May 22, 2013

Ian Woodman, Idaho Tax Relief Expert, Gives an Overview of 2012 Tax Changes

Ian Woodman Idaho

Ian Woodman Idaho

Ian Woodman, Idaho tax resolution firm Instant Tax Solutions co-founder, helps lead a team of tax experts. Together, they work hard to stay abreast of tax changes each year, explains Ian Woodman. Idaho taxpayers and others across the country were impacted by several changes in the tax laws this year. Today, Ian Woodman of Idaho explains what those tax changes were and how they might affect you.

Recently, you may have noticed an increase in the federal withholding allowance, describes Ian Woodman. Idaho residents are now able to withhold $3,800. This allows taxpayers to have more deducted from each paycheck in order to avoid paying at the end of the year. Ian Woodman ’s Idaho Instant Tax Solutions sees some taxpayers who prefer to maximize withholding throughout the year in order to see a larger tax return the following spring. This can help pay for vacations and large purchases, Ian Woodman of Idaho acknowledges. The increase in the withholding allowance means that, according to Ian Woodman, Idaho residents can have more held out throughout the year to receive a larger tax refund at tax time.

Another increase the IRS instituted this year was an increase in the social security wage limit, says Ian Woodman. Idaho residents will be taxed up to $110,000 on earnings in 2012, Woodman adds. The good news is the tax rate stays the same—7.65% for individuals and 6.2% for employers. The Medicare tax will remain the same—1.45%, according to Ian Woodman. Idaho residents should note there is no wage base limit for the Medicare tax.

One of the biggest changes for Ian Woodman ’s Idaho clients this year is the end of the advance payment of the Earned Income Credit. This, Ian Woodman of Idaho explains, was a program designed to help those making low to moderate wages. As the economy begins to once again gain ground, Ian Woodman ’s Idaho office is seeing less governmental programs to help taxpayers. But this is good news as people begin returning to work, concludes Woodman.

Ian Woodman, an Idaho tax relief specialist, established Instant Tax Solutions in 2008 with his business partner Byron Pedersen. Together, they share a mission of providing stress-free tax relief with honesty and integrity to taxpayers. Ian Woodman, Idaho businessman, helps to lead Instant Tax Solutions, which boasts 4,000 clients and is served by 25 employees.

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Ian Woodman Offers Tax Tips: How You May Be Overpaying Taxes

Ian Woodman

Ian Woodman

According to Ian Woodman, a number of past studies estimate that many taxpayers overpay taxes. This, according to Ian Woodman, was largely attributed to the number of taxpayers who understate charitable contributions.

Did you tithe or donate clothing to Goodwill? Ian Woodman’s staff at Instant Tax Solutions can help you claim these deductions and avoid paying too much to the IRS. Ian Woodman has found some people reject claiming these deductions for a variety of reasons. One of these reasons, Ian Woodman says, is that it is too much trouble to get a receipt and itemize. Another, according to Ian Woodman, is that they feel the donation is no longer charitable if they get a tax credit for it.

To cure this, Ian Woodman encourages his clients to reframe their thinking. Claiming contributions on a tax return isn’t the same as being handed cash for that contribution, Ian Woodman states. All you are doing is reducing the portion of your annual income that is taxed. As Ian Woodman explains it, say you made $50,000 last year but gave $5,000 to your church. By claiming that $5,000, Ian Woodman states, you are setting aside that $5,000 to keep the IRS from taxing it. So your total taxed income would be $45,000—the amount of your salary you didn’t give to the church.

Another problem with item donations, aside from the extra effort in getting a receipt, is itemizing donations, Ian Woodman adds. The IRS has cracked down on item donations, requiring taxpayers to now claim fair market value for each item they donate, according to Ian Woodman. Goodwill has a fair market value calculator on its site, but taxpayers still have to estimate between such ranges as two dollars to twelve dollars for a woman’s blouse. Taxpayers are told to use garage sale prices, but this can be vague, according to Ian Woodman. As Ian Woodman has found, taxpayers are confused as to what is fair for various items, and many end up undervaluing items just to be safe.

By consulting a tax professional like the ones at Instant Tax Solutions, notes Woodman, taxpayers can make sure they understand the deductions to which they are entitled. Ian Woodman says that the team of professionals at Instant Tax Solutions can explain to you the best way to value your donations and make sure you have the necessary documentation in order in case you are ever audited.

For more information, contact Instant Tax Solutions by visiting www.instanttaxsolutions.com

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 5.0/5 (2 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)