Introduction to VITA Federal Tax Law...VITA/TCE programs volunteer? As a VITA/TCE programs volunteer, you have a responsibility to provide quality service and to uphold the . ethical

Introduction to VITA &

Federal Tax Law

Tax year 2017

Overview • What is VITA?

– Benefits of VITA – VITA Volunteer Roles

• Greeter/Screener, Tax preparer, Quality Reviewer, Site Coordinator

– VITA sites Operations • Intake procedures & Quality site

requirements • Introduction to VITS training

Resources – Major publications

• Pub 4012, 1084, 4491, 17 & 4961 • Form 6744

– Taxslayer Practice Lab & VITA Central

• Introduction to Federal tax law – Too much to mention here

VITA Sites

• Free to individuals and families that make up to $54,000 a year

• Language support • IRS certified and supported • Higher return accuracy than even paid

preparers

Benefits of VITA

• Free to individuals and families that make up to $54,000 a year

• Language support • IRS certified and supported • Higher return accuracy than even paid

preparers

VITA Volunteer Roles There are 4 roles for VITA volunteers:

1. Greeters must be complete Ethics and Intake certification tests

2. Tax Return Preparers must be certified at least to the basic level, & preferably to the advanced level using IRS’s Link & Learn Certification program

3. Tax Return Reviewers must be certified at least to the advanced level using IRS’s Link & Learn Certification program

4. Site Coordinators need additional training & have VITA experience.

Volunteer Certification Process

• Depending on their role there are various certification tests • All certification questions can be found in form 6744

• All VITA volunteers must complete Volunteer Standards of Conduct Test and the Intake/Interview and Quality Review Test.

• Each test contain 10 regular and 10 re-take questions. Please review all.

• Return preparers, quality reviewers and site coordinators must complete either the basic or advanced certification test.

• Advanced in preferred at most site

Volunteer Certification Pathway

4011 & 4704FS

VITA Sites Operations • VITA provides in-person tax preparation and filing (paper and electronic) • Sites are required by the IRS to adhere to the Quality Site Requirements

(Reference Pub 5166 and 5088 for additional information):

1) Certification 2) Intake/Interview & Quality Review Process 3) Confirming Photo Identification and Taxpayer Identification Number 4) Reference Materials 5) Volunteer Agreement 6) Timely Filing of Tax Returns 7) Civil Rights 8) Correct Site Identification Number (SIDN) 9) Correct Electronic Filing Identification Number (EFIN) 10) Security

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5166.pdf


What are my responsibilities as a VITA/TCE programs volunteer?

As a VITA/TCE programs volunteer, you have a responsibility to provide quality service and to uphold the ethical standards of the program. When you begin as a volunteer, you will be asked to sign Form 13615, which states that you will adhere to these standards:

– Follow the Quality Site Requirements (QSR) – Never accept payment or solicit donations for tax return preparation – Never solicit business from taxpayers you assist or use the knowledge gained about a taxpayer for any direct

or indirect personal benefit – Never knowingly prepare false returns – Never engage in criminal, infamous, dishonest, notoriously disgraceful conduct, or any other conduct

deemed to have a negative effect on the IRS – Treat all taxpayers in a professional, courteous, and respectful manner

As a volunteer, follow these standards for return preparation: become certified, use the intake/interview and quality review process, use reference materials, complete the steps to electronically file tax returns, and adhere to the privacy and confidentiality guidelines.

Intake and Interview Procedure

Verifying TP Identity

What are acceptable identity documents to verify identity? Ask to see photo identification such as:

• Valid driver’s license (U.S.) • State ID (U.S.) • Passport • Visa • Military ID • National ID • Employer ID • School ID

IRS regulations require that each person listed on a U.S. federal income tax return have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The types of TINs are:

• Social Security Number (SSN) • Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) • Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN)

11 Lesson 3 – Filing Basics 11

For individuals who do not bring their original or a copy of their Social Security card, you may accept either of the following: • A SSA letter or a Form

SSA-1099 statement

• An ITIN card or letter

Determines certification level

Indicates what tax forms are needed

Don’t forget to verify their total household income, clients should make less than $54,000 a year, some exceptions apply

Important Update!

• Who can prepare prior year returns? – Prior year returns may only be prepared

and reviewed when the tax topics are within scope for VITA/TCE and within the volunteers’ current level of training and certification. However, they do not need to be certified in the actual prior year.

