It's the time of year when I start getting messages from self-preparers who say: "I have a quick question. Can you help me?"
Remember, a quick question is, "Is social security taxable?"
That's what I consider a quick question, but sadly, most quick questions are never simple questions.
For most tax questions, the answer is: "It depends." Most everything in tax hinges on the answer(s) to something else.
Is social security taxable? It depends.
Is social security taxable to the state? It depends on if it's taxable, to begin with, and on your state of residence.
There may be quick tax questions, but there are no simple ones.
I mulled it over, trying to think up a simple tax question, and I couldn't think of one. Even the question "Is interest taxable?" has no simple answer.
Yes, it is.... but it also depends on other things.
Taxes are a tremendously convoluted, complicated puzzle. If you like puzzles, it's fun.
I like puzzles.
Mike Mead, EA, CTC
Alliance Financial & Income Tax
816-220-2001
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