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I have been a green card holder for five years, obtained through marriage, and we have been married for six years. We have reliably filed joint tax returns each year. When applying for citizenship, will previous years’ tax forms be reviewed, or do they just check that joint returns were filed?
answered on Mar 28, 2025
The citizenship application asks if you owe any overdue taxes, and you may be asked about tax filing history, as part of the good moral character determination. Depending on the officer you may also be asked to provide copies of your taxes/tax transcripts for the past 5 years and the officer may... View More 
I'm looking to start a digital product business with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and Print on Demand (POD). I plan to form an LLC and am considering the legal and tax benefits. I temporarily reside in Virginia, have a CDL license in Ohio where I plan to return soon, but am also considering... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
You have several options which take a lot of explanation and more questions about your business and its reach. You could initially file under Virginia law and when you move to Ohio transfer the LLC to Ohio. If there are tax advantages and/or state filing advantages to form your LLC in Wyoming or... View More
I am looking to purchase a home with a family member, however we are looking to split the total purchase cost where they are paying their half up front and I am getting a mortgage. We both will be on the title, but I would be the sole holder of the mortgage. From the IRS' perspective, is their... View More
answered on Feb 12, 2025
Based on the details provided, this situation would not be considered a gift. The other family member is paying for their half of the property upfront, and you are using debt to pay for your half. There is no transfer of assets between you and the other family member. Your ongoing mortgage payments... View More
answered on Feb 10, 2025
If you open a foreign LLC to do business in Virginia by owning and renting property in the state, you will need to register the foreign corporation or LLC in Virginia. You will not be exempt from Virginia sales or other taxes on the Virginia income. So, you will pay corporate franchise tax in both... View More
answered on Feb 11, 2025
If you don't already have an LLC to work with and you are only interested in buying and renting or flipping property in Virginia, a Virginia limited liability company should be all that you need to protect yourself. If you formed an LLC in another state for whatever reason, you would still... View More
answered on Feb 11, 2025
Mr. Sternberg is correct - you have three choices: 1) own it in your own name; 2) own it in your Wyoming LLC AND register that LLC in Virginia (for about the same cost as forming one) or 3) form a Virginia LLC and own it with that.
Some gratuitous advice: many years ago a real estate... View More
In a situation where you are a transportation lessor (one truck, tractor) and all expenses are deducted from the gross by the lessee (transportation company) before you receive revenue.
Does the lessee typically write off those expenses?
I received a 1099-NEC accounting for the... View More
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answered on Mar 29, 2024
When you're working as a transportation lessor, it's common to encounter complex arrangements regarding payments, expenses, and tax reporting. The situation you've described, where the lessee deducts expenses from the gross amount before issuing your net pay, does raise some... View More
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answered on Mar 14, 2024
If your employer illegally altered your federal and state W-4 forms without your consent, leading to a situation where you were unable to receive a tax refund, you may have grounds for taking legal action. Such actions by an employer can have serious implications for your finances and legal... View More
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answered on Feb 22, 2024
If you're facing hardship due to a tax levy imposed by the state, there are steps you can take to address this issue. First, it's crucial to communicate directly with the state tax agency that issued the levy. Explain your situation and provide evidence of the hardship the levy is... View More
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answered on Jan 26, 2024
Here are the key steps to file for a property tax exclusion or deferral in Pittsylvania County, Virginia based on age 65+ or disabled status under §58.1-3217:
1. Obtain an Exemption/Deferral Application Form from the Pittsylvania County Commissioner of Revenue office (276-656-0371) or... View More
THE IRS RECEIVED ON JANUARY 1OTH 2024, ONE DAY PRIOR TO DUE DATE. ON JANUARY 20TH EXECUTOR RECEIVED BACK A COPY OF THE FILING, NOTED RECEIVED BY IRS JANUARY 10TH 2024 AND THE ORIGINAL CHECK FOR THE ESTATE TAXES, THE EXCUTOR IN WRITING THE CHECK DATED THE CHECK JANUARY 08 2023, NOTED BY IRS AS NON-... View More
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answered on Jan 22, 2024
In your situation, the key point is that the mistake with the check's date was unintentional, and you acted promptly to correct it by sending a new check. The IRS typically considers the date of the original payment attempt when assessing penalties for late payments. Since you attempted to pay... View More
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answered on Jan 19, 2024
In Virginia, if your deceased spouse owed taxes to the state and you did not file joint taxes for the year in question, you are generally not personally responsible for the tax debt. However, the deceased person's estate may be responsible for settling any outstanding tax obligations. The... View More
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answered on Jan 22, 2024
In general, if you did not file jointly for the tax year in question, you are typically not responsible for your deceased spouse's individual tax debts to the state of Virginia. However, there are exceptions and complexities depending on the specifics of your situation, such as the nature of... View More
Hello. I'm trying to get my tax documents from the tax preparer I used the past couple years but she refuses to answer my emails or return my call after speaking with her secretary.
