Archive for the Retirement Accounts Category

How Often Does Tax Law Change….

There were approximately 4,430 changes to the tax code from 2001 through 2010, an average of more than one a day, including an estimated 579 changes in 2010 alone. 

WHAT IS HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN

For 2011, the health plan will have a minimum annual deductible of $1,200 for single coverage and $2,400 for family coverage.

The annual out-of-pocket maximum is no more than $5,950 for single coverage and $11,900 for family coverage.

HSA 2011 Contributions

2011 Maximum HSA Contributions
Individual contribution
$3,050
Family contribution
$6,150
Catch-up contribution (over age 55 and not enrolled in Medicare)
$1,000
 

The IRS has determined that the change in inflation was not significant enough to result in adjustments to the 2011 limits on Health Savings Account contributions.

Also, see WHAT IS HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN

2012 Social Security Increase

Social Security benefits to go up 3.6% in 2012
Social Security payments will rise 3.6% in January, the first cost-of-living adjustment in three years. However, an expected increase in Medicare Part B premiums is expected to cancel out at least some of the COLA. CNNMoney.com

IRS 2009 Statistics

IRS statistics now available for 2009 tax returns.

The highest earning 1% of all U.S. individual taxpayers paid 36.7% of all federal income taxes.

The highest earning 5% paid 58.7%.

The bottom 50% paid only 2.25% of total federal income tax.

What is an Enrolled Agent (EA)?

Background: “Enrolled” means EAs are licensed by the federal government, while “Agent” allows appearance in place of the taxpayer before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Only EAs, attorneys and CPAs may represent taxpayers before the IRS. The EA profession started in 1884 when, after questionable claims had been presented for Civil War losses, Congress acted to regulate persons who represented citizens with the Treasury Department.

EAs were created by legislation signed into law by President Chester A. Arthur to handle these claims. At the time, some individuals with legitimate claims were cheated by their representatives in Washington while on other occasions; the government was being defrauded by false claims. EAs were the trusted individuals to represent petitioners in the US Court of Claims. Eventually their work expanded to focus on tax practice.

Professional Competency. The EA designation is awarded to individuals who successfully demonstrate expertise in the field of taxation by passing a tough enrollment test. EAs account for less than 10% of all individuals currently practicing in the field of taxation.

Continuing Education. EA is the only professional credential issued at the Federal level in taxation and requires considerable continuing professional education yearly.

 

What is Income?

IRC § 61 states all income from whatever source derived is taxable, unless specifically excluded by another Code section.

IRC stands for Internal Revenue Code.  If you ever tried to read it, you’ll know why they call it code!   § is the symbol for Code section.

STATES with NO INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX

  • Alaska
  • Florida
  • Nevada
  • South Dakota
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

Tennessee and New Hampshire tax only dividend & interest income.

Taxpayer Beware - IRS does not email

The IRS does not send taxpayers unsolicited e-mails about their tax accounts, tax situations, or personal tax issues.If you receive such an e-mail, it’s a scam.

IRPAC - when did this start?

IRPAC (Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee) was established in 1991 as a result of an administrative recommendation contained in the final conference report for the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989.  The recommendation suggested that the IRS consider “the creation of an advisory group of representatives from the payer community and practitioners interested in the Information Reporting Program (IRP) to discuss improvements to the system.”