Sunday, December 13, 2009

Change Your Withholding

anne08 Asked

How can I change my total tax withholding?

This is a very simple matter.

First determine how many exemptions you need to claim by using the IRS withholding tool.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96196,00.html?portlet=4

Then fill in a W-4 form with your employer indicating the new withholding exceptions.

If you need further information go to the IRS document on the topic.

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p919.pdf

Monday, December 7, 2009

Social Security Max

Do you make over 100k per year and switched jobs? If so you may have overpaid on you social security taxes.

Even though it's not included when we talk about marginal tax rates all employees have to pay 6.2% of their gross income to Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare.

The employee tax rate for social security is 6.2% (amount withheld). The 2007 wage base limit was $97,500. For 2008, the wage base limit is $102,000 or 6,324. The problem is, your employers have no idea what you're making at your other jobs, or when you reach that cap.


If you worked for two or more employers and had too much withheld, you can claim the excess as a credit on your taxes. You do this on form 1040, line 67 or form 1040A, line 43.
An example of this. You worked for a company that paid you $58,000 during 2008 and withheld $3,596 (6.2% of $58,000) in Social Security tax. You then found a better opportunity and worked for another employer who paid you $57,000 and withheld $3,534 of Social Security tax (6.2% of $57,000). Thus, the Social Security tax withheld totaled $7,130. That's $806 more than you actually owe ($7,130 minus $6,324). So you're entitled to a credit of $806.
It is not even worth trying to get your employer to stop withholding Social Security taxes if you "know" you're over the limit already They just keep withholding as if that was your only job.

One way to stop from paying too much to the tax man is to change your total tax withholding (increase exemptions, etc.) in order to counteract this overpayment and keep your money now instead of getting a future refund.

Source of information http://www.irs.gov/publications/p15/index.html
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_Davis

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Welcome to The Humble Accountant

Welcome.

My wife and I are here to humbly answer your Business, Tax and Financial questions.

We will answer to the best of our combined abilities. However, as each situation is unique, use this blog as a source of general guidance, then seek the advice of your own local professional.

A little about us.

I have a BA in History from Texas A&M University and a BBA in Accounting from Sam Houston State University. I have been a practicing accountant for the past 12 years and cannot imagine doing anything else. I have been a CPA since 2001 and an entrepreneur since the 5th grade.

She has a BS in Journalism from Texas A&M University and a BBA in Accounting from Sam Houston State University. She is a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor & tax advisor to entreprenuers & executives. Her knowledge of bookkeeping and tax is only matched by her knowledge of parenting our pets.

So if you are thinking of starting a small business, trying to get venture capital to fund the next big idea, setting up your bookkeeping or keeping more of you money safe from the KGB, er IRS, send us a message. You'll be glad you did.

For a more in depth Humble Accountant experience, you can find us all over the web. We are here for you.

Web : http://www.BleifeldCPA.com Sign up for our newsletter or request an appointment.

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LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/in/bleifeld I will accept your link.



Quick Tip of the day.

When deciding on a business name before you commit to any binding decisions make sure you can get the web address.