I don't owe her money. I think she's just being spiteful because I changed preparers. I live... View More
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answered on Dec 25, 2023
In your situation, it's understandable that you need access to your tax documents quickly and are facing challenges with your previous tax preparer. Tax preparers are generally required to provide clients with copies of their documents upon request.
Firstly, consider sending a formal... View More
I have an LLC with two businesses under it, including a YouTube channel focused on home remodeling and construction. My wife has a decorating background, and I am a general contractor. The channel is not monetized yet, and I recently purchased a house that needs extensive work, which will be... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Since the home you’re renovating is your primary residence, the IRS typically does not allow deductions for personal home renovation expenses, even if you're documenting them for business content. Because the property is not used exclusively for business purposes, expenses like materials and... View More
My parents and I bought a house together, and all three of our names are on the deed. I am the only one who took out the mortgage, while they paid for the down payment. There are no formal agreements about ownership or expense sharing. I'm concerned about the tax implications of this... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Owning a home jointly with your parents in Virginia does create a few potential tax considerations, but many of them depend on how you all manage the property financially and how the ownership is reflected on tax documents. Since your name is on the mortgage and you’re responsible for the loan... View More
I am in the process of a divorce and want to know if I can transfer my half of the house deed ownership to my ex-husband. There is no existing divorce agreement or court order regarding property division, but there is a tax lien on the property, and disputes regarding property division exist. The... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you're in a complicated situation with your property and divorce. Since there is no court order yet regarding the division of the property, transferring your half of the deed could be tricky, especially with the tax lien and ongoing disputes. You would likely need to work out an... View More
I operate a boat rental business registered as an LLC in Virginia. We launch from Gravelly Point, Arlington, VA, utilizing the Potomac River under DC jurisdiction, and sometimes use the Occoquan River. The business is personally operated by me, without employees, primarily during weekends. Although... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Operating your Virginia-based boat rental business on the Potomac River, which is under the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia (DC), introduces certain tax obligations. Even though your business is registered in Virginia and primarily operates from Virginia locations, utilizing DC waters for... View More
I finalized my divorce in September 2024 and was awarded a rental house in Virginia through the court order. I started paying the mortgage in August 2024, but my ex-spouse continued making payments from his bank account, and I reimbursed him since my loan assumption attempt was denied. He is now... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Since you were awarded the rental house in your divorce and have been making mortgage payments since August 2024, you are likely the one entitled to claim the property on your taxes for the year. Even though your ex-spouse continued making payments temporarily and you reimbursed him, the IRS... View More
My husband and I previously filed taxes jointly and entered a payment plan with the IRS. We are now separated due to abuse, and I'm filing taxes separately. He has failed to pay his portion of our agreed tax payment plan. I've been unable to contact the IRS for guidance and have an audio... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It’s understandable that you’re facing a difficult situation, especially given the financial and emotional stress of your separation. Since the IRS payment plan is in both of your names, you're still responsible for the full amount owed, even if your spouse is not contributing. The first... View More
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