Essential Tax Tips for First Time Tax Filing

tax filing tips

Need some tips on filing taxes for the first time? With these tax tips, filing your taxes for the first time can be a little less daunting.

relieve stress

Tax Tips for Filing Taxes

How you approach your filing can make all the difference between getting it done quickly and a massive tax headache.

Here’s how to make filing taxes easier:

Step 1: Gather all the information you will need, and keep it on hand while filing your taxes.

Step 2: Start the process early to avoid any penalties and deadline related anxiety.

Step 3: Use free resources to help you manage your filing and tax-related issues easily.

Free Resources to Help You With Filing Taxes

Your first stop for reliable, updated tax resources should be the Internal Revenue Service. This website (www.irs.gov) has resources to help out any tax filer, including those in the military service, individuals with disabilities, and seniors or retirees.

Resources also include an Interactive Tax Assistant (https://www.irs.gov/help/ita), various Tax Tools as well as links to the different forms and documents you will need.

More Tax Tips and Questions

Do I Need to File a Tax Return?

The answer will differ from one case to the next, but filing a tax return may be beneficial, even if you are not required to do so by law. If you’re unsure of the requirements, this resource (https://www.irs.gov/ forms-pubs/about-publication-501) can help you determine if you need to complete a tax return.

Can I File My Own Return or Do I Need Professional Help?

In many cases, you can file your taxes without professional help. If you only have a single income from formal employment or your tax status is unchanged (meaning that you didn’t get married or divorced, you didn’t acquire a business or make large investments) and you have a clear understanding of what your tax software requires from you, then you can file your own tax return. However, it is still a good idea to consult the relevant resources to guide you through the process.

You may need professional help with filing your taxes if you have more than one stream of income (from investments, a business, rental income, and the like.) or if you want to get a strategic plan together for structuring your taxes. If you don’t understand the process and you’re worried about making mistakes it is always advisable to get professional help with filing your taxes.

Which Dates Do I Need to Remember for 2020?

Visit our blog for all the dates that you need to remember for the 2020 tax season. Keep in mind that there are different dates for federal and state taxes.

At Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC, we are committed to giving each client personal attention to ensure that your tax preparation is handled quickly and efficiently. For more tax tips and information on our services, visit our website.

What are Estimated Tax Penalties and 
How Can I Avoid Them?

Individuals who are self-employed will be all too familiar with estimated tax penalties which may crop up in the instance that you have under-payed your tax obligation. The good news is that, in most cases, these estimated tax penalties can be easily avoided, even if you have severely underestimated the amount of money that you owe the IRS. Here is what you need to know.

avoid estimated tax penalties

How to avoid estimated tax and under-payment penalties

There are a handful of different ways to avoid having to pay any estimated tax and under-payment penalties. They are as follows:

• You can avoid estimated tax penalties if you can prove that you were unable to make the required payment due to an extenuating circumstance over which you had no control. This circumstance could have been a “casualty event, disaster, or other unusual circumstance and it would be inequitable to impose the penalty”, according to the IRS.

• You can avoid estimated tax penalties if you owe less than $1,000.

• You can avoid estimated tax penalties as long as you pay a minimum of 90% of your tax obligation.

• You can avoid estimated tax penalties if you pay at least 100% of the tax owed in the prior year.

• You can avoid estimated tax penalties if you became disabled during the course of the current tax year or during the tax year before for which you should have made estimated payments.

Ultimately, the easiest way in which to avoid incurring estimated tax or under-payment penalties is to ensure that you make accurate estimated payments. While it is impossible to predict exactly what you will owe, it is possible to get a closer estimate. A good rule of thumb is to examine what you owed in tax payments in the previous tax year and make four equal payments which total at least 10% more than that amount.

Need help with your estimated payments or with filing your taxes? The CPA specialists at Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC are here to assist. Contact us today for further information regarding our services.

File Your Taxes on Time with These Tax Tips

The official tax deadline for the 2019 tax year has been announced and falls on Wednesday, the 15th of July 2020. Worried about being able to file your taxes on time and incurring hefty penalties as a result of not filing on time? Here are some tips to help you get organized.

tax filing tips

Keep your forms in one place

The leading reason why individuals file their taxes after the deadline is the fact that they have struggled to get all of the necessary information, documents, and forms in order. If all of those important forms and documents are strewn in different directions around the home or office, it can prove nearly impossible to gather them all. As such, strive to keep them all in one place right from the very start. That goes for your paperwork for deductible expenses, your W-2s, 1099s etc.

Set aside some time

Set aside a quiet time to prepare your tax documentation when you know that you will not be disturbed or rushed. It is important that you focus on what you are doing and that you double check all information.

Do your research

Most people are well aware of the basic tax deductions – but how sure are you that you do
not qualify for some of the lesser-known ones, such as the Self-Employed Health Insurance tax deduction (SEHI) or the student loan interest deduction? Do your research on all of the available tax deductions, especially above-the-line deductions, which are the ones that are often forgotten about or overlooked.

