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Taxes

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Tips for Finding a Tax Preparer

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, based in Parsippany, says new tax laws make it a good idea to ditch the DIY approach and hire a pro to help with your 1040.

Approximately 60 percent of U.S. citizens enlist the help of a paid tax professional to file their income tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service. And Parsippany-based Jackson Hewitt Tax Service says the passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 may lead more people to seek out a professional. Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitt's chief tax officer, says working with a paid preparer can make a difference. "With the sweeping last-minute tax law changes, even taxpayers who have filed their own returns in past years with do-it-yourself software should think twice this time around," he said. "A paid professional [can] ensure their returns are accurate." Steber added that people need to know what questions to ask and what to …

In this Article:

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

For Federal and State Taxes, Tuesday Is D-Day

Have you beaten the deadline to file your annual tax return?

The day so many of us dread is here. It's April 17, the day 2011 returns must be postmarked or e-filed in order to avoid penalties from the federal or state government. Few of us like to pay taxes, but it is part of our responsibility as citizens to contribute to the maintenance of roads, infrastructure and the programs people throughout the nation at all income levels use, such as Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare.  As such, there are those of us—probably the same ones who are organized and efficient in getting end-of-the-year holiday shopping done early—who bite the bullet, dig in and file as soon as they can after the first of the year. Then there is another group (including this poor wretch, who finally filed Sunday). We are the …

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Natalie Davis

10:23 am on Tuesday, April 17, 2012

After you vote, a results page comes up. If you visit the site at a future time, it should default to showing the results view.   more ›

Monday, April 16, 2012

Column: Vote Tuesday, If You Still Can

Most in New Jersey lost that right, but 10 Morris County municipalities are still holding April school elections.

This is a column about how important it is for everyone to go out to the polls tomorrow to vote for candidates for school boards and to vote on local school budgets. But it’s not very relevant for the vast majority of adults in New Jersey because most people will not get the chance to pick candidates or accept or reject the proposed tax bill for their local schools. In Morris County, only 10 municipalities will hold school elections tomorrow, and because some of those towns are in regional districts, it means only eight budgets are up for a vote. (In Patch-covered towns, votes will be held in the School District of the Chathams, the Morris School District, and Mendham Township — that's it). The bill that Gov. Chris Christie signed at the …

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Kevin Nedd

11:31 pm on Sunday, May 6, 2012

Tracy, Why stop at 70% of our property tax bill? Why are you not advocating to have municipal budgets put to a vote? Do you think 2005's 11.1% municipal tax increase would have passed had it been on a ballot? Your trip down a one way street seems a bit hypocritical don't you think?   more ›

Monday, April 2, 2012

Pick Parsippany's Favorite Tax Preparer

Patch wants to know who you trust to help with your tax return.

April 15 is coming sooner than you think. It's tax season again, and those among us who are prepared already have consulted with a tax preparer for their annual rendering unto Caesar. And more of us than you may think are scrambling to find professional tax help before the deadline arrives. So this is the perfect time for Patch to ask: What's your favorite tax service? We want you to add your more than 2 cents. Check out the 31 contestants. Here's how: Voting in the survey is open until Friday, April 6, at 9 a.m. We will announce the winner Friday afternoon. So, help Patch find the Readers' Choice. Vote for your favorite tax service! And tell your friends. The winner will be selected on a point system based on poll votes and directory …

VietNam Vet

4:20 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012

Paul Brown is a good man to deal with, {no relation} just the same name but still a nice guy.   more ›

Thursday, March 29, 2012

County OKs Budget, Small Tax Hike

Newest freeholder votes no on first budget.

The Morris County Board of  Freeholders adopted a 2012 $317 million budget Wednesday that calls for a half-cent property tax increase. The budget sets the tax rate at 21.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. That does not include school and municipal taxes, which are set separately. The freeholders previously shaved one-quarter cent off the open space tax. The budget was passed by a 6-to-1 margin, with the newest freeholder, William “Hank” Lyon of Montville, casting the sole “no” vote. “When I ran last year I said I’d cut taxes,’ he said. The project that concerned him the most is the new county emergency management center under construction in Parsippany. The freeholders' own news release on the budget is as follows: The Morris County …

Ron Soussa

6:40 pm on Monday, April 2, 2012

Exactly Craig. The 566 municipalities in NJ should all be required to justify their existences. The redundancies are overwhelming. The 21 County governments are likely all that is needed.   more ›

Friday, February 3, 2012

AARP Tax Aides Ready to Help at PAL

Seniors are helping seniors get through tax season.

