Tax Glossary

The age at which an individual legally becomes an adult.

The act of voluntarily and permanently giving up possession and use of property with the intention of ending ownership without transferring ownership to another person.

The taxpayer's home, habitation, residence, domicile, or place of dwelling.

A semester, trimester, quarter, or other period of study (such as a summer school session) as reasonably determined by an educational institution.

The name given to tax rules relating to recovering, through depreciation deductions, the cost of property used in a trade or business to produce income. ACRS applies to property first used before 1987.

Any amounts paid under a life insurance contract, prior to death, for an individual who is terminally or chronically ill.

A reimbursement or allowance arrangement that requires an employee to account to their employer for their business expenses within a reasonable time.

The way a taxpayer accounts for income and expenses.

Generally, to participate meaningfully in the management or operations of a trade or business.

Participation in a rental real estate activity in which the taxpayer owns at least 10% of the rental property and makes significant and bona fide management decisions, such as approving new tenants, deciding on rental terms, and approving expenditures.

A unit for performing a specific function that generates taxable income, such as a business entity.

A method used to determine the deductible amount of the expenses of operating a vehicle (including a car, van, pickup, or panel truck) for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. This method is based on the actual costs incurred and the percentage of business use.

A refundable credit for certain individuals who get less than the full amount of the Child Tax Credit.

The basis in property (usually its cost) increased or decreased by various events, such as improvements, depreciation, and casualty losses.

The amount of income that remains after certain adjustments to income are subtracted from the taxpayer's gross income.

Certain subtractions allowed directly against a taxpayer's gross income.

An individual adopted by the taxpayer or placed by an authorized placement agency for adoption by the taxpayer. This child is considered a child of the taxpayer by blood.

A written plan set up by an employer to provide adoption assistance to its employees.

A temporary nine-digit number issued by the IRS for a U.S. citizen or resident alien child being adopted when the adoptive parents cannot get a Social Security number for the child in time to file their tax return.

Advance payments of the Earned Income Credit paid to the taxpayer throughout the year in their paychecks.

Any rent received before the period that it covers.

A voluntary contribution subject to income tax.

An individual who is not a U.S. citizen

A payment to or from a spouse or former spouse under a divorce or separation instrument.

Tips that an employer assigns an employee. These tips are in addition to tips the employee reported to the employer for the year.

The slower of the two depreciation systems under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System.

An additional tax a taxpayer may have to pay if they benefit from special tax treatment for some types of income, deductions, and expenses.

The basis for calculating the alternative minimum tax exemption amount and the tentative minimum tax.

Forms completed to correct a tax return that was filed previously.

A method of recovering (deducting) certain capital costs in equal amounts over a period of 60 months or more.

The total value of all money and the fair market value of all property or services the seller received from a sale or exchange of a property, less expenses of sale. The amount realized also includes any of the seller's liabilities or any liabilities (assumed by the buyer) to which the transferred property is subject.

The amount of gain or loss realized from the sale or exchange of property that is included in or deducted from gross income for tax purposes.

A person from whom an individual descended. For example, an individual's great grandmother and great grandfather are their ancestors.

The total of all contributions (not including rollovers) for the year to an individual participant's retirement plan account plus forfeitures allocated to that account.

The annual payment of a straight-life annuity (with no extra benefits) under a plan without employee contributions or rollovers.

A person entitled to receive benefits from an annuity.

A contract for a series of fixed or variable payments made at regular intervals over a period of more than one full year.

The first day of the first period for which an individual should receive a plan payment or, if after that day, the date the plan's obligations became fixed.

A legal order declaring that a valid marriage never existed.

An item of value or usefulness.

The amount a taxpayer could actually lose in an activity.

A tax professional or business that is accepted to participate in the IRS e-file program.

Any person, state, or local government agency, tax-exempt organization licensed by a state, or court authorized by state law to place children for legal adoption or in foster care.

The status of an individual when their job requires them to travel away from their tax home longer than an ordinary workday and they need to sleep or rest before they can continue working.

A loss from the worthlessness of a debt.

