get an accountant -- you can take off their fee as a tax deduction and to me, it's worth it to ma
Posted By: memt on 2006-06-30
In Reply to: Need help from anyone who is an IC... - typing4dollars
sure my taxes go in quarterly and correctly so that I don't get slammed at the end of the year!
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You need to talk to accountant. His fee is tax deduction, you will want several dedections each
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Not an accountant
I am not an accountant -- you can ask a financial advisor or someone. I do have a business, business license - pay city business tax, etc. Registered name with the state. So for me I can. Also should clarify that what you can contribute does depend on what your income is after your business deductions. I cannot claim all of the 10K that I contribue because after all my deductions my income does go quite low. But I continue to contribute it to both an IRA and SEP so that I can maximize my deductions. But being an MTSO/IC does give me more usable income because I do maximize my deductions and plan for the future.
Man! Do I pay a lot for my accountant!
I've given him 22 of the best years of my life, two children, and I do most of his cooking!
But, seriously, my husband is a CPA, and yes, he uses TurboTax. He uses the professional version which has a few more bells and whistles, but that's what he's used for years, and that's what he recommends. In fact, he really wishes his "shoebox and paper bag" clients would just learn to use TurboTax. He has to do corporate returns by March 15, and those suck the life out of him. He doesn't even bother with anyone's personal returns until after March 15.
Unless you have a complicated list of investments, unusual expenses, multiple businesses, or nonprofit stuff to file, you probably would manage just nicely with TurboTax.
As for me, my return is already completed. If he doesn't do it now, he won't have time to finish it in April. I haven't done a tax return since I was 21 years old. :) Lest you feel jealous, know that he can't do a darn thing mechanical around the house, and he snores like a bear! Happy New Year, and Happy Tax Season!
I am going to be an accountant -
I will graduate in December with my associates degree and then on to a job somewhere out of transcription while I work on my 4-year and CPA.
MT to accountant?
I am looking at going into accounting (associates degree - obtaining it on-line). Does anyone have any thoughts, opinions, ideas, suggestions, anything that might be helpful or useful to help guide my decision as to whether or not to pursue it? It will cost me about $8000 over the next 2 years, but I will be able to continue to work full-time as an MT, though will be trying to juggle full-time MT, full-time school, and a 2-year-old, so it will be interesting. That's about it. Any opinions are well appreciated.
Pay deduction with DQS
Well, when I started DQS, I was told by the regional manager I would increase my pay with this program so they were cutting everyone's pay who was transitioning to DQS because of that..So my pay was cut three quarters of a cent per line. I agreed, thinking this was happening to everyone. Well, MQ tried this for a while until a few brave souls quit and others threatened to quit due to the reduction in pay. Now, mind you, I have not had a raise since 1998 and yet they chose to decrease my pay. Even though they have stopped this decision of decreasing pay of people transitioning to DQS, I remain at the deducted pay rate. Do you think I have an argument to try to get my pay rate back?
25% deduction
So, I'm not real clear, are you saying you are a statutory status worker and thus federal is deducted which is what ?? 25% and is withheld. If you were and IC independent contractor, nothing is withheld and you send in the taxes on your own. . Employee and statutory have all or some taxes taken out.
Another Deduction (sorry)
So sorry, I forgot one of the most important deductions, your IRA or SEP IRA,your accountant will know which is best -- this was something my accountant insisted I do years ago; now they are worth "plenty" and I am so grateful to him for insisting I do this. It's all deductible and a wonderful way to save for your retirement.
Get a tax guy, his fee is deduction. FYI, if you
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Deduction is 100%, not 50.
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100% deduction for me too as IC.
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per my accountant - and being on production
being on production, you don't know what you're going to make - so it doesn't apply to us. In the beginning, I used to pay quarterly. I now pay annually and the IRS just returned $3700 in overpayment to me for this year. Yep, I just recently received a check back for overpaying my 2005 taxes!!! As long as you pay and on time, the IRS lets us do this. Been doing it this way for years now and I have no IRS problems *thank goodness*
Better get a better CPA/accountant if they don't tell you these things......or maybe different strokes for different states, but I don't think so.
I pay yearly also....per my tax accountant. sm
It doesn't matter as long as you pay - quarterly, yearly, etc.
You really need a good accountant. sm
SS# is fine. You will need to give your contractor a 1099 at the end of the year and deduct her income off of the top. That is a deduction for you from your gross.
Really, though, you need an accountant because things do tend to get a little tricky.
Good luck!
