Category Archives: Personal Accounting

Articles and tips related to personal accounting by James. E. George, CPA

Make 2018 Your Business’ Best Year

Make 2018 Your Business’ Best Year

All of us here at James E. George, CPA would like to wish you and yours a very happy and prosperous new year! At this time of reflecting on the past and planning for the future, I’d like to suggest making 2018 the year you get your business finances in order. Not just for your… Continue Reading

How Do I Handle My Mother’s Estate?

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I am the administrator of my Mother’s estate. All she owned at the time of her death was her car, her house and a few investments which were all sold at a loss. Am I required to file an estate income tax return? ANSWER: Dear Reader – An estate tax return, form… Continue Reading

Claiming Dependents

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – My Daughter graduated from college in May of this year. She started working in September and expects to make about eleven thousand dollars this year. Can we still claim her as a dependent for this year? ANSWER: Dear Reader: To claim her as a dependent in any year, she must have been a… Continue Reading

Donations to Non-Profits

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – I donate money to different non-profit organizations. Every year my Tax Preparer deducts some but not all of them. I thought donations to all non-profit groups were tax deducible. ANSWER: Dear Reader – Non-profit groups don’t pay income taxes on money you give them. That does not mean you get a… Continue Reading

Charitable Deductions

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – Every week I place cash in the collection plate at church. I recently heard I cannot deduct it since I have no banking record. Is that true? ANSWER: Dear Reader – As of August 16, 2006 a receipt from the donee organization or a bank record such as a cancelled check… Continue Reading

When should I refinance my home?

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – When should I refinance my home? ANSWER: Dear Reader – Refinancing becomes worth your while if the current interest rate on your mortgage is at least 2 percentage points higher than the prevailing market rate. Talk to several lenders to find out the current refinancing rates and what costs are associated… Continue Reading

How Long Do I Keep Tax Records?

QUESTION: Dear Taxman – How long am I required to keep my tax records? ANSWER: Dear Reader – You should save all your income tax records for the current year and six previous years. Certain tax records like your income tax returns should be kept permanently. Property settlement transaction documents should be kept for four… Continue Reading