http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_suarez_a_12_year_old_app_developer.html

My youngest daughter send me this link and I found is fascinating.

Look and it and let me know your thoughts

Have a great Day

Alfonso Cordero – SI ME DICEN TAXES YO DIGO CORDERO

http://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_suarez_a_12_year_old_app_developer.html

Income Reporting and Schedule C Issues

Taxpayers filing a Schedule C must report the correct gross income and all related deductions on their return.  Determining the correct income and deductions creates an issue for preparers who need to verify the income reported and expenses claimed, whether this is a result of poor record keeping or a direct attempt to falsify figures to optimize credits.

The common income-reporting issues are:

•  Questionable Schedule C income to qualify for EITC (i.e., taxpayers with no 1099)

• Questionable Schedule C losses that reduce other income and qualify taxpayers for EITC
• Schedule C income, but the taxpayers have no records for income or expenses
• Income from Schedule C businesses, but no expenses when it is reasonable to expect the taxpayer incurred expenses

Schedule C Recommendations

REPORT ONLY INFORMATION THAT IS VALID AND SUSTAINABLE.  INCORRECT AND / OR FRAUDULENT INFORMATION ONLY INCREASES THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AN AUDIT.

AND REMEMBER:  SI ME DICEN TAXES – YO DIGO CORDERO.

Payroll Tax Cut Temporarily Extended into 2012

WASHINGTON — Nearly 160 million workers will benefit from the extension of the reduced payroll tax rate that has been in effect for 2011. The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 temporarily extends the two percentage point payroll tax cut for employees, continuing the reduction of their Social Security tax withholding rate from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent of wages paid through Feb. 29, 2012. This reduced Social Security withholding will have no effect on employees’ future Social Security benefits.

Employers should implement the new payroll tax rate as soon as possible in 2012 but not later than Jan. 31, 2012. For any Social Security tax over-withheld during January, employers should make an offsetting adjustment in workers’ pay as soon as possible but not later than March 31, 2012.

Employers and payroll companies will handle the withholding changes, so workers should not need to take any additional action.

Under the terms negotiated by Congress, the law also includes a new “recapture” provision, which applies only to those employees who receive more than $18,350 in wages during the two-month period (the Social Security wage base for 2012 is $110,100, and $18,350 represents two months of the full-year  amount). This provision imposes an additional income tax on these higher-income employees in an amount equal to 2 percent of the amount of wages they receive during the two-month period in excess of $18,350 (and not greater than $110,100).

This additional recapture tax is an add-on to income tax liability that the employee would otherwise pay for 2012 and is not subject to reduction by credits or deductions.  The recapture tax would be payable in 2013 when the employee files his or her income tax return for the 2012 tax year. With the possibility of a full-year extension of the payroll tax cut being discussed for 2012, the IRS will closely monitor the situation in case future legislation changes the recapture provision.

The IRS will issue additional guidance as needed to implement the provisions of this new two-month extension, including revised employment tax forms and instructions and information for employees who may be subject to the new “recapture” provision.  For most employers, the quarterly employment tax return for the quarter ending March 31, 2012 is due April 30, 2012.

Whether you file as an individual, a corporation, a small business owner, or are self-employed, as the end of the year draws near, you’re probably thinking ahead to tax season and filing your taxes.

Most tax provisions of course, remain the same (IRA contribution limits for example), but a few such as personal exemptions have been adjusted for inflation and others have been extended due to legislation and are set to expire at the end of 2012.

From tax credits, exemptions and deductions for individuals and Section 179 expensing for small businesses, here’s what you need to know about tax changes for 2011.

Individuals

From personal deductions to tax credits and educational expenses, many of the tax changes relating to individuals remain in effect through 2012 and are the result of tax provisions that were either modified or extended by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 that became law on December 17, 2010.

Personal Exemptions
The personal and dependent exemption for tax year 2011 is $3,700, up $50 from 2010.

Standard Deductions
In 2011 the standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return is $11,600, up $200 from 2010 and for singles and married individuals filing separately it’s $5,800, up $100. For heads of household the deduction is $8,500, also up $100 from 2010.

The additional standard deduction for blind people and senior citizens is $1,150 for married individuals, up $50, and $1,450 for singles and heads of household, also up $50.

