9th Annual Tax Thread - 2011

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Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,613
11,254
136
So in 2010 I bought a lot of land that I planned to build a house on. We ended up deciding not to build the house and we sold the lot in 2011 for a small loss. Would this classify as "personal use asset" or would this qualify as a normal investment. Believe me we got no personal enjoyment out of the land, but we did not purchase it as an investment.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
While you could classify it as an investment after the fact, as you stated, that was not your intent. And as an investment, you did not previously declare taxes paid on it as an investment expense.
Raises red flags to declare an investment loss.
 

Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,613
11,254
136
While you could classify it as an investment after the fact, as you stated, that was not your intent. And as an investment, you did not previously declare taxes paid on it as an investment expense.
Raises red flags to declare an investment loss.

Thank you, I listed it as personal, no need to go into a grey area over less than $100.
 
Oct 20, 2005
10,978
44
91
Yes the sales tax is able to be listed as a separate "line item sales tax" on the Schedule A.
Financing has no bearing

However, if you live in a state that has an income tax; you have the option of using the income tax withheld or the sales tax (sales tables + big items). You can not do both

If you live in a state that has no income tax, then use the sales tax tables and add in large purchase item (> $500

Thanks Eagle.

How are the state and local tax amounts calculated? I'm going thru the irs sales tax deduction calculator and can't seem to figure out how they get these numbers. I'm in TX so I know my state sales tax is 6.25% with 2% local and your state tax is $$$ and local tax is $$$.

How do they come up with those $$$?

Edit: nvm, I found the table on the schedule A form.
 
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EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
One also has the option of saving every sales ticket and recording the tax instead of using the tables :twisted:
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
I have a question on moving expenses/deduction...is that in addition to the standard deduction, or would I have to itemize everything and see if it exceeds the standard deduction?

Also:
If you moved due to a change in your job or business location, or because you started a new job or business, you may be able to deduct your reasonable moving expenses but not any expenses for meals. To qualify for the moving expense deduction, you must satisfy two tests. Under the first test, the "distance test", your new workplace must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job location was from your old home. If you had no previous workplace, your new job location must be at least 50 miles from your old home.

The second test is the "time test". If you are an employee, you must work full-time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months immediately following your arrival in the general area of your new job location. If you are self-employed, you must work full time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months and for a total of at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months immediately following your arrival in the general area of your new work location. There are exceptions to the time test in case of death, disability and involuntary separation, among other things.
I moved last year; I arrived October 14 and started working full time on December 5. Does this mean I can't file for this until next year, or I have to maintain full time employment for 39 weeks after the move date to avoid having to pay back the credit?
 

Beev

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2006
7,775
0
0
I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to tax stuff, but I'm working on filing now, and I ran across some HSA questions. Are employer contributions to HSA's generally pre-calculated in box 1?

Also, the hell is an HSA and why do I have/need one?
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
I have a question on moving expenses/deduction...is that in addition to the standard deduction, or would I have to itemize everything and see if it exceeds the standard deduction?

Also:

I moved last year; I arrived October 14 and started working full time on December 5. Does this mean I can't file for this until next year, or I have to maintain full time employment for 39 weeks after the move date to avoid having to pay back the credit?

Moving uses the Form 3903 which does not require itemization (Schedule A)

You have to have the intention of staying at the location for 39 weeks if crossing calendar years.

You have the option of filing it for 2001 or 2012
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to tax stuff, but I'm working on filing now, and I ran across some HSA questions. Are employer contributions to HSA's generally pre-calculated in box 1?

Also, the hell is an HSA and why do I have/need one?

Health Saving Account
Allows you to put aside non-taxed money for medical emergencies - used to usually cover deductibles or medical costs that you do not have insurance for (eyes for example)

Employer contributions do not show in Box 1 - that is your net Federal taxable wages
 

DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
12,985
1
81
PSA: your brokerage can get an extension up to March 15th, 2012 to mail out your 1099s this year. due to the new cost-basis.

damnit! now i have to wait....
 

j&j

Senior member
Oct 10, 2011
246
0
0
I need to lower my AGI by about 5K, I have a company 401K, my wife does not. Can we open an traditional IRA under her name now and contribute 5K to drop our AGI for 2011?
 

bhanson

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2004
1,749
0
71
I did my taxes for 2010 last year but forgot to send them in. I found them this year as I was preparing my 2011 taxes. I sent my 2010 taxes (I was due for a refund) in on Feb 1st. How long do I need to wait before I can send in my 2011 taxes?

I had asked a TurboTax representative because their software was asking if I had filed in 2010 and "yes" was incorrect, but if I selected "no" it would have entered my previous AGI as $0, which is also incorrect. They suggested that I wait to submit my 2011 taxes until after I submit the 2010 taxes but I was not informed on when I could do that.
 

Xcobra

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2004
3,675
423
126
I did my taxes for 2010 last year but forgot to send them in. I found them this year as I was preparing my 2011 taxes. I sent my 2010 taxes (I was due for a refund) in on Feb 1st. How long do I need to wait before I can send in my 2011 taxes?

I had asked a TurboTax representative because their software was asking if I had filed in 2010 and "yes" was incorrect, but if I selected "no" it would have entered my previous AGI as $0, which is also incorrect. They suggested that I wait to submit my 2011 taxes until after I submit the 2010 taxes but I was not informed on when I could do that.