VITA training Resources

– Major publication • Pub 4012, 1084, 5166, 4491, 17 &

4961 • Form 6744

– Taxslayer Practice Lab – VITA Central

Major Publications

– Major publications: • All publications are updated yearly and available electronically • Pub 4012: VITA/TCE Volunteer Resource Guide

– Go to resource guide for everyday tax questions

• Pub 1084: VITA/TCE Site Coordinators Handbook – A handbook to provide guidance on effective site operations for the VITA/TCE programs

• Pub 4491: VITA/TCE Training Guide – Provides examples for real world scenarios

• Pub 17: Federal Income Tax Guide for Individuals – Federal tax law in plain English

• Pub 4961: VITA/TCE Volunteer Standards of Conduct – Ethics Training – Covers information for the two certification tests

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjJ4auMkITWAhWD64MKHaY4DmYQFggmMAA&url=https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4012.pdf&usg=AFQjCNF6tVBzJwIHoYbSGJF6FoFkcnQRjA





Form 6744 • Certification tests that you are concerned with:

– Volunteer Standards of Conduct » 10 test and 10 retest questions

– Intake/Interview and Quality Review » 10 test and 10 retest questions

– Basic Course Scenarios and Test » 30 test and 30 retest questions, divided into 9 scenarios

• 3 scenarios require the use of TaxSlayer to complete – Advanced Course Scenarios and Test

» 35 test and 35 retest questions, divided into 8 scenarios • 3 scenarios require the use of TaxSlayer to complete

– Health Saving Account » 15 test and 15 retest questions, divided into 5 scenarios

• 1 scenario requires the use of TaxSlayer to complete – Foreign Student

» 50 test questions, no retest questions, divided into 4 scenarios

Let’s review the Volunteer Standards of Conduct and Intake/Interview & Quality

Review Tests

Introduction to TaxSlayer & VITA Central

– TaxSlayer- IRS provided tax prep software, used

by most VITA sites: • TaxSlayer Practice Lab allows volunteers to access the

full TaxSlayer software to preparer returns for their certification requirements

– VITA Central “Link & Learn”- IRS certification website

• VITA Central is the IRS certification website and links to additional training materials and information

https://vita.taxslayerpro.com/IRSTraining/en/Account/Access

https://www.linklearncertification.com/d/

Introduction to Federal Tax Law

What’s New?

Please open your Pub 4012 to Tab What’s New, page NEW-1

22 Lesson 4 – Filing Status 22

What’s New?

2017 filing deadline is Tuesday, April 17th, 2018


Standard deduction has increased: • $12,700 – Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er) ($100 increase) • $9,350 – Head of Household ($50 increase) • $6,350 – Single or Married Filing Separately ($50 increase)

Personal Exemption Amount is $4,050 (no change) Standard Mileage Rate is 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven

Who Must File a Tax Return? (Tab A)

What helps determine if an individual must file?

• Intake Form 13614-C

• Refer to Pub 4012, Charts A, B, & C, on pp A-1 to A-3, tab A

In what situations would an individual want to file if they are not required to?

– Find examples in Pub 4012, Tab A, Chart D – FAFSA!


Who Must File a Tax Return?


Who Must File a Tax Return?


Starting a Return/Filing Status (Tab B)


Form 1040 Job Aid- This a 1040 with the corresponding 4012 Tabs indicated

Starting a Return/Filing Status (Tab B, Page B-8)


Form 1040 Job Aid- This a 1

Who’s your “family”/in your “household”?

This issue touches many areas of the tax return, 4 big ones are: 1. Filing Status (qualifying for more advantageous “head of

household”) 2. Dependency Exemptions (can someone claim a person as a

dependent on their tax return) 3. EITC (tax credit for working poor is larger if you have qualifying

children) & Child Tax Credits 4. ACA (Shared responsibility payment “penalty”) Definitions are different for each and some are not intuitive (for

example, in some cases your brother is your “child”). Use the resources & never guess!!!!

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The Five Filing Statuses

1. Single 2. Married Filing Jointly 3. Married Filing Separately 4. Head of Household 5. Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child


The Five Filing Statuses • Find relevant TP information on Form 13614-C, Part II:

Marital Status & Household Information

• Filing status impacts: 1. Calculation of income tax 2. Amount of the standard deduction 3. Allowance or limitation of certain credits & deductions

• Use “Filing Status Wizard” function on in TaxSlayer if you are unsure of their filing status

• Pub 4012 (Tab B), Determination of Filing Status Decision Tree, pp B-1 through B-3

• Pub 17, Chapter 2, Filing Status provides details


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Filing Status- Decision Tree