Income Tax Rates
Due to inflation, tax-bracket thresholds will increase for every filing status. For example, the taxable-income threshold separating the 15-percent bracket from the 25-percent bracket is $69,000 for a married couple filing a joint return, up from $68,000 in 2010.

Estate and Gift Taxes
The recent overhaul of estate and gift taxes means that there is an exemption of $5 million per individual for estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes, with a top rate of 35%. For married couples the exemption is $10 million.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
AMT exemption amounts for 2011 are slightly higher than those in 2010 at $48,450 for single and head of household fliers, $74,450 for married people filing jointly and for qualifying widows or widowers, and $37,225 for married people filing separately.

Marriage Penalty Relief
For 2011, the basic standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly is $11,600, up $200 from 2010.

Pease and PEP (Personal Exemption Phaseout)
Pease (limitations on itemized deductions) and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations do not apply for 2011, but these are set to expire at the end of 2012.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
The Affordable Care Act, enacted in March, established a new uniform standard, effective January 1, 2011, that applies to FSAs and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).

Under the new standard, the cost of an over-the-counter medicine or drug cannot be reimbursed from the account unless a prescription is obtained. The change does not affect insulin, even if purchased without a prescription, or other health care expenses such as medical devices, eye glasses, contact lenses, co-pays and deductibles.

The new standard applies only to purchases made on or after Jan. 1, 2011, so claims for medicines or drugs purchased without a prescription in 2010 can still be reimbursed in 2011, if allowed by the employer’s plan.

A similar rule went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011 for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and Archer Medical Savings Accounts (Archer MSAs).

Long Term Capital Gains
In 2011, long-term gains for assets held at least one year are taxed at a flat rate of 15% for taxpayers above the 25% tax bracket. For taxpayers in lower tax brackets, the long-term capital gains rate is 0%.

Individuals – Tax Credits
Adoption Credit
A refundable credit of up to $13,360 for 2011 is available for qualified adoption expenses for each eligible child.

Child and Dependent Care Credit
If you pay someone to take care of your dependent (defined as being under the age of 13 at the end of the tax year or incapable of self-care) in order to work or look for work, you may qualify for a credit of up to $1,050 or 35 percent of $3,000 of eligible expenses.

For two or more qualifying dependents, you can claim up to 35 percent of $6,000 (or $2,100) of eligible expenses. For higher income earners the credit percentage is reduced, but not below 20 percent, regardless of the amount of adjusted gross income.

Child Tax Credit
The $1,000 child tax credit has been extended through 2012. A portion of the credit may be refundable, which means that you can claim the amount you are owed, even if you have no tax liability for the year. The credit is phased out for those with higher incomes.

Energy Tax Credits for Homeowners
Energy tax credits for homeowners expire at the end of 2011 and are not as generous as in previous years. In addition, a taxpayer who has claimed an amount of $500 in any previous year is not eligible for this tax credit.

Homeowners can claim an Energy Star window tax credit of up to $200 maximum as well as a water heater tax credit, which includes electric, natural gas, propane, or oil, up to a maximum of $300. The same maximum ($300) applies to air conditioners, but insulation, doors, and roof credits are capped at $500. The furnace tax credit (includes natural gas, propane, oil, or hot water) and is capped at $150 maximum and efficiency must be at 95%.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The maximum EITC for low and moderate income workers and working families is $5,751, up from $5,666 in 2010. The maximum income limit for the EITC has increased to $49,078, up from $48,362 in 2010. The credit varies by family size, filing status and other factors, with the maximum credit going to joint filers with three or more qualifying children.

Individuals – Education Expenses

Coverdell Education Savings Account
For two more years, you can contribute up to $2,000 a year to Coverdell savings accounts. These accounts can be used to offset the cost of elementary and secondary education, as well as post-secondary education.

American Opportunity Tax Credit (Higher Education)
The expansion of the Hope Scholarship Credit by the American Opportunity Tax Credit has been extended through 2012. For 2011, the maximum Hope Scholarship Credit that can be used to offset certain higher education expenses is $2,500, although it is phased out beginning at $160,000 adjusted gross income for joint filers and $80,000 for other filers.

Employer Provided Educational Assistance
Through 2012, you, as an employee, can exclude up to $5,250 of qualifying post-secondary and graduate education expenses that are reimbursed by your employer.

