Is It a Hobby or a Business?

In general, a hobby is an activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. People operate a business with the intention of making a profit. Many people engage in hobby activities that turn into a source of income—it can be confusing to determine if that hobby…

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Filing the Final Tax Return

As a survivor, executor, or administrator of an estate, you are obligated to file an income tax return reporting all the deceased’s income up to his or her date of death. You will need to be aware of all the credits and deductions the deceased is allowed as if that person had been alive to…

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Income Tax Credit for Residential Solar Devices

Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) is reminding homeowners who installed a solar energy device in their residential home during 2021 to submit Form 310, Credit for Solar Energy Devices with their individual income tax return and Form 301, Nonrefundable Individual Tax Credits and Recapture. ADOR defines a solar energy device as a system or series of mechanisms which…

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Cryptocurrency Basics

Cryptocurrency has been in the news a lot lately as it continues to gain traction as an alternative currency. Many are considering whether this is the time to invest in or start using cryptocurrency. After all, the IRS has taken notice and has instituted measures to ensure income from cryptocurrency is accurately reported. Important terminology…

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Should I Itemize My Deductions?

When filing your individual income tax returns, you are allowed to deduct certain expenses from your taxable income, thus reducing the amount of income tax you must pay. There are two ways you can take deductions on your federal tax return:  you can deduct a defined amount, the standard deduction, or you can list specific…

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Can You Claim the Credit for Other Dependents?

If you’re taking care of adult children, relatives or parents, you know that this can create an additional financial strain. To ease it, the IRS offers a credit for dependents who are too old to qualify for the child tax credit. You may qualify for a $500 credit for each dependent who meets these criteria:…

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Credits vs. Deductions: What’s the Difference?

Tax deductions and tax credits can both help you, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same thing. Knowing how they work can help you understand your tax situation. Tax credits are subtracted from your final tax liability, dollar for dollar, after it is calculated. A tax credit valued at $1,000, for example, lowers your tax…

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What’s the Tax Deal on IRAs?

IRAs—individual retirement arrangements—are among the most popular retirement savings vehicles. They can be used to reduce taxes on retirement savings, but how do they work? If you create a traditional IRA, you may be able to deduct some or all of your contributions to the account from your income taxes. You also may be eligible…

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SSA Updates Key Numbers for 2022

The Social Security Administration reviews key numbers each year and usually makes adjustments, and this year, the changes are significant. In a recent release, the SSA announced what is and is not changing for 2022. Here are the key changes: The maximum taxable earnings for the Social Security portion rises from $142,800 to $147,000. (There is…

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Nonresident Individuals and Tax Returns

Form 1040-NR is a version of the IRS income tax return for nonresident individuals to file if they earned income from US sources throughout the year. As with regular Form 1040, those who fill out Form 1040-NR may either owe more money or be entitled to a refund. Learn more: Arizona residents may be interested…

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