by Leif Jensen | Apr 4, 2011 | General |
If you want or need assistance with the IL Use Tax Amnesty program please contact our office at 847-690-9454.
by Leif Jensen | Apr 4, 2011 | General |
There are 15 days left to file your individual tax returns without an extension. If you need assistance please contact our office at 847-690-9454.
by Leif Jensen | Mar 27, 2011 | General |
The National Labor Relations Board has commented that what workers posts on Facebook are a protected activity. So boss bashing on Facebook cannot be disciplined any more than workers sharing complaints with one another within the office.
by Leif Jensen | Mar 27, 2011 | General |
Leasing a business vehicle is much cheaper in 2011. The amount taxed is about 50% less than in 2010. If the vehicle has a worth of more than $18,500 when first leased for business during 2011, the lessee must pay income tax each year on an amount spelled out in IRS...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 27, 2011 | General |
The tax court has audited and disallowed reimbursed business expenses on Schedule A. It was determined that the individual who claimed the business expenses for parking and travel on her Schedule A; but these expenses were reimbursable by her employer, she never...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 27, 2011 | General |
Illinois is offering an amnesty for Use Tax based upon purchases that were not subject to sales tax. This is for years 2004 – 2009. 2010 is payable on the FY2010 IL1040. The details below are from the Illinois Department of Revenue website. If you need any...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 27, 2011 | General |
Depreciation rates for autos put in use in 2011 does not change from 2010: The first year cap is $11,060 for new cars and $3,060 for used cars. The second and third year limits are $4,800 and $2,850, respectively. The ceiling in all subsequent years is...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 19, 2011 | General |
Below is a posting from the IRS website, regarding the 2010 Data book. This is a summary of the IRS activities for their past fiscal year. It is interesting what they are claiming as a success, such as the amount of electronic filings. This has been a mandate in...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 14, 2011 | General |
The NFL owners have been stock piling money and have enough to cover a non-existent 2011 season. I doubt the all the players are in as good a shape as the owners. Bob Batterman, the lead outside counsel for the NFL, stated that the league expects to hold a 2011...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 14, 2011 | General |
If you are curious as to when you will get your federal income tax refund you can go the IRS website http://www.irs.gov Then go to the tab Where’s My Refund? You’ll need to provide the following information from your tax return: * Your Social Security Number (or...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 14, 2011 | General |
The IRS has launched a new app for smart phones IRS2GO. This will assist in checking on the status of your refund and tax information as well as e-mails of changes in the tax code. The IRS is trying to reach out to assist taxpayers through more than just traditional...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 7, 2011 | General |
IRS interest rates will be rising by a percentage point as of April 1, 2011. On overdue taxes, IRS will charge 4% for individuals. The rate will be 6% on corporations that owe more than $100,000. On refunds, IRS will pay 4% to individuals and 3% to corporations. For...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 7, 2011 | General |
As more people owe more money in back taxes. The IRS is raising the dollar threshold from $5,000 to $10,000 before filing a tax lien for unpaid taxes. IRS will also withdraw more tax liens once the tax debts are repaid. This could help debtors’ credit ratings because...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 7, 2011 | General |
The Social Security wage base proposal for 2012 is $110,100,up $3,300. The current two-percentage-point cut in the employees’ share of Social Security tax is set to lapse after 2011, so rates will return to 7.65% on employers and employees. Government estimates for...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 7, 2011 | General |
IRS Notice 2011-14 Funds paid on behalf of financially struggling homeowners under both federal and state assistance programs to prevent foreclosure and stabilize the housing market are exclude-able from income. 1099’s need not be issued.
by Leif Jensen | Mar 7, 2011 | General |
I was meeting with three clients the other day. One makes enough to cover just basic expenses, the next has a mid-level salary, the third is an entrepreneur made more the the other two combined. They all have very liberal leanings. The entrepreneur will owe money...
by Leif Jensen | Mar 7, 2011 | General |
Although these expenses may be related to her job, expenses that are inherently personal are nondeductible personal expenses. A television morning news anchor cannot deduct the cost of her business clothing that she wore only on TV, the Tax Court says, even though she...
by Leif Jensen | Feb 28, 2011 | General |
Yesterday I was picking up a couple of gift certificates for a Not-for-Profit. They had a new credit card machine and were having difficulties with the machine and processing my payment. While this was happening I was stating that this could have a devastating...
by Leif Jensen | Feb 28, 2011 | General |
One of the things clients often ask me when we first meet is whether I am familiar with their particular industry. Even if I am familiar with their business, I inform them that this is not the most important consideration in a client/CPA relationship. The most...
by Leif Jensen | Feb 21, 2011 | General |
As the tax season progresses and I talk to more clients, I am finding that more and more people are not saving anything. Those that are saving are only making minimum payments to their 401K plans and little to nothing else. It seems we are feeling trapped and cannot...
