SCHEDULE A    ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS
    Must exceed: $5,450.00 for singles $10,900 married filing
    joint, and $8000.00 head of household

    Medical expenses must exceed 10% of gross income AND
    NOT PRE-TAX

    Doctor             Hospital                       Drugs
    Dentist             Glasses                                                               
    Mileage @ $.24/mi
    Hotels @$50.00/person                                                             
    Insurance premiums                        

    Medical necessities: vans, home modifications, special
    equipment, (anything ordered by a Doctor that is necessary
    to your health unless specifically exempted by the IRS)

    Taxes:
    State income
    Real estate-
    Personal property
    Home Mortgage Interest for up to two homes:

    Mortgage
    Home equity (if does not exceed value of home & points may
    not be deductible)
    Points charged (to purchase or improve home on home
    equity)
    Mortgage Insurance Premiums
    Investment interest used to purchase investment property

    Charitable Gifts/Volunteer work:
    Contributions by cash or check
    All cash contributions require cancelled check, bank/credit
    card receipt,  receipt from org
    Goods or services (actual cost/ $.14 per mile)
    Single donations of over $250.00 require an acknowledgment
    from the qualified organization

    *Acknowledgment must:  be written, list contribution amount,
    goods or services provided and a good faith estimate of the
    value of those services, and statement of intangible religious
    benefit such as admission to a religious ceremony or
    activity.  An intangible religious benefit is a benefit that
    generally is not sold in commercial transactions outside a
    donative (gift) context.  
    Non-cash donations over $500.00 require you to file a
    separate tax form with your return and have the
    documentation listed above
    Out-of-pocket expenses require adequate records:  date,
    what the item was, value or cost(s), goods or services
    provided by organization, and *acknowledgment (see above).
    Individuals 70/+ can donate directly from an IRA/retirement
    account without this being counted as income and still get
    deduction for a charitable contribution

    Casualty and Theft Losses:  (not covered by insurance,
    limited deductions)

    Misc. Deductions:  less 2% of adjusted gross income
         Tax preparation fees
         Safe deposit box
         Legal and accounting related to taxes
         Safety equipment, tools, uniforms, special                              
    clothing etc.
         Union dues, professional organizations,                                  
    publications, business mileage(Form 2106)                   
    Required physical examinations
         Employment agency fees
    AGENT FEES


    Moving expense adjustment:  travel, meals, lodging, looking
    for work, moving expenses, etc- (must be 50 miles closer to
    job!)

    ©Steven E. Burns, 2013-2014
    information from IRS Publications
    BUSINESS INCOME AND EXPENSES

    Business Expenses:
         Advertising
         Bad debts
         Mileage and auto expenses
         Travel expenses
         Commissions and fees
         Depreciation
         Interest
         Insurance
         Medical insurance  (ADJUSTMENT on Form 1040)
         Legal and professional services
         Repairs and maintenance
         Supplies
         Taxes and licenses
         Utilities
         Wages and benefits

    Meal and Entertainment Expenses: (50% deductible)  
    KEEP YOUR RECORDS!!! I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH

    Meals, entertainment, for clients or fellow workers when
    you discuss work  
    Gifts of $25 dollars or less, parties, etc
    Keep place, cost, and business purpose (keep everything)
    Petty cash can be used for small expenses usually $25 or
    less

    KEEP YOUR RECORDS!!! I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH

    Computer and cellular phones are deductible business
    expenses
    Travel expense can claim daily meals of $42 and
    incidentals and hotel room
    Travel expense is $.565 per mile
    Keep date,  place,  and business purpose

    List all property used in business for depreciation
    purposes…% of business use if less than 100%

    A business can lose money for 2 of 5 years, but if losses
    occur after that appreciation of assets, or proof of attempt
    to make profit can be required by IRS, so records are
    essential

    OFFICE IN THE HOME DEDUCTION

    YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR OFFICE IN THE HOME IF YOU
    USE AN AREA OF YOUR HOME FOR AN OFFICE
    EXCLUSIVELY-FOR PAPER WORK, PHONE CALLS,
    PLANNING, ETC.  THIS ALLOWS YOU TO CLAIM MILEAGE
    FROM THE TIME YOU LEAVE HOME UNTIL YOU RETURN
    AS LONG AS THE MILEAGE IS BUSINESS RELATED (i.e.
    DEPOSITS, TO JOBS, VISITS TO CLIENTS, ETC)  KEEP
    RECORD OF DATE, PLACE VISITED, BUSINESS
    PURPOSE, AND MILEAGE

    YOU CAN USE HOURS AND AREA USED FOR DAYCARE
    AS A DEDUCTION ALSO THE TAX COURT HAS ALLOWED
    AN AREA PARTIALLY AS A BUSINESS USING THE SAME
    GUIDELINES AS A DAYCARE.  

NEW IRS RULE ALLOWS A "SAFE HARBOR" DEDUCTION
BASED ON AVERAGE COSTS OF A HOME TO DETERMINE
OFFICE IN THE HOME DEDUCTION

    Travel expense is $.565 per mile and you can use more
    than one vehicle as long as you use one at a time.  If you
    have an employee driving a vehicle and you drive one
    also, you cannot claim the mileage rate-you must claim
    actual expenses.  You can get around this by paying the
    employee to use his own vehicle, reimbursing at the rate of
    $.565 per mile.  Reimbursements are not taxable!!!

