Free:
2011 tax calendar
(download pdf file) |
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Payroll tax Social Security Fica and Futa Limit
|
Quicken
Deluxe |
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Personal Finance made easy
Pay bills with checks or
online, create family budgets, download bank transactions,
track tax data, monitor net worth and asset allocation, plan
for retirement, college or new home, find hidden tax
deductions
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Quicken
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Quicken
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Same great features as
Quicken Deluxe Plus
Analyze investments;
Investment tutorials; Tools to minimize capital gains tax;
Morningstar ratings on your funds; Generate schedule A, B, D
tax reports.
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Quicken
Premier
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for Schedule C filers |
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Same great features as
Quicken Deluxe and Quicken Premier Plus
Create & customize
estimates & invoices; generate business reports; track
mileage; track multiple jobs per customer; accounts receivable
reports; track accounts payable; guidance for starting &
running a business.
|
|
2011 FICA Tax (941
Tax)
limit - Fica Limit
|
NEW RATE FOR 2013
FICA rate for Employees has returned to
6.2% (no longer at 4.2%) 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 is
6.2% and employee rate is 4.2%. |
2013 Medicare Wage Base limit
2013
Social Security Wage Base limit
2014
Social Security Wage Base limit
top |
Unlimited
$113,700 2013
$117,000 2014
Wow...in 2002 the limit was $87,000! |
|
|
FUTA Tax (940)
limit |
2013 Federal Unemployment limit through
12/31/2013
Before July 1, 2011, the FUTA tax rate was 6.2%, after June 30,
2011, the FUTA tax rate is scheduled to decrease to 6.0%. The tax
applies to the first $7,000 you pay to each employee as wages during
the year. Generally, you can take a credit against your FUTA
tax for amounts you paid into state unemployment funds. The credit
may be as much as 5.4% of FUTA taxable wages. If you are entitled to
the maximum 5.4% credit, the FUTA tax rate after credit is 0.6%.
However there may be a surcharge at year end.
States with surcharges for 2012 are:
Taxable Futa wages x .003 for states: AZ DE VT
Taxable Futa wages x .006 for states: AR CA CT FL GA KY MO NC NJ NV
NY OH RI WI
Taxable Futa wages x .009 for states: IN
|
$ 7,000
6%
Plus possible surcharge due
1/31 for prior year on Form 940
Google - Form 940 Sch A for
current year rates.
|
|
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. That means
you ARE NOT to include in your vendor
1099-Misc Forms payments you made to them with credit or debit cards
or paypal transactions
|
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Click here for IRS source
2013 Business mileage on a vehicle
2012 Business mileage on a vehicle
Interesting article on what auto expense is deductible |
2013 Mileage - Business rate |
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2012 Mileage - Business rate
|
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$ .565 per mile (56.5 cents)
$ .555 per mile (55.5 cents) |
2013 Mileage - Charity rate |
2012
Mileage -
Charity rate |
|
$ .14 per mile
2013
$ .14 per mile 2012 |
2013 Milage - Medical and Moving Rate |
|
2012
Mileage - Medical and Moving rate |
|
$ .24 per mile (24
cents)
$ .23 per mile (23 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
2011 rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
2010 rates and limits - Social Security, Mileage, Pension, 401K, IRA
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 |
2013 Maximum contributions and limits to pensions, IRA,
and 401K
Click here for official source for:
2013 limitations
|
Take control of your
finances! |
Choosing a retirement plan |
2013 Maximum employee
401K contribution limit
|
2013
$17,500 +$5,500
(over age 50)
2012
$17,000 + $5,500 (over age
50) |
2013 Catch up contribution
Limit
(over age 50) |
$ 5,500
|
2013
Employer contribution to 401K is
limited
2013 total
additions (employer contribution plus employee contribution)
cannot exceed lesser of :
Tidbit: Did you know
that the employer must remit salary reduction contributions no later
than the 7th business day following withholding.
Click here to read more,
You will find this tidbit under Fiduciary Responsibilities > Basic
Responsibilities > Sentence begins with For plans with fewer than
100 employees.
top |
Up
to 25% of compensation
2013 $51,000 or
100% of compensation
$56,500 for over
age 50
2012 $50,000 or 100%
of compensation
|
2013 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
(2013)
definition of a key employee in a top heavy plan is $165,000
for
(2012)
definition of a key employee in a top heavy plan is $165,000
top |
$ 255,000
2013
$ 250,000
2012
| |
2013 Maximum Annual Defined Contribution-
Employer Contributions for 2013 to an employee SEP-IRA cannot
exceed
the lesser of the following amounts:
2013 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,(same
worksheet works for 2011)
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 $ 255,000
2013)
or
$
51,000
(2013)
$ 50,000
(2012)
$
550
|
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|
2013 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 |
$ 12,000
2013
$ 11,500
2012
+ 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 $12,000) |
|
2013 Simple Catch up
Deferral (over age 50)
top |
$
2,500
2013
&
2012
|
|
2013
Limit to Traditional IRA, nondeductible IRA, or Roth IRA.
