8.3 Paying Income taxes “It’s death and taxes here to see you. Taxes wants to come in first.”

2 income tax responsibilities: 1)Complete a W-4 when you start a job.  (W-4 B4 start working) 2) File a tax return at least once a year, if required and pay any additional tax owed.

Allowances: USE W-4  Determines how much tax to take out of your paycheck.  Completed at hire.  P. 201

Allowances: USE W-4  ** Higher allowances- Less taxes taken out of paycheck.  “1” = bigger check  “0” = smaller check

What if you need to change allowances??  You can change your W-4 Allowances at any time during employment.  Ex: get married, have a baby, or get divorced.

If a teenager expects to earn less than the standard deduction amount $6100, and did not have any tax liability for the prior year, the teen can write "exempt" on line 7 of the Form W-4 and no federal income tax will be withheld.  You will still have to pay Social Security and Medicare. Do not have to file 1040ez. Read more: Do Teenagers Have to Withhold From Paychecks? | eHow.com Do Teenagers Have to Withhold From Paychecks? | eHow.comhttp:// Teenagers Have to Withhold From Paychecks? | eHow.comhttp://

Would you rather have more taxes taken out of paychecks & get bigger refund?  Or have less taken out of paychecks with less of a refund.. possibly have to pay more taxes after your return is filed?

Avg. Tax Refund $  Financial advisors argue the point that by allowing the government to knowingly collect more in tax from you during the year, you are, in effect, giving Uncle Sam an interest free loan.

A more wise investment may pay off later…  For example, reducing your withholding by $3,000 annually means that for the average taxpayer, you will not receive a refund, but you will not owe any taxes either.  That's an extra $58 per week, or about $250 per month.  Investing that money into a mixture of stocks, bonds or precious metals, with an average return of 6 percent, would yield an inflation-adjusted amount of $70,000 after just ten years. Now that's a tidy sum worth taking note of.

Dependent:  Anyone supported by tax payer’s income.  Why should you have fewer taxes taken out if you have more dependents?

Three Sets Of Twins Born In Different Years Over New Year's Weekend- 2011/12 How does this affect parent ’ s tax return?

How does this affect parent ’ s tax return? Baby born before Dec. 31 at midnight will be claimed as a dependent for 2011 tax return. Baby born on Jan 1 will not be claimed until 2012 tax year.

What do you need to file 1040ez tax return?  W-2– How many do you have? Do you have a savings account?  Then you will also get a FORM  Misc. income reported.  Interest from account  Prize value  Forms must be mailed to you by Jan 31 st.

Tax Deduction  What do they do?  reduces the amount of taxes owed.  Ex: Make $60,000. Gave $5000 to charity. You are taxed on $55,000.  2 main types of deductions-  Choose one or the other…

Itemized vs. Standard Tax Deductions – Which One Should You Take?

2013 Standard Tax Deduction  standard tax deduction is easiest.  it’s simply a fixed number set each year used to complete taxes.  Nearly 2 out of 3 taxpayers take the standard deduction  Examples:  Single $6100  Married, Filing Jointly $12,200  Head of Household $8,950

2013 Itemized Tax Deductions:  But if you think you may have tax deductions bigger than the standard deduction  it may make sense to itemize, even though it will require better record keeping and a little more work  Can not use 1040EZ tax form if itemizing deductions.

Itemized Tax deductions: Examples include:  Mortgage interest.  Charitable contributions.  Property taxes.  State and local income taxes.  Medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.  Various miscellaneous expenses that exceed 2% of your income such as: union dues, tools and supplies needed for work, tax preparation fees, some legal fees, and many more.

Single person  For 2013 You could take Standard Deduction of $6,100  Or show receipts for Itemized deductions greater than $6,100– use longer tax form. **Must use one or the other, not both.

Missed deductions can be the most costly….  About 48 million of us itemize on our 1040s -- claiming more than $1 trillion worth of deductions.  $1,000,000,000,000  Another 92 million taxpayers claim about $700 billion worth using standard deductions  $700,000,000,000 

Tax Credits – “ bonus ”  Examples : Your tax form shows you owe $2,000 in taxes. tax credit of 500 tax credit of 500 Now owe $1500 Now owe $1500

Tax Credits – “ bonus ”  Examples :  $500 tuition credit (ex: mater dei)  $1000 credit for each dependent child- 16 yrs by dec. 31,  American Opportunity Tax Credit  up to $2,500 on the first $4,000 of qualifying educational expenses, which include course materials as well as tuition.  First time homebuyers tax credit  Up to $8000 credit extended to 2010 taxes.

Why are tax credits better than tax deductions? A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar benefit. The credit is applied to your final IRS bill, meaning you get money back or don't have to pay Uncle Sam as much. Read more: guides/why-tax-credits-are-better- 1.aspx#ixzz2t4K1kNKm Follow on Twitter | Bankrate on Facebook

What is a W-2?  When do you get them? By Jan 31.  See page 203.  INFORMATION ON W-2 should Match your last pay stub of the year. Did you check it?

When are tax returns due? April 15th

Why is it important for your parents to get their taxes completed quickly this year?

Thursday we will complete a 1040EZ tax form.

1040EZ “ Easy Form ”  Use the 1040EZ if:  Your taxable income is below $100,000  Your filing status is Single or Married Filing Jointly  You and your spouse – if married -- are under age 65 and not blind  You are not claiming any dependents  Your interest income is $1,500 or less  Using Standardized Deduction.

When do you get your money? Check the Status Online The fastest and easiest way to find out about your current year refund is to go to IRS.gov and click the “Where’s My Refund?” link at the IRS.gov home page. To check the status online you will need your Social Security number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund shown on your return. Check the Status By Phone You can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 800–829–1954. When you call, you will need to provide your Social Security number, your filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of the refund shown on your return. Check the Status By Phone You can check the status of your refund by calling the IRS Refund Hotline at 800–829–1954. When you call, you will need to provide your Social Security number, your filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of the refund shown on your return.