6th Annual Anandtech Tax Time Thread

[polarmystery]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
# of peope that are claimed + 1.

That should be sum total of all W4 exemptions providing income into the household that is declared on the 1040.

Does this mean I include myself "# of people that are claimed" +1 (resulting in 2)?

I overpaid something like 2300 last year and I want it to be as close to 0 as possible for the next year.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: polarmystery

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
# of peope that are claimed + 1.

That should be sum total of all W4 exemptions providing income into the household that is declared on the 1040.

Does this mean I include myself "# of people that are claimed" +1 (resulting in 2)?

I overpaid something like 2300 last year and I want it to be as close to 0 as possible for the next year.

If you have one job and are single; setting your W4 to 2 should come close. Keep a little in the bank incase you have to contribute in April the following year.

 

[leglez]

I have a quick question about getting a stimulus check or whatever. In 2007 I worked for a guy editing videos and doing other miscellaneous things for his business, and he just would hand me cash at the end of the week. None of it was taxed or anything. Should I still file taxes since I didn't really work. Also if it matters I moved out of my parents house in October into a rental house on my own. Is there anyway I can claim a stimulus check?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: leglez
I have a quick question about getting a stimulus check or whatever. In 2007 I worked for a guy editing videos and doing other miscellaneous things for his business, and he just would hand me cash at the end of the week. None of it was taxed or anything. Should I still file taxes since I didn't really work. Also if it matters I moved out of my parents house in October into a rental house on my own. Is there anyway I can claim a stimulus check?

If you earned income via a W2 in 2008, you should be able to claim the stimulus for 2008 if you were not claimed by your parents for 2007.

Check with your folks first on what they did in terms of filing 2007 taxes and did they get a stimuls for you last spring.

 

[leglez]

Thanks for the quick reply! I messed up I meant in 2008 I worked but was paid cash. 2007 I had a job where I was paid with via taxed checks and filed my taxes in '07. Now in 09 I have a job where I am payed via taxed checks, but I have only been working there since the begining of February.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: leglez
Thanks for the quick reply! I messed up I meant in 2008 I worked but was paid cash. 2007 I had a job where I was paid with via taxed checks and filed my taxes in '07. Now in 09 I have a job where I am payed via taxed checks, but I have only been working there since the begining of February.

If you filed taxes for 2007 in 2008; you should have received the stimulus. go to the IRS Website to find out the status.
If you were classified as a dependant on your parent's 2007 taxes, then you woold not see a stimulus.

Talk to them first. If they did not claim you as a dependant, then check the IRS website.

Without taxable income in 2008, no stimulus addon for you.

 

[alkemyst]

well I paid a CPA and netted only another $50....which due to the CPA fee is like getting $100 back less.


He did confirm that my exemptions for withholding are dead on...not much else he could have done for me.

 

[polarmystery]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: polarmystery

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
# of peope that are claimed + 1.

That should be sum total of all W4 exemptions providing income into the household that is declared on the 1040.

Does this mean I include myself "# of people that are claimed" +1 (resulting in 2)?

I overpaid something like 2300 last year and I want it to be as close to 0 as possible for the next year.

If you have one job and are single; setting your W4 to 2 should come close. Keep a little in the bank incase you have to contribute in April the following year.

Excellent! Thank you.

 

[NoCreativity]

My wife is trying to contact her payroll department to get clarification on the below problem but hasn't heard anything back yet. Hopefully I explain this properly.

My wife's W2 came with box 18 filled in (local wages). Box 19 (local income tax withheld) is blank since she doesn't work or live in a city that has income tax. And Box 20 (Locality name) was 3 question marks (???).

When I try to e-file, turbotax flags box 20 and says I need to have a locality name, not the 3 question marks. I am under the assumption that box 18-20 should only be filled in if she paid city income tax, which she didn't.

