The Ohio Department of Taxation is lowering the threshold for the electronic filing of W-2 and 1099-R information for calendar year 2021 information (submitted in 2022).  

Marriage changes many things and taxes is one of them. Newlyweds should know how tying the knot can affect their tax situation.

This new IRS effort is called the Taxpayer Relief Initiative, and it aims to help those financially affected by COVID-19.

Taxpayers who owe taxes always had options to get help through payment plans and other tools from the IRS, and now they are expanding those tools. The revised COVID-related collection procedures will be helpful to taxpayers, especially those who have a record of filing their returns and paying their taxes on time. Here are the highlights of the Taxpayer Relief Initiative:

With Christmas only about a week away, we're all busy preparing for the holiday. However, if you haven't already taken care of these items, you should take the time to complete these tasks before the end of the year to get ready for 2020 taxes.

Charitable Contributions

Are you paying for higher-education for yourself or a dependent? Don't overlook the tax credits offered by the IRS.

There are two credits available to help taxpayers offset the costs of higher education:  The American Opportunity Tex Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. 

Employers who provide paid family and medical leave to their employees might qualify for a credit that can reduce the taxes they owe. Here are some facts about the credit to help employers determine if they are able to claim it.

To be eligible, an employer must:

Have a written policy that meets several requirements. Provide: 

If you pay quarterly estimated tax payments, you may want to revisit the amount you pay.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the way most taxpayers calculate their tax. These taxpayers include those with substantial income not subject to withholding, such as small business owners and self-employed individuals. The tax reform changes include:

The new tax law, effective after 2017, and how it affects Charitable Contributions and Medical Expenses:

Charitable Contributions

- The 50% limitation under Code Sec. 170(b) for an individual’s cash contributions to public charities and certain private foundations is increased to 60% for cash contributions made in 2018 through 2015.

What changed?

- The new law increases the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000.

- Eligibility factors for the credit have not changed. As in past years, a taxpayer can claim the credit if all of these apply:
     • the child was younger than 17 at the end of the tax year
     • the taxpayer claims the child as a dependent
     • the child lives with the taxpayer for at least six months of the year

One of the changes brought about by Tax Reform legislation passed in December 2017 allows businesses to write off most depreciable business assets in the year they place them in service.

The 100% depreciation deduction generally applies to depreciable business assets with a recovery period of 20 years or less and certain other property. Machinery, equipment, computers, appliances and furniture generally qualify.