The Voice of Southwest Louisiana January 2019 Issue

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Q&A The Tax Man Cometh! By Erin Webb Owner/Operator-TaxWebb Tax preparation can be confusing to many. Each year consumers are faced with more questions about their taxes due to the frequent changes in tax laws. This year the primary focus for some will be the credits and tax breaks associated with home improvements. As a tax consultant in a region with numerous natural disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, windstorms and tornadoes, questions about home improvements are at the top of the list. Starting with the basics, Taxes are due this year by April 15, 2019. The IRS will begin accepting electronic returns for 2018 on Jan. 29, 2019. About 70% of Americans are expected to qualify for refunds this year, according to the IRS, but many people never file to collect. The average unclaimed refund is nearly $700. Especially for lower-income Americans, a number of credits and deductions could make you eligible for a refund. The burning question at the forefront of every taxpayer’s mind is, “How long does it take to get taxes back?” The answer this year might be “longer than usual.” the IRS is taking extra time checking filers’ tax information if they claimed either the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit. Under a new law, the agency is holding back refunds 24 January 2019 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 6 • Number 6
claiming those credits until at least Feb. 15, and people aren’t likely to see those refunds until the end of February at the earliest. For everybody else, the IRS says refunds should be issued in its standard window of 21 days from the time it gets your return. The Voice of Southwest Louisiana reached out to Erin Webb, Owner/ Operator of TaxWebb to talk tax preparation for home improvements. Erin is a wife and mother of 3 beautiful young ladies and enjoys decorating, crafts, movies, seafood and dancing with her three girls. QWhat is TaxWebb? ATaxWebb is a Tax Preparation Company. Tax preparation is personal, and you deserve personalized service and professional courtesy, so we prepare your taxes and educate and inform you during tax season. We’re locally owned and operated at 1802 Kirkman Street to ensure you receive the best possible outcome year-round. QWith such a saturated and diverse market for tax preparation, why did you decide to become a tax preparer? AIt’s simple, I could not get my own tax questions answered by advertised Tax Companies. It became frustrating. I decided that I could get my questions answered and address my concerns on my own. It’s up to every taxpayer to be conscious of who files their taxes and has access to their personal and confidential information. My mom, Dianna Ross owner of Ross Consulting taught the Emerging Business Development classes for the Chamber for over 6 years encouraged me to go into business for myself and help others. She helped with the start-up and is my business partner. I enjoy getting results for my clients. My motto is “If I can’t do it, it can’t be done” and I stand by that. I go the extra mile for my clients because I know how important it is to leave informed and know that you have someone that will always act in your best interest. QAre there any new credits or incentives for 2018? ABipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA) extended credits. The BBA reinstated the nonbusiness energy property credit for 2017, and it reinstated the residential energy efficient property credit for qualified small wind energy property costs, qualified geothermal heat pump property costs, and qualified fuel cell property costs to the end of 2021. Residential energy Property Credit- Homeowners are able to claim 30% of the cost of alternative energy equipment installed in or on their homes for the following things: • Solar electric property • Solar water heating property • Fuel cell property • Small wind energy property • Geothermal heat property Non-business energy property credit - With this credit, homeowners are able to claim 10% of the price of the eligible home improvements (excludes labor/ installation fees). QWhat types of home improvements are worthy of tax credits or incentives for 2018? ARefer to IRS.com for additional information relative to your specific home improvements. • Qualified energy efficiency improvements – Insulation, exterior windows, storm windows/doors, metal and certain asphalt roofs • Residential energy property expenditures – electric heat pumps, central air conditioning, natural gas/ propane/hot water boilers, natural gas/propane/oil furnaces, advanced main air circulating fan used in natural gas/propane/oil furnaces, and biomass fuel stoves QSo, what types of documents should I provide to show home improvements? A Purchase receipts, labor receipts, and the Manufacturer Certification Statement. (for energy efficient equipment purchases) TaxWebb opens January 7th for tax preparation. This year clients can qualify for up to $6000.00 on a Refund Anticipation Loan with TaxWebb while waiting on your refund. Call 337-602-6299 to schedule an appointment or consultation. Volume 6 • Number 6 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM January 2019 25
Page 1 and 2: January 2019 Vol 6 No 6 Be Prepared
Page 3 and 4: editor’s By Brenda Hill Be Prepar
Page 5 and 6: SWLA news Editor’s Note: This ser
Page 7 and 8: SWLA health, wealth & wellness Info
Page 9 and 10: Find more DOWN HOME HEALTHY COOKING
Page 11 and 12: techniques members can use to have
Page 13 and 14: Contributed Article Ben & Molly Mar
Page 15 and 16: ETR-Executive Total Realty is one o
Page 17 and 18: Matthew 11:28 NIV - “Come to me,
Page 19 and 20: Committed to the highest level 3116
Page 21 and 22: “One thing I have learned about l
Page 23: Kimberly Singleton Drawhorn natural
Page 27 and 28: PHOTOGRAPHY MINISTER COURTNEY D. JO

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana January 2019 Issue

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