Check your sources: 3.8% Tax on Real Estate Transactions Mostly False

The 3.8% tax on house sales the email subject line screamed at me!

Well I am redblooded American and that grabbed my attention. What followed shocked me until I checked it out with my favorite rumor stopping tool: SNOPES.COM Snopes has been my best friend since the old days on eBay boards in the 90's. Where eBay  friends taught me how to check out rumors.

I am blogging this because I just received an email today that obviously the senders did not check for accuracy It is MOSTLY FALSE. Like all good rumors there is an element of truth: Here is and excerpt from the body of the letter reprinted for journalistic purpose.

Under the new health care bill - did you know that all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% Sales Tax? The bulk of these new taxes don't kick in until 2013 (presumably after obama’s re-election). You can thank Nancy, Harry and Barack and your local Democrat Congressman for this one. If you sell your $400,000 home, there will be a $15,200 tax. This bill is set to screw the retiring generation who often downsize their homes. Is this Hope & Change great or what? Does this stuff makes your November and 2012 votes more important?

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To check out the truth click on link below!

snopes.com: 3.8% Tax on Real Estate Transactions

Philly requiring bloggers to pay $300 for a business license | Washington Examiner

Philly requiring bloggers to pay $300 for a business license | Washington Examiner: "It would be one thing if Bess’ website were, well, an actual business, or if the amount of money the city wanted didn’t outpace her earnings six-fold. Sure, the city has its rules; and yes, cash-strapped cities can’t very well ignore potential sources of income. But at the same time, there must be some room for discretion and common sense.

When Bess pressed her case to officials with the city’s now-closed tax amnesty program, she says, “I was told to hire an accountant.”

She’s not alone. After dutifully reporting even the smallest profits on their tax filings this year, a number — though no one knows exactly what that number is — of Philadelphia bloggers were dispatched letters informing them that they owe $300 for a privilege license, plus taxes on any profits they made.

Even if, as with Sean Barry, that profit is $11 over two years."

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE: Blogging Tax

Confused by your IRS obligation after foreclosure or short sale?

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Taxes and Foreclosures: Untangling the Mortgage Mess"> : "The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. There is no dollar limit if the principal balance of the loan was less than $2 million ($1 million if married filing separately for the tax year) at the time the loan was forgiven. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualifies for this relief.

This provision applies to debt forgiven from 2007, 2008 or 2009 (extended through 2012 by the recently passed Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008). However, it is important to note that this change only applies to homes used as a principal residence. Debt forgiven on second homes, rental property or business property does not qualify for the new tax-relief provision.

Even though the forgiven debt is excluded from income, the amount of debt forgiven still must be reported (on Form 982). Clients should receive Form 1099-C Cancellation of Debt from their lender, showing the amount of debt forgiven or cancelled.

Issues and Considerations"

Of course, as with any legislation, >>>>KEEP READING FOR ISSUES

For FURTHER reading GO TO THE SOURCE: IRS

(click on links)

The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and Debt Cancellation

If you owe a debt to someone else and they cancel or forgive that debt, the canceled amount may be taxable. The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualifies for the relief. This provision applies to debt forgiven in calendar years 2007 through 2012. Up to $2 million of forgiven debt is eligible for this exclusion ($1 million if married filing separately). The exclusion does not apply if the discharge is due to services performed for the lender or any other reason not directly related to a decline in the home’s value or the taxpayer’s financial condition. More information, including detailed examples can be found in Publication 4681, Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions, and Abandonments. Also see IRS news release IR-2008-17. The following are the most commonly asked questions and answers about The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act and debt cancellation: What is Cancellation of Debt? If you borrow money from a commercial lender and the lender later cance>>>>>KEEP READING ON IRS.GOV