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At PRO-TAX we don’t want to help you just when you file a tax return. We want to be a source of information you can depend on for guidance regarding taxation, finance, and commerce…throughout the year. To accomplish that we regularly post articles and news on a variety of topics. Visit this page frequently for our take on the issues that matter to you. Be sure to read the most recent posts, but also make sure to review the archives. We bet this information will help reduce your tax burden, and make you a smarter consumer in every respect! Sign up for RSS Feeds to ensure you don’t miss the latest entries.

Exemptions, Deductions and Credits (October 10, 2008)

When you enter a tax office and speak with a preparer, you will hear the terms “exemption”, “deduction” and/or “credit” – no matter how involved your tax return.

What, exactly, are they referring to? Are...

We've Been Added To Alltop (September 12, 2008)

Our website has been added to the Taxes page of Alltop.com.

Alltop collects stories about "all the topics" on the web. They've grouped these collections – "aggregations" – into individual Alltop sites...

Residential Energy Credits (September 3, 2008)

Question: I recently installed energy efficient appliances and windows in my home. Is any of this deductible? Where is it claimed?

Answer: There is a maximum limit of $500 per year for all...

Attending Tax School Could Save You $1,000s! (September 3, 2008)

With rising gas and food prices the average American’s household budget is stretched paper-thin, so everyone is looking for ways to save money.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans never consider learning how to...

Looking For A New Career? Your Opportunity at PRO-TAX is Unlimited! (September 3, 2008)

The demand for professional tax preparers is huge. PRO-TAX sponsors our free Tax School in an attempt to keep up with the demand at our offices, and the competitiveness of the industry.

PRO-TAX doesn’t require any of our...

Need Some Extra Income? The Demand for Tax Preparers is Huge! (September 3, 2008)

Every day the television news is filled with segments about companies laying-off thousands of employees. These types of stories are emotional and therefore tend to grab the headlines. What you don’t hear are accounts of...

Selling Your Home (August 8, 2008)

It used to be that if you sold your home you had two choices: reinvest the capital gains immediately into a new home, or pay capital gains taxes on the profit.

Not so anymore! The law now states you may be able...

Salute To Our Armed Forces (August 8, 2008)

According to the United States Department of Defense website, , “On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The...

IRS Mail Audits (August 1, 2008)

Have you received a letter from the IRS requesting additional information about your return? This is called a “mail audit”.

Recently, the IRS has been taking heat because of the way they have handled responses to...

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend (August 1, 2008)

Residents of 14 states and the District of Columbia will benefit from a sales tax holiday. Most of the states hold their sales tax holiday weekend just before school begins, with several happening later in the fall. ...

Teachers Get Deductions Too (July 25, 2008)

It’s just about time for “Back to School” in the United States!

All of us at PRO-TAX would like to thank the teachers around the world for all you do for our children. Besides teaching them subjects (reading,...

Hybrid Vehicles (July 25, 2008)

With the prices going higher and higher at the pump (sometimes it seems that they jump in mid-pump, doesn’t it?), more and more people are turning to hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles to save money on gas.

But you...

Don't Move Without Us! (July 21, 2008)

You’re looking for a new challenge at the workplace, and your current position and company don’t have much to offer. Or maybe someone told you about an opening at another business in a different city (or state). Or...

Amending Your Tax Return (July 21, 2008)

The season’s done for Tax Year 2007. Thank heavens! You’re now filing all of your receipts and other tax information associated with your return. But wait! What’s this? Oh no, you found a document...

SUMMER TIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY (July 21, 2008)

Well, it is if you are a child! And if you place your child in a summer camp, it can be a little easier on you as well. That’s right; the IRS may let you deduct the cost of summer camp for your qualifying...

More Money In Your Pocket (July 11, 2008)

Millions of Americans are giving the IRS an interest free loan each year.

How? By the way they determine their exemptions and deductions on their Form W4.

What’s a W4? Most folks don’t even realize that a...

IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate (June 24, 2008)

With gas prices exceeding $4 a gallon, the Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate...

