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Yearly Archives: 2008

Comprehensive Tax Guide Avaliable for Free

The IRS has published its annual Comprehensive Tax Guide. Its availabe at IRS.GOV

WASHINGTON — The IRS has placed its comprehensive tax guide for individuals on IRS.gov, updating it for tax year 2008. The updated on-line version of IRS Publication 17, “Your Federal Income Tax,” contains more than 900 interactive links.

Publication 17 has been updated with important changes for 2008, including information on the new recovery rebate credit, new first-time-homebuyer credit, and an additional standard deduction for real estate taxes. It has been published annually by the IRS for more than 65 years and has been available on the IRS Web site since 1996.

As in prior years, the publication provides information on how to file an individual tax return, what to include as income, how to calculate capital gains and losses, how IRAs and other expenses can affect how much income to report, whether to take the standard deduction or itemize, and how to figure taxes and credits.

Publication 17 is available on line, however, those who do not have access to the Internet can call 1-800-829-3676 to request a free copy from the IRS. Printed copies will be available in January 2009.

Fannie Mae – Duh Factor

By Stacie Clifford Kitts, CPA
I’m confused about why Dan Mudd CEO of Fannie Mae isn’t in jail. After all – it appears that he has been breaking the law since October.

The – oh my gosh – 700 billion dollar – Emergency Economic Stabilization Act – the bailout bill – which passed in October requires Fannie Mae, and other government associated organizations including Freddie Mac, to allow tenants residing in foreclosed properties who continued to pay their rent and who have a valid lease to remain in their homes – “where permissible.” However, despite this requirement Fannie Mae has continued to evict tenants who are paying their rent and who have valid leases.

CNNMoney.com reported that Fannie Mae will implement a policy in January 2009 which will finally comply with the requirements of the Act. This announcement followed New Haven Legal Assistance Associations accusation that the company was not allowing renters in good standing to stay in foreclosed properties.

Um – maybe it’s me, but if Fannie Mae is not abiding by the law, then isn’t the company breaking the law? Has our government gone completely wacky? Why aren’t I reading about some sort of an inquiry or something?

Doesn’t the whole thing make you wonder just how incompetent one must be to screw up the requirements of a multibillion dollar handout? I mean come on ….do you think that if someone handed you a million dollar check with a list of rules to follow, that you would take a minute to read them over and then to follow them.

DUH!