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By the Numbers 2011

Starting with the 2011 tax-filing season, I began posting on the ol' blog each Sunday a new figure -- a percentage, dollar amount, raw number and the like -- that has a tax connection.

If you missed one of the numbers, no worries. Links to each item posted in 2011 are listed below. If you're looking for newer tax figures, check out By the Numbers 2012 and 2013.

  • 2%
    Miscellaneous itemized deduction threshold (Jan. 16, 2011)
  • $3,003
    Average refund amount in 2010 (Jan. 23, 2011)
  • 98,740,000
    E-filers in 2010 (Jan. 30, 2011)
  • $27,197,000,000
    Gambling income in 2008 (Feb. 6, 2011)
  • 56,372,881
    Married filers in 2008 (Feb. 13, 2011)
  • $13,283,907,000
    IRS budget request for FY2012 (Feb. 20, 2011)
  • $75,000
    Oscars 2010 swag bag value (Feb. 27, 2011)
  • 23,027,000
    Noncash charitable donations in 2008 (March 6, 2011)
  • 12
    States with off-synch filing deadlines (March 13, 2011)
  • 5
    Child dependency tests (March 20, 2011)
  • $15,652,149,000
    First-time homebuyer credit claims (March 27, 2011)
  • 10,155,306
    Medical deductions (April 3, 2011)
  • 2,948,057
    Free File users in 2010 (April 10, 2011)
  • 7%
    Tax procrastinators (April 17, 2011)
  • 176
    Days until October extension deadline (April 24, 2011)
  • $36,500,000,000
    Big Oil profits (May 1, 2011)
  • 17,846,375
    Child tax credit refunds (May 8, 2011)
  • $250,000
    "Rich" earnings threshold (May 15, 2011)
  • $18
    Beer excise tax (May 22, 2011)
  • 529
    College savings plans (May 29, 2011)
  • 0.1%
    Gift tax filings in 2010 (June 5, 2011)
  • 1,000,000,000
    Total e-filed returns since inception (June 12, 2011)
  • 1,762,000
    Happy Father's Day to single dads (June 19, 2011)
  • $50
    NY Amish face fines for not e-filing (June 26, 2011)
  • $40,000,000
    NFL lockout's potential tax cost to states (July 3, 2011)
  • $6,579
    Property taxes across the country (July 10, 2011)
  • 3,592
    Tallying tax crimes (July 17, 2011)
  • 77479
    Comparing your taxes to your neighbors' (July 24, 2011)
  • $24,000,000,000
    Congress joins online state sales tax fight (July 31, 2011)
  • 505,000
    Amazon's e-tax repeal petition signature goal (Aug. 7, 2011)
  • 23
    Polls say hike taxes as well as cut spending (Aug. 14, 2011)
  • 10
    10 years of 'temporary' tax cuts (Aug. 21, 2011)
  • 4684
    Form 4684, a disaster victim's best friend (Aug. 28, 2011)
  • $60 billion
    Cost of Iraq, Afghanistan wars (Sept. 4, 2011)
  • 15,014,000
    Filers in 2008 reporting taxable Social Security benefits (Sept. 11, 2011)
  • 3.8%
    Projected inflation rate that will affect many 2012 tax provisions (Sept. 18, 2011)
  • 155
    California bill A.B. 155 postpones online sales tax collection (Sept. 25, 2011)
  • $17,000,000
    Rhode Island now collecting more sales taxes, but not on marijuana dispensaries (Oct. 2, 2011)
  • $5,000,000
    Al Davis' Oakland Raiders and federal estate tax issues (Oct. 9, 2011)
  • 61,427
    First-time homebuyer credit still causing compliance problems (Oct. 16, 2011)
  • $4,000,000,000
    IRS says budget cuts could increase federal deficit by $4 billion (Oct. 23, 2011)
  • 2013
    IRS postpones backup withholding on credit card payment reporting until 2013 (Oct. 30, 2011)
  •  ½
    Vikings' drive for new stadium thrown for a loss by Minnesota governor (Nov. 6, 2011)
  • 47%
    47 percent of former private tax debt collection cases left untouched by IRS (Nov. 13, 2011)
  • 9%
    America's opinion of Congress at new low (Nov. 20, 2011)
  • $480,400,000,000
    Super committee failure could cost states billions in federal wages, projects (Nov. 27, 2011)
  • $100
    Holiday gift from an employer: Taxable benefit or tax-free gift? (Dec. 4, 2011)
  • 23
    IRS issues 2012 mileage deduction rates (Dec. 11, 2011)
  • 160,000,000
    Payroll tax cut extension in doubt again (Dec. 18, 2011)
  • $156,510
    What you'll pay for 12 Days of Political Influence on Capitol Hill (Dec. 25, 2011)

Some of you (OK, only the tax geekiest of you) might be asking why didn't this feature start before mid-January? You can, after all, file your tax return for the previous year as soon as you want after a new year rolls around as long as you have all the necessary information and are willing to file an old-fashioned paper return.

