Joshua Hock

On February 4, 2010 (1 pm ET / 12 pm CT / 11 am MT / 10 am PT), Logan Education Services will offer a Primer on International Estate Planning--a 90 Minute Live Teleconference that is designed to help you... Read More

Taxpayers with disabilities may qualify for a number of IRS tax credits and benefits. Parents of children with disabilities may also qualify. Tax Tip 2010-24 lists seven tax credits and other benefits that are available if you or someone else... Read More

The IRS has made available the data for tax year 2007 from Schedules M-3, Net Income (Loss) Reconciliation for Corporations.  Data is presented by size of corporation total assets and industrial sector:  Tables 1 and 2 present data ... Read More

The IRS has released Notice 2010-20, which provides guidance as to the corporate bond weighted average interest rate and the permissible range of interest rates specified under § 412(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Internal Revenue Code. It also provides ... Read More

The IRS has released Revenue Procedure 2010-17 which provides guidance to individuals who fail to meet the eligibility requirements of section 911(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code because adverse conditions in a foreign country preclude the individua... Read More

If you bought a new vehicle in 2009, you may be entitled to a special tax deduction for the sales and excise taxes on your purchase.  Tax Tip 2010-26 lists eight important facts about this deduction: 1. State and local sales and... Read More

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced the year-long suspension from practice (before the agency) of a Houston tax professional who violated Circular 230 by providing false or misleading information to the Treasur... Read More

Taxpayers who received unemployment benefits in 2009 are entitled to a special tax break when they file their 2009 federal tax returns. This tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Tax Tip 2010-29 lists five... Read More

College can be very expensive. Tax Tip 2010-30 offers students and parents the following five ways to offset education costs: 1. The American Opportunity Credit This credit can help parents and students pay part of the cost of the first four... Read More

On February 12, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service released the following message for tax professionals: The IRS is providing more information regarding documentation requirements on the First-Time Homebuyer Credit. The IRS encourages buyers seeking th... Read More

On February 12, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service released the following message for tax professionals: The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service recently announced the allocation of a second round of authority to Indian tri... Read More

If you received Social Security benefits in 2009, you need to know whether or not these benefits are taxable. Tax Tip 2010-31 lists seven facts about Social Security benefits so you can determine whether or not they are taxable to you:... Read More

Some taxpayers may have needed to take an early distribution from their retirement plan last year. The IRS wants individuals who took an early distribution to know that there can be a tax impact to tapping your retirement fund.  Tax Tip... Read More

The Alternative Minimum Tax attempts to ensure that anyone who benefits from certain tax advantages pays at least a minimum amount of tax. Tax Tip 2010-33 lists seven facts about the AMT and changes to this special tax for 2009:... Read More

In issue 2010-4 of "eNews for Small Business," the IRS directs readers attention to special tax treatment for start-up business costs: There is a special tax treatment for expenses you incur before you actually begin business operations. The IRS then... Read More

In issue 2010-4 of "eNews for Small Business," the IRS offers the following advice: To avoid delays do not send Form 1045, Application for Tentative Refund, or 1139, Corporation Application for Tentative Refund, in the same envelope as the original... Read More

In issue 2010-4 of "eNews for Small Business," the IRS directs day care business owners to an information page on its website: The Child Care Tax Center contains links to child care related topics in one convenient location.   Posted... Read More

Gambling winnings are fully taxable and must be reported on your tax return. Tax Tip 2010-34 lists seven facts about gambling winnings:   1. Gambling income includes - but is not limited to - winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse and... Read More

Have you heard of capital gains and losses? If not, you may want to read up on them because they might have an impact on your tax return. Tax Tip 2010-35 lists ten facts about gains and losses and how they could... Read More

Revenue Ruling 2010-08 provides various prescribed rates for federal income tax purposes for March 2010 (current month) including the applicable federal interest rates, the adjusted applicable federal interest rates, the adjusted federal long-term... Read More

