Line 369 – Home buyers’ amount

You can claim an amount of $5,000 for the purchase of a qualifying home made in 2011, if both of the following apply:

* You or your spouse or common-law partner acquired a qualifying home.
* You did not live in another home owned by you or your spouse or common-law partner in the year of acquisition or in any of the four preceding years (first-time home buyer).
* Persons with disabilities do not have to be a first-time home buyer.

Source: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns360-390/369/menu-eng.html

The following is available on the IRS website;

Issue Number: IRS Tax Tip 2012-16

There are many benefits that come from being your own boss. If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor, or you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, you are generally considered to be self-employed.

Here are six key points the IRS would like you to know about self-employment and self- employment taxes:

1. Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as part-time work you do at home or in addition to your regular job.

2. If you are self-employed you generally have to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax. Self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure self-employment tax using a Form 1040 Schedule SE. Also, you can deduct half of your self-employment tax in figuring your adjusted gross income.

3. You file an IRS Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, or C-EZ, Net Profit from Business, with your Form 1040.

4. If you are self-employed you may have to make estimated tax payments. This applies even if you also have a full-time or part-time job and your employer withholds taxes from your wages. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. If you fail to make quarterly payments you may be penalized for underpayment at the end of the tax year.

5. You can deduct the costs of running your business. These costs are known as business expenses. These are costs you do not have to capitalize or include in the cost of goods sold but can deduct in the current year.

6. To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business. An expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.

For more information see the Self-employment Tax Center, IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses and Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, available at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS forms and publications order line at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Links:

Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
Publication 535, Business Expenses
Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business and instructions
Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit from Business
Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax and instructions
Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals

The following is available on the IRS website:

Issue Number: IRS Tax Tip 2012-15

Your kids can be helpful at tax time. That doesn’t mean they’ll sort your tax receipts or refill your coffee, but those charming children may help you qualify for some valuable tax benefits. Here are 10 things the IRS wants parents to consider when filing their taxes this year.

1. Dependents – In most cases, a child can be claimed as a dependent in the year they were born. For more information see IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information.

2. Child Tax Credit – You may be able to take this credit for each of your children under age 17. If you do not benefit from the full amount of the Child Tax Credit, you may be eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit. For more information see IRS Publication 972, Child Tax Credit.

3. Child and Dependent Care Credit – You may be able to claim this credit if you pay someone to care for your child or children under age 13 so that you can work or look for work. See IRS Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.

4. Earned Income Tax Credit – The EITC is a tax benefit for certain people who work and have earned income from wages, self-employment or farming. EITC reduces the amount of tax you owe and may also give you a refund. IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit, has more details.

5. Adoption Credit – You may be able to take a tax credit for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child. If you claim the adoption credit, you must file a paper tax return with required adoption-related documents. For details, see the instructions for IRS Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses.

6. Children with earned income – If your child has income earned from working, they may be required to file a tax return. For more information, see IRS Publication 501.

7. Children with investment income – Under certain circumstances a child’s investment income may be taxed at their parent’s tax rate. For more information, see IRS Publication 929, Tax Rules for Children and Dependents.

8. Higher education credits – Education tax credits can help offset the costs of higher education. The American Opportunity and the Lifetime Learning Credits are education credits that can reduce your federal income tax dollar-for-dollar. See IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, for details.

9. Student loan interest – You may be able to deduct interest paid on a qualified student loan, even if you do not itemize your deductions. For more information, see IRS Publication 970.

10. Self-employed health insurance deduction – If you were self-employed and paid for health insurance, you may be able to deduct any premiums you paid for coverage for any child of yours who was under age 27 at the end of the year, even if the child was not your dependent. For more information, see the IRS website.

Forms and publications on these topics are available at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

The following is available on the IRS website:

Issue Number: IRS Tax Tip 2012-14

If your pay from work involves compensation through tips, then the IRS would like you to be aware of a few facts about tip income. Here are four key points to keep in mind:

1. Tips are taxable Tips are subject to federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes. The value of non-cash tips, such as tickets, passes or other items of value, is also considered income and subject to tax.

2. Include tips on your tax return You must include in gross income all cash tips you receive directly from customers, tips added to credit cards, and your share of any tips you receive under a tip-splitting arrangement with fellow employees.

3. Report tips to your employer If you receive $20 or more in tips in any one month, you should report all of your tips to your employer. Your employer is required to withhold federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes.

4. Keep a running daily log of your tip income. You can use IRS Publication 1244, Employee’s Daily Record of Tips and Report to Employer, to record your tip income.

For more information see IRS Publication 531, Reporting Tip Income, and Publication 1244 which are available at www.irs.gov. Both can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

The following information is now available on the CRA Web site:

Prince George, British Columbia, January 20, 2012… The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, accompanied by Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River and Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo – Prince George, today visited the Pineview Firehall in Prince George to promote a new non-refundable tax credit for volunteer firefighters.

