Tuesday, February 25, 2014

How To Prepare For Tax Season Ahead Of Time

By Maryl Joop


Tax season is right around the corner. Before you start sobbing and crawl under your desk like a frightened puppy, take a second to read about how you can prepare yourself for the tax season gauntlet. There are some simple ways to prepare for this dreaded time of year. Take these steps now, not later, to ensure that when April 15th rolls around, you won't need to go out and find a tax attorney to handle your case.

It is important to know the various tax filing options available and to seek professional help from a tax professional or accountant. There can be many complications if taxes are not filed properly or may have errors.

First, it is important to understand that there are 2 primary ways to reduce the amount of taxes you pay. Deductions and credits both take money off the amount of taxable income but they are slightly different in how they affect how much money you save.

Deductions are run on a percentage basis that varies depending on the amount of income you make. Meaning that if you claim $4000 on a deduction and fall in the 25% bracket, you get a deduction of $1000. Credits, on the other hand, are good for 100% of their value. If your credit is $1000, you get the full $1000 taken off the total taxes you owe.

This section will focus on the four main tax credits that many people can be eligible: Child and Dependant Care Credit: Assists in providing supplemental credit for daycare costs for dependants less than 13 years of age -- Savers Tax Credit: A credit for those contributing to a retirement plan, or 401k --American Opportunity Tax Credit: This credit is based on an individual student which assists with tuition costs for those who qualify -- Earned Income Tax Credit: This credit is based on the adjusted gross income, and varies depending on the filing status.

Sometimes it is just easier to let an expert take control of the situation. This can save you a huge headache. There are several companies out there that specialize in filing taxes. They can also help you find all of the deductions which you may be missing.

There are several deductions and credits related to higher education. If you're a student, you want to make sure that you do not miss out on those. The amount that you are able to deduct depends on your income, so check with an accountant or tax professional to see what you qualify for.

This cannot be stressed enough. Start getting ready now so that you will not be scrambling three days before. Gathering everything and filling out the forms takes time, so get started early. Learn from the past and finish you taxes early.

Many law firms such as Orange County Tax Lawyer provide services for individuals and businesses that are in a tax crisis. In some cases especially with the poor economy the inability to pay taxes has many individuals and business in delinquent status. A tax lawyer can assist clients in settlement options and also provide legal representation. Charges such as tax debt and tax crimes cause many financial problems from poor credit scores to garnishing wages. It is important to seek a professional that can assist you in resolving or settling the charges against you.




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