Lifetime Learning Credit
A credit of up to $2,000 is available for an unlimited number of years for certain costs of post-secondary or graduate courses or courses to acquire or improve your job skills. For 2011, the credit is fully phased out at $122,000 adjusted gross income for joint filers and $61,000 for others.

Student Loan Interest
For 2011 and 2012, the $2,500 maximum student loan interest deduction for interest paid on student loans is not limited to interest paid during the first 60 months of repayment. The deduction begins to phase out for higher-income taxpayers.

Tuition and Related Expenses Deduction
For 2010 and 2011, there is an above-the-line deduction of up to $4,000 for qualified tuition expenses. This means that qualified tuition payments can directly reduce the amount of taxable income, and you don’t have to itemize to claim this deduction. However, this option can’t be used with other education tax breaks, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and the amount available is phased out for higher-income taxpayers.

Individuals – Retirement

Roth IRA Conversions
There is no longer an income limit for taxpayers who want to convert regular IRAs into Roth IRAs. The difference is that taxpayers who convert to Roth IRAs in tax year 2011 must pay taxes on the conversion income now instead of deferring it in later years as was the case in 2010.

Businesses

Standard Mileage Rates
The standard mileage rate increases to 51 cents per business mile driven (19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations) for the first half of 2011. From July 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 however, the rate increases to 55.5 cents per business mile. This increase is a special adjustment by the IRS and reflects higher gasoline prices.

Health Care Tax Credit for Small Businesses
Small business employers who pay at least half the premiums for single health insurance coverage for their employees may be eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit as long as they employ fewer than the equivalent of 25 full-time workers and average annual wages do not exceed $50,000. The credit can be claimed in tax years 2010 through 2013 and for any two years after that. The maximum credit that can be claimed is an amount equal to 35% of premiums paid by eligible small businesses.

Section 179 Expensing
In 2011 (as well as 2010), the maximum Section 179 expense deduction for equipment purchases is $500,000 ($535,000 for qualified enterprise zone property) of the first $2 million of certain business property placed in service during the year. The bonus depreciation increases to 100% for qualified property. If the cost of all section 179 property placed in service by the taxpayer during the tax year exceeds $2 million, the $500,000 amount is reduced, but not below zero.

Please contact us if you need help understanding which deductions and tax credits you are entitled to. We are always available to assist you.

Perry Pitches Scrapping Tax Code, Offering Optional 20 Percent Flat Tax

Rick Perry is proposing letting Americans choose between their existing income tax rate or a new flat tax of 20 percent, part of a tax and spending reform plan that the Republican presidential candidate is dubbing “Cut, Balance and Grow.”
“The goal of my ‘Cut, Balance and Grow’ plan is to unleash job creation, address the current economic crisis, while at the same time generating a stable source of revenue to address our record deficit and put our fiscal house in order,” Perry, the governor of Texas, said at an event Tuesday in South Carolina.
Perry said people taking up the flat tax can scrap the current code, and it would lower and simplify tax rates to the point that Americans could file their tax returns on a post card, which he pulled out as he spoke.
His plan would also get rid of the Alternative Minimum Tax for families, balance the federal budget by 2020, reform entitlements, ban earmarks and impose a cap on federal spending at 18 percent of gross domestic product.
Perry’s proposed flat tax would preserve key tax exemptions for families earning less than $500,000 a year and would increase the standard deduction to $12,500 for individuals. It would also eliminate the tax paid on the country’s largest estates when property owners die and eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits.
He also revived a proposal to allowed young workers to invest part of their payroll taxes into private accounts — a plan that President Bush once pushed until it died in a Republican-controlled Congress.
“The flat tax will unleash growth but growth’s not enough,” Perry said. “We must put a stop to this entitlement culture that risks the financial solvency of this country for future generations. I mean the red flags are alarming.”
He called for corporate tax reform, including a one-time reduced tax rate of 5.25 percent for businesses that bring their profits that are parked overseas back to the U.S.

“The U.S. Chamber (of Commerce) estimates this one-time tax reduction would bring more than $1 trillion in capital back to the U.S. create up to 2.9 million jobs, and increase economic output by $360 billion,” he said.

“In other words, it’s the kind of economic stimulus President Obama could have achieved if he wasn’t hell-bent on passing big government schemes that have failed American workers,” he said.
Perry’s proposal comes two and a half months after he began running for the GOP nomination, and following lackluster appearances in several debates.

