The IRS Deductions Blog

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Distance learning is a highly popular method of advancing one’s education. The primary reason is that it provides a great deal of flexibility in completing course requirements. This means that one can pursue a new career while maintaining current employment or attending to family responsibilities.

There are a number of income tax preparation courses offered online. Which one you choose will depend on costs and what you plan to do with the certificate. If you seek to enroll in a program solely to have the ability to complete your own tax returns, you may be able to locate free online courses. If however, you wish to work for a tax preparation firm or open a solo-based practice, both the breadth of topics covered and cost will be important areas for you to consider. In this latter case it will be best to stay away from any free programs as they will likely not offer all the topical areas necessary to sufficiently prepare you for entry into the field.

The process of enrollment in a program is fairly simple. Once you identify a program in which you have an interest, simply send for an informational brochure which outlines course requirements. There are three distance learning programs: private tax preparation schools, continuing education departments of local colleges, as well as tax preparation firms which offer coursework online. In all cases be sure to perform sufficient due diligence so that you can be comfortable that the program you choose is reliable and in good standing. In this regard you can ask about their graduation requirements, placement statistics, and also read the faculty biographies to determine the level of experience of those teaching the curriculum.

To enroll in a certificate tax preparation course, whether online or classroom-based, you will need to have a GED or High School diploma. While knowledge of advanced accounting and finance principles is not required, you should be comfortable with basic arithmetic, using a calculator and computer software programs as many returns are now prepared in this way.

In general, the course work can be intense as there are many tax regulations and filing requirements with which you must become familiar. You will need to structure your time in such a way as to permit you to move through the curriculum in a consistent manner so as not to lose the thread of the material. However, if you prefer to learn at your own pace rather than be restricted to a given ten week time period, it would be a good idea to research those programs which offer a more flexible structure with open-ended completion dates.

Before enrolling in any course it may also be a good idea to peruse the text of one or two courses at a college bookstore. Browse through the table of contents and subheadings of each chapter to see if this is material with which you feel you feel comfortable and able to succeed.

Additional educational options include pursuing a degree in accounting or finance at a regionally accredited college to advance your career into that of a tax advisor or tax manager. The responsibilities of these positions entail the completion of highly complicated tax returns, as well as advising clients and businesses on new tax laws.

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Crunch Time for Tax Deductions

MASON CITY, IA – It may have looked quiet at Kevin Dolpin’s Mason City office on Monday afternoon, but like most certified public accountants, Dolphin’s getting ready for tax season, and he says you should be doing the same.

Tax Deduction Tips & Advice : How to Take Tax Deductions for Charitable Giving

Question: Excise tax deduction for cell phone?

I would like to take the standard deduction of $30 for the federal excise tax. I was wondering if this pertains to wireless phone services as well. I’ve had sprint cell phone service since May 2005. I have a family shared plan with 2000 anytime minutes and free long distance. In viewing the online invoices, I noticed that they do not break down the tax charges so i’m not 100% sure. Thanks in advance.

Answer: You can’t claim it unless you paid taxes on your cell phone’s long distance service. Check one of your paper invoices. Most likely it will the be the same for each month. If you have a land phone line in your name you can also claim the long distance service taxes on it as well.

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Free electronic tax filing begins Jan. 23

LEXINGTON – The Lexington Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalition (VITA) campaign is gearing up for another tax season. VITA is encouraging taxpayers to check out the earned income tax credit, which is a tax credit available to many low and moderate income working families and individuals.

IRS TAX TIPS: Vehicle Tax Deduction (ASL, Captions & Audio)

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Killeen Daily Herald • Central Texas News

If I claim my daughter as a dependent because she is a full-time college student, can she claim herself as a dependent when she files her return?

taxslayer.com or deduction by reproduction

Question: Free Online Tax Software?

I’m a Canadian living in BC and preparing the personal income tax form. I heard there is an online government tax software which is free, and can calculate the Tax Deductions and credits from previous years automatically. Does anyone have any idea about the software or can give me the website link?

Answer: I DON’T THINK I WOULD PUT ANY EFILE ON PERSONAL INFO ON LINE WITH TAX INFO AND SS # TO MANY HACKERS OUT THERE BE CAREFUL WITH DOING ANY THING ON LINE WITH THIS INFO I KNOW THERE IS LOTS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE DOING THIS BUT THE FACT THAT YOUR ASKING ON LINE YOU MAY GET MISINFORMED AND I WOULD ASK LOCALS AS TO WHERE AND WHAT SITE BEFORE I WOULD TRUST A ON LINE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION GOOD LUCK JFB

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Charles City couple’s Payten is Mercy’s first baby of 2010

MASON CITY — Payten Elaine Damjanovic was fast asleep Friday afternoon, oblivious to the excitement she had caused.

More about tax deductions: software credits available!