Well, there are two good reasons as to why this feature began on Jan. 16, 2011.

First, Jan. 16 was the Sunday after the IRS officially opened its 2011 electronic filing doors. Since around 70 percent of us use tax preparation software and e-file our returns, the beginning of e-filing marks the real, at least in the IRS' eyes, start of the annual tax filing season.

And reason number two for the delay is that I didn't think of it until that day!

Today's Tax Tip

  • Tax penalties could add to your IRS bill — No one likes to pay the Internal Revenue Service more than necessary, but that happens when you're hit with tax penalties. So take your taxes seriously, especially when it comes to filing and paying on time, or you could end up owing Uncle Sam more due to these add-ons. Some tax penalties are set, but others face changes every year due to inflation. Here's a look at what's ahead on the tax penalty front in 2024. (Nov. 25, 2023)

  • Tax Tip; click pencil for all tax tip links

  • The 2023 Tax Tips offer ways to file your annual return, along with post-filing advice, important tax news and, of course, ways to cut your current tax year bill. You'll find the monthly assemblages on their own respective pages: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Remember, tax tasks and tips don't stop after you file your annual return!

All About Kay

  • OK, some about Kay
    Open sign
    Kay Bell — Native Texan
    (the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.
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Tick ... Tick ... Tick

  • It's the final
    2023 tax countdown!


    It's over! We cleared 2023's extended filing deadline, unless you get more time because your filing was affected by a major natural disaster, military service, or some other Internal Revenue Service recognized special situation. If that's you, be sure to check out all the ol' blog's earlier Tax Tips, listed by month just under the old-school No. 2 yellow pencil tip atop this column.

    For most of us, though, the passage of Oct. 16 means it's time to focus on the Form 1040 that we'll file next year. In most cases, we have until Dec. 31 to make moves that will reduce our still accruing 2023 tax bill.

    The countdown clock below should help us from missing out on making important tax-saving moves the rest of this year. Plus, the Tax Moves below the counter will list some timely tasks to take care of in each of these final 2½ months of 2023.
    Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.


Time for Tax Tasks


  • monthly tax moves


  • Ho 🎅 Ho 🎅 Ho!
    December is here!

    You better watch out. You better not cry. But you better make some year-end tax moves this December or next April 15 could turn out to be the tax equivalent of Santa Claus putting coal in your stocking.

    Santa Claus is watching YOU!
    Click image to hear a musical Santa message from Bruce Springsteen.

    St. Nick can't deliver a festively wrapped, already prepared tax return for you (unless he's even more magical than I think!) to file next year, but he does have a tax connection. Santa's tracking of naughty and nice boys and girls basically is the same method that the Internal Revenue Service uses. That's why we all need to be nice, especially to ourselves, in this final month of the year by making some important tax-saving moves. Let's get to it!

  • Dec. 1: This last filing season was more-or-less back to pre-COVID-19 pandemic normal, but if your own personal filing circumstances remained a mess, it's time to act. Maybe you realized you need professional tax help. If so, now is the time to find a tax preparer who can help ensure your return filing next year goes more smoothly. You have lots of options.There's also a December bonus. If you hire a tax pro this month, you might get some year-end tax tips!

    Dec. 4: Are you taking on a variety of gig work to make some extra holiday cash? Those added jobs mean you're an independent contractor. And that means you're responsible for paying income taxes due on the money, as well as any self-employment tax. Now is the time to start gathering those records and tallying this taxable income so you're not surprised at filing time.

    Dec. 11: If your job, over the holidays or full-time, is as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers are part of your compensation, I hope you get extra seasonal financial thanks this month for doing your job well. Remember, though, that those tips are taxable income

    restaurant check tip iStock
    Whether you're dining at your favorite eatery, or during the coronavirus pandemic discovered you really like getting food delivered to your home, if a tip isn't included on your restaurant or delivery bill, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.

    And if you got at least $20 in gratuities in November for your extraordinary services as a food server or hair stylist or parking valet or whatever job where tipping is common, you must report that amount by today. Use Form 4070 to let your employer know the total tips you took in last month.

    Dec. 15: Christmas is just 10 days away! If you're still shopping for gifts, you're probably searching for the perfect present online. But beware and be wary. Internet crooks also are logged on, looking to steal your money and identity, using many of the techniques they employ in tax scams. Any personal information they get now can be used at tax time to file a fake return in your name and claim a fraudulent refund. So be careful out there, now and next filing season, and, well, unfortunately all the time.

