Janet Berry-Johnson
Janet Berry-Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant. Before leaving the accounting world to focus on freelance writing, she specialized in income tax consulting and compliance for individuals and small businesses. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and son and their rescue dog, Dexter.
Extending the Tax Deadline for COVID-19 – What It Means for You in 2020
The IRS has officially announced it’s pushing the due date for filing personal federal income taxes and making 2019 tax payments to July 15, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how it will affect you.
Important Tax Due Dates & Deadlines – 2020 IRS Tax Calendar
Do tax deadlines seem to sneak up on you? April 15 isn't the only important day on the tax calendar. There are a number of important tax deadlines throughout the year that may or...
Box 12 Codes on Tax Form W-2 Explained
If you’re an employee, one of the many tax forms you have to file is Form W-2. And Box 12 of that form throws many taxpayers for a loop. Each of the uppercase codes you might see in Box 12 has a meaning, and understanding them is the first step to calculating your total tax liability.
Retirement Savings Contribution Credit – Get a Tax Credit Just for Saving
There are significant tax benefits to low- and moderate-income families who save for retirement. The Retirement Savings Contributions Credit ("Saver’s Credit") could help you reduce your tax liability. A reward for building your financial security? That’s what we call a win-win.
Investment Expense Tax Deduction – Which Fees Can You Deduct?
Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, most investment-related expenses are no longer deductible. But in certain circumstances, you may still be able to get a tax break. Learn which investment-related expenses you can still deduct and how to qualify for them.
IRS Tax Audit Help – Types, Procedure & What to Do If You Get...
People imagine IRS auditors as scary, calculator-wielding mercenaries out to get more money. That’s usually not true and audits are rare, but an IRS audit is nonetheless stressful and time-consuming. If you ever do get audited, there are a few things you need to know to get yourself through it.
IRS Federal Tax Form 1040 – Types, Schedules & Instructions
Tax form 1040 helps you conveniently collect information about your income, credits, and deductions in one place. But over the years, the IRS has added dozens of supplementary forms and schedules you can use for additional calculations. Which forms do you need?
What Is an ITIN Number and How to Apply to Get One From the...
Foreign-born individuals pay nearly $224 billion in federal taxes and $105 billion in state and local taxes each year. An individual taxpayer identification number is one of the tools that make those tax payments possible. But what is it and how do you get one?
How Long Does It Take to Get My IRS Tax Refund? – Status &...
Eager to get your tax refund this year? No matter what you plan to spend it on, how and when you file can affect how fast your refund comes. So before you file your taxes, learn all about the IRS tax refund timelines and what you can do to get the cash in your hands when you need it.
How to File for an IRS Tax Extension Electronically or With Form 4868
It seems like everyone has at least one friend or family member who's chronically late for everything: dinner, work, parties, you name it. This kind of behavior can be annoying on a personal level,...
15-Step Yearly Checkup for Your Small Business – Are You on Track?
You visit your doctor every year for a checkup, take your car in for regular maintenance, and schedule a service call in autumn before turning on your furnace, but when was the last time...
Deducting Health Insurance Premiums & Health Care Expenses on Your Taxes
The cost of health care has been rising faster than inflation for the past several decades, and it doesn't show any signs of slowing down. This unfortunate trend may leave you wondering if you...