The policy rollout is a critical part of Perry’s efforts to right a struggling campaign as well as set him back up against rivals like Mitt Romney, who hasn’t suggested a flat tax, and Herman Cain, who has proposed a 9-9-9 plan of 9 percent corporate income tax rates and a 9 percent national sales tax.
Publisher Steve Forbes, one of Perry’s key supporters for the 2012 Republican nomination, described the proposal as appealing to all comers.

“You have to make a real sum of money before the tax kicks in,” Forbes told Fox News, describing the basics of Perry’s plan. “Middle-income people are not going to pay more and they are going to save huge amounts of money.”

Unlike Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 plan, which relies largely on a new national sales tax, Perry said he would avoid a sales tax while lowering the corporate tax to 20 percent and eliminate taxes on dividends and capital gains, aiming to free up money that presumably would be invested in economic growth.
Forbes argued that a flat tax gets rid of the billions of hours in paperwork, and possibly the millions of jobs that go with tax filings. Without changes to the code, he noted, the Tax Foundation estimates that by 2015, $483 billion alone will be spent on trying to interpret and understand the code.

“You put something like the Perry plan in place, that is several hundred billions in savings off the bat, that’s huge,” he said.

Proponents of the flat tax argue that a uniform rate will improve the U.S. economy because it will increase take-home wages, in essence incentivizing work. Lower taxes, they claim, will also encourage entrepreneurship.

President Obama’s campaign, ready on the criticism, issued a statement saying Perry’s plan, as well as Romney’s are intended to benefit high-income households at the expense of the middle class.
“Both the Romney and Perry economic plans embrace a far-right vision for our tax code,” wrote James Kvaal, policy director for Obama for America. “They share elements with plans offered by congressional Republicans, which independent economists believe would fail to accelerate job creation now. Both plans would cut taxes on wealth and investment income, shifting the tax burden onto work and wages. Both plans are likely to be costly, driving up the deficit at a time of historic fiscal challenges. And under both plans, the most fortunate Americans would pay less while the middle class would pay a higher share.”

But Perry’s campaign dismissed the criticism.
“Gov. Perry’s plan will reduce taxes for everybody and grow the economy and not pit Americans against each other like President Obama is doing,” Perry campaign spokesman Mark Miner told Fox News.

The Club for Growth, a conservative economic group, praised the proposal.
“Rick Perry’s plan for tax reform would be massively pro-growth,” the club’s president, Chris Chocola, said. “A flat tax like the one proposed by Perry would unleash years of economic growth if it is passed into law.

Chocola said he continues to be “disappointed” that Romney has not embraced a flat or fair tax.
“He would be wise to avoid using class warfare when comparing his current proposals to those of Gov. Perry or Herman Cain,” he said. “The Club for Growth is looking for bold leadership on tax reform from the Republican nominee — not demagoguery or platitudes.”

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/24/perry-to-pitch-scrapping-tax-code-offering-optional-20-percent-flat-tax/#ixzz1boSybJCG

Seven Tax Tips for Job Seekers

Many taxpayers spend time during the summer months updating their résumé and attending career fairs. The Internal Revenue Service reminds job seekers that you may be able to deduct some of the expenses on your tax return.

Here are seven things the IRS wants you to know about deducting costs related to your job search.

1. To qualify for a deduction, the expenses must be spent on a job search in your current occupation. You may not deduct expenses you incur while looking for a job in a new occupation.

2. You can deduct employment and outplacement agency fees you pay while looking for a job in your present occupation. If your employer pays you back in a later year for employment agency fees, you must include the amount you receive in your gross income, up to the amount of your tax benefit in the earlier year.

3. You can deduct amounts you spend for preparing and mailing copies of your résumé to prospective employers as long as you are looking for a new job in your present occupation.

4. If you travel to an area to look for a new job in your present occupation, you may be able to deduct travel expenses to and from the area. You can only deduct the travel expenses if the trip is primarily to look for a new job. The amount of time you spend on personal activity compared to the amount of time you spend looking for work is important in determining whether the trip is primarily personal or is primarily to look for a new job.

5. You cannot deduct job search expenses if there was a substantial break between the end of your last job and the time you begin looking for a new one.

