Your Tax Question - 072

Dear John, I received a 1099-G from the state. Why do I need to claim this amount on my taxes, isn’t that a double taxation event. Thanks, Gloria
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Hi Gloria,

Thanks for the question. The 1099-G from the state reports the amount of money that you had returned from the state last year. When you itemize your taxes on Schedule A of your Federal 1040 you are reducing your AGI (the taxable amount of income) by what was withheld from your income by the state income tax. When you do your state taxes after your federal and you have some of your income tax returned to you then you need to claim that returned amount on your following year’s taxes. If they did not do it this way you would have to correct your federal taxes right then but for convenience sake Congress has not gone this route. Instead, think of it as a FREE 1 year mini-loan from the federal government.

Thanks,
John

Your Tax Question - 055

Alright, so this is not a question, rather it is just me passing on information that you may not know...

Did you know that the State of Michigan helps low income households with their heating bill? It's called the Michigan Home Heating Credit and depending on your income status, the number of exemptions that you claim, and the amount paid to heat your home last year, you may qualify for help. It is something that you need to keep in mind when you have your taxes prepared.

It just so happens that I know a pretty decent tax preparer who would love to help you with this. Email me and we can talk.

John

Your Tax Question - 050

Dear John, is it true that I can deduct the sales tax that I paid through the year instead of the State taxes I paid on my income? Jim

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Hi Jim,

Yes, it is true. Instead of deducting the amount of taxes that you paid to the State on your Schedule A, you may make the deduction with the sales taxes that you paid through the year. This is done by a table that the IRS provides or the actual amount that you paid assuming that you have kept all the receipts as evidence. This approach to the deduction makes sense if you have made major expenses this year such as a car, RV, and/or addition to your home. Compare the allowed amounts and use what gives you the best deduction.

If you need help with this I am always looking for new clients - Email me.

Best,

John

Your Tax Question - 029

Dear John, The last few years my wife and I have ended up owing taxes to MI, but this year since it's over $500 we're being penalized for it being late. Last year we paid over $500 and weren't penalized. is this was a new law this year. I'm rather ignorant about taxes and rely on TurboTax to help me out. Thx, Chuck
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Hi Chuck,

There are 10 civil and 4 criminal penalties imposed by MI but without seeing the forms and reasoning of your software program I am at a loss as to what your specific situation is. With that disclaimer I am willing to venture that the state acts like the federal in situations like this. When you owe Federal Taxes of over $1000 in a year you are required to pay Estimated Tax because simply put - the government will not wait for money. I am guessing that this is why you have been gigged for the $500 mark on your state taxes. Why this year and not last? I am not sure.

My best advice is to search your program's Help for the answer and you may even have to call the State Treasury Department. However, when it boils down to it, you may be further ahead to simply pay the fines than to hire a tax professional to solve this problem.

And oh yeah, consider fixing your W-4 with your HR department at work so that they can start taking more money out of your paycheck.

I hope this helps,
John

PS. I know a really good tax guy ;-) email me.