Is it legal to use March Madness to raise money for charity, meaning the winnings go to a charity of your choice?

If the winner were allocated the full charitable deduction (of everyone's buy-in), such an arrangement could be considered gambling. I would make...

I am an American citizen who married a Brazilian last year. Are immigration expenses deductible? Can I claim them a year later?

No and no. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Is the contract legal?

How were you "forced" to sign the promissory note? If the circumstances indicate duress, the contract could be void due to lack of assent.

I am a residen alien with a LEGAL green card. are my ssa disability benefits taxable?

Yes the monthly SSA benefits are considered taxable income to the extent they replace lost income. Whether you will actually owe tax on the taxable...

How can I owe the IRS money this year, when I've always received a refund?

The other attorneys are correct that no one can answer your question without reviewing your tax returns. However, I would like to add that the...

My sister received a 1099-INT form, but doesn't work. Does she still need to file taxes?

The following analysis assumes that your sister is not claimed as a dependent by any other taxpayer. If your sister is under 65 and files as...

Filing an OIC and own several businesses. What happens to business accounts?

The IRS will consider your stock a valuable asset. This is because you can probably sell the stock, just like any other asset. Furthermore, you may...

What are withholdings?

Yes, withholdings go towards your overall tax liability. However, the amount withheld is not always sufficient to satisfy the federal income tax...

Unfortunately, you will incur penalties if you make an early withdrawal from your 401k. However, some 401k plans allow a participant to access...

Can I withhold the balance payment for work that was not finished on time, and exceeded a 2 month period.

Did your contract state that time was of the essence of the contract? If so, you would be excused from performance altogether. If the contract did...