Single • On the last day of 2017 TP was:

– Not married – Legally separated or divorced, or – Widowed before first day of tax year, not

remarried within the year

• May qualify for more beneficial tax status • Pub 4012 (Tab B, B-9), Filing Status

Interview Tips


Filing Status- Interview Tips (Tab B, B-9)


Married Filing Jointly

• This filing status generally is the most beneficial

• One return is filed covering both spouses

• On the last day of 2017 TPs: – Were married & live together – Live apart but not legally separated or divorced – Separated but divorce decree not final, or – Widow(er) not remarried during 2017


Married Filing Separately • Taxes are generally higher for this status – Some credits unavailable (example education credits and

deductions) and others are reduced – Advantage, no joint & several liability

• Some TPs file separately to avoid potential refund offset due to spouse’s outstanding debts

– Suggest Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation

• For the complete list of special rules, see Pub 17, Filing Status


Head of Household • A TP may qualify if he or she:

– Is unmarried or “considered unmarried” on 12/31/17, and;

– Paid 50% or more of the cost of keeping up a home for 2017, and;

– And dad a qualifying person living with them more than half the year (except for temporary absences)

• Qualifying person: – Can be child, parent, or other relative – See Pub 4012 (Tab B), Who is a Qualifying Person…


Head of Household - Keeping Up a Home

• In general, the Head of Household status is for unmarried taxpayers who paid more than 1/2 the cost of keeping up a home for a qualifying person who lived with them in the home more than 1/2 2017. Valid household expenses include: – Rent, mortgage interest, real estate taxes – Home insurance, repairs, utilities – Food eaten in the home Welfare or other public assistance payments are not considered amounts that the taxpayer provides to keep up a home. These payments must be included in the total cost of keeping up the home to determine if the taxpayer paid over half the cost.

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Head of Household – qualifying person

• A qualifying person is defined as: – A qualifying child – A married child who can be claimed as a dependent – A dependent parent – A qualifying relative who lived with the taxpayer more than

half the year and is one of the relatives listed in the Volunteer Resource Guide (Tab C), Interview Tips, or Table 2: Dependency Exemption for Qualifying Relative, Step 2 (Page C-3)

The qualifying person for Head of Household filing status must always be related to the taxpayer. A person may qualify as a qualifying relative for a dependency exemption, but not qualify the taxpayer for the Head of Household filing status. Refer to the Volunteer Resource Guide (Tab B, Page B-3), Who is a Qualifying Person Qualifying You to File as Head of Household?

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Married & Living Apart with Dependent Child

Some married TPs may be “considered unmarried” and can claim Head of Household as their filing status if all the following conditions are met:

• File a return separate from their spouse • Paid more than 50% of the cost of keeping up their

home • Lived apart from their spouse during the entire last

6 months of 2017, & • Provided the main home for more than 1/2 the year

of a qualifying dependent child, stepchild, or authorized foster child


Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child

• As beneficial as Married Filing Jointly • Available for only 2 years following year of spouse’s death • TP would use Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing

Separately in the year of spouse’s death (if not remarried) • Dependency qualifications apply to child


Summary

• There are 5 filing statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, & Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child

• Choose the filing status that results in the lowest tax

• HEAVILY TESTED ON CERTIFICATION EXAMS


Basic Scenario 2, Dana Glendale • Dana is 44, unmarried, and earned $40,000 in wages. • Dana’s 22-year-old son, Tom, rents an apartment near campus during the school

year and spends summers at home with his mother. Tom is a full-time student who is in his 3rd year of college working towards his degree in chemical engineering.

• Tom does not have a felony drug conviction. • Dana paid $4,000 of Tom’s tuition that was not covered by his scholarship. • Dana provided more than half of her son’s support and all the cost of keeping up

her son’s apartment. • Tom’s only income was $3,800 in wages. • Dana and Tom are U.S. citizens and have valid Social Security numbers.


