Tax guidance and resources

Latest Articles

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  Oil profits and high gas prices don’t mix

  An irate reader takes Shell and the IRS to task. CPA George Saenz advises moving on.

  2 min read Aug 06, 2008
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  Figuring taxes on the wages of household employees

  If a child care or other household employee works at your house, you owe employment tax.

  3 min read Aug 05, 2008
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  Figuring taxes of household employees

  If a child care or other household employee works at your house, you owe employment tax.

  3 min read Aug 05, 2008
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  Income limits for IRAs

  Income limits rule for spouses who want to contribute to a deductible IRA, says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Jul 23, 2008
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  Using overnight delivery services

  IRS has provided rules on using a private delivery service for your return, along with advice for late e-filers.

  3 min read Apr 14, 2008
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  Is tax ‘rebate’ doomed to fail?

  Will a simple choice of words derail the government’s plan to stimulate the economy?

  5 min read Mar 28, 2008
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  Can 1 S corp buy another?

  One S corp can’t buy shares of another unless it treats it as a subsidiary, says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Mar 18, 2008
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  Qualifying for earned income credit

  Workers have to qualify for earned income credit, says CPA George Saenz.

  1 min read Jan 30, 2008
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  Carpenter seeks tax savings

  CPA George Saenz advises a self-employed reader on the tax implications of different small business entities.

  2 min read Nov 06, 2007
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  Window tinting can mean a tax credit

  You may still be able to recoup part of the cost of this simple energy-saving home improvement through a credit on your 2007 tax filing.

  4 min read Jul 16, 2007
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  Deducting losses or capitalizing costs

  Instead of immediately selling the property, offer it for rent. You can convert your capital loss to ordinary loss.

  2 min read Mar 30, 2007
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  Writing off travel expenses

  You can deduct reasonable and ordinary travel expenses when away from home on a temporary work assignment, says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Mar 27, 2007
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  Claiming foreign children as dependents

  To claim individuals, even children, as dependents, they have to be citizens or residents of the U.S., says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Feb 28, 2007
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  Tax changes for the 2005 filing year

  Check out these changes to the Income Tax Act that could save you money.

  3 min read Jan 13, 2007
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  Tax on home proceeds in a divorce

  You’re spared tax repercussions of home proceeds in a divorce, says CPA George Saenz.

  1 min read Dec 12, 2006
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  Cooling a tax bill with energy credits

  You can earn tax credits when replacing your air conditioning system as long as it meets the energy-efficient requirements, says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Dec 08, 2006
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  Sorting out nanny tax rules

  Principally the IRS is looking to collect Social Security and Medicare tax on wages paid to your household help, says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Nov 10, 2006
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  Capital gains exclusion for foreign home

  The rules apply to foreign homes even if you were not a resident of this country during the period of ownership and use, says CPA George Saenz.

  1 min read Nov 09, 2006
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  Deducting rental property losses

  Rental real estate losses are not allowed to married or single taxpayers whose AGI exceeds $150,000 a year, says CPA George Saenz.

  1 min read Nov 08, 2006
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  Converting to a Roth IRA

  The Roth conversion is an oddity, making people pay more tax now in exchange for a future promise that you will not have to pay tax, says CPA George Saenz.

  1 min read Oct 25, 2006