Welcome
Welcome to Alvarez Tax Service LLC. We are thrilled to join the social media world and to provide you with upcoming events and exciting tax news!!!
IRS Offers Disaster Relief to California Tax Payers
Victims of California wildfires getting IRS disaster relief.
California has been hit by a series of wildfires going back to Aug. 14. Taxpayers now have until Dec. 15, 2020 to file their various individual and business tax returns and make any tax payments.
The IRS says the relief is for taxpayers and businesses in any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as qualifying for individual assistance.
This currently includes Lake, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties in California. Taxpayers in other localities that are added to the disaster declaration later will automatically get the same relief.
The most current list of eligible counties and locations is available on the disaster relief page on IRS.gov.
The IRS says these relief measures postpone various deadlines that occurred starting Aug. 14.
“As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until December 15, 2020, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period,” an IRS release states. “This means individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2019 return due to run out on Oct. 15, 2020, will now have until Dec. 15, 2020, to file.”
It should be noted, however, that because payments related to these 2019 returns were due by July 15, 2020, those payments are not included in the relief package.
The Dec. 15 deadline also applies to quarterly estimated income tax payments due Sept. 15 and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due Oct. 31. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations operating on a calendar-year basis that had a valid extension date to run out on Nov. 15.
Businesses with extensions also have the additional time, including, among others, calendar-year corporations whose 2019 extensions run out on Oct. 15.
3 Major Benefits of Updated Bookkeeping and Accounting Records
(This story originally appeared on Due)
Last week in a discussion with a business coaching client, I asked if she had updated bookkeeping and accounting records that would help her make the best business decision for a big question about her business. “No,” she replied, she didn’t have updated books. Without them, any decision regarding product lines, pricing, or customer capacity is just a guess!
Guessing is not the way to run a business. On the contrary, every business big and small should have regularly updated bookkeeping and accounting records so business leaders can make the right decision with a foundation in the data. Follow along to learn three big benefits of keeping your bookkeeping and accounting records updated on a regular basis and some tips to get you started with your bookkeeping for your business.
Strategically ladder-up your revenue
As a freelance writer for my primary income, one of my biggest goals is finding the best clients that offer me the most significant return on my time invested. While freelancing is a business that is tough to scale, I like to do something I call “laddering up” my clients where I climb up and add new high-quality clients while letting go lower-quality and lower-paying clients as they are replaced.
This process is great in theory, and most freelancers and business owners understand the concept. But why do they continue to struggle with low-quality clients? Because they don’t look at the numbers and objectively look for ways to bring on better clients and get rid of the bad ones. With no metrics, you might not even know which clients are draining your resources and which lead to the best profitability in your business.
A few months after quitting my job to go full-time online, a look at my own updated bookkeeping records showed that about 76% of my income came from writing while around 15% came from website development and support. That is a clear 80/20 rule example. I cut the 15% of my income that was taking way too much of my time and my total income roughly tripled over the next few months!
Cut under performing products and services
The focus of my conversation with the coaching client focused on turning her services into a product she could sell for a fixed monthly subscription rate. But with no detailed accounting records beyond the reports she gets from her payment processor, she didn’t have any real records to show her income by customer or product. It doesn’t matter if you are a solo freelancer or a business with thousands of employees, you absolutely need this information!
With the right details in hand, you can pick out the one product that sucks away too much of your time for too little money. You can identify expensive recurring tasks you may be able to outsource or eliminate. As you can see from the example above, sometimes cutting underperforming products or services can lead to significant growth.
Success in this area of your business comes down to focus. But without properly updated bookkeeping and accounting records, you don’t know where to focus. You might be wasting hours and have no idea because you don’t have the data. End that big mistake right away. Get those accounting books together and keep them updated, at least monthly, so you can make the best management decisions.
Save time and money at tax time
If increasing revenues and cutting costs were not enough motivation to keep your books updated, here is one last lynchpin: your taxes. You have to do taxes if you have a business. That is not optional. What is optional is making it a stressful period by ignoring your accounting throughout the year and rushing to get it all done in April before the deadline.
Instead of this method, plan and keep your books updated at least once every month. I go a little over what most people need and update my accounting records weekly. But whatever you do, quarterly should be the bare minimum for bookkeeping updates for tax purposes.
