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.
Claiming Qualifying Dependents on Taxes – IRS Definition & Rules
When most people think of claiming a dependent on a tax return, they think of a child who lives with them. Historically, the Internal Revenue Code (IRS) has allowed taxpayers to claim a "personal...
What to Do If You Can’t Pay the IRS Taxes You Owe – 6...
This tax season, many taxpayers are getting an unwelcome surprise: tax bills they weren't anticipating. When that happens, the first instinct is panic. After all, the IRS is not an easygoing creditor. The federal...
How to Declare & File for Bankruptcy – 8-Step Process
Filing for bankruptcy can be a long and stressful process, but it doesn't have to be. Typically, the most stressful part is trying to manage the financial difficulties that lead you to consider bankruptcy and...
Moving for a Job: Tax-Deductible Expenses & Relocation Assistance
Did you move to take a new job this year, or are you considering moving for work in the near future? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, just over 10% of the more than 32...
6 Ways to Protect Your Small Business From the Upcoming Recession
It seems everyone in the U.S. and around the globe is ringing a recession alarm bell right now. Economists and investors are taking a decidedly dreary tone when it comes to economic predictions. But...
11 Costs of Hiring a New Employee for Your Company
When you bring a new employee on board, you need to consider the total cost of hiring, whether you're a solopreneur who's considering hiring some help or you already have a team of employees...
What Are Capital Gains & Losses – How to Calculate Tax Rates & Deductions
Whether you're new to the world of investing or thinking of selling stocks, bonds, or real estate you've had for some time, you need to understand how you'll be taxed on the income you generate. When...
Hobby Loss Rules: How to Preserve Your Side Business Tax Deductions for Expenses
Do you have a talent that provides value to others? If so, you may have considered turning that skill into a money-making venture. But would that venture be a hobby or a business? For...
5 Education-Related Tax Credits & Deductions for College Tuition & Expenses
For people without wealthy parents or a full-ride scholarship, paying for a college education is often a financial challenge. According to The College Board, for the 2018 to 2019 school year, the average annual...
5 Financial Moves to Make Before the End of the Tax Year
At the end of the year, your thoughts are likely on the holidays, spending time with friends and family, and the promise of a new year. The last thing you want to think about...
Married Filing Taxes Jointly vs. Separately – Which Is Better?
Are you married? That seems like an easy question, but the answer can get complicated when it involves the filing status on your federal income tax return. For tax purposes, your marital status is determined...
How to Pay Taxes to the IRS – Online, Check or Credit Card
You've assembled and organized all of your tax documents to meet the April 15th tax filing deadline, and you've discovered that, unfortunately, you didn't have enough tax withheld or make enough estimated payments. As a...
