February 4, 2022
Housekeepers are often intimidated by the tax filing process, and many make common mistakes that can cost them money. One of the biggest is not reporting all of their income. This can lead to penalties and interest charges, so it's important to be thorough in completing your tax return.
Not knowing what deductions to take leads to lost money, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the types of deductions that are available to you. Common deductions include those for business expenses, home office expenses, and charitable contributions.
In today's world, there's no excuse for not filing your taxes electronically. Filing electronically is faster, easier, and more accurate than paper filing, and it can even lead to a quicker refund. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, there are a number of tax preparation services that can help you file electronically.
If you're self-employed, you're responsible for paying both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes. This can be tricky to calculate, but there are a number of resources available to help you get it right. The IRS website has a helpful calculator that can estimate your self-employment tax liability, and many tax preparation software programs will calculate it for you as well.
If you don't have enough taxes withheld from your paycheck, you may be required to make estimated tax payments throughout the year. This is typically done through quarterly payments, and failing to make them can lead to interest and penalties.
Good record-keeping is important for any business, but it's especially crucial for housekeepers. This is because many of your expenses - such as mileage, supplies, and equipment - can be deducted on your taxes. Without good records, it will be difficult to take advantage of these deductions.
There are a number of tax credits available to housekeepers that can save you money. Common credits include the child care credit, the earned income credit, and the energy-efficient home improvement credit.
While it's not as common as it once was, some people still file paper tax returns. This is generally not recommended, as it can lead to errors and delays. If you do choose to file a paper return, be sure to use black ink and print clearly. Also, make sure to sign and date the return before mailing it off.
If you're expecting a refund, be sure to take advantage of direct deposit. This will ensure that you get your money quickly and avoid any potential delays in the mail.
This is perhaps the biggest mistake of all. If you don't file your taxes, you could be subject to interest and penalties. In some cases, you may even be subject to criminal prosecution. So be sure to file your taxes on time, every year.
Housekeepers can save money on their taxes by avoiding common mistakes. By knowing what these mistakes are and how to avoid them, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket, and out of trouble with the IRS.
Worried about tax problems? Spritz takes care of taxes for residential cleaners.
