Columns

No one really knows what will trigger an audit by the IRS, but experts say there are some common factors that can increase your chances of ending up in the hot seat.

Congress allowed 55 tax breaks to expire at the end of 2013. Here's a look at what this means for boomers' tax returns.

If you are a party to a lawsuit and you win, that's good news. But keep in mind that sometimes the financial award you receive may be taxable income.

A new tax scam has been making the rounds and tricking consumers from handing out their personal information. Don't fall for it.

There are many proposals to change the tax code to help close the income gap in the country. And the secondary-earner tax deduction is designed to reduce the tax burden for working parents in this economic profile.  

The Affordable Care Act's website might be slowing the rollout of the insurance marketplaces, but that doesn't mean other areas of the reform aren't going into effect. And some Americans are going to have a rude awakening next tax season. 

The time is up for taxpayers who got a six-month extension to the April 15 tax deadline.

Many consumers are unaware that some banks may force scam victims to pay taxes on any money returned. If no money is ever recovered, the bank is forced to report this amount of money to the IRS. 

The IRS has strict rules surrounding the taxability of gambling winnings. And if you don't play by the rules, the government always wins. 

Boomers in retirement no longer have to worry about workplace hassles. But they still have to deal with the taxman. Here’s how to choose the right tax preparer.

Not all oversights need to be reported to the IRS, but if it increases your tax liability or changes your return amount, you need to alert the agency. 

The IRS is asking for $12.9 billion in funds for 2014, a 9% increase from last year, to focus on compliance. What does this mean for taxpayers?

Even if you plan on filing an extension, you may still need to hit the April 15 deadline when it comes to your IRA contributions.

As the fall semester kicks off at colleges across the country, students and parents should be doing their homework on what educational expenses can be deducted.

There is a silver lining to student loan repayments: The interest paid can be written off.

If you itemize deductions on Schedule A of your tax return, you will be able to deduct a lot of related search expenses if certain conditions apply. 

The argument over the success of the home mortgage interest deduction isn't as black and white as it might seem.

The mortgage interest deduction is a major incentive to home ownership -- but it's also inherently unfair. 

There's an off-camera drama series brewing between the production behind 'House of Cards' and the state of Maryland. Here's why residents should pay attention. 

Last year was full of tax changes. Here’s what you need to know when you start preparing your tax return.