Table of Contents

2013 tax calendar ii How to use this guide v Special contents viii Changes in the tax law you should know about x Summary of expiring provisions xv Important 2012 tax reminders xvii How to avoid 25 common errors xix 50 of the most really overlooked deductions xx Individual tax organizer xxi Income and expense records you should keep in addition to your income tax return xxix Part I. The income tax return 1 Chapter 1. Filing information 3 Chapter 2. Filing status 44 Chapter 3. Personal exemptions and dependents 58 Chapter 4. Tax withholding and estimated tax 88 Part II. Income 117 Chapter 5. Wages, salaries, and other earnings 119 Chapter 6. The Income 145 Chapter 7. Interest Income 155 Chapter 8. Dividends and other corporate distributions 187 Chapter 9. Rental Income and expenses 208 Chapter 10. Retirement plans, pensions, and annuities 233 Chapter 11. Social security and equivalent railroad retirement benefits 262 Chapter 12. Other income 275 Part III. Gains and losses 315 Chapter 13. Basis of property 317 Chapter 14. Sale of property 339 Chapter 15. Selling your home 379 Chapter 16. Reporting gains and losses 399 Part IV. Adjustments to income 425 Chapter 17. Individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) 427 Chapter 18. Alimony 466 Chapter 19. Education-related adjustments 480 Chapter 20. Moving expenses 489 Part V. Standard deduction and itemized deductions 505 Chapter 21. Standard deduction 507 Chapter 22. Medical and dental expenses 514 Chapter 23. Taxes you may deduct 534 Chapter 24. Interest expense 548 Chapter 25. Contributions 572 Chapter 26. Nonbusiness casualty and theft losses 602 Chapter 27. Car expenses and other employee business expenses 528 Chapter 28. Tax benefits for work-related education 676 Chapter 29. Miscellaneous deductions 690 Chapter 30. Limit on itemized deductions 713 Part VI. Figuring your taxes and credits 715 Chapter 31. How to figure your tax 717 Chapter 32. Tax on investment income of certain children 731 Chapter 33. Child and dependent care credit 745 Chapter 34. Credit for the elderly or the disabled 765 Chapter 35. Child tax credit 775 Chapter 36. Education credits and other education tax benefits 783 Chapter 37. Other credits including the earned income credit 793 Part VII. Special situations and tax planning 831 Chapter 38. Self-employment Income: How to file Schedule C 833 Chapter 39. Mutual funds 866 Chapter 40. What to do if you employ domestic help 887 Chapter 41. U.S. Citizens working abroad: Tax treatment of foreign earned income 899 Chapter 42. Foreign citizens living in the United States 906 Chapter 43. Decedents: Dealing with the death of a family member 916 Chapter 44. Estate and gift tax planning 932 Chapter 45. Everything you need to know about e-filing 947 Chapter 46. If your return is examined 954 Chapter 47. Planning ahead for 2013 and beyond 970 Chapter 38. 2012 Tax rate schedules 980 Index 981