Spring Cleaning (May 2, 2008)

Tax season is complete. Or is it? Really, tax season is NEVER complete. You may file your taxes on (or before) April 15 annually, but you’re filing for the previous year. A wise person’s recordkeeping has...

Tax Myths - Don't leave money on the table for the IRS (May 2, 2008)

According to Wikipedia, “Myth is derived from the Greek word mythos, which means ‘word of mouth.’"

Since tax law is complex and constantly changing, it’s no surprise that many taxpayers have misconceptions about the rules that...

Tax Filing Extension (April 15, 2008)

Today, April 15, is the filing deadline for a federal tax return. If you need more time to get your paperwork complete, make sure you file Form 4868, Automatic Extension of Time to File, with the IRS by the end of...

Putting Your Extras To Good Use (April 8, 2008)

You give and you give and you give. And the IRS wants to reward you for all of your giving. But do you know exactly how much you can deduct for your charitable contributions of material goods?

You know what I...

The Deadline is Coming! The Deadline is Coming! (April 8, 2008)

The filing deadline for 2008 is April 15. This is different from 2007 and 2006, when April 15 fell on a Saturday or Sunday, and there was a District of Columbia Emancipation Day holiday. But, this year, you MUST have your...

State Tax Return Filing Due Dates (April 3, 2008)

Okay, so everyone knows that you have to file your Federal Income Taxes by April 15. What about state returns?

Here’s something interesting… Almost every state that is close to Virginia has to file by April 15 as...

Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ - Which one should you use? (April 3, 2008)

To C or not to C? That’s the question if you’re a small business owner. Actually, the real question is: Can I file a C-EZ instead? The answer is, as usual with the IRS, it depends!

Schedule C holds the...

IRS Rebate Phishing Scam (April 3, 2008)

Can you believe it? There are actually people out there who will IMPERSONATE the IRS to get your personal information! You may get an email saying that you are due more refund than you originally thought. When...

Rebate Check Delivery Schedule (March 19, 2008)

It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. The Economic Stimulus Package Rebate checks have finally been given “delivery dates” – almost as exciting as waiting for the birth of your first child!

Payments will be distributed...

Save For Retirment and Get a Tax Deduction (March 11, 2008)

Are you looking to reduce your taxes this year? And would you also like to increase your retirement security? Consider making a contribution to a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA)!

According to the IRS,...

Let The IRS Help Subsidize Your Retirement (March 11, 2008)

Congress loves to reward us for retirement savings! First, you can take an adjustment to your gross income (thereby lowering your total taxable income) by making contributions to a traditional IRA. Second, you can...

Pennies From Heaven (March 9, 2008)

Katherine Whitehorn said, “The easiest way for your children to learn about money is for you not to have any.”

We don’t entirely agree with this statement, and neither does the IRS! As a matter of fact, the IRS has...

The IRS Is Quite Happy To Keep The Extra Money, If You Let Them...Learn How To Get Back A Tax Overpayment! (March 7, 2008)

In 2006, The Internal Revenue Service estimated the average American overpaid their taxes by more than $400 as a result of missed deductions and credits. Even if $400 doesn’t sound like a lot of money to you, it all adds up to...

New Rebate Calculator (March 6, 2008)

We added an Economic Stimulus Rebate Calculator to our website to help visitors determine how much money they will receive from the IRS beginning in May.

Click here to access the calculator.

Economic Stimulus Letters from the IRS (March 6, 2008)

The IRS has begun mailing letters reminding taxpayers to file a 2007 tax return in order to receive a 2008 Economic Stimulus payment. The letters will be distributed throughout the month of March.

The two main purposes of...

How One Of The Most Famous Bank Robbers Of All Time Will(ie) Teach You How To Save On Your Taxes! (March 6, 2008)

On March 14, 1950, the FBI released their very first TOP TEN MOST WANTED CRIMINALS list. On the 58th anniversary, we are releasing our TOP TEN MOST OVERLOOKED TAX DEDUCTIONS. (Adjusted for 58 years of inflation, we’ve...

