INCOME Wages and Alimony

Income - Definition Gross income is all income received in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax. Gross income is all income received in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax. Income from sources outside the U.S., even if part or all of that income will not be taxable. Income from sources outside the U.S., even if part or all of that income will not be taxable. Part of unemployment compensation, part of social security benefits received, and certain scholarship and fellowship grants. Part of unemployment compensation, part of social security benefits received, and certain scholarship and fellowship grants. Types of Income Types of Income Taxable Income Taxable Income Non-taxable Income Non-taxable Income

Taxable Income Taxable Income is any income that is subject to federal income tax: Taxable Income is any income that is subject to federal income tax: Earned Income Earned Income Unearned Income Unearned Income Earned income is any income received for work, such as wages; business income Earned income is any income received for work, such as wages; business income Unearned income is any income produced by investments, such as interest on savings, dividends on stocks, or rental income Unearned income is any income produced by investments, such as interest on savings, dividends on stocks, or rental income All taxable income must be reported on a tax return unless the amount is so small that the individual is not required to file a return. All taxable income must be reported on a tax return unless the amount is so small that the individual is not required to file a return.

Nontaxable/Exempt Income Nontaxable or "excludable" refers to income such as gifts and inheritances. Excludable income is not shown on the return. Nontaxable or "excludable" refers to income such as gifts and inheritances. Excludable income is not shown on the return. Exempt income includes interest income produced from certain types of investments Exempt income includes interest income produced from certain types of investments Municipal bond income Municipal bond income

Case Study SourceTaxable? Wages Interest Child Support Alimony Inheritance Worker’s Compensation Lottery Winnings

Exercise Under what circumstances must a person report taxable income? Under what circumstances must a person report taxable income? a. Always, unless the income is only from interest b. Always, unless the income is so small that reporting it is not required c. Always, unless the person is identified as a dependent on someone else's tax return

Exercise Which of the following types of income are exempt from federal taxes? Which of the following types of income are exempt from federal taxes? a.Jury duty pay b.IRA distributions c.Tips d.Inheritances

Exercise Which of the following types of income are taxable Which of the following types of income are taxable a.Stock and credit union dividends b.Veterans' life insurance dividends c.Workers' compensation d.Child support

W2 It reports the employee's earned income for the year. Employers should issue Form W-2 to every employee and send a copy to the Social Security Administration. It reports the employee's earned income for the year. Employers should issue Form W-2 to every employee and send a copy to the Social Security Administration. The software will automatically adds up amounts from Box 1 on multiple W2s The software will automatically adds up amounts from Box 1 on multiple W2s

Missing W2 All wage, salary, and tip income must be reported on the return, even if the employee does not receive a Form W-2. All wage, salary, and tip income must be reported on the return, even if the employee does not receive a Form W-2. A taxpayer who does not receive a Form W-2 by January 31 should first contact the employer and find out if or when the Form W-2 was mailed. A taxpayer who does not receive a Form W-2 by January 31 should first contact the employer and find out if or when the Form W-2 was mailed. If the taxpayer does not receive the Form W-2 after a reasonable amount of time, the taxpayer should contact the IRS for assistance at , but not before February 15. If the taxpayer does not receive the Form W-2 after a reasonable amount of time, the taxpayer should contact the IRS for assistance at , but not before February 15.

Missing W-2 A taxpayer who has requested a Form W-2 or Form 1099-R and has still not received it by the due date of the return should file Form 4852 A taxpayer who has requested a Form W-2 or Form 1099-R and has still not received it by the due date of the return should file Form 4852 The taxpayer should: The taxpayer should: Keep a copy of Form 4852 and file a copy with the Social Security Administration to ensure proper social security credit, and Keep a copy of Form 4852 and file a copy with the Social Security Administration to ensure proper social security credit, and Attach Form 4852 to the tax return Attach Form 4852 to the tax return

Household Employees Generally, if a household employee earns less than $1,700 a year while working in the employer's home, the employer is not required to provide the taxpayer with a Form W-2 and no social security or Medicare taxes are owed. Generally, if a household employee earns less than $1,700 a year while working in the employer's home, the employer is not required to provide the taxpayer with a Form W-2 and no social security or Medicare taxes are owed. However, a Form W-2 is required if the employer withholds federal income taxes. However, a Form W-2 is required if the employer withholds federal income taxes. If the taxpayer’s household employer is not required to issue Form W-2, enter "HSH" and the amount on the dotted line next to line 7, then include the amount in the total on line 7. If the taxpayer’s household employer is not required to issue Form W-2, enter "HSH" and the amount on the dotted line next to line 7, then include the amount in the total on line 7.

