TABLE OF CONTENTS:
About the author
Acknowledgments
Introduction
YOU are a little business
Nobody gets it
Should you use an accountant?
What about computer programs and e-filing?
Keeping good records
Key concept: Contemporaneous records
Another key concept: “Ordinary and Necessaryâ€
Which return should you file?
Using IRS forms with this book
What’s NOT here
Disclaimer
Following the steps
Chapter One: Getting to Know and Love the 1040
Your filing status
Your exemptions
Calculate your income
Second page of the 1040
Chapter Two: Your Income
W-2 vs. 1099 Income
Editorial Comment
Your W-2 forms
Chapter Three: Preparing the Income Worksheet
Step 1: Add up your W-2 income
Step 2: Other withholding
Your 1099 Forms -- or not
Step 3: Your 1099 income
Step 4: Calculate W-2 and 1099 percentages
Notes for married filing jointly
Step 5: Enter figures on your 1040 worksheet
Note on rounding numbers
Sample Income Worksheet
Adjustments to income
Moving expenses
IRA deduction
Student loan interest
Step 6: Enter adjustments on your 1040 worksheet
Chapter Four: Your 1099 Income
What about the profit or loss from a self-produced production?
Schedule C
Step 7: Start Schedule C
Schedule C-EZ
Chapter Five: Qualified Performing Artist
What is a QPA?
It’s not that great a deal
Chapter Six: For Parents of Child Performers
Must the child file a return at all?
Claiming your child as your dependent
Dealing with your child’s professional expenses
How your child’s return will differ from yours
The “kiddie taxâ€
Chapter Seven: Your Professional Expenses
Schedule of Professional Expenses
Step 8: Fill out the Schedule of Professional Expenses
Chapter Eight: Travel, Transportation, Entertainment
& Vehicle Expenses
Step 9: Travel, Transportation & Entertainment Worksheet
Local transportation
Out-of-town travel
Meals
Business entertainment
Vehicle expenses
Step 10: The Vehicle Worksheet
Which miles are deductible?
The standard mileage rate
Step 11: Finish your Schedule of Professional Expenses
NEXT
PREVIOUS
Chapter Nine: Finishing Your Schedule C
Step 12: Complete Schedule C & calculate total income
Chapter Ten: Schedule SE
Paying double –-- almost
Step 13: Fill out Schedule SE
Chapter Eleven: Reporting your employee expenses
Step 14: Fill out Form 2106; determine QPA & AGI
Form 2106-EZ
Chapter Twelve: Should You Itemize?
Figuring your Standard Deduction
Schedule A
Step 15: Complete Schedule A
Medical & dental expenses
Taxes you paid
Interest you paid
Gifts to charity
Casualty and theft losses
Job expenses and miscellaneous
Finishing Schedule A
Detour to Schedule B
Chapter Thirteen: Finishing the 1040
Step 16: Getting to the bottom line
Alternative Minimum Tax
Credits
Other taxes
Payments
Your refund
If you owe
Step 17: Finishing your return
Filing for an extension
Chapter Fourteen: Your State Return
Web site with links to state departments of revenue
Conclusion
Appendix A: Sample federal return
Appendix B:
Step Checklist
Travel, Transportation, & Entertainment Worksheet
Vehicle Worksheet
Standard Per Diem Meal Rates for Selected Cities
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