Chapter 3 Flashcards
Taxes and ____ in our society; they’re the cost of living in this country
Dues
_______ is the largest tax that you will pay. A typical American family currently pays more than ____ of its gross income in taxes; federal income and social security taxes and numerous state and local income, sales and property taxes
Federal Income Tax; 1/3
The major objective of tax planning is to: _____________ must be done legally and honestly with tax codes
maximize the amount of money that you can keep legally by minimizing the amount of taxes you pay
Income taxes are the major _______ for the Federal Government. Personal income taxes are scaled on _____ rates
Source of Revenue; Progressive
The tax rate for each bracket is called the _______ rate or the rate applied to the taxable income earned
marginal tax
Marriage status and family situation on the last day of your tax year, five different filing status categories
Filing status
unmarried or legally separated
Single
_____ - filing jointly - combine ___ and ____, file one return
married, income and deduction
Married filing ____ - each spouse files his or her own tax return
separately
Head of household:
taxpayer who is unmarried and pays more than 1/2 support of a dependent and keeping up for themselves and dependent or relative
Qualifying widow or widower with dependent child - a person whose spouse died within two years of the tax year and who supports a dependent child. They may be eligible for the _______ and use the joint tax return rates. After two years they must file under the ______ if they qualify.
Highest stand, deduction; head of household status
Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) or ________. This tax is paid equally by the ____ and the ____. In 2011 this tax was 13.3 percent - allocating 10.4 and 2.9 to medicare.
FICA Social Security; Employer and Employee
Federal Withholding Taxes - _____ taxes withheld from your paycheck. These are based upon the _______ and the number of ____ you have claimed on a form called the W-4
Federal; Lever of earnings or income; withholding allowances
Withholding allowances ____ the amount of ______. A taxpayer is entitled to ___ allowance for him/herself. one for a nonworking spouse and one for each _____ claimed (Children or parents being supported mainly by taxpayer)
reduce; taxes withhold from your income; dependent
Taxable Income - _______ it is calculated by subtracting the adjustment, the larger of ______ or _____ from gross income
The amount of income that subjected to taxes; itemized or standard deduction/exemptions
_____ includes any and all income subject to federal taxes
Gross Income
Three types of income: ______ - earned on the job, wages, salaries, and tips.
Active
______ - interest or dividends, capital gains
Portfolio
____ - income derived from the real estate limited partnerships and other forms of tax shelters
Passive
w-4
Before a job
w-2
employer send to you with your taxes on it
Capital Gains
occurs when an ASSET such as a STOCK or BOND or real estate is sold for MORE than its original cost. they are TAXED AT DIFFERENT RATES
_______ - receive special treatment in tax codes. Example pg. 88
Homeowners
Adjustments to gross income pg. 88 KNOW THESE REFERENCES
Property tax and mortgage interest = itemized
Deductions
fixed amount that depends on your filing status or itemized - specified tax deductible personal expense. You should use the one that results in the largest allowable deduction
Standard Deductions
this is a blanket deduction. In 2011 the standard deduction ranged from 5800-16,200 depending on status. For single fibers the deduction is 5800 and married 11,600. Those over 65 or blind have higher deduction. Each year the standard deduction amounts are usually adjusted in response to any changes in the COST of living