Enlist the help of a CPA

A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, can take the stress and burden of doing taxes off of your shoulders completely. They will have all of the necessary knowledge and expertise in order to ensure that you receive the maximum benefit from your tax return and that you submit all of the necessary documents well within the time limit.

Contact the CPA specialists at Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC today for more details on how we can help you file your taxes.

Your Guide to Charitable Donations and Their Tax Implications

charitable giving tax

The warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with doing a good deed is often reward enough for giving to those in need. However, what makes it all the more rewarding is the fact that charitable donations often have positive implications on your tax return. The deadline for filing your federal taxes is April 15th, 2020 (unless you apply for an extension, which will then mean the deadline is stretched to October 15th, 2020). As such, you will likely be keen to find out exactly what your charitable donations could mean for your return.

Here is what you need to know.

charitable giving tax

Only Certain Charitable Donations Can Reflect Positively on Your Taxes

In order to take advantage of the relevant deductions, you should take extra care in choosing a charity to which you would like to donate. The charity in question should be categorized as a ‘not for profit 501(c)(3)’ charitable organization. Also, remember to check whether or not your preferred charity is listed as an IRS qualified exempt organization. You can do so via the IRS website.

How much can you deduct?

The best case scenario for charitable donations is that you may be able to deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income. The amount that you are allowed to deduct from your return will be based on the type of contribution that you have made. Having said that, the absolute minimum amount that you will be able to deduct will usually be no less than 20%.

Remember, if you exceed the limit, via carryover, you will usually still be able to deduct the excess from tax returns over the next five years, possibly more.

Looking for assistance with regard to filing your taxes for the 2019 tax year? Contact Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC today for information on how we can help you.

July 15th – Your Federal Tax Filing Deadline in 2020

tax deadline

2020 is officially in full swing, which means that you are likely starting to think about your tax duties and probably wondering when the cut-off date is. This year, Tax Day and, therefore, the tax filing deadline for the 2019 financial year is July 15th, 2020, which falls on a Wednesday.

Plan to Pay Your Taxes on July 15th, 2020

Plan to file your taxes by the July 15th deadline. If you don’t pay on time, you are likely to incur penalties and/or interest. However, if you know you won’t make the deadline, and think you are going to owe money, send in your payment to the IRS when you apply for a tax filing extension by July 15th.

Applying for a Tax Filing Extension

It will be wise to apply for a tax filing extension if you know in advance that you will require more time to file your taxes this year. If you file for an extension, you will be given until October 15th, 2020 to file your return.

The tax filing extension applies to the tax filing and is not a new due date for your tax payment. So, be sure to send in a payment by July 15th.

If you need help filing for an extension or need to determine how much to pay by July 15th, get in touch with the team at Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC today.

Tax Planning TIps to Maximize Your Return

ta returns

As you prepare to file your tax returns, you should also be planning to maximize them, reduce your tax bill and/or get the biggest refund you can. Many unseasoned tax payers are not sure how to do this and feel reluctant to make claims due to their lack of knowledge. For their benefit, we present some simple, key steps to planning and maximizing your return.

Know your bracket

The IRS has seven income tax brackets and which one you fall into depends on your level of income. First, know what percentage of your income you are required to pay, then understand that you will not actually pay those percentages on your full income. This is because you will be able to make deductions from your taxable income. So first determine your tax bracket, then break down your income into the prescribed income types that you earn. Each part of your income will be taxed differently.

Tax deductions and credits

Next, make sure that you know the difference between tax deductions and tax credits. Tax deductions are expenses you’ve incurred that you can subtract from your taxable income. Credits actually give you a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your tax bill. Once you understand how these work, you then need to find out which deductions and credits you are actually eligible for. Often people don’t even know that they can deduct certain expenses from their tax. You need to claim for each and every deduction you are eligible for, so make a point of knowing them all. There are hundreds and not all of them will be applicable to you. If you want to maximize your return, make use of every permissible, applicable deduction you can find.

Know when to take the standard deduction

The IRS offers a standard, no-questions asked deduction, which you can choose to take or you can opt for an itemized deduction that is calculated from your specific mix of deductions. Which one you choose to take will depend on the higher amount. If you can submit an itemized list of deductions and it comes up to more than the standard deduction, then you should itemize your deduction. If not, it’s best to opt for the standard one.

For additional, personalized assistance with your tax returns, contact Georgen Scarborough.

Important Tax Dates To Remember In 2020

tax deadlines

The New Year is already well underway and that means that a new tax year is here, as well the various deadlines for filing tax returns, etc. As providers of public accounting services, we at Georgen Scarborough always have our eye on the tax calendar. For your easy reference, we thought we would draw up a list of the key dates individuals will need to take note of for the coming years.

Tax Day

Tax Day for the 2019 tax year is July 15, 2020. You will need to have your returns filed on or before this date to avoid penalties.

If you are able to get an extension

If you are granted an extension, you will need to file your return by October 15, 2020. If you know that you will not be able to file your return on or before the official Tax Day, you will have to submit an IRS Form 4868, requesting an extension well before July 15.