The amount owed to the IRS after subtracting total tax payments from the total tax liability on a tax return.

Any person or an organization with members or clients that contract with each other (or with the barter exchange), who jointly trades or barters property or services.

An exchange or property or services.

The amount of an individual's investment in property for tax purposes.

A person designated to receive all or a portion of a benefit after the owner dies.

Cash or fair market value of unlike property received in an exchange.

A business bad debt that is either of the following: created or acquired in the taxpayer's trade or business or closely related to the taxpayer's trade or business when it became partly or totally worthless (a debt is closely related to the taxpayer's trade or business if the taxpayer's primary motive for incurring the debt is business related).

The intangible value of technical manuals; training manuals or programs; data files; accounting or inventory control systems; customer lists; subscription lists; insurance expirations; patient or client files; and lists of newspaper, magazine, radio, and television advertisers.

Costs that do not have to be capitalized or included in the cost of goods sold. To be deductible, business expenses must be both ordinary and necessary.

One of four quarters of a calendar year: January through March, April through June, July through September, or October through December.

The right to buy a state number of shares of stock at a predetermined price (the strike price) before a specified date.

Generally, everything an individual owns and uses for personal purposes, pleasure, or investment.

Amounts paid to an individual or credited to their account by regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts (REITs). These amounts are also known as capital gain dividends.

To recover a cost over a period of years through deductions for depreciation, amortization, or depletion, and adding the cost to the basis of the property to which it relates.

The unpaid interest on a loan that the lender adds to the outstanding principal balance of the loan.

Any option that, upon exercise, is settled by paying the owner of the option cash or other property and not the actual property underlying the option.

Generally, wages paid by cash, checks, money orders, or equivalent means. Cash wages do not include the value of food, lodging, clothing, or other such noncash items given to an employee.

The damage, destruction, or loss of property resulting from an identifiable event that is sudden, unexpected, or unusual.

A donation or gift to, or for the use of, a qualified organization. It is voluntary and is made without getting, or expecting anything of equal value.

A natural child, stepchild, adopted child, or an eligible foster child.

A payment that is specifically designated as child support or treated as specifically designated as child support under a divorce or separation instrument.

An individual who has been certified by a licensed health care practitioner within the previous 12 months as one of the following: (1)an individual who is unable, for at least 90 days, to perform at least two activities of daily living without substantial assistance from another individual due to loss of functional capacity (activities of daily living are eating, toileting, transferring, bathing, dressing, and continence), or (2) an individual who requires substantial supervision to be protected from threats to health and safety due to severe cognitive impairment.

An employee (other than a minister or member of a religious order) of a church or qualified church-controlled organization that is exempt from employer Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Annuity benefits that are paid primarily under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System.

The number of years that establishes the property class and the recovery period for most types of property for the General Depreciation System and the Alternative Depreciation System under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System.

Generally, a corporation that, at any time during the last half of the tax year, has more than 50% in value of its outstanding stock directly or indirectly owned by five or fewer people. This type of corporation is generally not a personal service corporation.

Individuals living together in an intimate relationship when not legally married.

Two or more loans made to the same borrower that are treated by both the lender and the borrower as one loan.

Any work of art, rug, antique, metal (such as gold, silver, and platinum bullion), gem, stamp, coin, or alcoholic beverage.

Any area the president of the United States designates by Executive Order as an area in which the U.S. Armed Forces are engaging or have engaged in combat. An area usually becomes a combat zone and ceases to be a combat zone on the dates the President designates by Executive Order.

A type of share in the ownership of a company that usually provides the right to vote on decisions relating to the company's management. Shareholders are entitled to receive distributions of the company's profit in the form of dividends.

An individual who performs services for an employer in return for compensation. An employee is subject to the control of the employer regarding what work is done and how, when, and where it is done.

A marriage in which a man and woman are considered to be married even without a license or a formal ceremony. Only certain states recognize common-law marriages.

Income earned while married and domiciled in a community property state that is allocated to both spouses, regardless of which spouse actually earned it.

Laws that affect what income is reported on the federal income tax returns of married taxpayers who live in a community property state and file separate returns.

