The Work Opportunity Tax Credit gives employers a tax credit for hiring veterans and others who are members of “target” groups. Normally, you have 28 days after an eligible worker’s first day to complete the necessary paperwork for the credit. But the 28-day rule has been extended for some new workers that you hired between January 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. For certain employees hired within that time period, the deadline for filing the required

If you find yourself on the IRS mailing list, here’s what to do. Scan the heading. The first line, generally printed in bold type and centered beneath your name and address, will tell you why the IRS is contacting you. Questions about missing information, additional taxes owed, or payments due mean you’ll want to take prompt action to avoid more notices or assessments of interest and penalties. Review the discrepancy. You’ll find the tax form and

June 30, 2016, is the deadline for filing the 2015 Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, known as the FBAR. Not sure if you need to file? The general rule is that a return is due when you have a financial interest in, or signature authority over, foreign financial accounts if the aggregate value of those accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. The requirement applies to both individuals and

The latest credit cards have a new feature: a half-inch square on the card’s face that looks like a mini circuit board. The square is a small computer chip called an EMV. The acronym stands for Europay, MasterCard, and VISA, the developers of the technology. Over the next several years, these chip-embedded cards are expected to replace the familiar magnetic strip technology on cards that you now swipe at point-of-sale devices. When you use your EMV

Looking for suggestions to reduce your 2016 business tax liability? Here are three tips to consider as summer gets underway. Business trips. When you travel on business this summer, you can write off your expenses – including airfare, lodging, and 50% of the cost of meals – if the primary motive of the trip is business-related. Costs attributable to personal side trips are nondeductible. If you travel by car, deduct actual business-related auto costs or a

June 15, 2016, is the due date for making your second installment of 2016 individual estimated tax. You can pay online, by phone, with a credit or debit card, or by check. June 15 is also the due date for calendar-year corporations to make second quarter 2016 estimated tax payments.