While most individuals have to file and pay taxes once every year, most business owners and many side hustlers have to pay quarterly estimated taxes. While you can file and pay based on last year’s tax rates, keeping your books updated can help you get a better estimate if you need to pay more quarterly to avoid the big one-time lump payment in April.
If you have your bookkeeping updated, you just have to print out a P&L and balance sheet and can finish your taxes from there. No other prep needed!
Don’t ignore updated bookkeeping and accounting needs!
If you find the idea of accounting and bookkeeping intimidating, you can always hire an expert to handle it for you. We can help, give us a call at 714-400-9201.
However you decide to do your bookkeeping is great as long as you stick with it! If you don’t, you’ll quickly find yourself behind and with useless financial reports. With the right focus on your books, you have the right information to put your business on track to thrive for years to come.
IRS advice for those who missed the July 15 2020 deadline, file now to avoid bigger bill
For those who missed the July 15 tax deadline and didn’t request an extension, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers about some important tips, including filing electronically as soon as possible to reduce potential penalties.
Some taxpayers may have extra time to file and pay any taxes due without penalties and interest. These include:
- Members of the military who served or are currently in a combat zone. They qualify for an additional extension of at least 180 days to file and pay taxes.
- Support personnel in combat zones or a contingency operation in support of the Armed Forces. They may also qualify for a filing and payment extension of at least 180 days.
- Some disaster victims. Those who qualify have more time to file and pay what they owe.
The IRS offers these after-tax-day tips:
File to get a tax refund
The only way to get a refund is to file a tax return. There is no penalty for filing after the deadline if a refund is due. Use electronic filing options including IRS Free File available on IRS.gov through October 15 to prepare and file returns electronically.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that, while we continue to process electronic and paper tax returns, issue refunds, and accept payments, we’re experiencing delays in processing paper tax returns due to limited staffing. If a taxpayer filed a paper tax return, we will process it in the order we received it. Do not file a second tax return or call the IRS.
Taxpayers can track a refund using the Where’s My Refund? tool on IRS.gov, IRS2Go and by phone at 800-829-1954. Taxpayers need the primary Social Security number on the tax return, the filing status and the expected refund amount. The tool updates once daily, usually overnight, so checking more frequently will not yield different results. The “Where’s My Refund?” tool cannot be used to track Economic Impact Payments.
File to reduce penalties and interest
Normally, taxpayers should file their tax return, or request an extension, and pay any taxes they owe by the deadline to avoid penalties and interest. Taxpayers need to remember that an extension to file is not an extension to pay. Penalties and interest will apply to taxes owed after July 15.
Even if a taxpayer can’t afford to immediately pay the taxes they owe, they should still file a tax return as soon as possible to reduce possible penalties. The IRS has more information for taxpayers who owe the IRS, but cannot afford to pay.
Ordinarily, the failure-to-file penalty is 5% of the tax owed for each month or part of a month that a tax return is late. But if a return is filed more than 60 days after the due date, the minimum penalty is either $435 or 100% of the unpaid tax, whichever is less. Filing and paying as much as possible is important because the late-filing penalty and late-payment penalty add up quickly. The basic failure-to-pay penalty rate is generally 0.5% of unpaid tax owed for each month or part of a month. For more see IRS.gov/penalties.
Taxpayers who have a history of filing and paying on time often qualify for penalty relief. A taxpayer will usually qualify if they have filed and paid timely for the past three years and meet other requirements. For more information, see the first-time penalty abatement page on IRS.gov.
Pay taxes due electronically
Those who owe taxes can view their balance, pay with IRS Direct Pay, by debit or credit card or apply online for a payment plan, including an installment agreement. Several other electronic payment options are available on IRS.gov/payments. They are secure and easy to use. Taxpayers paying electronically receive immediate confirmation when they submit their payment. With Direct Pay and the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), taxpayers can opt in to receive email notifications about their payments.
Taxpayer Bill of Rights
Taxpayers have fundamental rights under the law that protect taxpayers when they interact with the IRS. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights presents these rights in 10 categories. IRS Publication 1, Your Rights as a Taxpayer, highlights these rights and the agency’s obligation to protect them.
Six Ways Outsourced Bookkeeping Can Save Your Small Business $$
80% of business owners, who use outsourced bookkeeping, say they can spend more time on their businesses. Now, you no longer need to worry about doing your bookkeeping. You can have outsource bookkeeper do the job for you.
