The IRS drafts new Form 1040-SR tax return for seniors & 1040 updates for 2019

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On July 2019, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has posted a draft version of 1040 tax return for senior citizens, calling this new form 1040-SR U.S. Tax Return for seniors. The draft for the new Form 1040-SR has improved its font sizes and removed the shading around some of the boxes to improve contrast for taxpayers with declining vision. The draft also includes a “Standard Deduction chart” so that taxpayers can “add the number of boxes checked in the ‘Age/Blindness’ section of the Standard Deduction area.” Along with this new Form 1040-SR U.S. Tax Return for senior citizens, the IRS also has a new draft of Schedule R, which will be “the credit for the elderly or disabled.”
For the next filing tax season taxpayers are expected to be presented with a more updated Form 1040 Tax Return that will come with a few drastic changes but not really. Since last filing season Form 1040 had to be shortened due to the 2017 mandatory tax law. For example, it is said that the signature box will be moved to page 2, in order to make more space for entering names of a spouse and children. Also, the Health care coverage checkbox will be removed since it’s no longer mandatory to have health insurance. The Earned Income credit, additional child tax credit, American opportunity credit, and some other line related subjects are to change position.

Did you know that if you have homeowners Insurance and there’s a Hurricane that causes damages to your home? You may qualify for a Tax Deduction?

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If you live in Florida, you know that nothing says summer more than the word “hurricane” and now we are officially in the hurricane/tropical storm season. If you’ve ever experienced any hurricane or tropical storm before, you know very well that you should start preparing for the worst-case scenario now rather than ending up completely washed out.
Whether you rent or own a home, insurance can be a lifesaver especially for any out of our hand situations such as a hurricane. First check with your home insurance policy. Even if you have a $250 deductible, a hurricane-related claim might fall under a different deductible (which can sometimes be higher.)
If there is a hurricane, you may also want to protect your important documents. You can do so by storing them in a sealed container that is elevated from the floor, to avoid being damaged if there is flooding. Flood insurance is also a good idea since South Florida is prone to flooding in heavy rains. Be careful though as some water-related damage might not necessarily fall under a hurricane claim.

Congress Approves the Taxpayers First Act Reform Bill

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On Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019, The U.S. President, Trump, has signed the Taxpayers First Act filing bill into law.
The bill is to make improvements to the Internal Revenue Services, such as modernizing technology, updating their customer service techniques, helping any tax-related identity theft victims by securing their rights.

The bill also makes limitations on the types of tax receivables that private debt collection services can assign, it may remove any taxpayer if their income is only based on disability insurance and if their income doesn’t exceed 200% of the applicable poverty level.

The Installment agreements that is offered by a private debt collector would increase its maximum length from five years to seven years.
This bill directs the IRS to create an online platform to allow taxpayers to prepare and file for the Forms 1099.

The IRS will be required to notify any organizations before revoking their exempt status for failure to file a return for three years, the IRS is to notify that it has no records of a return for two or more years. The revocation will occur after the third year and the failure to file penalty fee is to increase to $330.

If there are any tax-related identity theft victims or any suspects of identity theft the IRS will make it a single point of contract to notify the taxpayers. The penalty for improper use of information by a tax return preparer, and if the use or disclosure is made in connection to identity theft the penalty in some cases will increase. For each disclosure, the penalty will be $1,000 (instead of $250) and the annual maximum will be $50,000 (instead of $1,000).