1342 Belmont Street Suite 104 508.559.9442

S. J. & J. Inc.

1342 Belmont Street ~ Suite 104 508.559.9442

Brockton, Massachusetts 02301Fax: 508.584.2344

Leah’s 2017 Tax Season Letter

Welcome to Tax Season!

As you can all tell I am changing my ways and going into the 21st century (about time) since you all had to come to the website to find this year’s checklist and letter. 2016 is the year of change for me and S. J. & J. Inc. so I should start off by telling you that change is good and we both had a great year! I am happy, healthy and wise!

Now on to the good stuff… information I want you to know to be prepared for tax season and your appointment. They are not going to be in any order so read the whole letter you never know when I throw in a twist.

The Internal Revenue Service DOES NOT call you unless you have received a letter in the mail and then they usually still won’t call you. The IRS doesn’t email either. These calls and emails are scams. DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION!!!
The Business Mileage rate is 54 cents per mile. You can keep track of your mileage by using an App on your smart phone called Mile IQ. If you drive for business purposes you need to keep track of all your mileage driven. I would suggest you take a picture of your odometer on January 1st and December 31st. In order to record the mileage on the car at the beginning and end of the year! I would also save your oil change receipts that can prove your mileage that way (it is written on the receipt).
To get the Educator Credit ($250) you must work 900 hours in the School Education field i.e. Teacher, Principal, School Councilor, Teachers Aid, Para Professional, Professor etc...
To get the Higher Education Credit (College Credit) please bring in the amount you paid to the school and the 1098T. Every student who is enrolled in college get ones so ask your child for it. This can also be found on Student’s Portal from College.
Parents if you have children and they are to be on your tax return, the following Form 8332 is required to be signed by the other parent. You can find this form on the S. J. & J. Inc.’s website or www.irs.gov.
REFUNDS will not be released until February 15th if you have certain forms that need to be filed with your taxes. Please be patient, I don’t make the rules and cannot pinpoint when the IRS and Mass DOR release the tax refunds.
The gift amount for 2017 is $14,000 per year.
The 401K contribution is $18,000 not including the step-up basis. The Simple Contribution is $12,500 not including the step-up basis.
Bring your Settlement Sheets if you bought, sold or refinanced your home or rental property. There is a lot of information on that form that is needed to prepare your taxes.

Now that I got those bullet points out of the way, I can go into repeat mode and say some important information that I wrote on the checklist. Payment is expected and required at the time of the appointment. Billing is not an option. The tax return will not be released from our office or e-filed until the payment is collected. Bounced checks will be charged a bank service fee. I am going to try something new and accept Debit and Credit Cards this year but I will be charging a $10 convenience fee to utilize this option. If you do not like this option Checks and Cash are still accepted.

As for your Child that is no longer your dependent; I hate to tell you this but someone should. PLEASE let them grow up and start to take responsibility for themselves. It is time for them to make their own appointments. (FULL TIME College student are still your dependent). A good rule of thumb to follow is if you don’t support them and they make their own money it is time to let them go… If you have my office prepare your GROWN Child’s taxes they will be charged accordingly.

As for the “little child” you bring to your tax appointment please make sure they are behaved and have something to do so they can sit still for your appointment. It is a long time to make a child sit and I understand that so plan-ahead for their activities. My Staff does not babysit and neither do I.

Tom, Nenita, Greg, Jeremy and Linda will all be returning this year but their schedules have been modified to fit their personal needs. Rest assured there will be coverage for all clients.

I have been working 7 days a week for the past 20 years during tax season but this is the year of change so I have decided to close the office every other Sunday (February 5th, February 19th, March 5th, March 19th and April 2nd) so please plan accordingly. Tax Season Hours are Monday – Friday 9am to 8:30pm. Saturday 10am – 3pm and Sunday (every other) 12pm – 5pm. Non-Tax Season Hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30am – 5pm.

On a serious note, I truly want to thank each one of you who is reading this letter for your continued patronage, support and trust that you have given me and my staff. I am truly humbled and grateful to you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Anyone can prepare a tax return but not everyone does it right. You pay S. J.& J. Inc. for our knowledge, experience and skills.

With Appreciation;

Leah

Leah B. Greenberg