With bookkeeping out of the way, you can focus on what matters most to you, your business. Below we will review some of the ways that hiring an outsourced bookkeeper can save you money.
Outsourced Bookkeeping Is Quick and Efficient
You or your employees may not know what they are doing when it comes to bookkeeping. You’ll be wasting a lot of time working on your books when you should be focusing on what you’re truly good at. That could be running your establishment or your employees doing the main tasks of their job.
When you outsource this position, it will reduce the amount of time that will be spent on bookkeeping. An SME will have the bookkeeping done quickly. They will be familiar with what needs to get done and how it needs to get done.
On top of that, you’ll avoid paying any penalty fees as your books will be done on time every time.
Moreover, this saves you money as it will give you and your employees more time to focus on your business. You won’t be hiring your employees on for longer hours. You’ll be hiring someone else to do this job for you at a cheaper rate.
No More Errors
When you hire an outsourced bookkeeper you won’t have to worry about errors in the books. If something is miscalculated you could spend a lot of time fixing a simple mistake.
Then again, maybe some items didn’t get logged, this will show discrepancies in your books. Discrepancies can lead to fines which will cost you more money down the line.
Moreover, with an outsourced bookkeeper, they will know all the standard regulations (GAAP). They will adhere to these regulations. SMEs will know what they are doing so you can breath easier.
Outsourcing Increases Productivity
When you or your employees don’t have to focus on bookkeeping, more time spent can be spent on your business. It is one less distraction from the main duties and tasks that need to be done.
When there are more tasks to be done it can feel overwhelming. You or your employees can become overworked and fatigued. This means no one will be fully engaged in the duties that matter and they may make more mistakes.
Only Pay for What You Need
If you choose to hire an outsourced bookkeeper, you won’t have to pay part-time or full-time wages. What’s more, you won’t have to worry about providing them with benefits.
On top of that, there are a plethora of payment options that you can choose from. For example, you can pay a fixed rate or an hourly fee.
When you use an outsourced vs an in-house bookkeeper you can choose how often you use the service. You don’t need to keep someone on staff at all times.
Fewer Expenses
With an outsourced bookkeeper, you don’t need more office space or computer equipment. You don’t need to buy any of the accounting software that would be required to do the expenses.
Many firms even use cloud-based accounting software. This allows you to easily view your financial information.
Customize the Services You Receive
There are different services you can choose from when you outsource your bookkeeping. You only pay for the services you want and nothing more.
For example, you can hire someone to work on your income statements and balance sheets. At the same time, if you don’t want them to work on your cash flow management, you can opt-out of that service.
Is Outsourcing Right for You?
If any of these benefits appeal to you, outsourcing may be right for you. Outsourced bookkeepers will keep your business financially secure and help it thrive. With Alvarez Tax Inc. at your side, you will have better peace of mind.
Reach out to us today if you have any further questions on outsourced bookkeeping.
IRS Warns Against Corona Virus Fraud, and Other Scams
The IRS is reminding taxpayers to be on the lookout for corona virus fraud and other scams.
According to a release from the IRS, criminals continue to use the corona virus relief payments as a cover to steal personal information and money.
Below are some corona virus schemes the IRS is urging taxpayers to look out for:
- Using relief payments as a cover to get personal information and money
- Selling fake at-home test kits
- Selling fake cures, vaccines, pills and advice
- Selling large quantities of medical supplies through fake shops, websites, social media accounts and email addresses
- Setting up fake charities
- Offering opportunities to invest early in companies working on a vaccine for the disease
- Phishing scams using emails, letters, texts and links
Scams should be reported to the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submitted through the
web complaint form here –> https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
Delaying Payment of Old Tax Bills Is a Big Mistake
You know that long list of ways that the COVID-19 virus has affected our lives? Well, here’s another one. The IRS has completely flipped a switch on its priorities, and it is not even looking at paper tax returns that are being sent to it. The idea of all those envelopes piling up somewhere is a bit mind-boggling, but it’s apparently what’s happening as the Treasury Department focuses on generating the stimulus checks that American taxpayers need to get through the crisis.
If you don’t owe the IRS money and you’re not looking to amend a previously filed tax return, this shift won’t mean much to you. You can rest easy knowing that the tax return and payments that would have been due in April are now not due until July 15th. But if you were hoping to get a refund from a previous year’s return via a return you amended (or need to amend), or if you owe the IRS money, you need to pay attention.