“Every day in Canada, almost 85,000 brave men and women are ready to put their own lives at risk to protect the lives and property of their friends, neighbours, and even perfect strangers. Our Government recognizes these efforts and is proud to have introduced the Volunteer Firefighter Tax Credit,” said Minister Shea.

“Our volunteer firefighters are important members of our community and we can’t thank them enough for the invaluable work they do for the residents of Prince George,” said Bob Zimmer.

“I am delighted that our government is acknowledging the work of these courageous Canadians by offering this new credit,” added Dick Harris.

The non-refundable tax credit is available to any volunteer firefighter who serves at least 200 hours per year at one or more fire departments beginning on January 1, 2011. Services that make up those 200 hours include responding to and being on call for firefighting and other emergencies, attending meetings at the fire department, and taking courses in preventing and putting out fires. When an eligible firefighter claims the credit, they can reduce income taxes they have paid or will owe at tax time by as much as $450.

“This credit is one of several measures announced in Budget 2011 that will help Canadians and their families to keep hard-earned dollars in their pockets. I encourage all volunteer firefighters to learn more about the credit and to claim it when they file their 2011 income tax and benefit returns,” added Minister Shea.

For more information about the volunteer firefighter’s tax credit, go to www.cra.gc.ca/firefighter.

On Friday, January 20, 2012, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, accompanied by Mr. Bob Zimmer (MP for Prince George – Peace River) (far right), and members of the Prince George Volunteer Firefighters Association visited the Pineview Fire Hall to promote the new tax credit for volunteer firefighters. This new tax credit, announced in the 2011 Federal Budget, is available to volunteer firefighters who dedicate over 200 hours of service per year to their communities.

National Revenue Minister Gail Shea, accompanied by Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George – Peace River and Dick Harris, Member of Parliament for Cariboo – Prince George, today visited the Pineview Firehall in Prince George to promote the new volunteer firefighter’s tax credit. When an eligible volunteer firefighter claims the credit on their tax return, they can reduce their tax bill by as much as $450.

The following is available on the IRS website:

Issue Number: Special Edition Tax Tip 2012-12

Identity theft often starts outside of the tax administration system when someone’s personal information is unfortunately stolen or lost. Identity thieves may then use a taxpayer’s identity to fraudulently file a tax return and claim a refund. In other cases, the identity thief uses the taxpayer’s personal information in order to get a job. The legitimate taxpayer may be unaware that anything has happened until they file their return later in the filing season and it is discovered that two returns have been filed using the same Social Security number.

Here are the top 13 things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of an identity thief.

1. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. The IRS does not send emails stating you are being electronically audited or that you are getting a refund.

2. If you receive a scam e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

3. Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including:

* Stealing your wallet or purse
* Posing as someone who needs information about you through a phone call or
e-mail
* Looking through your trash for personal information
* Accessing information you provide to an unsecured Internet site.

4. If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but does not begin with ‘www.irs.gov,’ forward that link to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

5. To learn how to identify a secure website, visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.onguardonline.gov/tools/recognize-secure-site-using-ssl.aspx.

6. If your Social Security number is stolen, another individual may use it to get a job. That person’s employer may report income earned by them to the IRS using your Social Security number, thus making it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return. When this occurs, you should contact the IRS to show that the income is not yours. Your record will be updated to reflect only your information. You will also be asked to submit substantiating documentation to authenticate yourself. That information will be used to minimize this occurrence in future years.

7. Your identity may have been stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know. If you receive such a letter from the IRS, leading you to believe your identity has been stolen, respond immediately to the name, address or phone number on the IRS notice.

8. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, but you believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionable credit card activity, or credit report, you need to provide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copy of your valid government-issued identification – such as a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport – along with a copy of a police report and/or a completed IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, which should be faxed to the IRS at 978-684-4542. Please be sure to write clearly. As an option, you can also contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free at 800-908-4490. You should also follow FTC guidance for reporting identity theft at www.ftc.gov/idtheft.

9. Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job or to your financial institution for tax reporting purposes. Do not routinely carry your card or other documents that display your Social Security number.

10. For more information about identity theft – including information about how to report identity theft, phishing and related fraudulent activity – visit the IRS Identity Theft and Your Tax Records Page, which you can find by searching “Identity Theft” on the IRS.gov home page.

11. IRS impersonation schemes flourish during tax season and can take the form of e-mail, phone websites, even tweets. Scammers may also use a phone or fax to reach their victims. If you receive a paper letter or notice via mail claiming to be the IRS but you suspect it is a scam, contact the IRS at www.irs.gov/contact/index.html to determine if it is a legitimate IRS notice or letter. If it is a legitimate IRS notice or letter, reply if needed. If the caller or party that sent the paper letter is not legitimate, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. You may also fax the notice/letter you received, plus any related or supporting information, to TIGTA. Note that this is not a toll-free FAX number 1-202-927-7018.

