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8 Reasons Why Filing Separately May be Right For You

Depending on your situation, Married Filing Separately could actually be the right filing status for you

Whether you’ve been married for decades or recently tied the knot, you probably share just about everything with your spouse. Bills, chores, children (or maybe just a pet), a house, the list of what couples share goes on and on.

Should what’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine also apply to your tax return?

For most couples, filing jointly means more tax incentives. However, this filing status isn’t for everyone. In fact, there’s reasons why filing separately may be a better idea.

When it’s a Good Idea to Choose Married Filing Separately

In most cases, you’ll find that filing a joint tax return ends up saving you and your spouse money. However, there are certain situations that when filing separately ends up being the better option. Below are eight reasons to file separately;

 1. You have a large amount of Medical Expenses:   In order to qualify to deduct medical expenses, they have to total more than 10% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). That means, if your filing jointly and your Adjusted Gross Income as a couple  is $110,000, then the total of your medical expenses has to be at least $11,000. However, if your AGI is $40,000, and your spouse’s is $70,000, then when married filing separately, you could deduct your medical expenses as long as they  are at least $4000.

2. You’re Reporting a Long List of Employee Business Expenses: Like medical expenses, qualifications to report employee business expenses, such as mileage on your tax return is directly linked to your income. To deduct employee business expenses, they must total at least 2% of your income. In other words, this 2% will be a much larger number when taking into account your spouse’s income in addition to your own. Continue reading “8 Reasons Why Filing Separately May be Right For You”

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How To Report Side Job Earnings on a Tax Return

Even if you didn’t receive a 1099-MISC or W-2, you still need to report side job earnings on a tax return…

If you earned money from a side job and didn’t receive a form 1099-MISC or W-2 form, then you may think you’re off the hook from reporting it on your tax return. Think again.

The IRS requires taxpayers to report all income from any source. Even if it’s from a side job.

In fact, you’ll need to report it as self-employment income on a business tax return (Sch. C).

Reporting Money Earned From Side Jobs

You might be confused and asking “I don’t have a business-Why would I file a business tax return?” According to the IRS, “All income earned through the taxpayer’s business, as an independent contractor or from informal side jobs is self-employment income, which is fully taxable and must be reported on Form 1040.” 

In other words, even if you don’t consider yourself a business owner or self-employed, if you’re 18 years or older, you’ll still need to report income earned from side work as self employment income on a Business Tax Return (even if it’s less than $600).

This includes fees received from;

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Do Unemployed File Taxes?

If you’re unemployed, plan to file a 2014 tax return. Unemployment benefits are taxable.

“Do I pay taxes on unemployment benefits?”, “Do I file taxes if I’m unemployed”. If you’re unemployed, these questions may sound familiar.

The answer to both is yes.

The bottom line is this; you’ll need to file a  tax return and report all income received, including any unemployment benefits received.

Being under unemployment in 2014 doesn’t mean your free from filing a tax return. You’ll need to report your unemployment compensation sooner or later. It will be to your advantage to get it out of the way on time, during the 2015 tax season.

How to Report Unemployment Benefits on a Tax Return

Any income you receive during the tax year counts as income that you need to report on your tax return. Above all, the IRS considers unemployment benefits as income that you must report on a tax return. Continue reading “Do Unemployed File Taxes?”