    Dec. 18: Many of us are trying to concentrate this final work week before Christmas. As far as taxes go, it's a good time to revisit your estimated tax situation, especially if you got some money from those previously mentioned gigs. Since these amounts typically aren't subject to withholding, you'll need account for the December earnings in your January 2024 final 1040-ES amount for 2023.
    Better to know that amount now, than on Jan. 16's due date.

    Dec. 22: It's Christmas Weekend! That means holiday treats, final decorations — or first, if you wait until the very end to get a tree — and frantic last-minute shopping! Rather than worry about how you'll get the perfect gift under the tree on time, consider instead some easy tax-favored gifts. Open a Roth IRA for your child or grandchild who earned some money this year. Or pay tuition for classes that will start in the first quarter of 2024 by Dec. 31. Those college costs then can be used to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

    Dec. 24: Christmas Eve!
    No taxes tonight. It's early to bed for kiddies of all ages. Santa's on his way!

    Santa Claus is on his way!
    Click image to watch
    Santa's delivery route as tracked by NORAD.


    Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! My gift to you is another day without tax thoughts.
    Just enjoy the holiday and your family and friends.

    Dec. 26: Happy Boxing Day. This unofficial holiday on St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by additional giving.
    If you donate to your favorite charity on this Boxing Day or any other day by Dec. 31, on your 2023 taxes you'll have to itemize your gifts on Schedule A to claim them. The option to claim a limited amount directly on your Form 1040 expired at the end of 2021. What didn't expire is the IRS' tax donation deduction rules.

    Dec. 31: This is it. The drop-dead deadline to make most 2022 tax moves. A quick and easy action today is to zero out your medical flexible spending account (FSA) by buying over-the-counter medications for which the funds can be used. This is especially important if your employer doesn't offer a grace period to use the money or let you roll it over into 2024. Without those alternatives, you'll lose any FSA funds you don't use.

    Done? Great! Make sure the champagne is chilling and settle in for your New Year's Eve party or a cozy night at home with your friends and loved ones. Either way, cheers and Auld Lang Syne as the ball drops at midnight.

    Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.

State Tax Help

  • Don't forget your state taxes!
    Forty-three states and D.C. collect personal income taxes. But even if you live in of the seven states without an income levy, you still face other state (and local) taxes.

    State Tax Departments provides links to your state's Web page. The companion page, Tax Tidbits, is the compilation of blurbs about each state's tax laws. And for more state tax news, check out all our state tax bloggings.

Tax Forms

  • Tax Forms
    Thanks to our increased use of tax preparers and computer software, many of us don't see our tax forms until we sign and file them. But knowing what's on these documents, either in paper or digital form, and why the IRS wants it is key to understanding our tax system. And knowledge definitely is power, especially when it comes to tax savings. Find this valuable information in the ol' blog's special Tax Forms 2023 page.

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  • You can read more
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  • Kay Bell helps you build
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    Kay Bell breaks down taxes and
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  • Tax Reading Room

    You also might enjoy these other tax tips from some of my tax-writing colleagues:

  • JK Lasser 2023 Taxes
    JK Lasser 2023 taxes

  • Dealing With The IRS
    Dealing With the IRS

  • JK Lassers 1001 Deductions
    JK Lasser 1001 Deductions
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  • Numbers
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    Check out these (mostly) weekly
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I gotta tell ya ...

  • AKA Disclaimer:
    I am a professional journalist who has been covering tax issues since 1999.
    I am not a professional tax preparer.
    The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal opinion based on my study and understanding of tax laws, policies and regulations. It is provided for your private, noncommercial, educational and informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of products or services are not endorsements. In other words, my ramblings on the ol' blog are free advice and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it comes to filing your taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent or other qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

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COVID-19 & Taxes

  • COVID-19
    Coronavirus has wreaked havoc
    on the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons.
    These five Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes pages have details:
    March-July 2020
    August-December 2020
    January-December 2021
    January-December 2022
    …and so it continues into 2023
    You can find medical coronavirus resource links in the next section.

COVID-19 Resources

  • COVID-19
    Need help finding a coronavirus vaccine in the United States?
    Call 1-800-232-0233
    or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
    More information and resources at:
    CDC Vaccines
    CDC Booster Shots
    HHS Combat COVID
    USA.Gov COVID Info

December 2023

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            

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  • Christmas presents phot by Isaac Martin on Unsplash
    Photo by Isaac Martin on Unsplash


  • .................................................................

Tell it to the Hill

  • DMWT Politics Posts
  • While it's easy to rail at the IRS, for the most part we can thank — or blame — our tax laws on Congress and the White House. So if you have an issue with tax legislation or want a tax bill passed, you need to let your federal legislators and the White House occupant know of your concerns. You can find out who in Washington, D.C., to contact (and how), as well as get information on your local lawmakers for matters, tax or otherwise, closer to home, at USA Gov.
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