The two ways to clear the return for e-file would be to either delete the contents of box 18 or to enter a locality name. Would deleting what I entered in box 18 cause a flag to the IRS since it would not match her W2? Is there even a locality I can enter since she doesn't have to pay city tax?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
well I paid a CPA and netted only another $50....which due to the CPA fee is like getting $100 back less.


He did confirm that my exemptions for withholding are dead on...not much else he could have done for me.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: NoCreativity
My wife is trying to contact her payroll department to get clarification on the below problem but hasn't heard anything back yet. Hopefully I explain this properly.

My wife's W2 came with box 18 filled in (local wages). Box 19 (local income tax withheld) is blank since she doesn't work or live in a city that has income tax. And Box 20 (Locality name) was 3 question marks (???).

When I try to e-file, turbotax flags box 20 and says I need to have a locality name, not the 3 question marks. I am under the assumption that box 18-20 should only be filled in if she paid city income tax, which she didn't.

The two ways to clear the return for e-file would be to either delete the contents of box 18 or to enter a locality name. Would deleting what I entered in box 18 cause a flag to the IRS since it would not match her W2? Is there even a locality I can enter since she doesn't have to pay city tax?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Clear Box 18 and move on if you know that your local municpality does not apply a local tax (ala NYC)

The IRS is only interested in the Fed numbers and will also report the numbers you give it to the state (if an audit occurs).

 

[NoCreativity]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: NoCreativity
My wife is trying to contact her payroll department to get clarification on the below problem but hasn't heard anything back yet. Hopefully I explain this properly.

My wife's W2 came with box 18 filled in (local wages). Box 19 (local income tax withheld) is blank since she doesn't work or live in a city that has income tax. And Box 20 (Locality name) was 3 question marks (???).

When I try to e-file, turbotax flags box 20 and says I need to have a locality name, not the 3 question marks. I am under the assumption that box 18-20 should only be filled in if she paid city income tax, which she didn't.

The two ways to clear the return for e-file would be to either delete the contents of box 18 or to enter a locality name. Would deleting what I entered in box 18 cause a flag to the IRS since it would not match her W2? Is there even a locality I can enter since she doesn't have to pay city tax?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Clear Box 18 and move on if you know that your local municpality does not apply a local tax (ala NYC)

The IRS is only interested in the Fed numbers and will also report the numbers you give it to the state (if an audit occurs).

Thanks Eagle!

 

[zylander]

Didnt notice this thread and accidentally posted this question in OT;




Im trying to determine if I should file form SS-8 with the IRS. I worked for a company in '08 for 4 months and was paid as a private contractor using a 1099. I, however am not a private contractor. I do not own my own business and I used their tools. I was basically treated exactly like an employee and all the other workers around me doing the same thing were actual employees. I was suppose to be hired as an employee but at the last minute they decided to screw me with this 1099 crap. My question is;

Should I file form SS-8 with the IRS?

Would filling it help or hurt me?

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: zylander
Didnt notice this thread and accidentally posted this question in OT;




Im trying to determine if I should file form SS-8 with the IRS. I worked for a company in '08 for 4 months and was paid as a private contractor using a 1099. I, however am not a private contractor. I do not own my own business and I used their tools. I was basically treated exactly like an employee and all the other workers around me doing the same thing were actual employees. I was suppose to be hired as an employee but at the last minute they decided to screw me with this 1099 crap. My question is;

Should I file form SS-8 with the IRS?

Would filling it help or hurt me?

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/...le/0,,id=99921,00.html


AND, since your profile shows you as living in Kahleeforneeya:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ...ependentContractor.htm

 

[Kelemvor]

This isn't for my 2008 taxes but for preparing for this upcoming year...

Wife and I have gotten huge tax refunds the past couple years so I need to redo my withholding forms for taxes.

I'm currently set to Married and 3 withholdings for state and federal but we had a son last year so we now have 2 kids.
Wife is a stay-at-home mom but is a Pampered Chef consultant so she does make money now and then.