You’ve got rebate questions…we’ve got answers! (February 19, 2008)

The Economic Stimulus Package recently signed by President George W. Bush has given many Americans reason to celebrate. But some people are confused as to whether THEY can celebrate. And if they can, how much will...

ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR BUSINESSES (February 15, 2008)

The package that the House and Senate passed, and President Bush approved, on February 13, 2008 has tax implications for businesses as well as individuals. In addition to the rebate checks for individual filers, the package...

When it comes to alimony…The IRS can be more reasonable than your ex! Here are the rules you must know! (February 15, 2008)

So things didn’t work out so well in your marriage. It happens more often than we’d like to think. And now you’re divorced. Believe it or not, there are tax implications involved in divorce. In this...

Valentines Day Tax Advice (February 14, 2008)

On Valentine’s Day, 1929, Al Capone ordered what has since become known as the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre.

During tax time, there are many near-misses for massacres when spouses find out that their significant other has not...

THE REBATES ARE COMING! THE REBATES ARE COMING! (February 14, 2008)

Congress has officially passed the Economic Stimulus Bill! What does this mean to you? If you are eligible for a payment, you will be receiving a rebate check from the IRS sometime in May in an amount between $300 and...

Where's My W-2? (February 11, 2008)

You want to file your taxes. You want to get that refund. But you still haven’t received that final W-2. What can you do? Keep in mind that W-2s don’t have to be mailed until January 31; be certain you’ve...

Congress Passes the Economic Stimulus Plan! (February 8, 2008)

On Thursday, the Senate ended its Congressional impasse over the Economic Stimulus bill by making small amendments to the bill the House had passed the previous week. The bill was sent to the House, where it was quickly passed,...

Happy Birthday Boy Scouts of America (February 8, 2008)

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded on February 8, 1910 by William Boyce. The mission of the BSA is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the...

Economic Stimulus Plan (February 7, 2008)

According to economist Thomas Sowell, “the idea of a stimulus package is based on the general notion that there are things the government could do to make things better in the economy.” In January, President Bush put forth...

Today Is Earned Income Credit Awareness Day (January 31, 2008)

January 31 has been designated as Earned Income Credit (EIC) Awareness Day by the IRS. According to the IRS, more than 60 percent of tax returns claiming the EIC are filed during the month of February. In addition more than 70%...

PRO-TAX Says “Watch Out For Scams Associated With Advanced Refund Checks” (January 31, 2008)

Consumers should be aware that “tax rebate” scams are already appearing, even though Congress and the White House have not officially passed the Economic Stimulus Package.

Some taxpayers have received telephone calls informing...

The IRS May Owe You Money (January 30, 2008)

On January 14, 2008, the IRS made an important change to the definition of Qualifying Relative that will affect many taxpayers in filing their 2007 return. In addition this definition has been applied to 2005 and 2006 returns...

Social Security Administration Mails Incorrect 2007 Statements (January 28, 2008)

Please read this important news for Seniors. Due to an administrative mistake made by the Social Security Administration nearly 3 million people received incorrect statements for 2007. PRO-TAX is here to assist...

PRO-TAX Welcomes Four New Franchise Partners (January 21, 2008)

PRO-TAX USA LLC is excited to announce the introduction of four new licensees of the PRO-TAX system with offices opening this month in Mobile, Alabama and Richmond and Woodstock, Virginia.

New Tax Law Changes (January 10, 2008)

For 2007 Congress Has Created A Minefield Of Tax Law Changes That May Help You...Or Hurt You!

PRO-TAX's "Worry-Free Protection" (January 2, 2008)

Who Else Wants To Sleep Like A Baby Knowing PRO-TAX Has Got You Covered When It Comes To Filing Your Taxes With The IRS?!

PRO-TAX Lightning Tax Service - $25 Off (December 26, 2007)

$25 Off PRO-TAX Lightning Tax Service

Top-Ten Reasons to Have PRO-TAX File Your Taxes Before April 15th (December 26, 2007)

Top-ten reasons to have PRO-TAX file your taxes before April 15th

TELL-A-FRIEND Referral Program (December 26, 2007)

Earn Quick Cash: TELL-A-FRIEND® Referral Program