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Taxes

Q&A: If your job reimburses you for education costs, can you still get a tax deduction?

May 7, 2018 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I established a Coverdell Education Savings Account for my son about 20 years ago. My son has since graduated, and there is still about $12,000 left in that account. He has worked a few years and now is going to graduate school while still being employed. His employer will do education reimbursement.

How should we withdraw the funds to qualify for the education expense deduction come tax time?

Answer: Congress recently eliminated the tuition and fees deduction, but the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit remain for 2018. For you to claim an education credit, however, your son would have to be your dependent. If your son is working full time, he’s probably not a dependent. He may be able to take a credit, but only for qualified education expenses that aren’t reimbursed by his employer or paid by a Coverdell distribution. Taxpayers aren’t allowed to double-dip — or potentially, in this case, triple-dip — on education tax benefits.

If your son incurs education expenses in excess of what his employer reimburses, then funds in the Coverdell ESA could be used to pay for those costs or reimburse your son for the additional out-of-pocket education expenses he paid in the same year as the distribution, said Mark Luscombe, principal tax analyst at Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting. Once the Coverdell is depleted, your son may be able to take a credit for any remaining qualified education expenses.

Filed Under: Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: deductions, education costs, q&a, Taxes

Q&A: Selling a home you’ve shared with tenants

May 7, 2018 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: I am 53 and own a home in which I live and rent out rooms. Every year I pay my taxes on the rental income and get to deduct depreciation.

How does this affect the taxes I will pay on the home when I sell it? Will I be able to claim the $250,000 exemption? I may live in this home until my death and leave it to my children. How would the rental depreciation affect their stepped-up basis and any taxes they might have to pay?

Answer: Renting rooms is similar to taking the home office deduction in the Internal Revenue Service’s eyes. In both cases, you have to recapture any depreciation, but the business use doesn’t affect your ability to take the home sale exclusion.

The home sale exclusion allows you to exempt from capital gains taxes up to $250,000 of home sale profit. (The exclusion is per owner, so a married couple potentially could exempt up to $500,000.) You’re eligible for the exclusion if you have owned and used your home as your primary residence for at least two years out of the five years before the sale. You will have to pay income taxes on the amount of depreciation you deducted over the years. That depreciation amount is added back as income on your tax return.

If the space you rented out had not been within your living area — if it were a separate apartment or retail space — then different rules would apply.

If you decide to bequeath the home at your death rather than selling it, your heirs won’t have to pay the depreciation recapture tax — or capital gains taxes on any appreciation that took place while you owned it. Instead, the home’s tax basis will be “stepped up” to its current market value.

If they sell it soon after inheriting it, they won’t owe much if any tax on the sale. If they hang on to it before selling, they’ll owe taxes only on the appreciation that took place while they owned it. If they move in and make it their primary residence, they too could qualify for the $250,000-per-person home sale exclusion once they have owned the home, and used it as their primary residence, for at least two of the five years before they sell it.

Filed Under: Q&A, Real Estate, Taxes Tagged With: q&a, real estate, Taxes

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

April 26, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Start prepping for next year’s taxes now. Also in the news: Taking the shame out of rebuilding your finances, 3 reasons to hire a fee-only financial planner, and what you should know about Roth IRA withdrawals.

Do Future-You a Solid: Prep for Next Year’s Taxes Now
Give 2019 You a head start.

To Rebuild Your Finances, Take Shame Out of the Equation
Don’t let your emotions hold you back.

3 Reasons to Hire a Fee-Only Financial Planner
Their focus is on advice.

What You Should Know About Roth IRA Withdrawals
The rules are complicated.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 2019 taxes, fee-only financial planner, guilt and money, rebuilding your finances, Roth IRA, Roth IRA withdrawals, Taxes

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

April 18, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 5 great ways to invest your tax refund. Also in the news: How to say no to being a bridesmaid, when to upgrade at the gas pump, and how to decode your financial aid letters.

5 Great Ways to Invest Your Tax Refund
The best ways to put your windfall to good use.

Ask Brianna: How to Say No to Being a Bridesmaid
While keeping your friendship intact.

Premium and ‘Top Tier’ Gas: When to Upgrade at the Pump
When the higher octane is necessary.

How to Decode Your Financial Aid Letters
Deciphering your offers.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: bridesmaids, financial aid, financial aid letters, gasoline, gasoline prices, tax refund, Taxes, tips, weddings

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

April 17, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: What really happens if you don’t pay your taxes by April 17th. Also in the news: Getting tax audit help might be easier than you think, are you the right person for a do-it-yourself house kit, and 6 great TV episodes to watch after paying your taxes.

What Really Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Taxes by April 17
Cue the penalties.

Getting Tax Audit Help Might Be Easier Than You Think
Your tax software can help.

Are You Built for a Do-It-Yourself House Kit?
Do you have what it takes?

6 Great TV Episodes to Watch After Paying Your Taxes
Join The Honeymooners, Archie Bunker and Homer.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: house kits, interest, penalties, real estate, tax audit, Taxes, TV

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

April 10, 2018 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How bad credit can increase your car costs. Also in the news: Owning Bitcoin creates a complex tax situation, 13 last-ditch ways to avoid the poorhouse in retirement, and the top 7 tax deductions and credits people forget.

Good Driver, Bad Credit: What Makes Your Car Costs So High
It’s not just the monthly payment.

Owning Bitcoin Creates a Complex Tax Situation
Taxing cryptocurrency.

13 Last-Ditch Ways to Avoid the Poorhouse in Retirement
Before it’s too late.

Top 7 Tax Deductions And Credits That People Forget
Leave no deduction behind.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: bad credit, BItcoin, car costs, Credit, Insurance, Retirement, retirement savings, tax credits, tax deductions, Taxes, tips

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