rent

[JohnH]

Dennis:
Try "property tax credit renter". I think I did some other variations, but that one returns quite a few.
I'm using Google and AT&T Yahoo (if that matters).

[taxea]

All I am trying to get across is that if DIYers want to do their own returns they should rely on the instructions that come with the forms. Basic tax questions are answered in the instructions.

If they can't understand the instructions they should not be doing their own returns. I am really trying to keep them out of trouble with the tax authorities by letting them know that they don't appear to be qualified enough to prepare their own return.

taxea

[Burke]

New Mexico has one for taxpayers over 65. PS: excellent resource for other states is TTB AllStates book.

[JohnH]

I think the reason you got your hand slapped is because the initial poster (TAX) has 223 posts and has been on the forum since Dec 2005 - about the same amount of time as you.

Pretty good indication this isn't a DIY'er if you take a quick peek at the stats. (Or more or less akin to reading the instructions on a tax form, to use a relevant analogy)

[S T]

DIY'ers

Also remember that the Moderators of the Tax Book, tried to eliminate the DIY posters that we have had in the past.

Therefore, there should be few DIY posters on the board now!

I don't believe any of us need to ask the qualifications of any other poster! Answer the post or choose not to answer the post and move on!

Sandy

[taxmom34]

i don't think DIY'ers would be paying for instructions from taxbook. they would be on turbotax or taxcut, or taxact etc. , i was going to suggest that maybe everyone should enter number of years of tax prep or kind of education in our profiles, but why do that to satisfy one person's curiosity.??

[Bill Tubbs]

2 rent credits

Wisconsin has the Homestead credit for rent or property tax paid but only if income less that $24,500 and a small deduction for rent irregardless of what your income.

Yes, Homestead Credit is one credit available for rent or property taxes paid. Income must be less than $24,500 to qualify for any credit, and the lower the income the higher the credit. Also, full-year residents only; and the homestead must be in Wisconsin. I believe the max credit is about $1100, and proof must be submitted with the return -- rent can be substantiated by a Rent Certificate signed by the landlord, copies of receipts, and/or copies of cancelled checks.

The other credit is available to all income levels -- School Property Tax Credit. This is a maximum of $300 of credit and does not require any proof to be sent in at the time the return is filed. This is non-refundable, can be used for non-Wisconsin homesteads (i.e. when a Wisconsin resident is temporarily living in another state), and can be claimed by part-year residents (no where does it say the rent has to be paid while a Wisconsin resident, so rent paid while a resident of the other state can be claimed on the Wisconsin return -- it gets pro-rated down based on how much of the year's income was from Wisconsin anyhow).

Both credits: need to know whether the taxpayer pays the heating bill or not. If the heat is NOT included in the rent, then 25% of the rent is used to calculate the credit; if head IS includedin the rent, then 20% of the rent is used to calculate the credit. Yes, both credits are trying to get at the amount of property taxes taxes.

Bill

[TAX]

Thank you!

Thank you for your support. This is an excellent board.

By the way, can "TheTaxBook" come up with States' "Quickfacts" sheets just like one for federal? This State fact sheet, in addotion to All States Book, may be helpful.

[Jesse]

Thank you for your support. This is an excellent board.

That is worth repeating!

Especially this time of year, my mind is swirling, many clients, many questions, constant changes, and lack of sleep are just a few of the reasons this board is so appreciated. Other than you I only have me, myself and I to talk to, and to often I just can't answer myself.

You can read instructions and tax codes, memorize it all, but until you get in the "real" world you have no idea how complex tax preparation really is, and when you do have it figured out, you discover there is an exception to the rule - but it's on a different page- and that's just the Federal! Now throw in the individual state complexities.

If every poster had the number of years in the business or education background listed would that determine whether or not you'd answer their questions?

If you don't like the question, or if it's the poster you dislike for whatever reason, don't respond. Why is that so difficult?