For the first of these two categories – the folks with amended returns – what you need to know is that you’re not likely to see any kind of response for quite a while. There’s no way to find out what the status is and the agency is pointedly advising people not to interpret the lack of response as a need to send in a new one. Doing so would just confuse things more. You need to sit tight.
If, however, you owe the IRS money from before the crisis occurred, there are no breaks on the penalties and interest that are stacking up. It may take the agency a while to get around to figuring it out, but if you decide to sit and wait ‘til you hear from them, you’re going to be in for a big shock. Your liability is not only still there, it’s adding on interest from the time that it was due. This is true on amended returns that reflect a liability as well.
How much could the interest and penalty add up to?
In a word – it could add up to a lot. Not only do you owe the original amount, you are also subject to accruing interest and a failure-to-pay penalty of 0.5% of your original liability for each month (or partial month) that it hasn’t been paid. That can rack up to 25% of the liability. There’s also a penalty if you failed to file on time, and that can add up to another 5% of the amount that you owe each month. Even if you can’t afford to pay your entire liability all at once, you’re much better off paying small parts over time than waiting and having all of that interest added to your debt. You can contact the IRS online to arrange for one of their installment agreements.
Remember that mountain of returns piling up somewhere? Keep that in mind when you’re ready to send the IRS your money. If you write a check it’s going to just sit there, and your interest is going to keep adding up. Opt for paying electronically via direct payment. Don’t worry about the fact that the paperwork is sitting in that big pile. The agency will eventually get around to going through it, and they’ll figure out which payment goes with which amended return.
Don’t Fall For These 5 COVID-19 Relief Payment Myths
1. Everyone is going to get $1,200.
While many are, the maximum $1,200 person payout isn’t going to show up in every person’s bank account or snail mail box. People who have higher incomes will see their payments reduced phased out incrementally for individuals with no children where their adjusted gross income (AGI) is more than $75,000 for single people; $112,500 for taxpayers filing as head of household; or $150,000 for taxpayers filing a joint return.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that created the payments also decreed that folks won’t get any COVID-19 relief money if their AGIs are more than $99,000 for single filers; $136,500 for head-of-household taxpayers; or $198,000 for married couples filing jointly.
The phase-out income levels are a bit higher for folks with kids. The Internal Revenue Service table below shows how the COVID-19 economic relief payment is reduced based on your AGI and number of eligible children (those age 16 or younger) you can claim.
Even those who do qualify for the maximum payout could see less when it arrives. The COVID relief payments are not subject to most types of federal offsets that usually are attached to things like your tax refund, such as overdue student loan payments or unpaid taxes. However, if a recipient is behind on child support, that due amount likely will be taken out before the relief payment is made. There’s also the possibility the payments could take a hit from some types of state or local government garnishments, as well as court-ordered paycheck collections.
2. Unemployment benefits disqualify you from getting the payment.
Not true, and that’s a huge sigh of relief you’re hearing across the country from the more than 30 million folks thrown out of jobs since the coronavirus began spreading across the United States. So collect that unemployment check (if your state government is able to get it to you) and expect your COVID-19 economic relief payment, too.
The federal relief payments being distributed now are based on the amount of money you made either in 2018 or 2019. The Treasury and IRS don’t care what you’re making (or not) in 2020. However, this year’s income could come into play as far as COVID-19 relief when you file your tax return next year. If you didn’t get the maximum amount based on your prior taxes, for example, you had an eligible dependent this year who was not shown on your earlier returns, you can claim that relief amount when you file your 2020 taxes in 2021. Yeah, I know. The wait is not what you need. But at least you’ll get your money eventually.
3. The COVID-19 economic relief payment is taxable income.
Again, no. The relief money is not income. It is a tax credit. Just like the child tax credit or Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), it’s a tax break that’s calculated based on your eligibility and is used to offset any tax you owe. Tax credits aren’t taxed. In some cases, they’re even refundable, meaning you get money back even if you don’t owe taxes. You don’t owe taxes the next year on any credits you get on your prior tax filings.
This tax credit math is usually done when you file your return. But in order to get the COVID relief money out more quickly, it’s being issued as an advance tax credit on your 2020 taxes based on your 2018 or 2019 returns. But its tax treatment remains the same. It’s not taxable.