Check with accountant
Pay the money and get do a consult with an accountant so you can understand the basics and know what and what not to do. The money is well worth it. Or get an old copy of Turbo Tax for self employed to see what you can and cannot use for deductions. All of my accounts use by SSN on my 1099 which will will receive from them and in turn prepare a 1099 for your IC or subcontractors. Be sure that they meet the requirements for IC's. Go the IRS website and this will give you some information but again I cannot stress with all of those who are starting out find a good accountant and get their expertise advice. After 2 to 3 years of having my account handling my business, and our joint tax returns and advice, I am now able to do it on my own with Turbo Tax for the past 15 years but to begin with you need some expert advice. I am not knocking you but it really sounds like you do not have an understanding of even the basics of how to handle the taxes and finances of your business so you need to do some homework and get some advice. It is simple but again with his/her help you will know that what you are doing is correct and that will cause a lot less headaches in the years to come.
Patti
Yep, me too. My accountant deducts these
every year and I am a regular employee, not IC.
Thank you. My accountant has given me advice.
He said I should pay the contractors less.
Yes, the point was for me to make money.
What I'm saying is that it is tough. Not just for MTs. It is a tough business right now. There are lots of companies who can snatch my accounts easily. MTs want more money, clients want faster TAT, I have to be able to afford my equipment and business overhead (and it is SLIM, very lean) but apparently I am the one who is supposed to do without.
Everyone keeps saying to just pay less. Then MTs will quit. Then I'll be forced to send work overseas.
It's a mess.
Appreciate your reply, though.
I'd get a new accountant. I work FT as an
employee, have since day one and I can itemize and claim everything but the self-employment taxes.
Get an accountant...even H&R block will do.
I made the mistake of doing the taxes myself one year (TurboTax)and ended up getting audited for that year 2 years later. Luckily it only cost me $1200 but I'm sure it could have been much worse. I just go to H&R Block. At least if I get audited again, they'll handle all the work AND pay my fine if it's something they messed up on.
about deduction from mortage
You seem to know quite a bit about this. I have rented in the past and so always deducted proportionally off my rent. I was under the impression there were some not so favorable consequences about deducting off home mortgage, which would be my situation this year, something about having to ante up somehow after you sell the house for the deductions you claimed, depreciating, etc. Can you clarify this any for me or refer me to a site that would explain this in "simple" :-) terms that I could understand? Not sure what I should do this year!!
Office deduction
I can use the money now more than I expect to need it later, as property values continue to go up. Also, after so many years of NOT claiming office deduction, isn't that penalty withdrawn?
Isn't the standard deduction much more than $2K? nm
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I think you just don't take the deduction for it the year before...ask your CPA
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the SEP IRA is a huge deduction...
but I can't say that I've seen people frequently posting they take $10K in deductions. That also means they spent $10K. You may be imagining that. Maybe do an archive search and then try to repost and contact them? As has been frequently said on this post, the only difference between IC and SE is an IC pays another 7.5% self employment tax but then takes deductions. Don't see how that adds up to 10 grand.
Deduction in pay for errors....
 I was just offered a job at a measly 8 cpl after I took this ridiculously long and time consuming test. I get an email with FAQ and there is a whole section about how much they are going to deduct from your pay for errors. Someone over there has a screw loose. I wish I had not wasted my time. I already have one account that I make about 12 cpl, but I just lost one due to outsourcing, where I started at 9 cpl. I love my first account, but I always like to have 2 just for backup. I so far have been offered 7-1/2 cpl, 7 cpl and 8 cpl. I turned them all down. These people are crazy! If you want a good transcriptionist, PAY FOR IT!!!!
HomeOffice Deduction
Can I deduct my home office if I live with a roommate and am not on the lease? I have a room that is used solely for my office.
Sorry, but no 'blanket' 100% deduction
First, forget about a catastrophic illness - if you have a gallbladder or appendix, you can lose your home, right down to just keeping the shirt on your back. I know this for a fact because it happened to me.
Secondly, I fell into the insurance premiums are 100% covered trap personally (2006/2007). When my accountant actually did my taxes and explained the formula used for determining how much of insurance premiums (and out-of-pocket expenses) are figured, my deduction ended up less than 50% of my oop amount. I was disbelieving and demanded my accountant prove this, so they called the IRS and believe me, they proved it. If someone tells you, without reviewing the details of your estimated premium/OOP yearly costs and estimated yearly earnings, that your premiums will be automatically 100% deductible, they do not know what they are talking about. My point is not to be argumentative, it is to remind you that guessing without expert advice about your personal situation can be very costly. Learn from those of us who have paid dearly for poor judgement and bad advice.
Your standard deduction -
Do you have other things to count such as mortgage interest, etc? If you don't, then yes, your standard deduction would be the better deal.
