Taxes for Dummies

by Tyson, Eric; Silverman, David J.

• ISBN13: 9780764553066
• ISBN10: 0764553062
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-01
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Summary

Now revised with the latest tax law changes and money-saving strategies, this perennial bestseller is a boon to frustrated taxpayers everywhere. The authors present a comprehensive, plain-English guide that demystifies the process of filing tax forms as well as how to plan for the year ahead. Includes federal income tax forms.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(5)
Part I: Getting Ready to File	5	(54)
The U.S. Tax System and Rates	7	(10)
Tax Return Preparation Options and Tools	17	(10)
Getting and Staying Organized	27	(10)
No Form Fits All (Or, What Kind of Taxpayer Are You?)	37	(22)
Part II: Tackling the 1040	59	(94)
Easy Filling: 1040EZ and 1040A	61	(22)
Form 1040: Income Stuff	83	(26)
Form 1040, Part Deux: Adjustments to Income Stuff	109	(22)
The Rest of the 1040 and Other Yucky Forms	131	(22)
Part III: Filling Out Schedules and Forms	153	(144)
Itemized Deductions: Schedule A	155	(36)
Interest and Dividend Income: Schedule B	191	(10)
Profit or Loss from Business: Schedule C	201	(22)
Capital Gains and Losses: Schedule D	223	(22)
Supplemental Income and Loss: Schedule E	245	(10)
Profit or Loss from Farming: Schedule F	255	(22)
Other Schedules and Forms to File	277	(20)
Part IV: Audits and Errors: Dealing with the IRS	297	(58)
The Dreaded Envelope I: IRS Notices	299	(14)
The Dreaded Envelope II: Audits	313	(8)
Fixing Mistakes the IRS Makes	321	(16)
Fixing Your Own Mistakes	337	(18)
Part V: Year-Round Tax Planning	355	(98)
Tax-Wise Personal Finance Decisions	357	(8)
Retirement (Tax-Reduction) Accounts	365	(20)
Small Business and Tax Planning	385	(14)
Your Investments and Taxes	399	(14)
Real Estate and Taxes	413	(16)
Kids and Taxes	429	(14)
Estate Planning	443	(10)
Part VI: The Part of Tens	453	(24)
Ten Important Tax Law Changes	455	(6)
Ten Important Tax Questions	461	(4)
Ten Proven Ways to Avoid Audits	465	(4)
Ten Often-Overlooked Tax-Reduction Opportunities	469	(4)
Ten Interview Questions for Tax Advisors	473	(4)
Appendix A: Reaching Out to the IRS	477	(10)
Appendix B: Glossary	487	(12)
Tax Forms	499	(72)
Index	571