on matching contributions
6 Failure to make estimated Quarterly Tax Payments.
Self Employed taxpayers are required to pay estimated quarterly payments to the IRS. Failure to do so may cause and underpayment penalty
7 Poor planning in exercising stock options.
Taxpayers who exercise stock options then sell the underlying stock fail to anticipate and set aside money to pay the capital gains tax
8 Not adjusting withholding when you change Jobs.
Taxpayers who change jobs for more money dont always adjust their withholding to account for the higher pay and tax burden that goes with it.
9 - Contributing to a Roth IRA when your Income is too high.
Single taxpayers who earn over $110,000 or married Taxpayers who earn over $160,000 cannot contribute to a Roth IRA.
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About the Author Mike BigMak Makler Offers Financial Services (Life Insurance, Annuities and Mortgage Protection) in Florissant Missouri which is in North St. Louis County Missouri Just Across the Bridge from St. Charles Missouri and Alton IL Call Mike at 314 398-5547 Visit Mike's Web Pages: [http://naabigmak.com] For Insurance Questions: [http://123mortgagesave.com] Copyright © 2005-2006 Mike BigMak Makler Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Makler |
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Article Submitted On: February 15, 2007
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MLA Style Citation:
Makler, Mike "Do You Make These 9 Common Income Tax Mistakes?." Do You Make These 9 Common Income Tax Mistakes?. 15 Feb. 2007 EzineArticles.com. 10 Feb. 2010 <http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Make-These-9-Common-Income-Tax-Mistakes?&id=455294>.
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APA Style Citation:
Makler, M. (2007, February 15). Do You Make These 9 Common Income Tax Mistakes?. Retrieved February 10, 2010, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Make-These-9-Common-Income-Tax-Mistakes?&id=455294
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Chicago Style Citation:
Makler, Mike "Do You Make These 9 Common Income Tax Mistakes?." Do You Make These 9 Common Income Tax Mistakes? EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-You-Make-These-9-Common-Income-Tax-Mistakes?&id=455294