I am 82 years old and haven't filed my income tax since 2010 due to low income. I lost my spouse in 2011 and struggled financially. I rented out my home and eventually sold it, but I haven't filed taxes for these transactions. I also have a trading account and savings accounts that accrue interest. I need to know if I should file taxes now, how to handle my Social Security benefits, if I am considered self-employed due to my trading account, and if I should consult a tax accountant in Pekin, IL.

December 16th, 2024

My father-in-law passed away in June 2015. We didn't apply for an estate EIN because we believed all accounts had POD or named beneficiaries. We filed a final 1040 for 2015. In early 2017, we received a 1099-R for a state pension plan disbursement made out to the Estate, with 10% withheld. The executor deposited the check into his personal account, kept half, and gave the other half to his sister. We didn't know about this account. We now need to know how to proceed. Can we get an EIN now, write 1099s to the beneficiaries, and file a 1041?

June 4th, 2024

Teachers in California are required to be credentialed every 5 years. I'm confused about the IRS question 'Has the student received four years of academic credit for postsecondary education before 2016?' and how it relates to education credits. I used the Lifetime credit in 2014 and the American Opportunity credit in 2015. Can teachers continue to receive credits if they have to go back to school every 5 years to get credentialed?

March 8th, 2024

As an Israeli citizen and permanent resident with a US brokerage account, do I need to file US tax for the IRS or just pay taxes in Israel?

August 19th, 2024

Do we need an actual Social Security card to have our taxes figured? We use a service that helps older people for free and they mentioned needing an actual SS card to file. We both have Medicare cards but haven't had actual SS cards in years.

February 4th, 2024