Here's the Federal W4 form to reference:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf?portlet=3


I'm thinking it should be:
A: 1
B: 0 - wife makes more than $1500/yr
C: 1 - probably have 0 currently
D: 2 (2 kids) - probably have 1 now
E: 0
F: 1 - probably a 0 now, have day care costs over the amount.
G: 4? make under $90k total, 2 kids

H (Total): 9?

Going from 3 to 9 seems pretty drastic. I don't want to go too far and end up paying money, just don't want to have thousands of dollars coming back at the end.

So what would anyone recommend?

Should I go middle of the road and try 6 for a year and see how it goes? hmmm.

 

[zylander]

I fall into the employee category on pretty much every single question;

-I used their tools
-They reimbursed me for expenses
-They controlled what I did and how I did it

Guess I have some forms to fill out.

So how does this work? I file the forms, the IRS classifies me as an employee and then what? Do I pay the appropriate taxes or does the company get billed or both?

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: zylander
Didnt notice this thread and accidentally posted this question in OT;




Im trying to determine if I should file form SS-8 with the IRS. I worked for a company in '08 for 4 months and was paid as a private contractor using a 1099. I, however am not a private contractor. I do not own my own business and I used their tools. I was basically treated exactly like an employee and all the other workers around me doing the same thing were actual employees. I was suppose to be hired as an employee but at the last minute they decided to screw me with this 1099 crap. My question is;

Should I file form SS-8 with the IRS?

Would filling it help or hurt me?

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/...le/0,,id=99921,00.html


AND, since your profile shows you as living in Kahleeforneeya:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ...ependentContractor.htm

 

[RagingBITCH]

I have a 2.5 year old daughter that I haven't claimed before on previous tax returns. (Her mother has always claimed her) I was wondering if I have any right to claim her. (Mom has main custody of her, I get her every other weekend per the court agreement - so she doesn't spend any significant amount of time living at my house)

I pay child support and other various child related expenses. (The usual food, diapers, etc) Can I file any kind of dependency for her? I've never tried in the past b/c I heard it was due to who she lives with the most, so I assumed only her mom could claim her.

Sorry, I have no idea about that kind of stuff. Thanks!

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: zylander
I fall into the employee category on pretty much every single question;

-I used their tools
-They reimbursed me for expenses
-They controlled what I did and how I did it

Guess I have some forms to fill out.

So how does this work? I file the forms, the IRS classifies me as an employee and then what? Do I pay the appropriate taxes or does the company get billed or both?

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: zylander
Didnt notice this thread and accidentally posted this question in OT;




Im trying to determine if I should file form SS-8 with the IRS. I worked for a company in '08 for 4 months and was paid as a private contractor using a 1099. I, however am not a private contractor. I do not own my own business and I used their tools. I was basically treated exactly like an employee and all the other workers around me doing the same thing were actual employees. I was suppose to be hired as an employee but at the last minute they decided to screw me with this 1099 crap. My question is;

Should I file form SS-8 with the IRS?

Would filling it help or hurt me?

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/...le/0,,id=99921,00.html


AND, since your profile shows you as living in Kahleeforneeya:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ...ependentContractor.htm

Most likely, if the IRS agrees that you are an employee, NOT an independent contractor, the company will be liable for payroll taxes (except maybe income tax) and they could potentially be fined.
You should also contact the EDD and Franchise Tax Board on this. They can usually help.
It may fall into the jurisdiction of the Department of Industrial Relations...they're about fucking worthless at helping employees with anything...

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
I have a 2.5 year old daughter that I haven't claimed before on previous tax returns. (Her mother has always claimed her) I was wondering if I have any right to claim her. (Mom has main custody of her, I get her every other weekend per the court agreement - so she doesn't spend any significant amount of time living at my house)

I pay child support and other various child related expenses. (The usual food, diapers, etc) Can I file any kind of dependency for her? I've never tried in the past b/c I heard it was due to who she lives with the most, so I assumed only her mom could claim her.

