Tax guidance and resources

Latest Articles

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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
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  Capital gains on sale of home with farm

  If the avocados produce a profit, then the land is considered farmland and when sold would not qualify for capital gain exclusion from the sale of your home.

  1 min read Aug 01, 2006
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  Estate tax elimination could cost heirs

  As it stands now, the estate tax will be repealed in 2010. But some people could face a whole new set of tax troubles.

  7 min read Jul 24, 2006
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  Student wants tax exemption on condo

  Whether you can exclude capital gains on the sale of your jointly owned condo largely depends on if it served as your principal residence, says CPA George Saenz.

  2 min read Jun 13, 2006
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  Overtaxed on rental property sale

  You have three years from the date you filed the original return to claim a refund on your overpayment, says CPA George Saenz.

  1 min read May 02, 2006
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  Tax details quiz

  Let’s get down to brass tacks. Do you know basic tax details? Take our quiz and find out.

  1 min read Apr 30, 2006
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  Tax Basics: Chapter 2 quiz

  Taking care of taxes involves the nitty-gritty of finding the right form and tax tables. Test your knowledge.

  1 min read Apr 30, 2006
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  Tax Basics: Chapter 3 quiz

  You’d better know your deductions if you want to pay the least amount of tax. Test yourself.

  Apr 30, 2006