What’s Your Tax IQ?

Tax IQ means understanding some basics about the taxes you pay. You don’t need an Einstein-level IQ. You’ve got experts to help you with the advanced stuff. But a below-average tax IQ can cost you money. Let’s get you up to 100 points.

Einstein with thought bubble: Please don't ask me to think about the income tax.
+15
Tax Well-Being
You think about taxes as an important piece of your financial well being. You have a long-term perspective about saving taxes to increase your net worth over time.
+15
Key Tax Figures
You understand the key figures from the main sections of your tax returns, and how they affect your annual tax bill, including the different types of taxes you pay and the tax juristdictions that reach into your pocket.
+15
Tax Deferred and Tax Exempt Investments
You're familiar with common tax deferred and tax exempt options for investments, health care, and retirement.
+10
Tax Basis
You have a working knowledge of tax basis, what it means, and how it informs your decisions about buying, selling, and holding assets and investments.
+10
LLCs, S corps, and Trusts
You consult with a tax pro for help with decisions about LLCs, S Corps, and trusts, and when to use them for saving taxes, protecting assets, and privacy.
+10
Tax Payments, Penalties, Extensions, and Refunds
You understand the basics about estimated tax payments, penalties, extensions, and refunds such as requirements for paying estimated taxes, extra charges for paying late, and how extensions work.
+10
Tax Deductions and Tax Credits
You understand the difference between tax deductions and tax credits and how they work to cut your tax bill.
+10
Online IRS Account
You use your online IRS account to confirm the status of your tax returns, manage payments, correspond with the IRS, and monitor security.
+5
Tax Documents and Tax Jargon
You know how to read and understand basic tax documents, and you keep track of them and provide them to your tax pro. You understand the basic tax vocabulary you need to communicate about your taxes.
Bonus
Scam Smarts
You're suspicious of every email, phone call, and text regardng your financial matters and you keep your anttenae up at all times for tax scams.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult with a tax pro or financial pro regarding your own facts and circumstances. Use this information at your own risk.

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Cat@MasciolaCPA.com

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Palm Desert, CA 92260