Is it possible to get credit on your income tax next year?

**brenda67** · 04-19-2010, 02:05 PM

Let me explain..my dh should of had a CPA do our taxes this year since owning a house now I think he probably didn't get all of the deductions we could of probably got credit for...Next year we are having a CPA do our taxes..do you think that the CPA would see that we didn't get all the credit we might have gotten on this past 09's? Not sure if I even know what I'm talking about or how to get my point across? If this makes sense to anyone please give me your input...Example I know that we bought energy effient sp? appliances that I thought you could get a credit/deductions for..I know dh didn't put any of this info in when doing our taxes on April 14th...being so late on doing our taxes because we totally forgot about it in the first place..normally we do our own taxes in the 1st week in Febuary because we never had to wait for any paperwork/forms in the mail..we only had to have our W2 forms as we never had any other tax deductions period until we became home owners..TIA..

**Russ** · 04-19-2010, 02:24 PM

You could file an amendment this year. Check the IRS website for the proper forms.

**savvy_sniper** · 04-19-2010, 04:08 PM

How does your husband "do" your taxes - manually OR using software such as Turbotax, etc.? The software will ask you questions about things like did you buy a home, first time homebuyer, qualifying purchases for deductions, etc.

You don't really need a CPA. Also going to H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt will cost you a lot more than doing it yourself with the software.

It is up to you.

**beks37** · 04-19-2010, 04:14 PM

If you missed a credit or deduction on your 2009 taxes, you will need to file an amendment for 2009. You can't carry the credit or deduction to 2010 in most cases.

As for the energy efficient home improvements, items that quality include windows, doors, and insulation, etc. Energy efficient appliances do not qualify for the credit.

If you are really unsure as to what credits and deductions you are qualified for, I would try going to a retail tax place before going to a CPA. CPA's tend to cost more than if you go to H&R Block, unless it is a friend or relative then they might give you a break.

Hope this helps!

**Charles C** · 04-19-2010, 09:55 PM

If you've had really good income in the past, and out of a job or on lower income look into income averaging over 3 years sometimes that will give you a overlooked return.

**Thrifty Mom** · 04-25-2010, 09:07 PM

My husband does taxes for a private, local firm. Most of the staff are enrolled agents. They do not charge CPA prices & do a better job for the consumer than H & R Block. Unless you know that a person has been doing taxes for a long time, they may have just gone through the three week training period.
My advice is to find a local firm that keeps their staff from year to year & have them prepare an amended tax return.

**justpeachy92** · 04-25-2010, 09:55 PM

Back in 1998 I had a CPA do our taxes because it was the first time we had to deal with selfemployment income, prior to that we had HR Block do them, the CPA was $50 cheaper, and he did state and federal, than HR Block was previously for just federal.

As to the original post, if you think there is something you missed you can file an amended return.

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 04-25-2010, 11:04 PM

I let H&R do my taxes once, because they offered to do it for free the year I got my BS. It was very simple but they did math wrong and were $100 off on something. For many years we have used Turbo Tax, go through all the questions and it is very easy to use. Costs $40 usually, and I trust it more than random people. :-)

As people have said, you should file an amended return for 2009 if it seems you didn't get all the deductions you should have been eligible for. Turbo Tax is probably really on sale right now. :-) We have tried other tax programs, Turbo Tax is a LOT better.

**frugalfoster** · 04-25-2010, 11:12 PM

Energy efficient appliances qualify for a government rebate...not the same as putting them on your taxes. They had to be bought this year during a certain time period (each state is different I think). Other than that check with your local electric company to see if they are giving rebates...ours only does it if you apply within 2 months of purchasing them. And I need to add that they must be energy star applicances.