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I have a simple tax question, why is it so hard to answer?

The Frustration of Tax Questions: A Deep Dive

Year round we get calls and emails from clients and perspective clients alike, many times with what is intended to be a simple tax question. “If I do this thing, can I write it off” is a very common one. Trouble is, there are NO simple tax answers – because everything is subject to your individual facts and circumstances. The most accurate answer to any tax question is ‘maybe’.

A prime example is medical expenses. My spouse is diabetic and we pay more than $100.00 a month in insulin, can we write that off on our tax return? The easy answer is yes. However, even though it can be a medical deduction it has a very high chance to not changing their tax return by even $1.00 due to the income limitation and standard deduction. ‘Wait that doesn’t make sense, if I can write it off then how come it doesn’t help me?’ That is precisely the reason why there are no simple tax answers. Please look to a this post for more on medical deductions.

It is not only your own facts and circumstances, but the whole picture of your tax return. It is entirely possible something is a ‘write off’ for someone else and not for you. If I have a business selling homemade cookies on the street corner every weekend, and I present you with deductions for airfare… is that a write off? Well it depends. What was the airfare for? A cooking convention in Florida that went for 2 days and you were there for 2 days? Then very likely it would be. A cooking convention very close to Disney and the convention was for 1 day and you were there for 12… it was clearly not 100% business. The question of ‘can I write of airfare for my business’ is a simple question, but no answer can truly be given without more information.

This applies to work and business deductions, donations to charity, paying for college, student loans, gambling losses, miles driven in your car for work, inheritance, and many other things. Many things are limited by level of income. Others by total deductions, that is also another long list. As tax professionals, we truly want to give you more than a yes or no answer. However, giving you a simple yes or no could be a disservice to you as a valued client if your personal tax situation could result in either answer being insufficient to your circumstances. We need a copy of your last year’s tax return, and permission to use it, to be as accurate as we can.

In the end, please don’t be frustrated or upset when it is difficult to find, or get a straight answer about your simple tax question. Your tax answer revolves around your family’s taxes, not someone else’s taxes.

Charles Steinmetz
Senior Tax Professional

The Molen & Associates Difference

Mike Forsyth

“Super helpful and timely. This is our first year with them and we look forward to trusting them with our taxes and business books for years to come.”

Daysy Moreno

“I’ve worked with Molen & Associates for several years now, and I can’t say enough good things about them. Their team is always on top of every detail, staying ahead of deadlines and tax changes so we don’t have to worry. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and expertise give us total confidence that everything is handled properly and thoroughly. Whenever we have questions, they take time to explain in clear terms (no confusing jargon) and always make sure we understand our options. The peace of mind they give is priceless—knowing our taxes and finances are in good hands.”

Sy Sahrai

“I’ve been with Mr. Molen’s company for few years and I felt treated like family respect and dignity. They are caring, professional and honest, which hard to find these days. Love working with them.”

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