Dana’s most advantageous allowable filing status is: a. Single b. Head of Household c. Married Filing Separately d. Qualifying Widow

Personal and Dependency Exemptions (Tab C)

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Personal Exemptions

What are exemptions? – A dollar amount that can be deducted from a

TP’s total income, thereby reducing their taxable income. ($4,050)

Two types of exemptions: – Personal exemptions

• Claimed for self (& possibly spouse)

– Dependency exemptions • Claimed for qualifying dependents

45 Lesson 5 – Personal Exemptions 45

Rules for Personal Exemption

• CAN anyone claim you or your spouse as a dependent on their tax return? (Not does anyone!) – Answer must be “no” to claim personal exemption

• Resources: – Pub 4012 (Tab C, Page C-2), Personal Exemption

Interview Tips – Interactive Tax Assistant: Personal & Spousal

Exemptions


Use probing questions!

http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/content/globalmedia/personal_exemptions_4012.pdf

Personal Exemptions- Probing Question Interview (C-2)


Spouses (continued)

• Divorced & Separated: – TPs cannot claim an exemption for a (former) spouse

from whom they are divorced or legally separated

• Deceased spouse claimed as personal exemption if TP: – Did not remarry by December 31, 2017, & – Was not divorced or legally separated from their

spouse on the date of death, & – Would have been able to claim the exemption under

the rules for a joint or separate return

• Pub 17, Chapter 3, Personal Exemptions & Dependents


Dependency Exemption

A TP can claim one exemption for each qualified dependent, thereby reducing their taxable income

Who may be claimed as a dependent? 1. Qualifying child 2. Qualifying relative

49 Lesson 6 – Dependency Exemptions 49

Dependents For a taxpayer to claim a dependency exemption, the following conditions must be met:

– The taxpayer may not claim a dependency exemption for a person if the taxpayer may be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.

– A dependent cannot file a joint return unless the joint return is filed only to claim a refund and no tax liability would exist for either spouse on separate returns.

– A dependent must be either a qualifying child or qualifying relative.


Qualifying Child Tests

Five additional tests for a qualifying child: 1. Relationship 2. Age 3. Residency 4. Support 5. Qualifying child of more than one person

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab C, Page C-5), Interview Tips for Dependency Exemption


Dependency Exemption – Rules for claiming (C-3)


Qualifying Child - Relationship Test

To meet this test, the child must be: • Taxpayer's son, daughter, stepchild, foster child (placed

by an authorized placement agency), or a descendant (for example, a grandchild) of any of them, or

• Adopted child is treated the same as a natural child. This includes a child who was lawfully placed with the taxpayer for legal adoption.

• Taxpayer's brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant (for example, niece or nephew) of any of them

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Qualifying Child - Age Test

To meet this test, the child must be: • Under age 19 as of 12/31/2017 & younger than the taxpayer

(or the taxpayer's spouse, if filing jointly), or • A full-time student under the age of 24 as of 12/31/17 &

younger than the taxpayer (or spouse, if filing jointly), or • Any age if permanently & totally disabled at any time of the

year

54

Qualifying Child – Residency Test

Child must have lived with TP more than 1/2 of 2017. Taxpayer's home is any location where they regularly live; need not be a traditional home. For example, child who lived with TP for more than ½ the year in one or more homeless shelters meets residency test. • Exceptions to the Residency Test

– Child considered to live with TP during periods when either child or TP is temporarily absent due to illness, education, business, vacation or military service.

– Child who was born (or died) during 2016 is treated as having lived with TP all year, if child lived in TP's home the entire time child was alive.

• Do not confuse this test with citizenship or resident test.

55

Qualifying Child- Support Test

• Child cannot have provided more than 1/2 of child’s own support during 2017. – This test different from support test for

qualifying relative. A person's own funds not support unless funds actually spent for support.

– If taxpayer is unsure whether child provided more than 1/2 of child’s own support, review Worksheet for Determining Support in Pub 4012 (Tab C, Page C-9) together.

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Qualifying Child Of More Than 1 Person Test

Although a child could meet conditions to be the qualifying child of more than 1 person, only 1 TP can claim that child as a qualifying child for the following tax benefits:

• Dependency exemption • Child tax credits • Head of Household filing status • Credit for child & dependent care expenses • Exclusion from income for dependent care benefits • Earned income credit

57

Qualifying Child Of More Than 1 Person Test

If 2 TPs have the same qualifying child, only 1 TP can claim all 6 benefits for that particular child. They cannot agree to split these benefits. (Exception: if special rule applies for child of unmarried, divorced, separated or living apart parents).

58

Qualifying Relative Tests • Four tests for a qualifying relative:

1. Not a qualifying child 2. Member of household or relationship 3. Gross income 4. Support

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab C, Page C-6), Interview Tips for Qualifying Relative

• Pub 4012 (Tab C, Page C-9), Worksheet for Determining Support


Dependency Exemption – Rules for claiming (C-3)


Member of Household or Relationship Test The person must either: • Live as a member of the TP's household all year, or • Be related to the TP in one of the following ways:

– Child, stepchild, foster child or a descendant of any of them – Brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister – Father, mother, grandparent or other direct ancestor, but not

foster parent – Stepfather or stepmother – Son or daughter of the TP's brother or sister (niece or nephew) – Brother or sister of the TP's father or mother (uncle or aunt) – Son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law,

brother-in-law, or sister-in-law • Any of these relationships that were established by marriage

are not ended by death or divorce.