Tip Income If taxpayers have the type of jobs that normally include income from tips (i.e. waiter/waitress, bellhop, motel maid, etc.), be sure to ask about any tips they may have received. If taxpayers have the type of jobs that normally include income from tips (i.e. waiter/waitress, bellhop, motel maid, etc.), be sure to ask about any tips they may have received. All tip income is subject to federal income tax. Individuals who receive $20 or more per month in tips from one job must report their tip income to their employer. All tip income is subject to federal income tax. Individuals who receive $20 or more per month in tips from one job must report their tip income to their employer.

Tip Income Noncash tips (for example, tickets or passes) do not have to be reported to the employer, but must be included as taxable income at their fair market value. Noncash tips (for example, tickets or passes) do not have to be reported to the employer, but must be included as taxable income at their fair market value. Tips that are reported to employers are included in wages on Form W-2, box 1. Tips that are reported to employers are included in wages on Form W-2, box 1.

Allocated Tips Allocated tips are tips an employer assigns to an employee. They are in addition to the tips the employee reports to the employer. Allocated tips are tips an employer assigns to an employee. They are in addition to the tips the employee reports to the employer. Allocated tips are shown separately in box 8, Allocated tips, of Form W-2. They are not included in the amount in box 1. Allocated tips are shown separately in box 8, Allocated tips, of Form W-2. They are not included in the amount in box 1. When allocated tips are reported in box 8 of Form W-2, the software automatically adds them to line 7 of Form 1040 and completes Form When allocated tips are reported in box 8 of Form W-2, the software automatically adds them to line 7 of Form 1040 and completes Form If the amount is not correct, based on the taxpayer’s records, an adjustment will need to be made on Form If the amount is not correct, based on the taxpayer’s records, an adjustment will need to be made on Form 4137.

Exercise Mandy worked two jobs. She was a quality inspector during the week and a bartender on the weekends. She reported all of her tip income ($3,000) to her employer. Her Forms W-2, box 1, showed income of $21,000 (quality inspector) and $8,250 (bartender). What amount will Mandy report on her Form 1040A, line 7? Mandy worked two jobs. She was a quality inspector during the week and a bartender on the weekends. She reported all of her tip income ($3,000) to her employer. Her Forms W-2, box 1, showed income of $21,000 (quality inspector) and $8,250 (bartender). What amount will Mandy report on her Form 1040A, line 7?

Scholarships and Fellowships Some scholarships and fellowships may be partially taxable. Some scholarships and fellowships may be partially taxable. Sometimes taxpayer will get form W2 Sometimes taxpayer will get form W2 Form 1098-T lists qualified tuition and related expenses billed by the school. Verify that these amounts have been paid. It also lists scholarship and grant money the student received. Form 1098-T lists qualified tuition and related expenses billed by the school. Verify that these amounts have been paid. It also lists scholarship and grant money the student received. If scholarships or grants exceed the qualified educational costs, some of the grant or scholarship money may be taxable. If scholarships or grants exceed the qualified educational costs, some of the grant or scholarship money may be taxable.

Exercise Cassandra has received a Form W-2 for her part time job and another Form W-2 for a college scholarship she won last year. How should she report the two Form W-2 box 1 amounts on her Form 1040A? Cassandra has received a Form W-2 for her part time job and another Form W-2 for a college scholarship she won last year. How should she report the two Form W-2 box 1 amounts on her Form 1040A? a.Enter the total of the two amounts on line 7 b.Enter just her part time income amount on line 7; she doesn't have to report the scholarship c.Enter the total of the two amounts on line 7 and write "SCH" with the scholarship amount to the left of line 7 d.Enter only her part time income on line 7 and write "SCH" with the scholarship amount to the left of line 7

Exercises Toni received the following income: long-term care benefits, interest, alimony, inheritance, and IRA distributions. Which income is exempt from federal taxes? Toni received the following income: long-term care benefits, interest, alimony, inheritance, and IRA distributions. Which income is exempt from federal taxes? Long-term care benefits Long-term care benefits Alimony Alimony Inheritance Inheritance IRA distributions IRA distributions

Alimony Payment to or for a spouse or former spouse under a separation or divorce instrument. Payment to or for a spouse or former spouse under a separation or divorce instrument. May include: medical bills, housing costs and other expenses on behalf of the spouse or former spouse. May include: medical bills, housing costs and other expenses on behalf of the spouse or former spouse. It does NOT include child support or voluntary payments outside of instrument. It does NOT include child support or voluntary payments outside of instrument.

Reporting Alimony The person receiving alimony must include it as income The person receiving alimony must include it as income The person paying alimony can subtract it as an adjustment to income. The person paying alimony can subtract it as an adjustment to income.