Chapter 4: Managing Taxes

Objectives Explain how taxes are administered and classified. Describe the concept of the marginal tax rate. Determine who should file an income tax return.

Objectives Describe the two ways of paying taxes: payroll withholding and estimated taxes. Identify the three steps involved in calculating federal income taxes. Understand planning strategies to legally avoid overpayment of income taxes. Explain the basics of IRS audits.

Taxes on Purchases State and local taxes are added to the purchase price of goods. Excise tax is imposed on specific goods and services Gasoline Cigarettes Alcohol Tires Air travel Telephone service

Taxes on Property Real estate property tax is based on the value of land and buildings. Personal property taxes on the value of automobiles, boats, furniture, and farm equipment are imposed in some areas.

Taxes on Wealth Estate tax-imposed on the value of an individual’s property at the time of death. Inheritance tax-levied on the value of property bequeathed by a deceased individual.

3 Steps in Determining Taxes 1.Determining Adjusted Gross Income 2.Computing Taxable Income 3.Calculating Taxes Owed

What is Tax Management? Reduction Deferment Elimination ATTENTION! A PLANNING PROCESS FOR TAX:

Federal tax laws Progressive nature of income tax Regressive Marginal tax rate Effective marginal tax rate Average tax rate Administration/Classification of Income Taxes

Step 1: Determining Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Earned Income-money received by personal effort. Investment Income-money received in the form of dividends, interest, or rent Passive Income-activities in which you do not actively participate. Other Income-Alimony, awards, lottery winning, prizes

Other Items That Impact Income Exclusion-amount not included in gross income. Tax Exempt Income-another name for exclusions-Qualified scholarships and fellowships where money is used for tuition, fees, supplies, and equipment, VA payments Tax Deferred Income-income that will be taxed at a later date Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)-gross income after certain reductions have been made Tax Shelters-immediate tax benefits and a reasonable expectation of a future financial return (IRA’s Keogh’s)

Taxes on Earnings Social Security Income Tax Federal tax State tax in all but 7 states Alaska Florida Nevada South Dakota Texas Washington Wyoming

Step 2: Computing Taxable Income Deduction-an amount subtracted from AGI to arrive at taxable income. Standard deduction ($5,700/single in 2010) Itemized deduction Exemption-a deduction from AGI for yourself, your spouse, and qualified dependents ($3,650 in 2010)

Step 3: Calculating Taxes Owed Use your taxable income in conjunction with the appropriate tax table or tax schedule. Marginal tax rate-the tax on the last dollar of income. Average tax rate-total tax due divided ty your taxable income. Tax credit-amounts subtracted from the amount of tax owed.

Tax Payments Payroll deductions-pay- as-you-go (W-4)

Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction $100 tax credit reduces your taxes by $100 $100 tax deduction reduces taxes by your tax bracket. For instance, if a person is in the 25% tax bracket it would reduce your taxes by 25%

W-2

Earned income Unearned income Transfer payments Who Should File a Tax Return? STUDENTS WITH:

The Progressive Nature of the Federal Income Tax-2010 If your taxable income is: Over: But not over --The tax is: Of the amount over-- $0$8, %$0 8,37534,000$ %8,375 34,00082,4004, %34,000 82,400171,85016, %82, ,850373,65041, %171, , , %373,650 If your filing status is Single The Tax Rate Schedule is shown so you can see the tax rate that applies to all levels of taxable income. It is not used to figure ones’ taxes.

The Progressive Nature of the Federal Income Tax-2010 If your taxable income is: Over: But not over --The tax is: Of the amount over-- $0$16, %$0 16,75068,000$1, %16,750 68,000137,3009, %68, ,300209,25026, %137, ,250373,65046, %209, , , %373,650 If your filing status is Married filing jointly The Tax Rate Schedule is shown so you can see the tax rate that applies to all levels of taxable income. It is not used to figure ones’ taxes.