Hope credits and education tax breaks explained
The Hope and Lifetime Learning credits help reduce college costs with different limits and rules. The Hope offers up to 1500 per student for freshman and sophomore years, while the Lifetime Credit reaches up to 1000 and stays available for any number of years. Credit amounts depend on qualified expenses, and limits include annual contributions to education IRAs and loan interest deductions.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mark Schwanhausser
Tax software pitfalls when records are missing
If records are poor, tax software cannot recreate them. Electronic checkbook or bill pay programs require proper category classification. otherwise it is like a box of receipts. Relying on software instead of a human preparer increases effort and risk if the IRS questions the return. Do not itemize deductions to waste money.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elf
IRS
Be wary of refund anticipation loans this tax season
Consumer advocates warn about refund anticipation loans from tax preparers as fees rise this year. These loans offer refunds in two days but lock in high charges and APRs. alternatives include e filing eSign direct deposit and early week filing to speed IRS refunds.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Knight Ridder
H&r Block
Consumers Union
San Francisco
Consumers Reports
Shelley Curran
Simmons First National Bank
IRS
Also Mentioned on This Page
Education Ira
Sam
Allsteel Area
Keller-Hull Co
1St Ave
NAI
Iowa Realty
Larry D. Sharp Ccim
SIOR
Darin Garman
Ccim Commercial Investments
Donald Pfeifer Gri
NAI Towa Realty Commercial
U.S. Cellular
US. Cellular