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Member of Household or Relationship Test

An unrelated person who lived with the TP for the entire year can also meet the member of household or relationship test, BUT:

– A person is still considered to live with the TP as a member of the household during periods when that person, or the TP, is temporarily absent due to special circumstances such as illness, education, business, vacation, military service, or placement in a nursing home.

– Cousins can meet the relationship test for qualifying relative only if they live with the TP for the entire year.

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Qualifying Relative – Gross Income Test

• Dependent's gross income for 2017 must be less than the personal exemption amount ($4,050 for 2017). – Gross income means all income the person received in the

form of money, goods, property and services, that isn’t exempt from tax. Don’t include social security benefits unless the person is married filing a separate return and lived with their spouse at any time during the tax year or if 1/2 the social security benefits plus their other gross income and tax exempt interest is more than $25,000 ($32,000 if MFJ).Specific examples are found in Publication 17, Personal Exemptions & Dependents.

– Test applies only to qualifying relatives, not qualifying children.

63

Qualifying Relative – Support Test

• TP must have provided more than 50% of the person's total support for 2017. Note that this support test is different from the support test for a qualifying child.

• When calculating the amount of total support, TPs should compare their contributions with the entire amount of support the person received from all sources (such as taxable income, tax-exempt income, & loans).

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All those Kids “Cheatsheet”

65

Advanced Scenario 2: Mike Hastings Interview Notes

66

• Mike is 50 and made $36,000 in wages in 2017. • He is single and pays all the cost of keeping up his home. • Mike’s daughter, Brittany, lived with Mike all year. • Brittany’s son, Hayden, was born in November 2017. Hayden lived in

Mike’s home since birth. • Brittany is 25, single, and had $1,500 in wages in 2017. She is not disabled. • Mike provides more than half of the support for both Brittany and Hayden. • Mike, Brittany, and Hayden are all U.S. citizens with valid Social Security

numbers.

• Test Question 3: Who can claim Hayden as a dependent? – a. No one can claim Hayden because he was not a member of the household

for more than six months. – b. Mike cannot claim Hayden because Hayden is not Mike’s child. – c. Brittany can claim Hayden because she is his parent. – d. Mike can claim Hayden; Brittany cannot claim Hayden because Brittany

qualifies as Mike’s dependent.

Earned Income Credit (Tab I)

67

What is the EIC?

• A refundable tax credit available to eligible TPs who do not earn high incomes

• Qualifying TPs can receive a refund even if they have no filing requirement, owe no tax, & had no income tax withheld

• 2017: Maximum EIC for families with three or more children is $6,269

• HEAVILY TESTED ON CERTIFICATION EXAMS

• HEAVILY SOUGHT BY CLIENTS AND SOME TRY TO GAME SYSTEM WITH “SELF EMPLOYMENT INCOME.”

68 Lesson 29 – Earned Income Credit (EIC) 68

Qualifying for the EIC

• Three sets of rules: 1. General eligibility rules for everyone 2. Rules for TPs with one or more qualifying children 3. Rules for TPs who do not have a qualifying child

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab I, Page I-2), Summary of EIC Eligibility Requirements; focus on Part A & Part D

• Avoid common EIC filing errors: – Incorrectly reported income – Incorrectly reported SSNs – Married TPs incorrectly filing as Single or Head of

Household – Claiming a non-qualifying child


Qualifying for the EIC

• What are some example of earned income that may qualify TPs for the EIC? – Wages, salaries, tips, & other taxable employee pay – Taxable long-term disability benefits received prior to

minimum retirement age – Nontaxable combat pay; compare the EIC amount with

& without this pay before electing to include it in earned income

• See Pub 4012 (Tab I, Page I-1) Earned Income Table for a complete list

• Watch out for self employed with no expenses, round numbers!!


Rules for Taxpayers with Qualifying Children

• Claiming a child who is not a qualifying child is one of the most common EIC errors; make sure you apply the rules correctly.