You can send in both returns at the same time and they will process them individually. You have three years from the original due date of the tax return to get a refund so you're ok on that front. Was the question from the software about e-filing? If so, you don't have to use your 2010 AGI, I thought you could just use a self-selected PIN a signature. I can't remember very well. If not then I am not sure why they'd ask for your 2010 AGI.
 

Xcobra

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2004
3,675
423
126

bhanson

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2004
1,749
0
71
You can send in both returns at the same time and they will process them individually. You have three years from the original due date of the tax return to get a refund so you're ok on that front. Was the question from the software about e-filing? If so, you don't have to use your 2010 AGI, I thought you could just use a self-selected PIN a signature. I can't remember very well. If not then I am not sure why they'd ask for your 2010 AGI.

The question was at the very end as I was attempting to submit it so I guess it probably was in relation to e-filing.

The turbo tax representative had told me that tax returns must be submitted in chronological order. Good to know that it is not the case.
 

Xcobra

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2004
3,675
423
126
The question was at the very end as I was attempting to submit it so I guess it probably was in relation to e-filing.

The turbo tax representative had told me that tax returns must be submitted in chronological order. Good to know that it is not the case.
The only thing I can think of is if you wanted your 2010 federal refund applied to 2011 as a payment. But even then, if they processed the 2011 first without indicating the applied payment, they'd make the adjustment anyway and send you a letter telling you about the adjustment. I deal with these a lot.
 

CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
I need to lower my AGI by about 5K, I have a company 401K, my wife does not. Can we open an traditional IRA under her name now and contribute 5K to drop our AGI for 2011?

Depends on your modified gross income (basically your AGI less some modifiers). You can contribute to an IRA in her name, but you're deduction is limited if your MAGI is over $169K. You have until April 17th to make a contribution.

Interestingly, if you opened the IRA under your name, the AGI limiter is $90K. Go figure.
 
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saver

Junior Member
Feb 17, 2012
5
0
0
HI everyone,

I bought land in TN almost 5 years ago for $37,900. In December 2011, I sold it for $39,500. It was the first time I had done this. At first I thought I had a capital gains of $1600 but as I was going through the Turbo online process (first time for that too), it dawned on me that I also had expenses. According to the HUD statement, I paid $2295.82 including realtor commission and other fees. This brought my net proceeds to $37,209.99 which is less that what I bought it for. So would this be considered a loss?

Thank you for your help.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
HI everyone,

I bought land in TN almost 5 years ago for $37,900. In December 2011, I sold it for $39,500. It was the first time I had done this. At first I thought I had a capital gains of $1600 but as I was going through the Turbo online process (first time for that too), it dawned on me that I also had expenses. According to the HUD statement, I paid $2295.82 including realtor commission and other fees. This brought my net proceeds to $37,209.99 which is less that what I bought it for. So would this be considered a loss?

Thank you for your help.
If you treated the land as an investment, it would be a loss.
Hopefully, you did indicate this on the previous tax returns.

Otherwise; you are treading dangerously.

See Post #301
 

saver

Junior Member
Feb 17, 2012
5
0
0
I bought the land as an investment but I will have to go back and look see if there are any forms for investment. Would it be included in my 2007 return? (I bought it in August, 2007.)

Also, I never did anything with the land. It just sat there. I just bought it.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
42,589
5
0
I bought the land as an investment but I will have to go back and look see if there are any forms for investment. Would it be included in my 2007 return? (I bought it in August, 2007.)

Also, I never did anything with the land. It just sat there. I just bought it.

Property (land, for example) held for investment is non-passive under IRC § 469(e)(1)(A)(ii)(II).

Also look at form 8582
 

saver

Junior Member
Feb 17, 2012
5
0
0
Property (land, for example) held for investment is non-passive under IRC § 469(e)(1)(A)(ii)(II).

Also look at form 8582

No. I just looked at 2007 return and also called the accountant I used at the time.

I treated it as an investment, but I never did anything with the land after I bought it. It just sat there. I live in FL and the land is in TN. During the whole time I owned it, on my income taxes the only thing I claimed were the county property taxes on the land. I never claimed any closing costs at any time.

But I am still scratching my head as to what to put for this year. I must be losing my mind .... but somewhere I read another post (I can't find it now) that to figure the amount of the loss, I take the amount I paid for it (37900) and add the closing costs when I bought it (which were 653.23) also the closing costs (and fees) when I sold it (2295.82) and from that number subtract what I sold it for. Like I said I never claimed the closing costs I paid when I bought it.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
I'm doing my parents taxes with the software I used for myself. My dad is retired from a U.S. government job and gave me a Form CSA 1099R. After inputting the information, it asks for a "taxable income" however on the form CSA 1099R it says "UNKNOWN". How do I determine the taxable income?

Any insight is much appreciated.
 
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CPA

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
30,322
4
0
I'm doing my parents taxes with the software I used for myself. My dad is retired from a U.S. government job and gave me a Form CSA 1099R. After inputting the information, it asks for a "taxable income" however on the form CSA 1099R it says "UNKNOWN". How do I determine the taxable income?

Any insight is much appreciated.

are you saying box 2a says "UNKNOWN"?
 
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