A gift card, like a cash gift, is not considered taxable income for the recipient. The reason is that a gift card is a form of payment, similar to cash or a check. When you receive a gift card, you are not receiving income, but rather a means to purchase goods or services. Therefore, the … Read more
If you took a coronavirus-related distribution from your retirement account, be aware that you have a short window to repay the funds or you’ll owe taxes on the distribution. For 2020 distributions, you have until August 31, 2023 to return the funds to your retirement account. For 2021 distributions, you have until October 15, 2024 … Read more
When you fail to make an estimated tax payment for a particular quarter, you may be subject to penalties. The penalty is calculated based on the amount of tax you owed for the quarter and the length of time you’ve gone without making the payment. If you miss a payment, you should make it as … Read more
Honorariums are payments made for services or contributions, but they are not considered salary or wages. They are typically given to individuals who are not employees of the organization or institution providing the honorarium. The tax treatment of honorariums depends on whether the payment is considered a gift or income. If the payment is considered … Read more
Capital gains are profits made from investments that are sold for more than their original purchase price. In general, you will need to pay income tax on capital gains, but there are some exceptions. For example, you may not have to pay taxes on capital gains if the asset was held for more than a … Read more
Determining whether spousal support is taxable depends on whether the payments are considered alimony or property settlement. Alimony, intended to support a former spouse, is generally taxable for the recipient and deductible for the payer. Property settlement, dividing jointly-owned property, is not taxable but may affect the capital gains if the recipient later sells the … Read more
Taxation can influence inflation through various mechanisms. Consumption taxes, such as sales tax, directly increase the prices of goods and services, leading to a rise in inflation. Income taxes reduce disposable income, potentially curbing consumer demand and mitigating inflationary pressures. Corporate taxes can impact businesses’ profitability, affecting investment decisions that may influence inflation. Additionally, taxation … Read more
Whether board member payments are taxable depends on the nature of the payments and the recipient’s status. Generally, director fees and other compensation for services as a board member are considered taxable income and are subject to regular income tax rules. The payments are reported on the recipient’s individual tax return. However, if the board … Read more
If you’re wondering why federal taxes aren’t being deducted from your paycheck, it could be for a few reasons. Maybe you submitted a Form W-4 to your employer that resulted in an incorrect withholding amount. Or, you might have claimed certain deductions or credits that reduced your taxable income to zero. Whatever the cause, it’s … Read more
If you haven’t worked and earned money, you may still need to file taxes. Certain types of income, such as unemployment benefits, Social Security payments, or investment earnings, are taxable and require you to file a tax return. Additionally, you may be eligible for tax credits or deductions that could reduce the amount of taxes … Read more