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab I): – Summary of EIC Eligibility Requirements, Part B – EIC General Eligibility Rules Interview Tips – EIC with a Qualifying Child

Interview Tips – Qualifying Child of More than

One Person


Rules are presented in Pub 4012 (Tab I) Part C, & in the Interview Tips:

– Must be at least age 25 but under age 65 as of December 31 – Cannot be the dependent of another person

• Check Part I, question 10 on Form 13614-C – Must have lived in the U. S. more than half the year

Rules for Taxpayers Without Qualifying Children


Calculating the Tax Credit • Check Part V, question 4 on Form 13614-C:

Did you (or your spouse) have EIC disallowed in a prior year? – If yes, see the special rules in Pub 4012 (Tab I,

Page I-2), Disallowance of the Earned Income Credit

– TaxSlayer will calculate the amount of EIC


EIC Summary • The earned income credit (EIC) computation is

based on filing status, number of qualifying children, earned income, & adjusted gross income. Certain individuals with no children may also qualify.

• By using the intake & interview sheet, the interview tips in the Volunteer Resource Guide, & correctly filling out the EIC worksheets, most common errors can be avoided.


Advanced Scenario 2: Mike Hastings Interview Notes

75

• Mike is 50 and made $36,000 in wages in 2017. • He is single and pays all the cost of keeping up his home. • Mike’s daughter, Brittany, lived with Mike all year. • Brittany’s son, Hayden, was born in November 2017. Hayden lived in Mike’s home

since birth. • Brittany is 25, single, and had $1,500 in wages in 2017. She is not disabled. • Mike provides more than half of the support for both Brittany and Hayden. • Mike, Brittany, and Hayden are all U.S. citizens with valid Social Security numbers.

• Test Question 4. Who can Mike claim as a qualifying child(ren) for the earned

income credit? – a. Mike has no qualifying children. – b. Mike can claim Brittany, but not Hayden. – c. Mike can claim Hayden, but not Brittany. – d. Mike can claim both Brittany and Hayden.

Income from Form 1040, Lines 7-11 (Tab D)

76

Determining Taxable & Nontaxable Income

• Nontaxable (excludable)

• Gifts & inheritances • Exempt income

• Earned • Received for work,

such as wages, business income

• Unearned • Interest income from

investments

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab D) for examples 77

What are the differences between taxable & nontaxable income?

Lesson 8 – Income from Form 1040 Lines 7-11 77

Reporting Wages, Salaries, Tips, etc. in TaxSlayer

Starting in Tab D, page D-2 to D-25, TaxSlayer provides step-by-step instructions on how to enter most types of income

78 Lesson 8 – Income from Form 1040 Lines 7-11 78

Reporting Wages, Salaries, Tips, etc.

• The most common form for reporting income is the W-2. W-2s are Issued to employees by January 31, reports wages & other compensation


Reporting Wages, Salaries, Tips, etc.

• Remember: – Household employees earning less than $1,700 may

not receive a Form W-2, but the income must be reported

– Self-employed TPs who receive tips should include their tips in gross receipts on Schedule C


Taxable Scholarship Income • Taxable scholarship income may be reported on Form W-2 & Form

1098-T

• Note, not all scholarships are income, but the excess over eligible expenses is.

• If the TP did not receive a Form 1098-T, the taxable amount should still be reported

• Form 1098-T income is reported as shown on pg D-53 Pub 4012 (Reported as “Other Compensation”)

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab J) Educational Benefits


Taxable Scholarship Income • A scholarship or fellowship is tax free only to the extent:

– It doesn’t exceed your qualified education expenses; – It isn’t designated or earmarked for other purposes (such as room and board), and

doesn’t require (by its terms) that it can’t be used for qualified education expenses; and

– It doesn’t represent payment for teaching, research, or other services required as a condition for receiving the scholarship. (But for exceptions, see Payment for services in Publication 970).


Taxable Scholarship Income


You can determine if a client has taxable income by subtracting Box 5 by Box 2, any positive number is considered taxable income. Example: $6,000 (Box 5) – $4,000 (Box 2) = $2,000* (Taxable income) *Ensure there are no other qualified expenses that you can further reduce the taxable income by.

4,000.00

• Interest income (unearned income) is reported on Form 1099-INT if large enough – ask if other interest was received.

• Common sources: savings accounts, CDs, saving certificates, government bonds, interest on insurance proceeds, loan interest

• See 4012 Tab D, Page D-7 for how to enter in Taxslayer

Interest Income


Standard Deduction & Itemizing Deductions (Tab F)

85

Deductions • Use interview techniques & other tools to

determine if the standard deduction or itemizing will result in the largest possible deduction for the TP.

