Free:
2011 tax calendar
(download pdf file) |
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Payroll tax Social Security Fica and Futa Limit
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Quicken
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Analyze investments;
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estimates & invoices; generate business reports; track
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2010 FICA Tax (941
Tax)
limit - Fica Limit
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NEW RATE FOR 2011
FICA
rate for Employees is 4.2% (NOT 6.2%) FICA
Rate for Employers is 6.2%
Medicare remains at 1.45% for both Employers and Employees
Social Security tax includes FICA
6.2% and Medicare 1.45%. The FICA tax limit (Social Security)
changes annually. The Medicare tax has no limit. Employer FICA
tax and Employee FICA have the same limits. Both FICA tax rate
(6.2%) and Medicare tax rate (1.45%) as a rule do not change.
In addition to FICA tax limit and Social Security Limit, other tax
limits and tax rate (s) can be found on this webpage. |
2010 Medicare Wage Base limit
2010
Social Security Wage Base limit
2011
Social Security Wage Base limit
top |
Unlimited
$106,800 2010
$106,800 2011
Wow...in 2002 the limit was $87,000! That is $1,514
more in tax that the employee must pay and $1,514 more in tax paid
by the employer! |
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FUTA Tax (940)
limit |
2010 Federal Unemployment
limit |
$ 7,000 |
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Shortcuts, tips, resources for payroll taxes and human
resources |
QuickBooks
Payroll
top |
Credit card companies will be reporting credit
card sales by merchants to the IRS beginning in 2011 on Form 1099-K.
Click here to view a draft of the 1099-K
to see what will be reported.
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Click here for IRS source
2010 business mileage on a vehicle
2011 Business mileage on a vehicle
Interesting article on what auto expense is deductible |
2010 Mileage- Business rate
2011 Mileage - Business rate |
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$ .50 per mile (50
cents)
$ .51 per mile (51 cents) |
2010 Mileage- Charity rate
2011 Mileage - Charity rate |
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$
.14 per mile (14 cents)
$ .14 per mile |
2010 Milage -Medical and Moving
Rate
2011 Milage - Medical and Moving Rate |
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$ .165 per mile (16.5 cents)
$ .19 per mile
(19 cents) |
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Payroll tax rules
Part A and
Part B for
employees or owners using a company vehicle
Revenue procedure 2009-54 (year 2010) detailed discussion on
rules under which the amount of ordinary and necessary expenses of
local travel or transportation away from home are deemed
substantiated . |
Need prior year rates? Click below
2009 rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2008 rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2007 rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2006
rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2005 rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2004
rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2003
rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
top |
2010 Maximum contributions and limits to pensions, IRA,
and 401 K
Click here for official source for:
2010 limitations
2011 limitations
|
Take control of your
finances! |
Choosing a retirement plan |
2010 Maximum employee
401K contribution limit
|
2010
$16,500 +$5,500
(over age 50)
2011
$16,500 +$5,500
(over age 50) |
2010 Catch up contribution
Limit
(over age 50) |
$ 5,500 (2010)
included in above
$ 5,500 (2011)
included in above
|
2010
Employer contribution to 401K is
limited
2010 total
additions (employer contribution plus employee contribution)
cannot exceed lesser of :
top |
Up
to 25% of compensation
2010 $49,000 or
100% of compensation
$54,500 for over
age 50
|
2010 Maximum Annual
Compensation limits for determining benefits or contributions
under a qualified plan
(401(a)(17), 404(l), 408(k)(3)(C), &
408(k)(6)(D)
Note: for
(2010)
definition of a key employee in a top heavy plan is $160,000
top |
$ 245,000
(2010)
| |
2010 Maximum Annual Defined Contribution-
Employer Contributions for 2010 to an employee SEP-IRA cannot
exceed
the lesser of the following amounts:
2010 Simplified Employee Pension
Employers contribution for employees is based on the plan
document, which cannot be more restrictive than including all
employees who performed services for the employer in the last 3 of 5
years with earnings greater than:
Employees covered under collective bargaining employees & certain
nonresident aliens may also be exclude.
Special rules apply to the self-employed. See publication 560 (www.irs.gov)
for a worksheet on how to calculate a 2009 SEP contribution for a
self employed Schedule C Filer. For the worksheet,
click
here.
Learn more- The ABCs of SEP Plans
Checklist- are you in compliance with IRS SEP rules and regs?
Pdf
top |
25% of the employee's W2 compensation
(
up
to $245,000 2010
and 2011)
or
$
49,000 (2010)
(and 2011)
$
550 (2010)
(and 2011)
|
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2010 Simple
Retirement Account (Simple IRA)
Maximum Pretax Employee contribution
Learn more- The ABCs of Simple Plans
Checklist- are you in compliance with IRS Simple rules and regs?
Pdf |
$ 11,500 (2010)
+ over age 50 catch up
The employer contributes up to 3% of W2 wages
which is in addition to the Employee deferral max above (Maximum ER
contribution is $11,500) |
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2010 Simple Catch up
Deferral (over age 50)
top |
$
2,500 (
2010)
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2010
Limit to Traditional IRA, nondeductible IRA, or Roth IRA.
Who can contribute |
$ 5,000 + over age 50 catch up
|
Hidden Financial Risk
Understanding
Off-Balance Sheet Accounting

