Browsing Tag

tax tips

Taxes

Tips To Help Save On Your Taxes

taxesThere are two sureties of life – death, and taxes. Neither can be avoided,  but at least the pain can be alleviated. In the case of taxes, the effects can actually be reduced. Everybody wants to be able to save a little money but if taxes are unavoidable, how can you save money on them?

For a start, getting your tax returns in on time can help you avoid a nice fine from HMRC but else can you do to keep everyone happy and come away with some change?

Check your tax code

Your tax code may change from year to year, so make sure you check it. Using the wrong tax code can mean that you end up paying more tax than you should, so this is something worth keeping an eye on.

If you are not sure of what your tax code actually is, you can find it on your payslip.

Continue Reading

Taxes

Claiming A Tax Refund: Agency or HMRC?

tax refund tipsIf you are – or were – an expat living in a foreign country, it’s not uncommon for you to feel overwhelmed by an entirely new tax system. Many expats who have lived and worked in the UK don’t know that they could be due a tax refund, let alone how to claim it. Here we explain the two ways to claim back your UK tax refund.

What is a tax refund?

A tax refund is a repayment of PAYE tax that you have overpaid during the tax year. You might be eligible for a tax refund if:

  • You’ve only worked for part of a tax year
  • You’ve worked for more than one employer in a tax year
  • You’ve had two or more jobs at the same time
  • You’ve been taxed on a basic rate tax code
  • You’ve left the UK before the end of the tax year (6 April – 5 April the following year)
  • You’ve been on an incorrect tax code at any point in the last five years

In order to get your tax refund, you need to claim through an agency or take the solo route by claiming through HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The route you choose to claim your refund depends completely on your personal preference and what works best for you.

Continue Reading

Taxes

5 Ways To Save Money When Paying Taxes

how to save money on taxesEvery year at tax time consciousness shifts toward saving money on the inevitable tax payments we make.  Each person’s tax circumstances are unique, with some filers reporting by way of conventional W-2 forms and others accounting for self-employed income as required by the IRS.  While each filer wants to pay his or her share; almost no one wants to make additional contributions, beyond what they rightfully owe.

The numbers aren’t set in stone until you complete the paperwork and tabulate your tax obligation.  But in the meantime, saving money on your taxes requires a proactive approach, using proven methods to stay on the right track.

Continue Reading

Taxes

How To Negotiate Taxes With The IRS

The people of America have felt the full impact of the financial crisis. Many have had trouble finding money to cover the bills and luxuries to which they’d previously been accustomed. There has also been an increase in the number of redundancies as companies have attempted to keep their costs to a minimum. The government has added to the pressure by making cutbacks and demanding the payment of taxes. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has played a key part in enabling people to pay their taxes. They are hoping that the American citizens will take the opportunity to manage their outgoings.

It is now possible to pay taxes in regular installments meaning that people don’t have the worry of having to recover from a huge splurge. They can pay an agreed amount each month however, it is worth bearing in mind that individuals who are unable to keep up with regular payments may not be granted tax relief. They are likely to accrue sizable debts, which must be repaid in the long term.

Details of the IRS Agreement

As previously specified, the IRS agreement details the payment of taxes over a defined period. It is a means of clarification for individuals who may be unsure of their financial responsibilities. A payment schedule is included in the main document for reference by the tax payer. There are also details of the actions which will be taken if payments aren’t made on time. In certain circumstances it may be possible to obtain an offer in compromise. This means that IRS will demand a reduced amount. However, the tax payer must prove that they meet strict criteria if such an agreement is to be made.

new_img(1)

Continue Reading

Taxes

5 Tax Tips For Independent Contractors

tax tips for independent contractorsWorking as an independent contractor is a great way to make a living without answering to a boss, but unfortunately it doesn’t absolve you of your responsibility to pay taxes. Everyone must pay their due, and that includes independent contractors like you. If you’re unsure how to go about filing your taxes as a contractor, or just want to maximize your benefits, read on to learn about the top tax tips for independent contractors everywhere.

Learn About the Filing Process
Independent contractors go through a different filing process from that of standard employees. Rather than incurring automatic tax deductions from your pay and receiving a W-2, as an independent contractor you are expected to make calculated tax payments on a quarterly basis throughout the year. You handle your own taxes, rather than relying on an employer to calculate pay deductions. It may seem like a lot of trouble, but learning this new filing process and sticking to a quarterly payment schedule makes sure that you won’t fall behind.

Continue Reading