    Also see SCH C information and FORM 2106 for additional
    specific information

    ©Steven E. Burns, 2003-2014                             
    information from IRS Publications
INFORMATION TO HELP PREPARE TAX YOUR RETURN
2013 TAX CHANGES
2014 TAX INFO
2013 SCH A
2013 SCH C
    DISCLAIMER:
    THE INFORMATION
    PRESENTED HERE IS
    ACCURATE TO THE BEST
    OF MY KNOWLEDGE;
    HOWEVER, YOUR TAX
    SITUATION MAY BE
    DIFFERENT AND YOU
    SHOULD SEEK THE
    SERVICES OF A
    COMPETENT TAX
    PROFESSIONAL TO
    DETERMINE THE TAX
    CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR
    PARTICULAR SITUATION!
TAX ADVICE COMPLETE FILE
SOME CONTENT MAY NOT BE UP TO DATE
IRS FORMS
2013 1099-MISC
2014 1099-MISC
2013 1099-MISC INSTRUCTIONS
2014 1099MISC INSTRUCTIONS
CHURCHES AND MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY

AUDIT GUIDE FOR CLERGY        

GUIDE FOR CHURCHES

INCOME

TAX GUIDE FOR CLERGY
FORM 1040

EXCEL SPREADSHEETS

TRAVEL FORM
MONTHLY TRAVEL
YEARLY TOTALS BY MONTH
1099 PAYMENTS
W-2 PAYMENTS
ASSET LIST
REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER ID NUMBER
APPLY FOR EMPLOYER ID NUMBER ONLINE
LIST OF IRS PUBLICATIONS
    SELF EMPLOYED BUSINESS EXPENSES 2020       
    information from IRS Publications
    KEEP YOUR RECORDS!!! I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH
    Must itemize deductions and is subject to 2% adjusted income deduction


    FEDERAL TAX DEDUCTION IS 56.5 CENTS PER MILE UNLIMITED MILEAGE

    YOU CAN DEDUCT $42.00 FOR MEALS, PLUS TRANSPORTATION EACH DAY FOR BUSINESS
    EXPENSES (out of town) OR $125/DAY in meals, hotel & incidentals
           -$42.00 (or $125 per day for all expenses) FOR MEALS WHEN YOU SPEND THE NIGHT
    (out of town)
           -$8.75 (or 31.25 for all expenses)
                 EACH 1/4 DAY (12AM-6AM, 6AM-12N, 12N-6PM, 6PM-12M)
           -LEAVE AT 5:00 AM AND RETURN AT 11:00 PM AND CLAIM 1 DAY ($35.00),
                 (if you have to stop for substantial sleep or rest) (or $125 per day for all expenses)
           -YOU CAN SUBTRACT REIMBURSEMENTS AND CLAIM THE REST!!
    -You can deduct the cost of business meals
         (when you go out to eat and discuss business or out of town overnight)
    -MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE 50% DEDUCTIBLE
    -Transportation workers may qualify for 80% deduction if “hours of service” limits apply
    -You could possibly deduct the cost of meals if you are required to eat while you supervise
    students; however, I cannot find a specific example of this, but it does seem to fit the
    criteria for a business meal.
    -Law enforcement officers can deduct meals while on duty (8hrs=1/3 day or $11.67)
           
    YOU CAN DEDUCT
    -association dues
    -liability insurance
    -subscriptions to professional magazines                                                                        
    -books related to the profession
    -supplies: pencils, paper, etc. Used in your profession
    -donations to clubs, and other school organizations
    -home office used mostly for work
    -extra trips (ball games, graduation, etc.)
    -postage & telephone
    -safety equipment for labs
    -conventions, meetings, etc
    -gifts up to $25.00 each
    -travel to a second job!!!!

    Classes you attend during the day are tax deductible even if they will qualify you for an
    administrative position or an advanced certificate
           -cost of course and books
           -mileage each way 55 cents per mile KEEP A MILEAGE LOG, WE CAN PROVIDE THESE!!!
           -cost of meal if business association each day (out of town or not)
    All overnight out of town workshops & classes are deductible [mileage-55 cents/mile, meals,
    room, food & incidental expenses-($125.00/day or actual expense- including $42.00 for
    M&I),  & registration]

    The only records you need are   (KEEP YOUR RECORDS!!! I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH)
           -date of the activity
           -place
           -business purpose
           -number of miles to activity
           -time left & return
                    
    Also see SCH C information and FORM 2106 for additional specific information              
    ©Steven E. Burns, 2003-2014
    DISCLAIMER:
THE INFORMATION
PRESENTED HERE IS
ACCURATE TO THE
BEST OF MY
KNOWLEDGE;
HOWEVER, YOUR TAX
SITUATION MAY BE
DIFFERENT AND YOU
SHOULD SEEK THE
SERVICES OF A
COMPETENT TAX
PROFESSIONAL TO
DETERMINE THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES
OF YOUR PARTICULAR
SITUATION!