• Pub 4012 (Tab F), Standard Deduction for Most People

• Pub 4012 (Tab F), Interview Tips for persons not eligible for the Standard Deduction

86 Lesson 19 – Standard Deduction & Tax Computation 86

Age & Blindness • Standard deduction is higher for a TP or

spouse 65 or older, or if one or both spouses are blind

• Use Pub 4012 (Tab F), Standard Deduction Chart for People Born Before January 2, 1953 or Who Are Blind Chart, as a guide to computing the standard deduction

• Taxslayer will compute if you enter the information properly.


Taxpayers Who Can be Claimed as Dependents

• A lower standard deduction is offered for an individual who can be claimed as a dependent on another’s tax return

• Form 13614-C has a check box for a dependent being claimed by another TP. But the taxpayer may not know! Use Tab C of Form 4012 to help explain.


• Examples of types of expenses that generally warrant itemizing deductions: – Large out-of-pocket medical & dental expenses – State & local income taxes, real estate taxes,

and/or personal property taxes – Mortgage interest – Gifts to charity – Casualty, theft, & certain other

miscellaneous deductions

Standard Deduction vs. Itemizing


Deductions – Who Must Itemize

• TPs who cannot take standard deduction and must itemize:

1. Filing as Married Filing Separately & the spouse itemizes

2. Nonresident or dual-status alien (not married to U.S. citizen at the end of the year)

• Refer to the Standard Deduction Worksheet Line 40 from either Pub 17 or Form 1040 Instructions


Who Should Itemize?

91 Lesson 20 – Itemized Deductions

• TPs should itemize if total allowable deductions are higher than the standard deduction amount

• TPs ineligible for standard deduction should itemize deductions

• Refer to Pub 4012 (Tab F) Persons Not Eligible for the Standard Deduction Interview Tips for help in determining if a TP qualifies for a standard deduction

• Refer to Pub 4012 (Tab F) Interview Tips – Itemized Deductions to help determine if a TP should try to itemize

• TaxSlayer will automatically select the larger of itemized versus standard deduction

91

Taxes that May be Deductible

• Certain taxes may be deductible if paid by the TP during 2017, such as: – State & local taxes – Real estate taxes – Personal property taxes – Michigan Auto Registrations – Other taxes (foreign income taxes, etc.)

• Refer to Pub 17, Which Taxes Can You Deduct table for more information

92 Lesson 20 – Itemized Deductions 92

Interest Paid • Certain types of interest are deductible, such

as: – Mortgage interest – Points paid as a form of interest – Investment interest (out of scope)

• Refer to the flowcharts in Pub 17, Is My Home Mortgage Interest Fully Deductible? & Are My Points Fully Deductible? for more information

• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) may be deductible

• Student Loan interest does NOT go On schedule A, it is reported on 1040, under Adjustments


Gifts to Charity

• TPs may deduct charitable contributions (donations or gifts) to qualified organizations ONLY IF THEY ITEMIZE.

• Exempt Organizations Select Check is an online tool for searching for organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions

• TPs are required to keep receipts & records of all their contributions

• Refer to Pub 17, Contributions & Pub 4012 (Tab F, Page F-5 && 8), Schedule A – Itemized Deductions, for more information


Education Benefits (Tab J)

95

Education Benefits Introduction

96 Lesson 23 – Education Credits

• Education credit amounts are based on qualified education expenses paid during 2017

• For an overview of education credits, see Pub 4012 (Tab J), Education Benefits

• To help guide your interview, use Pub 4012 (Tab J), Education Credits

• Disqualifying conditions include if a TP: – Can be claimed as dependent on someone else’s return – Files as Married Filing Separately – Has an AGI above the limit for the TP’s filing status – Was a nonresident alien for any part of 2017 & did not

elect to be treated as a resident alien for tax purposes

96

Qualifying Expenses

97 Lesson 23 – Education Credits

• Qualified education expenses are tuition & certain related expenses required for attendance at an eligible educational institution

• The definition for “certain related expenses” differs between the lifetime learning credit & the American opportunity credit

• Necessary proof of expenses includes such documents as receipts or Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, issued by the school

• Qualified expenses must be reduced by the amount of any tax free educational assistance TPs receive

• TPs can claim payments that were prepaid for the academic period that begins in the first three months of the next year

97

American Opportunity Tax Credit • Available for the first 4 years of college per eligible student

• The credit covers 100% of the first $2,000 & 25% of the second $2,000 of eligible expenses, up to the amount of tax or a maximum of $2,500