4. You’ll have to pay back a too-big COVID-19 economic relief payment.
This is the companion to the tax credit myth. Again, not true. While the multiple tax years involved in the COVID relief payments definitely lend to the confusion about the money, the good news here is that if you got an overly large amount based on your 2018 or 2019 returns, don’t worry about it.
Uncle Sam says that even if your 2020 taxes, for which the payment is an advance tax credit, shows you should have received less, you get to keep the over payment that the government made this year. That’s because at the time the IRS calculated the COVID-19 relief amount you were due, the agency was using the latest info it had, your prior filings. So even though it technically is a 2020 tax year advance credit, the timing of its early delivery means that the IRS doesn’t care about your 2020 money, at least as far as the COVID-19 economic relief payment is concerned.
And there’s even better news. As noted in myth #2 and worth repeating here, if you didn’t get as much this year in your COVID relief payment as you eventually find you are due based on your 2020 tax situation, you can collect that unpaid amount when you file your 2020 return next year.
5. There are special ways to speed up delivery of my relief payment.
Treasury and the IRS already have established the payment schedule for the COVID-19 economic relief money. It’s going to direct deposit accounts first, then paper checks will be dropped in the mail. The payments also are being sent to the lowest-income taxpayers first in either the electronic or snail mail delivery route.
The only sure-fire way to get your COVID-19 economic relief payment more quickly is to get your direct deposit data to the IRS using the enhanced Get My Payment tool. If the IRS doesn’t have that information, it will mail you a paper check via the U.S. Postal Service. But you need to hurry. If when you do try to let the IRS know your bank info you find that it’s already decided you’ll get a paper check, you can’t change that. You’ll get a paper check.
So don’t fall for “offers” that promise to get you your COVID-19 money more quickly. Any phone calls or texts or emails from folks, some pretending to be with Treasury, the IRS or the Social Security Administration, are coronavirus scams. Don’t fall for them. It could cost you even more than the relief payment amount you’re expecting.
Stimulus Payments Are Finally Flowing – Did You Get Yours; Was It Correct?
The IRS has finally started making those much anticipated Economic Impact Payments, aka “Stimulus Payment.” However, not everyone who was expecting one has received theirs, and some may not be the amount expected.
The Treasury first looked for a filed 2019 return when they began making the payments. If a 2019 return was not filed in time to catch the payment dates, they used the family makeup and income from the 2018 return if one was filed. If neither was filed, then they paid rebates to recipients of Social Security, SSI disability, survivors, Railroad Retirement and veterans’ benefits.
Someone who does not fit into one of those categories is generally deemed to be a non-filer and will not receive a rebate until they either file a return or use the Non-Filer Tool on the IRS website.
You can check on the status of your rebate using the “Get My Payment” feature at the same IRS webpage as the non-filer tool. That same page also provides the ability for some taxpayers to enter their direct deposit information If the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information in their records, you can use Get My Payment to submit that information after properly verifying your identity and if the payment hasn’t already been scheduled for processing. To protect against potential fraud, Get My Payment won’t allow direct deposit bank information already on file with the IRS to be changed. However, direct deposit information can be updated for people whose direct deposit information on the last return filed was incorrect and resulted in a paper check being issued for their refund. Unfortunately, address changes cannot be made through Get My Payment.
Also realize there may have been births, deaths, under age 17 dependent children, marriages, separations, divorces, emancipations, and income changes that can cause the rebate amounts to be different from what may have been expected, or in some cases, be incorrect. On top of all that, the rebates are reduced (phased out) for higher income taxpayers, so based on your reported adjusted gross income on your 2019 return (or 2018 if 2019 hasn’t been filed yet), you may only qualify for a reduced rebate or no rebate at all.
The IRS provides an extensive Q&A related to rebate issues and situations that may answer any questions you may have related to your rebate.
Just a Reminder, Tax Day is July 15th
The outbreak of COVID-15 is forcing people to make changes all around the world, and taxes couldn’t be an exception. That’s why the Internal Revenue Service determined to extend the filing deadline and federal tax payments from April 15 to July 15, 2020.
This measure aims to offer relief to American taxpayers that may have been affected by the outbreak, and may be experiencing difficulties filing their taxes.
An Automatic Measure
You don’t have to contact the IRS send any new forms, or take any additional action to take advantage of this extension. The new date will be automatically applied to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.