The IRS has released a message reminding taxpayers about the February 28th deadline for claiming Haiti Relief Donations on their 2009 returns: WASHINGTON -- Taxpayers wishing to claim their Haiti relief donations on the tax return they are filling out... Read More

If you make eligible contributions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or to an individual retirement arrangement, you may be eligible for a tax credit.  The IRS has released Tax Tip 2010-36 which lists the following six points ... Read More

Claiming the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit on your 2009 tax return might mean a larger refund but it can seem complex. Are you confused about the documentation requirements? Recognizing that the settlement documents can vary from location t... Read More

If you've changed your home or business address, make sure you update that information with the IRS to ensure you receive any refunds or correspondence from the IRS.  Tax Tip 2010-37 lists five tips for taxpayers who have recently moved: ... Read More

Military members and their spouses may be eligible to receive free tax return preparation assistance. The U.S. Armed Forces participates in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and provides free tax advice, tax preparation, return filing an... Read More

The IRS has released the following message: Revenue Ruling 2010-09 announces the rates of interest.  Revenue Ruling 2010-09 will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin No. 2010-13, dated March 29, 2010.   Posted by Joshua Hock, Associate Editor,... Read More

The IRS has released the following message: Eight articles from the winter 2010 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin (IRS Publication 1136) are now available. The articles present preliminary data on individual income for tax year 2008; data on... Read More

The IRS provides free publications and forms as well as other tax material and information to help taxpayers meet their tax obligations.  Tax Tip 2010-41 lists four ways you can get the information you need to file your tax return: ... Read More

Taxpayers looking for tax preparation assistance should look into IRS sponsored, community-based, volunteer tax return preparation programs. Tax Tip 2010-42 lists ten important points about these volunteer programs: 1. The IRS sponsors b... Read More

The IRS has released a message about unclaimed tax refunds; it estimates that nearly $1.3 billion dollars have yet to be claimed by taxpayers for 2006: ...For 2006 returns, the window closes on April 15, 2010. The law requires that... Read More

The IRS has made an announced a ruling that may change the tax liability for medical residents: WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service has made an administrative determination to accept the position that medical residents are excepted fro... Read More

The IRS has released the following message: WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that the two agencies agreed to work more closely to monitor and regulate the municipal bond market and industry... Read More

If your mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during tax years 2007 through 2012, you may be able to claim special tax relief and exclude the debt forgiven from your income. Tax Tip 2010-44 lists 10 facts the IRS... Read More

The IRS has released the following message: Revenue Procedure 2010-14 provides a safe harbor method of reporting gain or loss for certain taxpayers who initiate deferred like-kind exchanges under § 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code but fail to complete... Read More

The IRS has released the following message: Notice 2010-24 provides guidance as to the corporate bond weighted average interest rate and the permissible range of interest rates specified under § 412(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Internal Revenue Code.  ... Read More

The IRS has made the following announcement: Revenue Procedure 2010-19 provides guidance for individuals who emigrate from Canada and wish to make an election for U.S. federal income tax purposes under paragraph 7 of Article XIII (Gains) of the Convent... Read More

Most taxpayers have a choice of either taking a standard deduction or itemizing their deductions. If you have a choice, you can use the method that gives you the lowest tax.  Tax Tip 2010-48 provides information that can be helpful... Read More

The IRS has made the following announcement: Revenue Procedure 2010-20 provides a safe harbor under section 118(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for the treatment of a Smart Grid Investment Grant under 42 U.S.C. 17386 made by the United States... Read More

There are many e-mail scams circulating that fraudulently use the Internal Revenue Service name or logo as a lure. The goal of the scam - known as phishing - is to trick you into revealing personal and financial information. The... Read More

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) today announced the release of the 2009 IRS Data Book, which is an annual snapshot of IRS activities for a given fiscal year. The report describes activities conducted by the IRS from Oct. 1, 2008,... Read More