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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 File 2013 Taxes Late

You’ll no longer be able to e-file, but you can still file your 2013 tax return

The deadline to e-file a 2013 tax return was October 15, 2014.

If you haven’t yet filed your 2013 taxes, you’ll still be able to prepare your 2013 tax return online but you’ll need to mail it to the IRS rather than electronically filing.

With RapidTax, you can file 2013 taxes late. All you’ll have to do is enter your information and after your return is prepared, you’ll print and mail it to the IRS.

Whatever you do, don’t put off doing your 2013 taxes. The later you file, the more you’ll end up handing over to the IRS. Save your money, and the headaches and get it out of the way!

You can still get your 2013 tax refund

If you’re late filing 2013 taxes and expecting a tax refund, you’ll be happy to hear you can still collect your refund.

The IRS Statute of Limitations allows tax filers three years to collect a tax refund. That means, you have until April 15, 2017. After this date the IRS will no longer send out 2013 tax refund checks. Continue reading “How To File 2013 Taxes Late”

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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;