The IRS encourages tax payers who are owned a refund to file as soon as possible, as refunds are issued within 21 days. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig advises that filing electronically and with direct deposit is the quickest way to get your refund.
As part of this relief package, taxpayers will also be able to defer federal income tax payments to July 15, 2020, without penalties or interests regardless of the amount owed. Remember that these measures apply to federal taxes, so it’s advisable to check with a tax expert to know more about deadlines and possible extensions for state taxes.
If you would like to request an extension to file your taxes after July 15, you should use Form 4868 with the assistance of a tax professional or using tax software. Companies looking for an extension should use Form 7004.
Get More Information
The situation and measures related to COVID-19 in the United Stated are fluid. The IRS has created a website with specific information about this topic. You can check it here to read the most recent updates and information about relief measures for taxpayers. If you wish to obtain more general information regarding COVID-19, check this official page from the United States government where you’ll find information, resources as well as the latest official news. Go here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
Who Qualifies as a Dependent on Taxes?
Deciding if Someone Qualifies as a Dependent on Your Tax Return
How Do I Know if I Can Claim Someone as a Dependent?
To start, there are a few basic requirements that need to be met to claim someone else as a dependent:
No one else can claim you, or your spouse if you’re filing a joint return, as a dependent. Even if the person chooses not to claim you as a dependent, the fact that they could makes you ineligible.
You generally can’t claim anyone who is married and files a joint return. However, there are exceptions if the person only files a joint return to get back income taxes that were withheld from paychecks or estimated tax payments.
The person you’re claiming must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien (which can include undocumented residents), U.S. national, or resident of Canada or Mexico. There are also some exceptions for adopted children who lived with you in the U.S.
These general rules apply to everyone. Additionally, the person you’re claiming must meet all the requirements to be your qualifying child or qualifying relative.
The Two Types of Qualifying Tax Dependents
Children and relatives can qualify as tax dependents—but their definitions are broader than you may suspect.
In addition to your birth child or an adopted child, your foster child, siblings, half-siblings and step-siblings (along with all the siblings’ descendants) can be qualifying children. And your son-in-law, mother-in-law, parents, grandparents and in-laws could all be qualifying relatives.
A person doesn’t even need to be a relative to count as a qualifying relative. A girlfriend, boyfriend or roommate could be your dependent as long as the person is a member of your household for the entire year and meets all the other requirements.
The IRS’ Publication 17, chapter 3, has a complete list of which relationships can qualify someone as a child or relative for dependent purposes.
In addition to the relationship requirement, the qualifying child or qualifying relative has to pass a series of “tests.”
Qualifying Children
There are four tests for qualifying children:
The child must be 19 or younger at the end of the tax year and younger than you (and your spouse if you file a joint return). Qualifying children can be up to 24 years old if they’re also full-time students for at least five months of the year, or they can be any age if they’re permanently and totally disabled.
The child has to live with you for at least half the year. There are exceptions for temporary absences, such as when you or the child are away from home for school, business, vacation or military service.
The child can’t provide more than half of his or her own support during the year (scholarships don’t count as support).
The child can’t file a joint tax return unless the only reason for filing is to get back the taxes that were withheld from his or her pay or were part of estimated tax payments.
The rules for who can claim a qualifying child can get fairly complex when both parents can claim the child as a dependent but they aren’t married, or they file their tax returns using the married filing separately status.
Some parents switch off, letting one person claim the child one year and the other parent claim the child the next. The IRS also has an official series of tiebreaker rules (see page 30 of Publication 17) to determine who can claim the child if you can’t come to an amicable agreement.
Qualifying Relatives
There are three additional tests for your qualifying relatives:
The person can’t be anyone’s qualifying child.
The person’s gross income must be below $4,150. Income could include money, property, goods or services they received, and it may include Social Security benefits. However, there are exceptions for people with disabilities who received income from certain tax-exempt schools.
You have to provide more than half of the person’s support for the year.
If working through all the tests sound like too much work, you could also try the IRS’ interactive tool, which can help you determine if you can claim someone as a dependent.
DISCLAIMER: Because each individual’s legal, tax, and financial situation is different, specific advice should be tailored to the particular
circumstances. For this reason, you are advised to consult with your own attorney, CPA, and/or other advisor regarding your specific situation.
Have further questions? Please contact our office and make an appointment.