2012
Limit
Who can contribute |
$ 5,500 + over age 50 catch up
$ 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
2013
&
2012 |
Learn about small business pensions
Retirement Plan Navigator
Resource for CPAs and retirement plan administrators
Top |
How retirement income is taxed
(pdf) |
Top |
2013 Maximum Earnings for Retirees
|
2011
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:
2013 under full retirement age reduction begins
The year an individual reaches retirement age:
2011 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
2013
earnings over $ 15,120 ($1260/mo)
2012
earnings over $ 14,640 ($1220/mo)
2013
earnings over $40,080/yr (3340/mo)
2012
Earnings over $38,880 (3240/mo) |
|
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) |
|
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 |
|
Individual Rates
Original
2013 source
2012 source
-
$ 6,100 2013 Standard deduction for
Single
(2012 $5,950)
-
$ 6,100 2013 Standard deduction for
Married filing separate
(2012 $5,950)
-
$ 8,9500 2013 Standard
deduction for Head of household
(2012 $8,700)
-
$12,200 2013 Standard deduction for Married filing Joint
(2012 $11,900)
Exemption amount
2013 $3,900
(2012 $3,800)
2013
Deduction for personal exemption phase out begins :
**2013
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, 2013.
Accordingly
personal exemption phaseouts ended.
For 2013 the phase out is back.
Married taxpayers with AGI above $300,000 will begin to
loose the personal exemption with a complete phase out
when AGI reaches $422,500.
Single taxpayers with AGI above
$250,000 will begin to loose the personal exemption with a
complete phase out when AGI reaches $372,500.
Deduction for itemized deductions phase out
begins when
AGI Threshold
2011 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, 2013.
In 2013 kicks back in allowing for a MAXIMUM itemized
deduction to the lesser of 3% of the AGI above applicable
amount, or 80% of the amount of the otherwise allowable
itemized deductions.
The applicable amount are AGI levels that exceed $300,00 for
joint filers and $250,000 for individuals. |
|
Click here to view IRS website containing these 2011 rates
For tax forms and extensions to file individual tax returns click
here
2013 Tax Rates
2013 Individual Tax Rates |
10% |
15% |
25% |
28% |
33% |
35% |
39.6% |
Single |
8,925 |
next 27,325
to 36,250 |
next 51,600 to 87,850 |
next 95,400
to 183.250 |
next 215,100
to 398,350 |
next 1,650
to 400,000 |
amounts over
400,000 |
Head Of Household |
12,750 |
next 35,850
to 48,600 |
next 76,850 to 125,450 |
next 77,700
to 203,150 |
next 195,200 to 398,350 |
next 26,650 to 425,000 |
amounts over
425,000 |
Married Joint |
17,850 |
next 54,650
to 72,500 |
next 73,900 to 146,400 |
next 76,650
to 223,050 |
next 175,300 to 398,350 |
next 51,650 to 450,000 |
amounts over
450,00 |
Click here to view IRS website containing these rates
2012 Individual Tax Rates |
10% |
15% |
25% |
28% |
33% |
35% |
Single |
8,700 |
next 26,650
to 35,350 |
next 50,300 to 88,650 |
next 93,000
to 178,650 |
next 210,000
to 388,350 |
amounts over
373,650 |
Head Of Household |
12,400 |
next 34,950
to 47,350 |
next 74,950 to 122,300 |
next 75,750
to 198,050 |
next 190,300 to 388,350 |
amounts over
388,350 |
Married Joint |
17,400 |
next 53,300
to 70,700 |
next 72,000 to 142,700 |
next 74,750
to 217,450 |
next 170,900 to 388,350 |
amounts over
388,350 |
Top |
Click here for: 2013
Corporate Rates
|
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 |
TurboTax Business
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Federal gift tax exclusion-
click on annual exclusion
Taxable gifts count as part of the $5,25 million you are allowed to
give away during your lifetime before you must pay Gift Tax.
2013 Estate tax exclusion
2012 Estate tax exclusion
top
|
$ 14,000 (2013)
$ 13,000 (2012)
$5,250,000
$5,120,000
|
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
|
High Deductible Health Plan and Contribution Limits
2013 limits
|
Maximum HSA Contribution Limit |
Minimum
Policy Deductible |
Annual out-of- pocket does not exceed |
2013 Self -only coverage annual deductible
2012 |
$3250
$3100 |
$1250
$1200 |
$6,250
$6,050 |
2013
Family coverage annual deductible
2012 |
$6450
$6250 |
$2500
$2400 |
$12,500
$12,100 |
2013
Over Age 55 (not
over 50!!) Catch up
contribution is $1000
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 increasesd to 20%. |
|
Learn more about Health Savings Accounts and administrative
requirements
|
|
What new taxes and
tax credits
come with the new Healthcare bill?? |
|
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 |
|
See Revenue Ruling for details on flat rate
reimbursement plans Meals
while away on business
50% deductible
|
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2012 and 2013 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 $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: |
|
|
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. (Trucks and Vans
special depreciation limit is $11,360)
|
1st year depreciation limit |
$3160 (2013)
($11,160 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% |
|
|
|
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 |
|
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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