Drake Software

  • Job Search Can Impact Taxes

    When a taxpayer is looking for a new job within his or her existing line of work, some of the costs of that job search may be deductible. Here’s a quick refresher course on job search expenses.

  • IRS Decision May Impact Mortgage Interest Deduction in Some Cases

    The Internal Revenue Service has acquiesced in the Ninth Circuit court’s decision on a year-old tax case involving unmarried co-owners of real estate.

  • The ABCs of Education Tax Credits

    “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” – Malcolm Forbes Forbes, of course, knew a thing or two about business and taxes. It could be said that we all need to be, well, better educated about education tax credits. So before it’s time to head back to the classroom, let’s…

  • IRS Restores Online IP PIN Tool

    The Internal Revenue Service has restored its “Get an IP PIN” tool to the IRS.gov website, after concerns about security forced its removal.

  • Tax Breaks for U.S. Military

    Members of the U.S. Armed Forces deserve the thanks of the nation for their service, and one small way we can show our thanks is by giving those who serve a small measure of tax relief.

  • Business or Pleasure: Determining if Your Hobby is Considered a Trade

    What is a Trade or Business? Simply put, a trade or business must satisfy the need to make a profit.  If you don’t plan to make a profit, then this is not a business, it is a hobby.  The reason for opening a business is to provide a livelihood for you (and your family). If…

  • Reduce Stress During Tax Season

    Stress can worsen or increase the risk of conditions like obesity, heart disease, premature aging, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, headaches, depression, gastrointestinal problems, and asthma. For tax and accounting professionals, the effects of this stress are seen most clearly during tax season, and especially leading up to the filing deadline, when the workflow can ramp up…

  • What to Do About Your Missing W-2

    While the majority of taxpayers receive a W-2 before the beginning of January, sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. Luckily – since it’s needed for filing an accurate return – the IRS has advice for people who are missing their Form W-2.

  • Tax Update Classes

    Every year it seems like Congress waits until the last minute to make changes to the tax code. Lately, many of the changes are retroactive, as changes are made in December that affect the current tax year, only to expire a few days later, on December 31.  This environment of uncertainly and change makes it…

  • Protect Yourself from Wi-Fi Hacking

    The introduction of Wireless Equivalent Privacy (WEP), in 1999, was supposed to be a solution to the growing issue of Wi-Fi security.  At the time, Wi-Fi was seen as an alternative to the relatively high cost of wired connections, and free Wi-Fi hotspots were springing up nationwide to serve academic and business environments.