Travel between a personal home and work or job site within the area of an individual's tax home.

Money or other benefits given or received as payment for work or service. Compensation can include wages, salaries, bonuses, prizes, and tips an employee receives.

The process by which private property owned by a taxpayer is legally taken for public use without their consent.

An IRA account used as a holding account for eligible rollover distributions from an employer plan that can be rolled over to a new employer plan later.

A written agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that extends the statutory period of limitations (which is usually three years) to allow additional time, when it is necessary, to fairly resolve a tax examination. These agreements are called "consents" and apply to all kinds of taxes except estate tax.

Loans used to refinance more than one loan of the same borrower.

The unqualified, vested right to receive immediate income or property. The right may be credited to an account, set apart, or otherwise made available so that it may be drawn upon at any time.

The selling price plus mortgages, debts, and other liabilities assumed or taken by the buyer that are in excess of the seller's adjusted basis. This amount is the total of all principal payments a seller is scheduled to receive on the installment sale, including the down payment and each later payment of principal on any debt that the buyer assumed. It also includes payments the seller is considered to receive. This does not include interest.

The amount put into a retirement plan for the individuals participating in the plan, including self-employed individuals.

A method established under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) to determine when the recovery period begins and ends. The convention affects a taxpayer's depreciation deduction for the year they place their property in service and the year they dispose of it.

The movement of funds from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Legal protection for artists and authors for the publication or use of their works.

Inventory at the beginning of the year, plus purchases (reduced by cost of items withdrawn for the taxpayer's personal use), plus cost of labor (not including amounts the taxpayer paid to themselves), plus materials and supplies, plus other costs, minus inventory at the end of the year.

A trust or custodial savings account that is set up to pay the qualified education expenses of a designated beneficiary. Contributions are not deductible, but earnings may be tax-free.

A presidentially declared disaster area in which the IRS has decided to postpone tax-related filing deadlines for up to one year.

The parent who has custody of a child for the greater part of the year or for the entire year.

An individual or organization, such as a bank or trust company, that is responsible for overseeing and safeguarding assets on behalf of the beneficiary or owner of the assets (for example, a minor).

The value associated with a customer base, a circulation base, an undeveloped market or market growth, insurance in force, a mortgage servicing contract, an investment management contract, or any other relationship with customers involving the future provision of goods or services.

The date an individual must be listed as the owner of shares in a company's records to be the recipient of the dividends to be paid.

A deceased individual.

The date a company publicly announces that it will be paying a dividend.

A method of calculating the depreciation for property that applies the same depreciation rate each year to the adjusted basis of the property.

A qualified employer retirement plan that maintains a separate account or annuity to receive voluntary employee contributions. If this plan or annuity otherwise meets the requirements of an IRA, it is subject only to IRA rules. An employee's account can be treated as a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA.

The voluntary contribution an employer deducts from an employee's pay that is not subject to income tax. Also called elective deferral or pre-tax contributions.

An account that postpones payment of interest to a future date.

An individual, other than the taxpayer or their spouse, who entitles the taxpayer to claim an exemption.

Amounts an employer pays directly to an employee or the employee's care provider for the care of the employee's qualifying dependent while the employee works, or the fair market value of care in a daycare facility provided or sponsored by the employer.

The using up of natural resources by mining, quarrying, drilling, or felling, for which a deduction allows an owner or operator to account for the reduction of a product's reserves.

An amount that can be deducted annually that allows the taxpayer to recover the cost or other basis of certain property over the time the property is used in trade or business. It is an allowance for the wear and tear, age, deterioration, or obsolescence of the property.

A person who descended from an individual. For example, an individual's great grandchild is their descendent.

The transfer of a distribution made by the administrator of the distributing plan directly from one qualified plan to another qualified plan (if permitted) or traditional IRA.

An individual who can show proof that they cannot engage in a substantial gainful activity because of their physical or mental condition. A physician must determine that their condition can be expected to result in death or to be of long-standing and indefinite duration.

The difference between the amount paid for an asset and the fair market value or stated face value of that asset.