$27.17
Explains methods by debt is hidden and the failure by
management and auditors and investors to detect and eliminate
these tools of deception |
IRA Catch up Deferral
(over age 50) |
$
1000 (2010
and 2011)
|
Learn about small business pensions
Retirement Plan Navigator
Resource for CPAs and retirement plan administrators
Top |
How retirement income is taxed
(pdf) |
Top |
2010 Maximum Earnings for Retirees
|
2010
Maximum retirement earnings
before
Social Security benefits are reduced
(One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings
above the limit)
Retirement Age from 65 to 67 depending upon Year of Birth |
Normal Retirement Age Year of
birth Age
1937 and prior 65
1938 65 and 2 months
1939 65 and 4 months
1940 65 and 6 months
1941 65 and 8 months
1942 65 and 10 months
1943-54 66
1955 66 and 2 months
1956 66 and 4 months
1957 66 and 6 months
1958 66 and 8 months
1959 66 and 10 months
1960 and later 67 |
Over
Retirement Age
Under Age:
2010 under full retirement age reduction begins
The year an individual reaches retirement age:
2010 reduction begins
Apples only to earnings for months prior to attaining full
retirement age. $1 in benefits will be withheld for ever $3 in
earnings above limit
top |
unlimited earnings permitted - no reduction
earnings over $ 14,160 ($1180/mo)
earnings over $37,680/yr (3140/mo) |
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In the year the individual reaches full
retirement age, earnings months prior to attaining full
retirement age - One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every
$3 in earnings above the limit of $37,680 (2010) |
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Minimum Wage hourly rates
|
Best Sellers!

