free tax articles and resources for business owners, farmers, ranchers, and executives

Benefits Of Standard Tax Deductions
By Adam J. Heist
The standard tax deduction is a flat value of deduction over the entire gross taxable income. It is one of the most important kinds of deductions that are available to the average taxpayer. Another such deduction is the itemized deduction. Under the federal rules, one can avail only of one of these two deductions. Hence, before claiming for standard tax deductions, it is necessary to check whether there will be more savings with the itemized deduction or not.

The slabs set for standard tax deductions undergo revisions every year. This is done to adjust for inflation. Even so, the actual deduction would depend on the filing status of the taxpayer.

Consider the following: in 2004, the standard deduction for a taxpayer was $4,850, for the head of a household it was $7,150, for a married

Our articles continue...


couple filing jointly it was $9,700, for married people filing separately it was $4,850 and for a single parent with a dependent child it was $9,500.

People who are more than sixty-five years old stand for getting more deductions. Such privileges are also extended to people who are visually handicapped. People who fit into both categories, and in addition have lost a spouse, could claim much higher deductions.

But deductions are less if someone has a participating role in someone else’s claims for deductions. This also applies for students who have received scholarships and grants for their studies.

No deductions are available to a married person if his/her spouse is itemizing the deductions. Other categories are people who file a tax return for a short tax year due to changes in their annual accounting period and for those whose residential status is either non-resident or dual-status alien. People married to US citizens have the option of applying for deductions, but then all other rules applicable to US citizens would be applicable to them also.

Therefore, pay great attention to your standard deduction. It could be better than the itemized deduction if you know exactly how to go about it.

Adam Heist is the owner of the Loans website. At their website, you can learn more about Secured Finance as well as many other things relating to the industry. We encourage you to visit our site today and see what we have. Also check Personal Finance for additional informaiton.




Here are some more accountant articles...

Tax Havens And Living A Sovereign Lifestyle
By Michael Beck
The thought of "Tax Havens" and "Offshore Banking" immediately brings to mind fraud, money laundering, illicit drug trafficking, and with more recent events, the acts of terrorists.There is, Read more...
The Complete Story On Aircraft And Yacht Sales Tax
By Tom Alston
In the everyday world of aircraft and yacht ownership, the following story is played out from coast to coast. The whispers in the crowds of prospective owners often are based on the age-old question, Read more...
Retirement Strategies For Entrepreneurs
By Vic Romano
Taxes along balance transactions are known inasmuch as Tobin taxes. In the US transfer tax is often credited by the society or local province and (in the environs of certainly folding money Read more...
Baby Boomers: Will They Be Able To Afford Their Parents?
By Lee R. Phillips
Do you worry about whether your aging parents have their "affairs inorder?" You should. After all, you’re the one who will have to payunnecessary taxes and endure time-consuming court Read more...
free tax news:



Accounting Info - Sponsored Link
Ad - www.info.com Dec 1 2008 4:24PM GMTSurvey of 1,500 U.S. Accounting Educators Rates Grant Thornton LLP as Best National Accounting Firm for Work-Life Balance and Ethics for Second Straight Year
Street Insider Dec 1 2008 4:24PM GMTSurvey of 1,500 U.S. Accounting Educators Rates Grant Thornton LLP as Best National Accounting Firm for Work-Life Balance and Ethics for Second Straight Year
Globe Investor Dec 1 2008 4:19PM GMTWindes & McClaughry Accountancy Corporation Names New Business Advisory Services Partner
Houston Chronicle Dec 1 2008 4:19PM GMTTransnet scoops international accountancy award
Engineering News Dec 1 2008 4:18PM GMTWindes & McClaughry Accountancy Corporation Names New Business Advisory Services Partner
Yahoo! Canada Dec 1 2008 4:07PM GMTBarclays appoints Grant Thornton to JJB Sports
Retail Week Dec 1 2008 3:55PM GMTValuing an accounting practice
AccountingWEB Dec 1 2008 3:45PM GMTGlance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-JJB down as lender drafts in Grant Thornton? 25 mins ago
CNBC Dec 1 2008 3:42PM GMTGlance-STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-JJB down as lender drafts in Grant Thornton
CNBC Dec 1 2008 3:41PM GMT

Although all CPAs have a background in accounting, not all accountants are CPAs. CPAs are licensed to practice accountancy under state law. Only licensed accountants in Ohio can perform attest services such as an audit, review or compilation of financial statements. The SEC also requires that the signatory of the independent auditors report in an SEC filing be “dually registered” with the appropriate state licensing authority.