Independent Worker

Independent Worker / Self-Employe

CAN I CLAIM THE CHILD TAX CREDIT?

An alien can claim the Child Tax Credit for their child if:

The child is a citizen of the United States or is a resident alien for income tax purposes (see above); Y You claim the child as your dependent on your tax return; Y The child was under the age of 17 at the end of the tax year; Y The child is a qualifying child who is:

CAN I CLAIM THE CHILD CARE CREDIT?

If you are a resident alien (for income tax purposes), you can claim the Child Care Credit if
you paid someone to care for your child so you can work or look for work; Y

the child is under 13 years of age; you can claim an exemption for the child

If you are a nonresident alien (for income tax purposes), you can claim the Child Care Credit if:

you paid someone to care for your child so you can work or look for work; Y the child is under 13 years of age; you can claim an exemption for the child You are married, filing a joint return with your US citizen or resident spouse.

Tax return: 11 tips to get the most out of the season.

Tax season is here and whether you decide to go to a professional to do your return or use a program, it’s always good to make sure you do it right and on time. Regardless of the route you choose, in this article we will address what you should take into account when processing your taxes. Remember that you have until April 15 to file your return!
What you should keep in mind before hiring a professional

How much are you going to pay? Tax professionals may charge you in different ways for their services. Some charge by the hour, others are flat rate, and in some situations, they charge depending on the complexity of the case.
Who will prepare your statement? Not all tax professionals are the same and not all have the right to represent you before the IRS if your case is audited. You should not assume that a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is going to do your taxes. A tax professional could also be a tax attorney, or an enrolled agent.;
What are the credentials they must have? You can find a CPA in your state by visiting the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants website, and clicking on “For The Public.” On the CPAverify page, you’ll be able to verify all of their credentials and other important information related to the professional you’re trying to hire.
To find contact information, you’ll need to go to the website for the National Association of Board of Accountants.
Can you qualify to have your return done for free? The Volunteer Tax Assistance Service (VITA) offers a program of volunteers certified by the IRS to process tax returns for people with a salary of less than $54,000, people with some type of disability, or people with difficulty speaking English. .
What services exist for those who are serving in the military? If you or someone in your family is an active member of the armed forces, you may be eligible for a free service. Many military bases have law offices with centers where they do the preparation for free.
Will the return be prepared electronically? Over 90% of tax professionals use the electronic system. This helps reduce errors and receive refunds faster.
What kind of professionals should you avoid? Even among trained and certified people, there are those who do not do their job well. You should be wary of those who set their rate based on the refund you will receive, guarantee a refund, won’t answer your questions, or won’t sign your return.

What you should know before buying tax software

Is your statement complicated? Generally, the more complex your setup, the more advanced the software you purchase will need to be. The free versions can only be used for the simplest statements.Is your computer compatible? Make sure that your computer has all the necessary requirements to be able to use the software. Similarly, check that the software will work on other mobile devices.

How are they going to help you? When choosing a software, check that the company offers support either by phone, email, or through live chat.
Do you have to file the state declaration? In the event that this is the case, you may have to pay an extra amount for the software to do your taxes.

As you may have seen, there are many factors that one must take into account before choosing the path that best suits you to file your tax return. In any case, the most important thing is that these are done correctly to avoid problems with the IRS. If you are not confident in your knowledge, it may be a better option to talk to a professional.