The IRS has published depreciation limits for business vehicles first placed in service this year. The limits for passenger autos remain the same as the 2012 limits, but limits for light trucks and vans have some changes. Because 50% bonus depreciation is allowed only for new vehicles, the limits are different for new and used vehicles. Here’s a quick review. For new business cars first placed in service this year, the first-year depreciation limit is $11,160;

Crooks wanting to steal your identity are using bogus e-mails and websites designed to look like genuine IRS communications. You might expect the April 15 filing deadline to mark the end of these scams, but they, in fact, are expected to continue for months. An example of these bogus e-mails: You receive a message confirming IRS receipt of your tax return, but the IRS needs more information to process your return. The e-mail looks official and

If you have a sizable refund of your 2012 taxes, it may be time for you to check your withholding. After all, when you overpay your taxes, you’re making an interest-free loan to the government. Reducing your withholding is as simple as filing a new Form W-4 with your employer. The form comes with a worksheet to figure out how many allowances you should claim. Don’t forget to allow for other taxable income besides wages, such

June 17, 2013, is the due date for making your second installment of 2013 individual estimated tax. Your check to the United States Treasury should be accompanied by Form 1040-ES. June 17 is also the due date for calendar-year corporations to make their second quarter 2013 estimated tax payment.

Tax-exempt organizations are required to file annual reports with the IRS by the 15th day of the fifth month after their year-end. Those with gross receipts below $50,000 can file an E-postcard rather than a longer version of Form 990. For calendar-year organizations, the filing deadline for 2012 reports is May 15, 2013.

Tax rules are daunting at the best of times – and they’re more so at the worst of times, such as during a divorce, when you may feel too stressed to face decisions involving your taxes. Yet the choices you make will affect your future, both financially and personally. Here’s where to start. Filing status. For tax purposes, the timing of your divorce matters. The date of your final decree determines your filing status, which in

Do you know where your money is? If some of it is offshore, you might have tax reporting responsibilities – and those responsibilities generally go further than checking the familiar box on the Schedule B you submit with your federal income tax return. Here are two. FBAR. Foreign bank account reporting has been required since 1970, so you may be familiar with “Form TD F 90-22.1,” commonly known as “FBAR.” Unless you qualify for an exception,

Tax-exempt organizations are required to file annual reports with the IRS. Those with gross receipts below $50,000 can file an E-postcard rather than a longer version of Form 990. The deadline for nonprofit filings is the 15th day of the fifth month after their year-end. For calendar-year organizations, the filing deadline for 2012 reports is May 15, 2013.

With a franchise, you don’t have to start a company from scratch. Whether the business sells fast food, automotive services, gourmet coffee, or dry cleaning, successful franchises are usually based on a proven business idea and a recognized brand name. The best franchisors can jump start a business by providing staff training, location advice, and detailed operations manuals. And some have ongoing relationships with financial institutions, which can help when you’re searching for start-up capital. But

Under the new tax law, it is now easier to convert your employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457 into a Roth IRA account. This is similar to converting your traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, but with one very significant difference. When you convert a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, you can change your mind and undo this conversion (also known as a recharacterization) by October 15 of the following year.