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Don't Mess With Taxes

Translating taxes into money-saving English

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By the Numbers 2016

Wow! Another year is gone. This seems to be happening with alarming speed lately. 

Numbers via 123BFOne of the things that makes the annoyingly surprisingly fast passage of another 365 days a bit more tolerable is the New Year's edition of By the Numbers. This tradition here at the ol' blog is entering its sixth year.

As with the numeric posts of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, a new figure -- ranging from percentages to dollar amounts to titles of tax legislation to raw numbers and much more -- that has a tax connection (as determined by moi) will be featured.

I try to get the relevant figures up each weekend, but sometimes I'm early and sometimes I'm late.

But whenever a new number goes up, you can find the link to it on this special page. The newest post each week will go at the top of the list.

So hello 2016! Here are your numbers!

  • 10
    Some tax penalty amounts increase in 2017 (Dec. 31, 2016)
  • 34
    Amazon to collect sales taxes in 2017 from Iowa, Nebraska and Utah online shoppers (Dec. 24, 2016)
  • 6
    6 MLB teams must pay $74 million in total luxury taxes (Dec. 17, 2016)
  • 63-36
    Tax season 2017 is safe! Federal government is funded through next April 28
    (Dec. 10, 2016)
  • $26,901
    Tax Court denies business deduction for Aston Martin (Dec. 3, 2016)
  • 17-19-21-37-44-16
    Tennessee Powerball ticket buyer wins $421 million (Nov. 27, 2016)
  • -34.34 percent
    Some U.S. corps doing just fine with current tax code (Nov. 20, 2016)
  • 1,380
    Expatriations escalating again. Is it politics or taxes? (Nov. 14, 2016)
  • 237,750
    'Trusted' taxpayers to get more ID theft protection (Nov. 6, 2016)
  • $16,625
    Alec Baldwin accused of avoiding New York sales tax on disputed painting purchase (Oct. 30, 2016)
  • $10 billion & 100,000
    IRS collects $10 billion from 100,000 foreign accounts (Oct. 22, 2016)
  • 1.4 percent
    Here's a HINT about Donald Trump and other rich taxpayers who pay Uncle Sam nothing (Oct. 16, 2016)
  • 9 million
    IRS still waiting on almost 9 million tax returns (Oct. 8, 2016)
  • 23 cents
    New Jersey hikes gas tax by 23 cents per gallon (Oct. 1, 2016)
  • 2
    2-step authentication system on the way for access to more IRS online services (Sept. 24, 2016)
  • 7,200
    IRS to close operations in California, Kentucky & Texas (Sept. 19, 2016)
  • $10,162
    1 GOP candidate down: Mike Pence releases tax returns (Sept. 10, 2016)
  • 38
    Christie plans to end New Jersey-Pennsylvania tax pact (Sept. 4, 2016)
  • $43 million
    Oregon collects almost $26 million in marijuana taxes (Aug. 27, 2016)
  • 105.769 percent
    IRS wants to more than double some payment plan fees (Aug. 19, 2016)
  • £14,301,369,864,489.03
    British man's 14 trillion pound tax bill highlights steps anyone, anywhere should take upon tax notice receipt (Aug. 15, 2016)
  • 17.8 million
    Tax Court awards whistleblower pair $17.8 million (Aug. 6, 2016)
  • $330.6 million
    Remember Powerball players: If you win, you owe taxes (July 30, 2016)
  • 97,100
    California victims of massive methane gas leak won't owe federal tax on some recovery payments (July 24, 2016)
  • 6 percent
    Digital download tax starts Aug. 1 in Pennsylvania (July 16, 2016)
  • 2
    Taxes play role in Mega Millions & NJ jackpot winnings (July 9, 2016)
  • 13
    'Taxation without representation is tyranny' & 12 other tax quotes for the Fourth of July (July 2, 2016)
  • 30
    June 30 deadline looms for foreign account owners (June 25, 2016)
  • 1.9 million
    Tax help for single dads in caring for their kids (June 19, 2016)
  • 5
    IRS picks crowdsourced Tax Design Challenge winners (June 10, 2016)
  • $96,611.23
    'Poor' Donald Trump's property tax break, take 2 (June 6, 2016)
  • 8.25 percent
    Texans enjoy Memorial Day Energy Star sales tax holiday (May 28, 2016)
  • $6 million
    Trump's veterans' fundraiser apparently coming up short (May 21, 2016)
  • 12
    Romney tax return 'hacker' convicted of extortion, fraud (May 14, 2016)
  • 43.5 million
    3 tax tips for moms on Mother's Day 2016 (May 8, 2016)
  • $458 billion
    Tax gap hits $458 billion (April 30, 2016)
  • 75 percent
    You rang? IRS was better at answering in 2016 (April 24, 2016)
  • 18
    18 often overlooked tax deductions and tax credits (April 16, 2016)
  • $28.2 million
    SoFla rappers sentenced for roles in tax fraud (April 10, 2016)
  • 1
    Still waiting for more Bernie Sanders tax returns, too (April 3, 2016)
  • 35 cents
    IRS' 35-cent solution and other tax-filing numbers (March 26, 2016)
  • 17
    The IRS' official tax guide: Publication 17
     (March 18, 2016)
  • $718
    Filing deadline for 2012 taxes -- and almost $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds -- is April 18 (March 13, 2016)
  • $25,000
    IRS Commissioner Koskinen gets public service award (March 5, 2016)
  • 25 million
    Facing first-time tax filing fears (Feb. 27, 2016)
  • 9
    9 states considering gasoline tax hikes (Feb. 22, 2016)
  • 6 percent
    Maryland shoppers get an Energy Star tax holiday this combined Valentine's Day and Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 13, 2016)
  • 8,800
    TaxSlayer data breach is the 3rd tax software-related security issue so far this filing season (Feb. 6, 2016)
  • Feb. 1
    W-2, 1099 forms delivery deadline is here (Jan. 31, 2016)
  • 89 percent
    Taxpayers want up-front pricing from paid tax preparers (Jan. 24, 2016)
  • $25
    Finding a charity to volunteer with on MLK Day 2016 (Jan. 18, 2016)
  • $900 million $1.3 billion
    5 tax tips for lottery winners (Jan. 9, 2016)
  • 2
    2 sets of twins born just minutes, but tax years, apart  (Jan. 2, 2016)