Sorry, I have no idea about that kind of stuff. Thanks!

You need to discuss this with the mother.

If she is not going to claim the child, then she can let you.

Being the custodial parent, she has control.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Kelemvor
This isn't for my 2008 taxes but for preparing for this upcoming year...

Wife and I have gotten huge tax refunds the past couple years so I need to redo my withholding forms for taxes.

I'm currently set to Married and 3 withholdings for state and federal but we had a son last year so we now have 2 kids.
Wife is a stay-at-home mom but is a Pampered Chef consultant so she does make money now and then.

Here's the Federal W4 form to reference:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf?portlet=3


I'm thinking it should be:
A: 1
B: 0 - wife makes more than $1500/yr
C: 1 - probably have 0 currently
D: 2 (2 kids) - probably have 1 now
E: 0
F: 1 - probably a 0 now, have day care costs over the amount.
G: 4? make under $90k total, 2 kids

H (Total): 9?

Going from 3 to 9 seems pretty drastic. I don't want to go too far and end up paying money, just don't want to have thousands of dollars coming back at the end.

So what would anyone recommend?

Should I go middle of the road and try 6 for a year and see how it goes? hmmm.

See answer to polarmystery above. Safest method unless you have the discipline to put the $$ aside during the year and send it into the IRS in Dec.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: zylander
I fall into the employee category on pretty much every single question;

-I used their tools
-They reimbursed me for expenses
-They controlled what I did and how I did it

Guess I have some forms to fill out.

So how does this work? I file the forms, the IRS classifies me as an employee and then what? Do I pay the appropriate taxes or does the company get billed or both?

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: zylander
Didnt notice this thread and accidentally posted this question in OT;




Im trying to determine if I should file form SS-8 with the IRS. I worked for a company in '08 for 4 months and was paid as a private contractor using a 1099. I, however am not a private contractor. I do not own my own business and I used their tools. I was basically treated exactly like an employee and all the other workers around me doing the same thing were actual employees. I was suppose to be hired as an employee but at the last minute they decided to screw me with this 1099 crap. My question is;

Should I file form SS-8 with the IRS?

Would filling it help or hurt me?

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/...le/0,,id=99921,00.html


AND, since your profile shows you as living in Kahleeforneeya:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ...ependentContractor.htm

You will still be resonsible for the taxes on your income.

Take the 1099 and start to expense of all the goodies to lower the taxable income.
Ideas are in all of the tax threads.

Enjoy.

 

[nn2000]

turbo tax says I am qualified for $300 recovery rebate credit but the IRS online Stimulus Payment calculator says the qualifed amount is zero. Which one is right? My earned income for 2007 is 0 (student), $5000+ for 2008(self employment).

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: nn2000
turbo tax says I am qualified for $300 recovery rebate credit but the IRS online Stimulus Payment calculator says the qualifed amount is zero. Which one is right? My earned income for 2007 is 0 (student), $5000+ for 2008(self employment).

The Federal government knows what was sent to you last year. that is the number that TT will be asking for.

If nothing was sent to you last year, you may be able to claim it this (2008)year depending on your income status.

 

[chiwawa626]

I was a resident of CA up until 10/2008 and made no income in CA. After 10/2008 I moved to WA and made some money. How would I file? Am I now an automatic resident of WA (which has no income tax)? When I file do I say I was a resident in both states, do I need to pay CA taxes for money I made in WA?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: chiwawa626
I was a resident of CA up until 10/2008 and made no income in CA. After 10/2008 I moved to WA and made some money. How would I file? Am I now an automatic resident of WA (which has no income tax)? When I file do I say I was a resident in both states, do I need to pay CA taxes for money I made in WA?

IF you earned no income and received no income from CA during the time you were in CA, then CA should have no claim.

I would guess that you were a student in CA, otherwise, how would you have survived for 9 months there?