Bill Zumwalt's (teamzumwalt) Blog

Early this year, review the amount of income tax you're having withheld from your wages to see if it should be adjusted. While you must meet minimum tax payment requirements, don't overwithhold or you'll be giving the IRS interest-free use of your money for a year. Don't underwithhold either, or ...

So-called "tax protestors" have dreamed up dozens of excuses for not paying the taxes the rest of us grumble about. They argue that the Sixteenth Amendment, which authorizes the government to levy an income tax without apportionment among the states, was never "properly ratified." They accuse the...

Your children may need to file a 2013 income tax return. A return is needed if wages exceeded $6,100, the child had self-employment income over $400, or investment income exceeded $1,000. If the child had both wages and investment income, other thresholds apply. Contact us for more information or...

What's your alternative minimum tax (AMT) preference? Though you might prefer to not think about the AMT, certain income and deductions, known as preference items, affect the way the tax will apply to you. Those amounts, along with others called "adjustments," are added to or subtracted from the ...

Nearly every company, large or small, has to file Form 1099-MISC with the IRS and send a copy to recipients by January 31, 2014. You use Form 1099-MISC to report miscellaneous payments to nonemployees. This includes fees for services paid to independent contractors, such as consultants, lawyers, ...

Are you a parent? Give yourself some credit – a child-related tax credit, that is. Here are two that can reduce your 2013 federal income tax liability. Child tax credit. The child tax credit applies if your dependent children were age 16 or younger at the end of 2013. The basic credit is $1,000 p...

The rules for filing 2013 tax returns are straightforward for most people. Marital status, age, and income level are generally the determining factors. Here's a quick overview of the income levels at which a 2013 return is required. *Single individual…..$10,000 *Single individual, 65 or older…..$...

Fire, flood, tornado. Violent weather can wreak emotional and financial havoc. If your home, vehicle, or other personal property is damaged or destroyed by a sudden, unexpected casualty, an itemized tax deduction may help ease the financial burden. In most cases, you claim a casualty loss in the ...

There are many worthwhile reasons to lend money to a relative. For example, you may want to help a child or sibling continue their education or start their own business. But lending money to relatives can have tax consequences. The IRS requires that a minimum rate of interest be charged on loans....

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow taxpayers to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The drawback has been the fact that unused amounts each year are forfeited. Plans could provide a 2½ month grace period to use up unspent set-asides. Now a change announced by...