The exchange, sale, or loss of property, whether voluntary or involuntary.

An area for which the poverty rate or other conditions cause certain tax incentives to apply.

Money or assets paid out or withdrawn.

A plan that lets an investor choose to use their dividends to buy more shares of stock in a corporation through an agent instead of receiving the dividends in cash. The investor must still report the fair market value of the dividends on their tax return.

Distributions of money, stock, or other property paid to shareholders by a corporation. Dividends may also be received through a partnership, estate, trust, or association that is taxed as a corporation.

A divorce or separate maintenance decree or a written instrument that happens as a result of that decree, a written separation agreement, or a decree or any type of court order requiring a spouse to make payments for the support or maintenance of the other spouse. This includes a temporary decree, an interlocutory (not final) decree, and a decree of alimony pendente lite (while awaiting action on the final decree or agreement).

Written records that establish certain facts; for example, documents that support a tax deduction or an expense.

The taxpayer's permanent legal home where they intend to live for an indefinite or unlimited period and to which they intend to return when absent.

A person who receives a gift.

A person who gives a gift.

An individual who is a resident alien for part of the tax year and a nonresident alien for part of the year.

The requirement that a paid preparer must show a serious and earnest effort to obtain accurate and complete information.

Property, such as a house, an apartment, a condominium, a mobile home, a boat, a vacation home, or another similar property that has basic living accommodations, such as sleeping space, a toilet, and cooking facilities. It does not include a unit in a hotel, motel, inn, or other establishment where more than half the units are used on a transient basis.

The process of electronically filing a federal income tax return with the IRS.

An amount distributed from the individual's pension, annuity, or traditional IRA account before they reach age 59 1/2.

Income received for services, such as wages, salaries, tips, net earnings from self-employment, and professional fees, and any other income received as pay for work actually performed. Earned income also includes taxable scholarship and fellowship grants.

A refundable credit for certain individuals who work and have earned income under a certain amount based on their filing status and the number of qualifying children, if any.

A legal right to use someone else's land for a particular purpose, such as for utilities, for a right-of-way, or for recreational purposes. Ownership is not transferred.

A program that allows a taxpayer who paid qualified higher educational expenses during the year to exclude from income all or part of the interest they receive during the same year from redeeming Series EE savings bonds and Series I savings bonds issued after 1989.

The voluntary contribution an employer deducts from an employee's pay that is not subject to tax. Also called deferred compensation or pre-tax contributions.

Any college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education. These institutions include nearly all accredited, public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately owned profit-making) postsecondary institutions.

An individual who is placed by an authorized placement agency, or by judgment, decree, or other order of any competent jurisdiction.

An individual who is hired to work for a person, an organization, or a company in return for compensation and who is subject to the will and control of the employer regarding what work is done and how and when to do it.

The individual, organization, or company for which an employee works.

A nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to an employer for tax filing and reporting purposes.

Expenses incurred while participating in an activity that provides entertainment, amusement, or recreation.

Any deduction, credit, or expense item that is incorrectly stated on a tax return and any income item that is not properly reported on a tax return.

Placing an amount in the care of a third party to make a payment in the future.

Estimated tax is the method used to prepay tax on income that is not subject to withholding.

The date that determines whether the buyer or the seller of stock receives the next dividend distribution a company pays. This date is usually two business days before the date of record.

The difference between the minimum amount required to be distributed from a qualified retirement plan and the amount that was actually distributed.

To barter, swap, part with, give, or transfer property for other property or services.

An amount that a taxpayer can claim for themselves, their spouse, and their eligible dependents.

Additional time granted by the IRS for a taxpayer to file their federal income tax return.

The price that property would sell for on the open market or the price that would be agreed upon between a willing buyer and willing seller, with neither being required to buy or sell and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.

Generally, an amount that an individual (who is not related to the property owner) is willing to pay to rent property. If the rental price is substantially less than for similar properties in the same area, it is not considered a fair rental price.

The amount an individual could reasonably expect to receive from a stranger for lodging. Fair rental value includes rent or taxes, interest, depreciation, pain, insurance, utilities, or the cost of furniture and appliances. In some cases, fair rental value may be equal to the rent paid.

