Tax Planning
Articles
General tax planning
Tax credits and deductions
Taxes and insurance
Decision Tools
General tax planning
Tax credits and deductions
FAQs
General tax planning
- Am I having enough tax withheld from my paycheck?
- Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?
- Are scholarships and grants subject to federal income tax?
- Do I have to file a federal income tax return?
- Do I have to pay U.S taxes when I work Abroad?
- How did the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 change capital gains tax rates?
- I don't have the cash to pay my taxes. What can I do?
- I have investment property. What does basis mean, and how do I determine the basis of my property
- I received a state tax refund last year. Must I include that amount as income on my federal return this year?
- My spouse passed away this year. When I file my taxes, what filing status should I claim?
- What is my tax bracket?
- What is the alternative minimum tax?
- What is the basis of property received as a gift?
- What is the kiddie tax?
- What penalties and interest will I be charged for paying and filing my federal income taxes late?
- What's the difference between an "injured spouse" and an "innocent spouse"?
- Will I have to pay tax on my investment income?
Tax credits
Taxes and child support/alimony
- Can I take the credit for the elderly or disabled?
- Can I take the tax credit for child care?
- Now that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits?
- What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit?
- What is the child tax credit?
- What is the difference between the child tax credit and the child and dependent care tax credit?
- What is the earned income credit and who qualifies for it?
Tax deductions
- Can I deduct home office expenses?
- Can I deduct premiums paid for long-term care (LTC) insurance?
- Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?
- How do I deduct and substantiate my gambling losses?
- I paid my mother's real estate taxes last year. Can I deduct this on my tax return?
- I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?
- If I prepay next year's taxes this year, can I deduct them this year?
- If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?
- Is student loan interest deductible?
- My spouse and I are filing separate returns. Can we both itemize our deductions? If so, how do we split the deductions?
- My town has assessed against me a real estate betterment for new sewer lines installed in my street. May I deduct this amount on my tax return?
- We just bought our first home. What can we deduct from the settlement statement?
Taxes and home ownership
- Can I deduct the cost of improvements or repairs I've made to my home?
- How do I figure the tax on the sale of my home?
- I refinanced my principal home last year and paid points. What are points, and can I deduct them on my tax return?
- I rent my home out for two weeks each year. Do I have to show this rental income on my federal income tax return?