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Financial Smarts. For Teachers. Sponsors. Taxes. Tax Steps. Plan ahead Keep good records Know tax codes. How to Calculate. Amount You Owe Equals Your net taxable income Your tax bracket Minus your withholding. What’s Taxable?. Teaching salary Salary from a 2 nd job
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Financial Smarts For Teachers
Tax Steps • Plan ahead • Keep good records • Know tax codes
How to Calculate Amount You Owe Equals • Your net taxable income • Your tax bracket • Minus your withholding
What’s Taxable? • Teaching salary • Salary from a 2nd job • Freelance profit • Interest income • Dividend income • State tax refunds • Alimony received • Capital gains
What’s Taxable? • Contest winnings • Game show winnings • Gambling winnings • Lottery winnings
Non-Taxable Income • Dependent children income (limit) • Tax-free interest • Federal income tax refunds • Fellowships or scholarship grants • Awards for educational achievements
Non-Taxable Income • Reimbursements for educational courses • Certain moving expenses • Profit from sale of residence • Accident insurance benefits • Child support
Reducing Taxable Income • Increase number of legal dependents • Support children up to age 24 who arefull-time students • Provide 50%+ support to other children and dependents • Itemize deductions • Pay for continuing education
Reducing Taxable Income • Union dues and membership fees are usually deductible • Alimony payments • Equipment necessary for your job • Trips, lectures, journals
Educator Expense • $250/year for books and supplies • Keep receipts • “Above-the-line” item • For qualified educators K–12 • Extended to 2007
IRS Publication 970 Contents • Scholarships, fellowships, grants, tuition reductions • Hope Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit • Student loan interest deduction • Cancellation of student loan • Tuition and fees deduction • Coverdell Education Savings Account • Qualified Tuition Program • Early Distribution from IRAs
Itemized Deductions • Home mortgage interest • Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% AGI • Charitable contributions, expenses • Casualty or theft losses
Self Employment • Only profit is taxable • Pay Social Security (self-employment tax) on profits • Take advantage of deductions
Self Employment Deductions • Expenses • Advertising • Accounting • Automobile and other transportation costs • Office supplies • Professional fees • Gifts
Self Employment Deductions • Entertainment (limited to 50%) • Research or education • Taxes other than federal income • Retirement plan-contributions
Projecting Tax Liability • Start with last year’s tax liability • Adjust for income increases or decreases • Adjust for changes in family status • Know IRA and Tax Sheltered Annuity options • Adjust withholding accordingly
Tax Withholding Withhold Too Much Withhold Too Little You Lose Interest! You Owe Interest, Penalty!
Calculating Tax • Determine total income • Repot gross income by subtracting exclusions • Subtract adjustments to income. • Subtract IRS’s standard deduction amount for your tax status or list itemized deductions
Calculating Tax • Determine tax liability • Subtract appropriate tax credits • Calculate balance due IRS or amount of refund • Subtract amount of personal expenditures
Done! Hurray!