I just finished a personal income tax preparation class in my accounting program in college. I always thought I was doing something with those deductions too until I took this class. Went back and looked at my old returns and lo and behold, always just took the standard deduction.
Personally, I am just upset that I took so much time keeping up with all those receipts and so forth!!!
become an accountant or personal trainer
Although I dont make under 10$ an hour as an MT, try working more as my supervisors and managers have told me in the past when I have asked for a raise. In all seriousness, where do you work that you make that little? Are you paid by the line and how much? Switch companies, do not accept less than 8 cpl. I saw an ad for MDI and they start you at 8.5 cpl. IC's usually make 9+, if you do not need the insurance coverage.
Hmm. Every doc, nurse, attorney, accountant
I know is making WAY good money and none are working at McD's!!! LOL
I dunno know - leave it up to my accountant. That is what I pay him for. nm
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If you had an accountant do your taxes, contact him or her. nm
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See an accountant. I'm sure you saved your old income tax
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Taxes regarding self-employed = getting an accountant
Get yourself one, and he'll explain everything you need to know.
I wouldn't file w/o an accountant. sm
I know some use Turbo Tax and the like with success, but I like the security of having an accountant tell me what I can and cannot deduct based on my personal situation and facts. You can find private CPAs that don't charge an arm and a leg and the amount is also tax deductible. Our CPA does our taxes and answers questions throughout the year for a very nominal flat annual fee. Well worth it, especially if you ever get audited.
Don't forget the accountant's/bookkeeping
Legal fees, Internet service, subscriptions, dues to organizations, repairs to equipment, % of office space, postage (if applicable), mileage (if deliver/pickup), advertising (if applicable), security system (burglar alarms, etc. if applicable),probably more I can't think of right now.
Why don't you ask the accountant who did your taxes last year?
I'm sure they are better able to answer that question than anyone here.
I suggest you seek out an accountant sm
Since you have no experience as IC, you really need to talk to an accountant. Honestly, that is the only way to be knowledgable about it. I had to do that 18 years ago when I started as IC. Each year, the tax laws are updated, new write-offs, things you were deducting can't be deducted anymore, etc.
I have had the same accountant now for about 12 years, and he is not that expensive. Last year, he charged $180. Not too bad.
I would call a tax attorney/accountant in
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Can you take home office deduction if you are sm
an employee and how would one guestimate if they would qualify? Looking into this option this year.
Home office deduction
No, but unreimbursed work-related expenses may be deduced on Schedule A.
nix the home office deduction
If you plan on selling your house later on. The deductions you claimed in previous years will be lost when you try to sell. So, if you were planning on selling for $150,000, but you claimed $500 a year in home-office deductions, per year, over ten years, that's $5000 you'll lose out at the end.
Rephrase Deduction Question
I am considered an at-home employee. Not an IC or statutory. I have no itemized expenses to carry forward on the 1040. I take the standard deduction because don't have enough to itemize. My CPA says because of that, I cannot deduct my MT expenses. It does not seem quite fair. Has anybody else had this problem?
Home Office Deduction
I rent my apartment. I have a home office, which is a room used soley for the purpose of an office, which is the restriction, cannot be part of living room, etc. I deduct portion of rent, all supplies, telephone, cell phone, electric, gas, and oil heat. I don't think your name has to be on the lease, just that you live there and use that room solely as an office. Also, if you travel to and from your job you can deduct mileage, oh and internet connection, which I use mainly for work. Hope that helps you.
Tax guy fee is deduction as is insurance cost if
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Home Office Deduction
I have 2 jobs, one as an employee and one as an IC. I was living in a house with a separate room for an office. I have now moved to an apartment. Will I still be able to deduct some portion of my rent and utilities if I don't have a separate office? I would still be able to deduct office supplies and a percentage of internet and cell phone charges, correct? Thanks in advance for your advice.
That's right. Would you give your plumber or accountant a raise?
Or, since they're a business and not your employee, would you expect they will raise their own rates when necessary?
Don't worry about what you have to pay an accountant. You'll make it up
Another problem with home office deduction
It has to be exclusive use, so you can't take it if you use the area for other activities than strictly work. Also, I did the depreciation thing with my home and it can come back to bite you if you sell the house and make a profit.
Acct fee is a tax deduction. Find a good one.
:P
yepper - automatic deduction from invoice
and was not told about it before the fact - just that the account was switching over - was sent the e-mail about "rental" after the fact - then when the foot pedal broke they wanted to charge me for the replacement. Hello? It's a RENTAL??? I still work there but am branching out. It is not the norm.
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