Friday, February 28, 2014

Filing Taxes

By Maryl Joop


Completing and filing taxes can be challenging depending on how complicated your tax claims are. For some it may be simple and require little effort or people may choose the option to have a professional file taxes for them. However, individuals that own a company or real-estate will require more complicated filings.

It is important to know the various tax filing options available and to seek professional help from a tax professional or accountant. There can be many complications if taxes are not filed properly or may have errors.

First, it is important to understand that there are 2 primary ways to reduce the amount of taxes you pay. Deductions and credits both take money off the amount of taxable income but they are slightly different in how they affect how much money you save.

Deductions are run on a percentage basis that varies depending on the amount of income you make. Meaning that if you claim $4000 on a deduction and fall in the 25% bracket, you get a deduction of $1000. Credits, on the other hand, are good for 100% of their value. If your credit is $1000, you get the full $1000 taken off the total taxes you owe.

This section will focus on the four main tax credits that many people can be eligible: Child and Dependant Care Credit: Assists in providing supplemental credit for daycare costs for dependants less than 13 years of age -- Savers Tax Credit: A credit for those contributing to a retirement plan, or 401k --American Opportunity Tax Credit: This credit is based on an individual student which assists with tuition costs for those who qualify -- Earned Income Tax Credit: This credit is based on the adjusted gross income, and varies depending on the filing status.

Sometimes it is just easier to let an expert take control of the situation. This can save you a huge headache. There are several companies out there that specialize in filing taxes. They can also help you find all of the deductions which you may be missing.

Taxes also can become a venue for tax crimes or may include individuals or companies are delinquent on their taxes. In this case the IRIS can take minimal to strong legal actions against such parties if the law is broken.

Those who commit tax fraud or avoid paying their taxes or committing fraud in most cases will require a tax lawyer. Having a professional who can support and protect the interests of these individuals is vital in order to reconcile offences or settling on debts.

There are several more deductions that you can claim depending on your situation. The best way to reduce your taxes and get a better return is to take the time to learn which deductions and credits you qualify for and take advantage of each one.




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