Taxes

On March 2, the IRS updated the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Virtual Currency Transactions. The new FAQ provides that taxpayers whose only crypto transactions include the purchase of virtual currency with real currency need not answer yes to the question on the front page of the 2020 IRS Form 1040. This instruction is directly

Cryptocurrency purchases made in fiat currencies are not subject to any type of IRS tax reporting according to the IRS FAQs on cryptocurrency (Q5) updated as of March 2, 2021.  Updated Q5 on IRS FAQs on virtual currency IRS FAQs on virtual currency For example, say Sam purchased 1 bitcoin (BTC) in 2020 for $1,000

Ask Larry Economic Security Planning, Inc. Today’s column addresses questions about whether taking Social Security survivor’s benefits now would reduce retirement benefits taken as late as 70, whether and when Social Security recalculates benefits based on income and retirement benefits before divorced spousal benefits. Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of Economics at Boston University and

Time is running out to pass Covid-19 relief legislation to extend unemployment benefits and provide … [+] other needed aid. getty Even as they digest the bad news that a simple minimum wage increase can’t be included in President Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief package, Congressional Democrats are moving rapidly to pass the overall legislation.  They are doing the

paper bag with groceries handed to needy elderly person in vehicle getty In this episode of Tax Notes Talk, Rebecca Thompson of Prosperity Now, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected low-income communities and families of color in the United States, and what tax policy tools could help them. The post

Frustrated shocked man having problems, feel confused looking at laptop screen at office getty It’s the beginning of every American’s favorite time of the year … to hate: tax season. Starting on Feb 12th, the IRS started accepting tax returns for the 2020 tax year. Here are three of the most common tax season mistakes

Ask Larry Economic Security Planning, Inc. Today’s column addresses questions about whether divorced spousal benefits could reduce other benefits including childhood disability benefits (CDBs), how long a reconsideration request might be expected to take and whether survivor benefits might be affected by the WEP or GPO. Larry Kotlikoff is a Professor of Economics at Boston

In a recent bankruptcy case, the court considered whether the recapture (repayment) obligation of the first-time homebuyer credit is a “tax” as applied to the non-discharge provisions of the bankruptcy code. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 provided a tax credit for first-time homebuyers. The credit, which was for certain purchases between 2008

Google closeup logo displayed on a phone screen.(Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty … [+] Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images The most interesting tax news these days may not be the tax cuts in the massive pandemic relief bill now awaiting House passage. Rather, it may be the growing efforts of states to tax internet

Protective face mask and tax income documents for 2020. Concept for personal finances during … [+] Coronavirus pandemic getty Divorced and never married co-parents have the chance to pick up an extra $1,100 per dependent child when they file their 2020 returns. It requires trust, cooperation and running multiple versions of their 2020 returns. It is probably