Tax Season is PRIME TIME for PHONE SCAMS!

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For Tax Years 2025 - 2028, eligible tipped workers, can deduct $25,000 from their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). This phases out for single filers with MAGI over $150,000 and $300,000 for joint filers. The Qualified Tips must be paid Voluntarily. For instance, a restaurant that imposes an automatic 18% service charge for large parties IS NOT CONSIDERED QUALIFIED TIPS.

The BIGGEST difference between the two is that businesses operate to make a profit while hobbies are for pleasure or recreation. Either way, they may receive an IRS Form 1099-K for transactions. These payments are taxable income and must be reported on federal tax returns. Here are some QUESTIONS to help you decide if you have a Hobby or a Business: ? Is there an intent to make a profit? ?? Do you depend on the income for your livelihood? ??? Are losses due to circumstances beyond your control? ???? Are losses normal for the start up or your type of business? ????? Is the activity carried out like a business w/ books & records? ?????? Do you have the knowledge to make it successful? Whether you have a Hobby or run a Business, good record keeping throughout the year will help when you file your taxes.

Are you wondering if your student can be Independent on the FAFSA? The most common question I get from parents is, "Shouldn't my student be independent if they file their own taxes?" The answer often surprises families who hope to qualify for additional aid by pursuing independent student status for their student. According to the Federal Department of Education, an independent student for the purposes of completing the FAFSA, must meet at least 1 of the following: - Age 24 or older by December 31 of the FAFSA year of Submission - Married - Pursing a graduate level or professional degree - A veteran or current armed forces member - An orphan or ward of the court - An emancipated minor - At risk of becoming homeless - Have their own legal dependents Bottom Line - Your student's dependency status is NOT BASED on their tax filing status.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided that the Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, a federal tax provision for deferring capital gains in Like-Kind Exchanges DOES NOT APPLY in PA. This means that when you sell property in PA and you qualify for Like-Kind Exchange on your Federal Income Tax Return, BE AWARE that you WILL PAY PA TAX on Capital Gains on your PA Income Tax Return. GOOD NEWS - PA Income Tax is 3.07%!

Hobbies and Businesses are treated differently when it comes to filing taxes. The biggest difference is a Business operates to MAKE A PROFIT and Hobbies are for PLEASURE . There are a few things that people should consider when deciding whether they have a Hobby or a Business. 1 - Does the time and effort put into the activity show you intend to make a profit? 2 - Does the activity make a profit in some years? And how much of a profit? 3 - Will there be a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity? 4 - Do you depend on income from the activity for your livelihood? 5 - Are any losses due to circumstances beyond your control or are the losses normal for the start-up phase of your type of business? 6 - Do you change your method of operations to improve profitability? 7 - Do you keep complete and accurate books and records? 8 - Do you have the knowledge needed to carry out the activity as a success business? For more information, Google: Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Businesses (For Individuals Who Use Schedule C) or Publication 535, Business Expenses.