Accountant who understands new dom. partnership rules

We usually use Turbo Tax, but we decided to get an extension with the new tax laws concerning domestic partners. I know not all accts. know about these new rules since they were introduced very recently. Does anybody have an acct. who is up to speed about all this? Thanks.

I went into see them in early April of this year for the same reason you did. The turbotax screen popped up about a new law and I decided to avoid the headache and have a professional take care of it for once. I went to Beall & Weil Tax Service and they got myself and my domestic partner taken care of straight away and were very aware of the new tax rules for domestic partners.

Basically, the federal govt now acknowledges states where civil unions/domestic partnerships with community property laws exist. This means, if you make $100K but your partner doesn't work, on the federal return you claim $50K and your partner claims the other $50K. Or, if you make $70 and your partner makes $50 this becomes a combined income so you now claim $60K and your partner claims the other $60K. If you have a child you can also claim head of household, etc. Unless you're both making a lot of money this seems to be beneficial because it can bring you down to a lower tax bracket and receive a higher refund.

This meant for us that we had a decent return for the first time ever.

Also, the tax rule is retroactive. So, if it's to your benefit, you can take in your returns from previous years and have them amended to up to 3 years prior. I did this and got an amazing amount of money back. I'm extremely happy with the service I was given at Beall & Weil Tax Service. HappyTaxCustomer

Susan Levinkind, J.D. - Tax Preparer 8008 Winthrope Street, Oakland, CA 94605 Phone: 510-383-9858 E-mail: taxmomsusan@yahoo.com

Specializing in self-employed folks and others around the country for 20 years. Will help any woman feel more knowledgeable and secure in her tax situation - and Susan prepares your returns too - so don't worry!

Jan Zobel EA, Tax Services http://www.JanZtax.com San Francisco 415-821-1015 Oakland (Montclair) 510-482-1015 E-mail: Jan@JanZtax.com

Knowledgeable, accurate, reliable year-round tax preparation and consultations since 1978. Jan specializes in working with self-employed people (including independent contractors) and with rental property owners. However, she prepares all types of individual (no corporations, estates, etc.) returns. She also provides tax consultations. Common consults are with newly self-employed people who want to know about deductions, domestic partners who have just bought a house or had a child and are unsure of how to divide deductions, and people who have prepared their own return and want someone to look it over. ...................... Good luck!

Need someone familiar with the new tax laws

Our tax preparer has retired, and we need someone new who is very familiar with the new tax laws for LGBT families. Any great tax professionals out there who would be up on this stuff?

Tax prep person knowledgeable about domestic partnerships

Can anyone suggest a tax prep person that is knowledgeable and savvy about domestic partnerships as well as getting the most out of all the regular stuff as well - mortgage, home office, childcare, etc... Berkeley or Oakland would be idea, but we're willing to travel SF, Marin, through tunnel anon

New to the area, looking for tax/financial advisor

Hello, My same-sex domestic partner and I are new to the area and are looking for a tax or financial advisor. We want someone who's familiar with the money issues around domestic partnerships, who's friendly, who's relatively affordable, and who's accessible to us in the East Bay. (We hope that's not too much to ask!) We've seen previous recommendations for financial advisors in the BPN archives, but they don't seem to directly address the domestic partnership issue, which is the biggest one for us right now. Thanks in advance for any recommendations you can give! Karen

GLBT-friendly tax preparer for filing individual returns

My partner and I and our daughter recently relocated to the East Bay from the East Coast. Can anyone recommend a great, GLBT-friendly tax preparer who is knowledgeable about how to file individual returns in a way that makes most sense for an unmarried couple? Our situation isn't too complicated, but we did buy and sell a house and one of us is self-employed. Thanks. Kelli