Whether you’re new to Los Angeles or just new to the job force, you may need some tips on filing your taxes. Survive the City has them!
We’ll try to make this as simple and painless as possible.
Due Date
Taxes are due on or before April 15th. If you need them, tax extensions are available, but they do involve paperwork, so timeliness still counts.
Getting Assistance with Your Tax Preparation
Our advice is to have a professional help you file your taxes. At the very least, you’ll probably be able to sleep better at night without the worry that you may have done it incorrectly. If you are an employee and have only one full-time job that pays you an hourly or salaried wage, and you feel your tax preparation will be simple, you can go to a place like H&R Block.
If you own a business, work freelance or as a contractor, have more than one job, or have certain expenses (for example, if you are a student), you probably want to see an accountant.
Fairchild Tax Services is one we recommend.
Before You Get Your Taxes Done
You can prepare for your tax preparation appointment by doing the following:
- Pick up the appropraite forms you will need. You can usually do this at any LA post office
- Find out which form is right for you
- Gather all of your W-2 forms. If you only held one job in 2008, obviously you’ll have only one W-2. If you’ve changed jobs, you may have more. Your employers are required to send these to you, but if you feel you haven’t received them, get in touch with them. The employer deadline for sending out W-2s was February 2nd, so you should have yours by now.
- Make a copy of your W-2s. These are always good to have for your records.
- Locate last year’s tax forms, unless this is your first time filing
- Jot down a list of things you believe may be deductions: student loans, business travel, moving, educational items, donations, computers (if used for business or school), business expenses (if you are freelance or run your own business), etc. NOTE: this does not constitute guaranteed deductions, but we recommend you bring a complete list with you, just in case. The worst that can happen is your hearing, “Sorry, that doesn’t count.”
NOTE: If you just moved to LA, your move may be considered a writeoff!
Tax Relief
There are also companies out there such as American Tax Relief that can help if you have more serious tax issues. American Tax Relief, for example, offers solutions with issues like tax debt, liens and wage garnishment. American Tax Relief also runs a blog that is very informative for anyone experiencing the stress associated with tax debt and owing money to the government.
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