It's March and the fiscal cliff fallout continues. If you haven't done your taxes yet, or even if you have, there are some retroactive rules you will want to know about.
Some tax breaks expired in 2011, and the fiscal cliff debate put off extending them until we were into January of 2013. By that time some people had filed their taxes, or were about to, and didn't realize some of those tax breaks had been reinstated.
Enrolled agent and tax preparer Bill Nemeth says the tax breaks reinstated were:
$250 educator expense
$4,000 tuition and fees
Residential energy credit
PMI deduction
K-12 teachers can reduce their income $250 for something called the Educator Expense. The IRS assumes you spend that much out of pocket for your classrooms. It's back on the books.
College students can adjust their income by up to $4,000 for tuition and fees.
If you insulated your attic or had energy efficient windows installed, the Residential Energy Credit was also reinstated.
PMI is private mortgage insurance. If you haven't put a 20 percent down payment on your home, you are paying a PMI charge in addition to your mortgage. You can deduct those payments.
Also if you lost your home last year to foreclosure, Nemeth has one last break to look at.
"At the end of 2012, if you lost your primary residence due to foreclosure, you had to pay tax on the forgiven mortgage interest, normally. From 2007 to 2012 they had a provision that it wasn't taxable if it was your main home. They extended that one year to 2013," said Nemeth.
If you have any questions this tax season, see a certified tax preparer, a CPA, an enrolled agent, or a tax laywer. There are even free tax preparers for low-income families. Go to the IRS website and find one near you.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:31:42 GMT
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:32 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:32:39 GMT
A local man says Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Reed's ex-girlfriend got him fired from his city job. The man told the FOX 5 I-Team about the federal whistleblower lawsuit he's filed and why he wants the city to pay up.
A local man says Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Reed's ex-girlfriend got him fired from his city job. The man told the FOX 5 I-Team about the federal whistleblower lawsuit he's filed and why he wants the city to pay up.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:39 AM EDT2013-05-15 10:39:34 GMT
Summer is a break for kids, but you still need to keep them busy. So you sign them up for camp, hoping to keep the kids entertained at a safe camp and all at an affordable price.
Summer is a break for kids, but you still need to keep them busy. So you sign them up for camp, hoping to keep the kids entertained at a safe camp and all at an affordable price.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