Happy tax counting!

Weekly Tax Tip

  • End-of-year tax tips — 2019 is almost over! When you have some time between holiday parties and shopping, check out these business tax moves. Individual filers also will find in this post some links to year-end tax moves they should make, too. Happy holidays and smaller tax bills for all! (Dec. 7, 2019)

  • Tax Tip; click pencil for all tax tip links

  • Check out all the latest post-Tax Day tax advice in the 2019 edition of Weekly Tax Tips. Many of these once-a-week tips will focus on planning moves to cut your 2020 tax bill. If, however, you're working on a filing extension for your 2018 return, you can get a refresher of the 2019 Filing Season Tax Tips at their respective monthly pages: January, February, March and April.

All About Kay

  • OK, some about Kay
    Open sign
    Kay Bell — Native Texan (the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.

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Tick ... Tick ... Tick

  • Tax Year 2019 Countdown
    It's over! The final 2018 tax year extended filing deadline has passed, unless you get more time because your filing was affected by a natural disaster like Tropical Storm Imelda. For most of us, though, the passage of Oct. 15 means it's time to focus on the tax return we'll file next year. We have until Dec. 31 this year to make moves that will reduce our already accruing 2019 tax bill. The countdown clock below will make sure you don't miss these crucial actions or any tax deadlines.
    Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.

Time for Tax Tasks


  • monthly tax moves


  • Ho, Ho, Ho! You better watch out.
    You better not cry. But you better make some year-end tax moves this December or April 15 could turn out to be the tax equivalent of Santa Claus putting coal in your stocking!

    Santa Claus is watching YOU!
    Click image to hear a musical Santa message from Bruce Springsteen.

    OK, St. Nick can't deliver a festively wrapped tax return for you (unless he's even more magical than I think!) to file next year, but he does have a tax connection. His tracking of naughty and nice boys and girls basically is the same method that the Internal Revenue Service uses. That's why we all need to be nice, especially to ourselves, in this final month of the year by making some important tax-saving moves.

    Dec. 1: Earlier this year, we made it through the first filing season under Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions.
    If things didn't turn out so well for you, now's the time to find a tax preparer who can help ensure your 2019 return filing goes more smoothly. By picking the perfect tax professional before the coming tax-filing season rush, your adviser can help make sure don't miss any year-end deadlines that could affect your final tax bill.

    Dec. 3: Did you get a part-time seasonal job to earn extra cash for the holidays?
    If you're paid as a contractor instead of as an employee, remember that you'll be responsible for income taxes due on the money, as well as any self-employment taxes. The same tax considerations also apply if you're part of the gig economy, but you'll also want to check out ways to maximize your side hustle earnings.

    Dec. 7: Medical itemized deductions survived the TCJA changes, but there's still a limit on how much you can claim on Schedule A. In 2018, that threshold was 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income. But unless Congress acts soon, you'll need to have health-related expenses of more than 10 percent of your AGI before you can claim them. Start tracking down those receipts now!

