Posts tagged Social Security
Death and Finances: Eight Things to Do After a Loved One Passes Away
Feb 25th
by Lynnette Khalfani-Cox
Dealing with the death of a loved one is stressful enough. But not knowing what to do with someone’s finances after the person has passed away poses an additional burden on a grieving family.
To make the process a bit easier, here’s a checklist of the top eight money matters you must deal with — and mistakes to avoid — after someone you care about dies.
This checklist isn’t all-inclusive. But what follows is critical information that can save you precious time, money and energy, as well as help you avoid squabbles over assets or financial exploitation.
To read the rest of Ms. Khalfani-Cox’s article, please go http://aol.it/ePIeO2.
Are Your Social Security Benefits Taxable?
Feb 8th
IRS Tax Tip 2011-26, February 7, 2011 http://bit.ly/fX6pGe
The Social Security benefits you received in 2010 may be taxable. You should receive a Form SSA1099 which will show the total amount of your benefits. The information provided on this statement along with the following seven facts from the IRS will help you determine whether or not your benefits are taxable.
- How much – if any – of your Social Security benefits are taxable depends on your total income and marital status.
- Generally, if Social Security benefits were your only income for 2010, your benefits are not taxable and you probably do not need to file a federal income tax return.
- If you received income from other sources, your benefits will not be taxed unless your modified adjusted gross income is more than the base amount for your filing status.
- Your taxable benefits and modified adjusted gross income are figured on a worksheet in the Form 1040A or Form 1040 Instruction booklet.
- You can do the following quick computation to determine whether some of your benefits may be taxable:
• First, add one-half of the total Social Security benefits you received to all your other income, including any tax exempt interest and other exclusions from income.
• Then, compare this total to the base amount for your filing status. If the total is more than your base amount, some of your benefits may be taxable. - The 2010 base amounts are:
• $32,000 for married couples filing jointly.
• $25,000 for single, head of household, qualifying widow/widower with a dependent child, or married individuals filing separately who did not live with their spouses at any time during the year.
• $0 for married persons filing separately who lived together during the year. - For additional information on the taxability of Social Security benefits, see IRS Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits. Publication 915 is available on this website or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
Links:
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Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
No Increase in 2011 Social Security Benefits
Oct 18th
2011 will be the second consecutive year that Social Security recipients won’t get any cost-of-living increase in their monthly checks.
They might, however, get a bit of relief in the form of a $250 payment.
First, the bad news about continuing flat Social Security benefits.
January 2010 marked the first time since automatic cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, calculations began in 1975 that recipients of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Administration Pension and Disability Compensation and Railroad Retirement benefits did not receive a hike in their government checks.
Continued stagnation of these benefits will continue in 2011. There won’t be an increase when January 2011 rolls around.
To read the rest of this article by Kay Bell, please go to http://bit.ly/bltr17.
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