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Professionals Column

The IRS and the New York Department of Taxation and Finance remind taxpayers to be vigilant against scammers and identity thieves. Be wary of phone and phishing scams . Remember, the IRS and New York …

IRS can help with tuition bills

There are two federal tax credits available to help you offset the costs of higher education for yourself or your dependents. These are the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime …

Advantages of a “529” college savings program

What can be better than lowering your taxes? With a “529” plan, you have no federal tax obligation once your money's invested in your account. But the best part is that your earnings grow federal …

When are IRA withdrawals penalty-free?

Many IRA owners are aware they can be hit hard with penalty fees if they withdraw money from their accounts early. IRA owners should make every effort to avoid taking money out of their retirement …

It used to be that you had to wait for months to hear from the city’s Finance Department after you applied for any kind of tax exemption. A new electronic tool now allows you to check the status of …

The home office deduction: what you should know

To take advantage of the home-office tax deduction, IRA rules require the home office to be your principal place of business and that it is used exclusively and on a regular basis. According to the …

Beware of IRS tax scams

Tax scams are illegal certainly, but they’re nonetheless common enough and they can lead to problems for taxpayers including significant penalties, interest and possible criminal prosecution.  …

You could have tax benefits if you pay for childcare

If you paid someone to care for your child, spouse, or dependent (i.e., parent) this year, you may be able to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your federal income-tax return. Below are …

Changes to real estate marketing rules go into effect

Changes designed to enhance transparency and clarity in real estate transactions went into effect nationwide Aug. 17. The changes ensure that both buyers and sellers have a clear understanding of the …

Money-saving tax tips for the self-employed

If you are in business for yourself, or carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor, you generally would consider yourself self-employed and you would file IRS …

Small claims assessment review

The Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR) offers property owners a way to challenge their property assessments as determined by the Board of Assessment Review (for counties outside Nassau and New …

What you should know about the home-office deduction

To take the deduction, the IRS requires the home-office to be your principal place of business and it must be used exclusively and on a regular basis. According to the S.B.A., just over half of the …

A taxpayer's bill of rights

Every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights. You should be aware of these rights when you interact with the Internal Revenue Service. There are 10 broad categories: 1. The Right to Be Informed. …

Talk to the assessor

The New York City Department of Finance assesses your property annually to determine your property tax bill. From July to October each year, assessors and assistant city assessors conduct field …

Are you eligible for the saver’s tax credit?

Formerly called the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, the Saver’s Credit gives a special tax break to low-to-moderate income workers who are saving for retirement. Contributions to a …

Which interest payments are tax-deductible?

Interest is the amount you pay for the use of borrowed money. To deduct interest you paid on a debt on your tax return, you must be legally liable for the debt and you must be able to itemize your …

Save tax money by deducting charitable deductions

Charitable contributions made to qualified organizations may help to reduce your taxable income and lower your tax bill. The IRS has put together the following guidelines to help ensure your …

An overview of deductible taxes

There are certain types of taxes that you can deduct on your tax return if you itemize on Form 1040, Schedule A. To be deductible on your tax return, a tax must be charged to you and you must have …

Maximizing the medical expense deduction

If you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A, you may be able to deduct expenses you paid in 2024 for medical and dental care for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. Here are some …

Mid-year tax tips to plan for 2024

For most taxpayers, the tax deadline has passed. But planning for next year can start now. The IRS reminds taxpayers that being organized and planning ahead can save time and money in 2023. Here are …

Older NYC residents can benefit from rent break

The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) is a vital program in New York City designed to help senior citizens manage their housing costs. Given the city's high cost of living, SCRIE offers …

Your first job: tax tips for teens

As school winds down many students will hit the job market for summer employment. The Internal Revenue Service reminds students that not all the money you earn may make it into your pocket. That’s …

Recently married? Here are some tax tips

Congratulations if you recently updated your status from single to married, but you should be aware that marriage also brings about some changes with your income taxes. Here are several tips for …

Beware of fake IRS communications

The IRS receives thousands of reports each year from taxpayers who receive suspicious emails, phone calls, faxes or notices claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Many of these scams …

Got an IRS notice? Here’s what to do

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service sends millions of letters and notices to taxpayers for a variety of reasons. Although some people may feel anxious when they receive one, many are easy to …

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