    Dec. 10: Does your job, either full-time or seasonal, include tips? If so and you received at least $20 in gratuities in November, use Form 4070 to report them today to your employer.

    restaurant check tip iStock
    Click image
    to calculate how much to leave your server.


    And don't forget to include the value of out-of-the-ordinary tips, such as event tickets or gift certificates that are common this holiday season.

    Dec. 13: What's scarier than Friday the 13th? Falling for one of these 13 tax scams. Remember, con artists are working every day to steal your identity and money. Be careful out there!

    Dec. 18: School may be out for winter break, but doing some tax homework now can earn you a top tax grade. Pay tuition for 2019 classes that will start in the first quarter of next year by Dec. 31 and you can use those costs to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

    Dec. 21: It's the last weekend before Christmas! That means holiday treats, final decorations and frantic, crowd-fighting last-minute shopping! Or you can make some easy tax-favored gifts, like opening a Roth IRA for your child or grandchild who earned some money from a summer or after-school job.

    Dec. 24: Christmas Eve!
    No taxes tonight. It's early to bed for kiddies of all ages. Santa's on his way!

    Santa Claus is on his way!
    Click image to watch
    Santa's delivery route as tracked by NORAD.


    Dec. 25: Merry Christmas! My gift to you is another day without tax thoughts.
    Just enjoy the holiday and your family and friends.

    Dec. 26: Happy Boxing Day. This unofficial holiday on St. Stephen's Day is celebrated by additional giving. If you donate to your favorite charity on this day or any other by the end of the year, you can claim the itemized deduction when you file your return next spring … as long as you follow the IRS' donation tax rules.

    Dec. 31: This is it. The drop-dead deadline to make most 2019 tax moves. So do a quick check.

    Although the TCJA now limits — and eliminates — some itemized deductions, depending on your personal filing situation you might want to look at Schedule A options. It could still be worthwhile to make your January mortgage payment early so you can deduct the loan interest this tax year. Ditto with your property taxes if you're not near the $10,000 cap.

    Don't forget to zero out your medical flexible spending account (FSA) if your employer doesn't offer a grace period or rollover. And if you must take a required minimum distribution (RMD), do so — or directly donate it — by year's end.

    Done all that and more, like checked out all the deductions that don't require iteming? Great! Now go out and have fun at your New Year's Eve party.

    Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.

State Tax Help

  • Don't forget your state taxes!
    Forty-three states and D.C. collect personal income taxes. But even if you live in of the seven states without an income levy, you still face other state (and local) taxes.

    State Tax Departments provides links to your state's Web page. The companion page, Tax Tidbits, is the compilation of blurbs about each state's tax laws. And for more state tax news, check out all our state tax bloggings.

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ...

  • Numbers
    Taxes are all about the numbers.
    Check out these (mostly) weekly
    By the Numbers figures.

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Mapping Your Tax Route

  • Do you get lost doing your taxes? Check out the Taxpayer Advocate Service's Taxpayer Roadmap.

    Taxpayer Advocate Taxpayer Maps 2019


    This publication, designed along the lines of a subway map, shows the many routes and detours of a taxpayer's journey through our elaborate Internal Revenue Code and the Internal Revenue Service's enforcement of our tax collection system.

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    Look for it on bookstore shelves
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  • You can read more
    of Kay's tax insights in ...


  • Kay Bell helps you build
    a solid tax foundation in
    "Personal Finance: An Encyclopedia
    of Modern Money Management"




    Kay Bell breaks down taxes and
    estate planning for millennials in
    "Future Millionaires' Guidebook"



    A collection of Kay Bell stories
    is included in
    "The Gambler's Guide to Taxes:
    How to Keep More
    of What You Win"




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  • Association for Women Clarion Award Winner
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I gotta tell ya ...

  • AKA Disclaimer:
    I am a professional journalist who has been covering tax issues since 1999.
    I am not a professional tax preparer.
    The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal opinion based on my study and understanding of tax laws, policies and regulations. It is provided for your private, noncommercial, educational and informational purposes only. It is not a recommendation of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of products or services are not endorsements. In other words, my ramblings on the ol' blog are free advice and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it comes to filing your taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent or other qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

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  • Don't Mess With Taxes®
    is a registered trademark
    of S. Kay Bell.

    All content on this site is
    © 2005-2019 S. Kay Bell
    dba Write Here, a division of
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  • Note 1: Some of the links on this site
    are affiliate links. That means that
    if you click through from
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    If you discover dead links, please e-mail me the details. Thanks.

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