12. While preparing your tax return for electronic filing, make sure to use a strong password to protect the data file. Once your return has been e-filed, burn the file to a CD or flash drive and remove the personal information from your hard drive. Store the CD or flash drive in a safe place, such as a lock box or safe. If working with an accountant, you should ask them what measures they take to protect your information.

13. If you have information about the identity thief that impacted your personal information negatively, file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov. The IC3 gives victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. IC3 sends every complaint to one or more law enforcement or regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over the matter.

Links:

FS-2012-07, Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
FS-2012-08, Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft

The following information is now available on the CRA Web site:

Vancouver, British Columbia, January 18, 2012… The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, today visited the University of British Columbia 4-H Community Club to promote the children’s arts tax credit, a new non-refundable credit passed in the 2011 federal budget.

“Parents whose children participate in paid artistic, cultural, recreational, and developmental programs will now enjoy the same benefit as parents whose children participate in paid programs of physical activity. Our Government believes whether a child is inspired by Justin Bieber, Hedley, Ryan Reynolds, Trevor Linden or Maelle Ricker, parents should receive a tax credit to help pay for the programs that will help their children live out those dreams,” said Minister Shea.

“The children’s arts tax credit will help Vancouver families enroll their kids in programs that contribute not only to their love of the arts, but also to the development of their intellectual and interpersonal skills,” added Minister Shea.

In addition to fitness programs covered by the children’s fitness tax credit, parents can now claim money spent on programs that focus on fine arts, music, performing arts, outdoor wilderness training, learning a language, studying a culture, tutoring, and more. When parents claim the children’s arts tax credit-up to a maximum of $500 of the cost of programs-they save as much as $75 at tax time per child claimed.

To find out if your child’s program is eligible for the children’s arts tax credit, go to www.cra.gc.ca/artscredit.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2012, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, visited the University of British Columbia 4-H club, to promote the Children’s Arts Tax Credit. This new tax credit, passed in Budget 2011, is available to parents whose children participate in artistic, cultural, recreational, and developmental programs.

Source: CRA Newsroom

The new Automobile Benefits Online Calculator effective January 1, 2012 is now available on the CRA Web site.

The Automobile Benefits Online Calculator allows you to calculate the estimated automobile benefit for withholding purposes based on the information you provide that would be added to an employee’s T4 for 2012.

T4130 – Employers’ Guide Taxable Benefits and Allowances

Check out Chapter 2 – Automobile and Motor Vehicle Allowances and Taxable Benefits section.

Under new legislation that passed in December 2011, payments from an uninsured Wage Loss Replacement Plan (WLRP) are considered employment income and therefore, are subject to Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions.

What’s new for Wage Loss Replacement Plans (WLRP) in 2012

The treatment of wage loss replacement plans (WLRP) payments for Canada Pension Plan (CPP) purposes changed over the years. For a period, payments made from certain types of uninsured WLRP plans were not considered pensionable. In December 2011, new CPP legislation clarified that all payments made from uninsured WLRPs are considered to be remuneration from pensionable employment.

This legislation is retroactive to January 1, 2006.

Employers who have not deducted CPP on uninsured WLRP payments in the past, whether those plans follow insurance principles or not, should start doing so effective January 1, 2012. Employers who deducted CPP on these WLRP will not be refunded those deductions. However, the Canada Revenue Agency will consider any request it receives from employees to review their particular situation on a case-by-case basis.

Forms:
* IT-428, Wage Loss Replacement Plans
* T4130, Employer’s Guide – Taxable Benefits and Allowances

Source: CRA Newsroom

IRS TAX TIP 2012-09

Determining your filing status is one of the first steps to filing your federal income tax return. There are five filing statuses: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household and Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child. Your filing status is used to determine your filing requirements, standard deduction, eligibility for certain credits and deductions, and your correct tax.

Some people may qualify for more than one filing status. Here are eight facts about filing status that the IRS wants you to know so you can choose the best option for your situation.

1. Your marital status on the last day of the year determines your marital status for the entire year.

2. If more than one filing status applies to you, choose the one that gives you the lowest tax obligation.

3. Single filing status generally applies to anyone who is unmarried, divorced or legally separated according to state law.

4. A married couple may file a joint return together. The couple’s filing status would be Married Filing Jointly.

5. If your spouse died during the year and you did not remarry during 2011, usually you may still file a joint return with that spouse for the year of death.

6. A married couple may elect to file their returns separately. Each person’s filing status would generally be Married Filing Separately.

7. Head of Household generally applies to taxpayers who are unmarried. You must also have paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for you and a qualifying person to qualify for this filing status.

8. You may be able to choose Qualifying Widow(er) with Dependent Child as your filing status if your spouse died during 2009 or 2010, you have a dependent child, have not remarried and you meet certain other conditions.

There’s much more information about determining your filing status in IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. Publication 501 is available at www.irs.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). You can also use the Interactive Tax Assistant on the IRS website to determine your filing status. The ITA tool is a tax law resource on the IRS website that takes you through a series of questions and provides you with responses to tax law questions.

Source: IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information