6. You cannot deduct job search expenses if you are looking for a job for the first time.

7. The amount of job search expenses that you can claim on your tax return is limited. You can claim the amount that is more than 2 percent of your adjusted gross income.  You figure your deduction on Schedule A.

FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.CORDEROCPA.COM

The IRS opens Second Special Voluntary Disclosure Initiative, for those who are hiding assets abroad.
This initiative aims to help thousands of people to catch up with the IRS before they are audited at a lower cost and eliminating the potential of being criminally prosecuted (jail).
IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said: “For those hiding money or assets abroad, the time is now approaching. The risk of getting caught will only increase. ”

What to do:
1. Filing tax returns for the past 8 years that apply (2003 to 2010).
2. Amend their tax returns from 2003 to 2010 as needed.
3. Include affidavit that the correct information is presented.
4. Pay the amount owed taxes, penalties and interest or establish a payment plan acceptable.

Deadline:
August 31, 2011

For More Information
Cordero CPA
8025 NW 36 Street Ste 302 Doral Fl 33166
(305) 599-4111 www.corderocpa.com

Summary of the press release from the IRS
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a special initiative designed to return voluntary disclosure money from abroad to the U.S. tax system and helping people with revenues of offshore accounts that have not been disclosed and catch up with their taxes.
The new voluntary disclosure initiative will be available until August 31, 2011.

“As we continue gathering more information and pursuing more people worldwide, increases the risk individuals who are hiding assets abroad,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “This new effort gives to those hiding money in foreign accounts and fair way to resolve serious tax problems once and for all. And it gives people a chance to close before the encounter. ”

Taxpayers participating in the new initiative must file all tax returns and include original and amended tax payments, interest and penalties related undisputed by the deadline of August 31. This is for the tax year to apply from 2003 to 2010.

The initiative of 2011 offers clear benefits to encourage taxpayers to come now instead of risking detection by the IRS.
Taxpayers who hide assets overseas that do not come now face higher fines scenarios as well as the possibility of criminal prosecution.

“This is a fair offer for people with offshore accounts who want to pair with the taxpayers of the nation,” said Shulman. “This initiative offers the opportunity to obtain certainty about how to discuss your case. Equally important, those who truly come voluntarily can also avoid criminal prosecution. ”
The IRS is dealing with the processing of voluntary disclosures in centralized units to process applications more efficiently.

Continue to be eroded secrets in taxes, “Shulman said. “We’re not slacked off in international tax matters, and there are more coming. For those hiding money or assets abroad, the time is now approaching. The risk of getting caught will only increase. “

Alfonso Cordero, CPA recently turned to Parexton web design company and online marketing and search engine optimization firm to launch its new redesign web site for Cordero CPA.

Miami Fl. January 10, 2011 – Cordero Certified Public Accountants specializes in providing clients with a wide range of accounting and consulting services to meet all of their personal and professional needs. With three locations in Florida, in Orlando and Miami, Alfonso Cordero founded Cordero CPA to help clients with their accounting and tax preparation needs. Recently, Cordero CPA selected Parexton webdesign firm, with base in south florida to help grow Cordero CPA, online presence.

“With three branches throughout Florida, it is important for us to reach potential new clients across the state. Now with the help of Parexton I feel that finally I found a way to make it happen, faster and more effectively,” Cordero said.

Parexton specializes in web design and SEO including building content in both languages Spanish and English, in this way Cordero CPA found a way to reach both communities and help them with their accounting and taxes situations.

“You have to hire a professional to do a professional work” George Ochoa president and CEO of Parexton said. “Now, it is not only building a website, it is more serving to a community, it is to provide information and give it to them in a way they can understand it” conclude it. If you want to know more about Parexton visit their website http://www.parexton.com

About Cordero CPA:

With a staff of more than 25 professionals in three locations throughout Florida, Cordero CPA, PA offers a broad range of tax, accounting and consulting services. Whether clients are looking for solutions to simple accounting questions, a strategic coach to help design a long-range business plan, a tactical advisor to help implement a tax strategies or a top-notch statistician to help keep score, Cordero CPA offers solutions suitable for personal and professional needs. For more information about Parexton visit www.CorderoCPA.com.

These days, doing your own taxes can make you pull your hair out or go through a bottle of Excedrin at record pace.  It’s like trying to change the transmission on a new luxury automobile. (more…)