State taxes

The above dates are only for federal taxes. You will need to find out when your filing deadlines are for your state (unless you live in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington or Wyoming, where there are no state income taxes).

Estimated quarterly tax payments

For those people who do not have their taxes automatically withheld from their pay – such as people who are self-employed or those who are eligible to pay capital gains tax – payments need to be made to the IRS each quarter. January 15 is the deadline for the final quarterly payment of the 2019 tax year. After that, periodic payments will have to made each quarter: one in April, one in June and one in September.

These are the main dates you need to remember for in regard to your taxes in 2020. For more information on the filing of tax returns – or to engage the services of seasoned professional tax practitioners, contact Georgen Scarborough.

Are Any Part of My Home Payments Tax Deductible?

Homeowners know all too well how enormous repayments can be, never mind how much it costs to keep a home well-maintained and in good condition. Hence the reason why so many Americans are keen to find out if any part of their home payments are tax deductible. The great news is that there are multiple tax benefits that come with owning a home. We provide details on each of them below.

Property taxes

In most cases, property taxes are tax deductible. According to new law, the maximum amount of state and local property, income, and sales taxes that can be deducted at any one time is $10,000.

Mortgage interest deduction

All homeowners know just how much interest they wind up paying over the course of their mortgage. Luckily, this interest is also usually deductible. You will be able to determine how much mortgage interest you paid in box 1 when you receive your Form 1098.

Points paid when buying your home

This one applies to home owners who have only recently purchased their home and who paid points in order to land a better interest rate. Check box 6 in Form 1098 to find out how much you paid for points, which are tax deductible.

Private mortgage insurance premiums

If you opted for a traditional mortgage and you put down a deposit that was less than 20% of the value of the home, you likely paid private mortgage insurance premiums. The amount paid can be found in box 5 of Form 1098 and, once again, is usually tax deductible.

Home office deduction

Are you lucky enough to own your own business and work from home? Then you will be eligible to claim the home office deduction. You can choose to claim up to $1,500 which is the set dollar amount of $5 per square foot of your home used for your business up to 300 square feet. Alternatively, you may also claim based on a portion of your home expenses.

For more information, contact the Certified Public Accountants at Georgen Scarborough Associates.

Tax deductible donations: Subtract the value 
of your charitable gifts from your taxable income

Are you an individual who regularly donates to charities and charitable organizations? If so, you may be eligible to claim sizeable tax deductions. Here is what you need to know about how much you can deduct, how to claim tax deductible donations, as well as various qualifying criteria to keep in mind.

How much can I deduct?

You will be eligible for a tax deduction if your donation is given to a tax-exempt organization, as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In most cases, you will be able to deduct up to 60% of your adjusted gross income via charitable donations. However, this does depend on the type of contribution that you made and the organization that received it.

If you exceed the limit, you will still be able to deduct the excess from tax returns over the next five years via carryover.

How to claim tax deductible donations

The only way is to itemize at tax time. In other words, you will need to fill in Schedule A along with the rest of your tax return. Try to do this ahead of the deadline, as it can prove much more complex than the average tax return.

Is volunteer work tax deductible?

Unfortunately not. However, mileage related to your volunteer work can be – as long as you are volunteering at a qualified organization.

Looking for a company to assist you with your tax deductible donations or your tax filing in general? Get in touch with the Certified Public Accountants at Georgen Scarborough Associates today!

Child Tax Credit 2019: How to Qualify

child tax credit

As most parents in the USA are now aware, the dependency exemption of $4,050 has been eliminated. Thankfully, though, it is still possible to apply for various tax benefits and credits if you have children or dependents in your care. One of those benefits is the Child Tax Credit. Interested to know if you qualify to receive it? We have got all the facts below:

What Are the Qualifying Criteria? 

There are only four qualifying criteria when it comes to the Child Tax Credit for the tax year of 2019:

  1. You need to have at least one child in your care who is under the age of 17 at the endchild tax credit of the calendar year.
  2. You need to earn less than $400,000 per annum if you are filing jointly with your spouse OR less than $200,000 per annum if you are single and filing individually. 
  3. You need to have provided at least half of the child’s support over the course of the last year.
  4. The child needs to have lived with you for a period of at least six months over the course of the last year (there are some exceptions to this rule).

How Much Is the Child Tax Credit Worth for the Tax Year of 2019? 

You can get up to $2,000 per qualifying dependent child through the Child Tax Credit. Seeing that it is a tax credit rather than a deduction, it reduces your taxes dollar-for-dollar. Furthermore, up to $1,400 of the Child Tax Credit is refundable. In other words, it can take your tax bill right down to zero and you will still have the opportunity to get a refund on anything left over. child tax credit

If you have dependents living with you who are over the age of 17 but that still qualify as dependents (usually as a result of a disability), there is a $500 non-refundable credit that you can obtain via the Child Tax Credit benefit. 

Be sure to get in touch with the Certified Public Accountants at Georgen Scarborough Associates, PC, if you have any further questions about the Child Tax Credit and how to qualify.