• 40% of the credit is a refundable credit

• See Form 8863 Instructions for more information

98 Lesson 23 – Education Credits 98

Lifetime Learning Credit • The credit is 20% of the first $10,000 of eligible expenses,

up to the amount of tax or a maximum of $2,000

• The credit is non-refundable

• Eligible students are not required to be enrolled at least half-time or in a degree program, & a felony drug conviction is not a disqualification

• Refer to Pub 4012 (Tab J), Education Benefits for basic requirements


Choosing Between the Credits / No Double Benefits

TPs cannot receive multiple benefits for the same student’s expenses

TPs have several options for claiming education expenses:

1. American opportunity credit

or lifetime learning credit 2. Tuition & fees deduction 3. Itemizing on Schedule A 4. Reporting as business expenses

on Schedules C or C-EZ


Child Tax Credits (Tab G)

101

Child and Dependent Care Credit

• Allows TPs to reduce their tax by a portion of their child and dependent care expenses. Credit may be claimed by TPs who, work or look for work and pay someone to take care of their qualifying person.

• A qualifying person is a: • Qualifying child under 13 • Spouse who is incapable of self-care • Dependent who is incapable of self-care

• The credit ranges from 20% to 35% of the taxpayer's expenses. • The percentage is based on the taxpayer's earned income and

adjusted gross income. • The amount of the credit cannot be more than the amount of

income tax on the return. It can reduce an individual's tax to $0, but it will not give the taxpayer a refund. (Non-refundable Credit)

102

Child and Dependent Care Credit

• Spouse is considered working if they are going to school full time.

• Can claim amounts paid to family members, but not dependent’s parents or TP’s dependents.

• Must have taxpayer ID number for care provider. No exceptions!

• See Pub 4012 (Tab G, Pages G5 to G8)

103

Child Tax Credit/Additional Child Tax Credit

104 Lesson 25 – Child Tax Credit

• Child tax credit allows TPs to claim a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $1,000 per child

• TPs who claim the child tax credit, but do not qualify for the full amount, may be able to also take the refundable additional child tax credit by completing Form 8812, Additional Child Tax Credit

• Review Pub 4012 (Tab G, Pages G12-G13), Child Tax Credit

104

Affordable Care Act (Tab H)

105

Minimal Essential Coverage (H-5)

106

The individual shared responsibility provision requires you and each member of your family to have basic health coverage – also known as minimum essential coverage – qualify for a health coverage exemption, or make an individual shared responsibility payment for months without coverage or an exemption when you file your federal income tax return. Many people already have minimum essential coverage and do not need to do anything more than maintain that coverage and report their coverage when they file their tax returns. Most taxpayers will simply check a box to indicate that each member of their family had qualifying health coverage for the whole year. Health coverage providers, the Marketplace, and some employers will issue Form 1095 (A, B, or C) information documents early in the tax filing season.

Minimal Essential Coverage (H-5)

107

Minimal Essential Coverage

108

What if they do not have minimal essential coverage? Taxpayers may have two options:

1. Claim or Report a Coverage Exemption 2. Calculate and Make a Shared Responsibility Payment

Claim or Report a Coverage Exemption

109

How to report a coverage exemption into TaxSlayer can be found on pages H-10 to H-13.

A list of coverage exemptions can be found on page H-14, and coverage unaffordability can be determined in TaxSlayer with the help of reference pages H-16 to H-21.

Calculate and Make a Shared Responsibility Payment

110

For any month during the year that you or any of your family members don’t have minimum essential coverage and don’t qualify for a coverage exemption, you are required to make an individual shared responsibility payment when you file your tax return. The payment is reported on Form 1040 in the Other Taxes section and on the corresponding sections on Form 1040A and 1040EZ In general, the annual payment amount is the greater of a percentage of your household income or a flat dollar amount, but is capped at the national average premium for a bronze level health plan available through the Marketplace. If you must make a payment, you can use the worksheets located in the instructions to Form 8965, Health Coverage Exemptions, to figure the shared responsibility payment amount due.

Premium Tax Credit: Form 1095-A (H-24)

111

A person who purchased insurance through the Marketplace will receive Form 1095-A. A taxpayer who received the benefit of advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) must complete Form 8962. You cannot prepare the return for taxpayers who received the benefit of APTC without Form(s) 1095-A. Information on how to enter Form 1095-A can be found on pages H-24 to H-29 Some clients may receive a refund, others might be required to repay some of the credit. For individuals who did not purchase insurance through the marketplace, do not need to produce proof of insurance, unless there is cause for concern.

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