Seniors and others looking for tax help can find it at the Parsippany Police Athletic League Center. Volunteer AARP tax aides started their first day offering tax preparation services Friday morning and received a welcome from Mayor James Barberio. The PAL Center is one of three Parsippany sites offering tax assistance through a partnership between the United Way of Northern New Jersey, the IRS, AARP, and other community organizations to provide free tax preparation from IRS-certified volunteers.  The other Parsippany locations are the Lake Hiawatha branch of the Parsippany Free Public Library and the Parsippany Community Center. This free service is available only to families and individuals with a simple return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, …

In this Article:

Parsippany Police Athletic League, United Way Offers Free Tax Assistance, Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, Lake Hiawatha Branch, and 1 more ›

Thursday, January 26, 2012

United Way Offers Free Tax Assistance

Three service locations are right here in Parsippany.

  • VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
  • Thursday, January 26, 2012

United Way of Northern New Jersey is partnering with the IRS, AARP, and other community organizations to provide low-income residents with free tax preparation from IRS-certified volunteers.  These free tax sites will be open in Morris, North Essex, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties from Feb. 1 through April 15. Three of the sites offered are in Parsippany-Troy Hills: the Lake Hiawatha branch of the Parsippany Free Public Library, the Police Athletic League Center and the Parsippany Community Center. This free service is available only to families and individuals with a simple return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, Schedules A & B).  The service is not applicable to businesses, stockholders, or landlords. “Our residents unknowingly miss out on …

In this Article:

Parsippany-Troy Hills Library, Lake Hiawatha Branch, Parsippany Police Athletic League, and Parsippany Community Center

Monday, January 23, 2012

Column: Who Wouldn't Want a Tax Cut?

The bigger question: How would New Jersey pay for it?

In his State of the State message last week, Gov. Chris Christie proposed cutting income taxes 10 percent across the board for all New Jerseyans. What great news! Who wouldn’t want a tax cut? The average Morris County household, with a taxable income of $96,950, would eventually pay $402 less in taxes under Christie's proposal. The cut would amount to $118 in Passaic on $45,527 in income, and $210 in Sussex on $64,197. Those are the figures for the eventual annual savings after three years, when the full cut takes effect. The typical Morris household, then, could expect about a $134 windfall (a cup of coffee at Dunkin' Donuts or so a week) next year if the cut is approved, which is a big if at the moment. The full 10-percent cut would buy …

In this Article:

Click Here to Watch, Discuss Gov. Christie's Speech

Roll Back Our Tax

8:45 am on Monday, February 27, 2012

In Hopatcong, the teachers didn't have enough fortitude to forfeit the 4.45% wage increase in the last year of their contract to increase state aid. Instead teachers got laid off & Hopatcong got less aid. http://hopatcong.patch.com/articles/hopatcong-schools-to-get-760k-less-state-aid-than-in-2011 New forms of greed will arise w/new teacher's contract. Had to go to state for mediation. I predict …   more ›

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Tax Help for Seniors Coming to Community Center

Parsippany residents of a certain age or income level can qualify for free tax assistance.

Free tax assistance will be available to Parsippany senior citizens and low income or disabled residents courtesy of the township. The Parsippany Human Services Department offers tax help sessions facilitated by experienced and trained American Association of Retired Persons and Internal Revenue Service tax aides. Sessions start Feb. 7 and run every Tuesday through April 17. The three-hour sessions begin at 9 a.m. and take place at the Parsippany Community Center, located at 1130 Knoll Road in Lake Hiawatha. People who wish to use this service must qualify. Officials said those interested should bring copies of their completed 2010 federal and state income tax returns along with information concerning all sources of income such as social …

In this Article:

Parsippany Community Center

Maureen Gill

11:46 am on Monday, January 23, 2012

IMPORTANT!!! This service is NOT limited to seniors, disabled, or low income residents, as stated in the article. Eligibility is based solely on the complexity of the return. (For example, anyone with farm or rental income would NOT be eligible, regardless of age or income level. Those topics are not covered in the training that the volunteer preparers receive.) This service is also available at …   more ›

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Don't Forget Earned Income Tax Credit

Parsippany tax preparer offers tips for 2012.

  • BUSINESS
  • Wednesday, January 18, 2012

With the 2012 tax season now underway, Parsippany-based Jackson Hewitt Tax Service urges  taxpayers to find out if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This credit provides eligible low- to moderate-income individuals and families with up to a $5,751 refundable credit on their federal taxes. The maximum 2011 credit, based on income earned from wages, tips, salary and self-employment, represents a slight increase over the $5,666 maximum credit offered for the 2010 tax year. For the 2011 tax year, the maximum credit amounts are as follows: The EITC is a tax benefit available to millions of taxpayers, but it does have a variety of different eligibility requirements. Because of this, the credit is often overlooked. But taxpayers who …

In this Article:

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

Maureen Gill

11:09 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012

EITC is a valuable and under-used credit. I would like Patch readers to be aware of the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, a free tax preparation service in which IRS Certified Counselors using IRS-approved software check for all credits available to a taxpayer, including EITC. You do not have to be a member of AARP, or even a senior to participate in this program. Parsippany residents can call …   more ›

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