$12.23

$12.89

$12.89

$12.89

$12.89

$13.57 |
Link to a chart of all States Minimum Wage rates |
Federal
minimum wage
Top |
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Individual Rates
Original
2010 source
-
$ 5,700 2010 Standard deduction for
Single
-
$ 5,700 2010 Standard deduction for
Married filing separate
-
$ 8,400 2010 Standard
deduction for Head of household
-
$11,400 2010 Standard deduction for Married filing Joint
Exemption amount
2010 $3,650
2010
Deduction for personal exemption phase out begins :
**2010
Phase out: The phase out of the
personal exemption amount under § 151(d)(3) does not apply
to any taxable year beginning after December 31, 2009, and
before January 1, 2011.
Accordingly
personal exemption phaseouts ended.
For 2010, taxpayers with AGI above a certain amount will no
longer lose part of their deduction for personal exemptions
and itemized deductions.
2010 Deduction for itemized deductions phase out
begins when
AGI Threshold
2010 Phaseout:
The overall limitation on itemized
deductions under § 68 does not apply to any
taxable year beginning after December 31, 2009, and before
January 1, 2011.
Accordingly, itemized
deduction phaseouts ended. For 2010, taxpayers with AGI above
a certain amount will no longer lose part of their deduction
for personal exemptions and itemized deductions.
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Click here to view IRS website containing these 2010 rates
For tax forms and extensions to file individual tax returns click
here
2010 Tax Rates
2010 Individual Tax Rates |
10% |
15% |
25% |
28% |
33% |
35% |
Single |
8,375 |
next 25,625
to 34,000 |
next 48,400 to 82,400 |
next 89,450
to 171,850 |
next 201,800
to 373,650 |
amounts over
373,650 |
Head Of Household |
11,950 |
next 33,600
to 45,550 |
next 72,100 to 117,650 |
next 72,900
to 190,550 |
next 183,100 to 373,650 |
amounts over
373,650 |
Married Joint |
16,750 |
next 51,250
to 68,000 |
next 69,300 to 137,300 |
next 71,950
to 209,250 |
next 164,400 to 373,650 |
amounts over
373,650 |
Click here to view IRS website containing these rates
Top |
Click here for: 2010
Corporate Rates
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TurboTax Business
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$15.61 |
top |
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Federal gift tax exclusion-
click on annual exclusion
Taxable gifts count as part of the $1 million you are allowed to
give away during your lifetime before you must pay Gift Tax.
These exclusions do not count towards the $1 million.
2006-2008 Estate Tax Applicable Exclusion Amount
2009 Estate Tax Applicable Exclusion Amount
2010 Estate Tax - No tax
therefore no exclusion- This may change retroactively!
2011 Estate Tax Exclusion Amount
top
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$ 13,000 (2010
and 2011)
$2,000,000
$3,500,000
None
$1,000,000 tax on the rest is 55% |
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
|
High Deductible Health Plan and Contribution Limits
2010 limits
2011 limits
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Maximum HSA Contribution Limit |
Minimum
Policy Deductible |
Annual out-of- pocket does not exceed |
2010 & 2011
Self -only coverage annual deductible |
$3050 |
$1,200 |
$5,950 |
2010 & 2011
Family coverage annual deductible |
$6150 |
$2,400 |
$11,900 |
2010 Over Age 55 Catch up
contribution is $1000 (not mentioned in the 2011 documentation
attached here )
Individuals who are eligible individuals on the first day of
the last month of the taxable year (December for most
taxpayers) are allowed the full annual contribution (plus
catch up contribution, if 55 or older by year end), regardless
of the number of months the individual was an eligible
individual in the year. For individuals who are no longer
eligible individuals on that date, both the HSA contribution
and catch up contribution apply pro rata based on the number
of months of the year a taxpayer is an eligible individual.
Beginning in 2011 over the counter medications cannot be paid
with HSA dollars
If you withdraw funds from an HSA before
age 65 and used those funds for purposes other than qualified
medical expenses there is a penalty tax of and additional 10%.
In 2011 that penalty increases to 20%. |
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Learn more about Health Savings Accounts and administrative
requirements
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What new taxes and
tax credits
come with the new Healthcare bill?? |
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Employers
health care tax credit - If you have 10 or fewer workers with
average salaries of $25,000 and pay at least 50% of
health care premiums, your credit will be 35% of the premiums paid.
But small businesses with more than 25 employees or pay average
annual wages of over $50,000 will not qualify for a credit.
Click here to read the rev proc 2010-44 ruling on how to calculate
the tax credit.
03/22/10 Healthcare bill will be funded
in part by the wealthy.
Click here to read the
Amendment - Start reading at page 88
Nice summary of the
bill and the amendment by ria.thomsonreuteres.com
For years after 2010 employers will have to
disclose the value of the benefit provided by them for each
employee's health insurance on the W-2 Form. An Excise tax will be
imposed on high-cost employer sponsored health coverage. The tax
will be levied at the insurer level.
For tax years after 12/31/2012 A surtax
labeled "Additional Hospital Insurance Tax (HI). Hospital insurance
benefits in Medicare are funded by payroll taxes on wages and
self-employment income. Workers and employers each pay 1.45% for a
total of 2.9% medicare tax, which is collected on the workers entire earnings.
A 0.9% surtax on wages and self employment income
in excess of Modified adjusted gross income over the Threshold
amount limit ($250,000 Joint Returns, all others $200,000) will be
assessed.
For tax years after 12/31/2012 3.8% surtax of the lesser of
Net Investment income or excess of Modified adjusted gross income
over the Threshold amount limit ($250,000 Joint Returns, all others
$200,000)
Net Investment income -Sum of:
-
Interest, dividends, annuities, rents
(does not include distributions from qualified retirement plans)
-
Income from a trade or business (described
in paragraph 2)- Passive activity, business trading in
financial instruments, Income on investment of working capital
-
Gain from sales of disposition of property
(other than property held in business)
For tax years after 12/31/2012 FSA (flexible
spending account) new limit is $2500. Currently there is no limit. |
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Travel Reimbursement Rules for Lodging, Meals &
Incidental Expenses |
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See Revenue Ruling for details on flat rate
reimbursement plans Meals
while away on business
50% deductible
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2010 Limit $134,000 (This may
change!!)
2010 Limit Section 179 $250,000 (3/11/10
Bill HR 2847)
2010 and 2011 Limit
Section 179 $500,000 (Small
Business Jobs Act)
New or used property qualifies, leased property
usually does not qualify
The amount of investment qualifying for this
immediate deduction begins to phase out for small businesses with
investment in excess of $800,000 $2,000,000
Regs now permit Section 179 on off-the-shelf
software
Elect to deduct $5000 start-up & $5000
organizational expenses in the year the business begins.
Effective for expenses incurred after 10/22/04. Be sure to read more
on the details of this rule.
Deductions reduced by the amount of which
the cumulative cost of start-up or organizational expenditures
exceed $50,000 respectively
Luxury Auto depreciation rules: |
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A car is
defined as a four-wheel passenger automobile designed for use
on public roads and is rated at 6,000 pounds or less
unloaded gross vehicle weight
|
1st year depreciation limit |
$3060 (2010)
($11,060 for automobiles for which
the special depreciation allowance applies)
Caution. These limits are reduced if the
business use of the vehicle is less than 100% |
Special use vehicles (over 6000lbs loaded) now
exempt from luxury auto rules and can be deducted under section 179
|
SUVs (over 6000lbs)
Heavy Trucks & Vans
read more |
Not updated for 2010 limits
Not updated for 2010 limits |
Publication 946 has a nice table for limits on
depreciation of vehicles
top
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3 years from tax period due
date or 3 years from date original return received whichever is
later
unless the taxpayer fails to include on a return any information
with respect to a
listed transaction
then the statute of limitations will not expire before 1 year after
the Secretary is furnished with the information.
See more-Statute of Limitations guidelines
see also
How long should you retain your receipts
and business documents |
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Tax Tips from the IRS
|
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Click to
view tax tips at
www.IRS.Gov |
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IRS
Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with
requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that, any U.S.
federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any
attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be
used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding any tax related penalties that
may be imposed on you or any other person under the Internal Revenue
Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party
any transaction or matter addressed in this communication |
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QuickBooks Support
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