A trade or business involving the cultivation of land; raising or harvesting any agricultural or horticultural commodity; operating a nursery or sod farm; raising or harvesting trees bearing fruit, nuts, or other crops; or raising or harvesting ornamental trees. Farming businesses also include the raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training, and management of animals.

Generally, an amount paid for the benefit of an individual to aid in the pursuit of study or research.

Factors that determine whether a taxpayer must file a federal individual income tax return.

The tax return status used to determine a taxpayer's filing requirements, standard deduction, applicable tax, and whether the taxpayer is allowed to claim certain other deductions and credits.

The inability of an individual to manage their financial affairs because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

A 12-month period ending on the last day of any month except December.

A procedure by which the lender either takes title to or forces the sale of the borrower's property in satisfaction of a debt.

Usually any territory (including the air space and territorial waters) under the sovereignty of a government other than that of the United States, including the seabed and subsoil of those submarine areas adjacent to the territorial waters of a foreign country and over which the foreign country has exclusive rights under internationals law to explore and exploit the natural resources.

A form of additional compensation for the performance of services.

A period of 24 consecutive hours, beginning at midnight.

An individual attending an educational institution who meets the definition of full-time attendance for that institution.

A partner who is personally liable for partnership debts.

The method generally used to determine the tax treatment of pension and annuity income from nonqualified plans (including commercial annuities).

A tax imposed at one rate with respect to the retail sale of a broad range of classes of items.

A debt that arises from a debtor-creditor relationship based on a valid and enforceable obligation to repay a fixed or determinable amount of money.

The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005.

The intangible value of a business based on expected continued customer patronage due to its name, reputation, location, or any other factor.

The total amount distributed before any adjustments or considerations for basis.

The total amount distributed from a retirement account before income tax and other deductions are withheld.

All income received in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax. Gross income includes earned income and unearned income.

A certain percentage of each installment sale payment (after subtracting interest) that is reported as a gain from the sale.

A special tax area specific to Hurricane Katrina designated by the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (GO Zone Act), which consists of the Hurricane Katrina core disaster area as determined by the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 (KETRA). The GO Zone consists of counties and parishes affected by Hurricane Katrina that the president has determined are eligible for both individual and public assistance from the federal government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

An individual who meets one of the following criteria: (1) owned more than 5% of the capital or profits in a business at any time during the current or prior year, or (2) received compensation during the prior year that was more than an annual predetermined amount and in the top 20% compared to other employees' compensation.

An activity that is carried on for personal pleasure or recreation and is not entered into with the intention of making a profit.

The length of time investment property has been held. Generally, the time between the date of purchase (or acquisition) and the date of sale (or disposition). The holding period for stocks and securities begins the day after the trade date and ends the day of sale.

Any interest an individual pays on a loan secured by their home (either their main home or a second home). The loan may be a mortgage to buy their home, a second mortgage, a line of credit, or a home equity loan.

Ordinary and usual services done in and around the taxpayer's home that are necessary to run their home, including the services of a housekeeper, maid, or cook, but not including the services of a chauffer, bartender, or gardener.

Property maintenance or enhancement that adds to the value of the property, lengthens its useful life, or changes it so it an be used in a new way.

An option to purchase stock that is granted to an employee for any reason connected with their employment by a corporation. This option is granted by the employer corporation or its parent or subsidiary corporation and applies to an employee's purchase of stock of any such corporation.

Expenses or costs that are not material expenses incurred while on business or that do not add substantial value to a gift.

Income received after the decedent's death that cannot be included in the decedent's income tax return but that would have been attributable to the decedent had they lived.

An assignment that is realistically expected to last for more than one year or that does in fact last more than one year.

A non-employee who performs services for a person. The person for which they perform services has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result.

A personal savings plan that offers an individual tax advantages to set aside money for retirement.

A nine-digit number issued by the IRS to resident and nonresident aliens who are not eligible to get a Social Security number. An ITIN is issued exclusively for tax reporting or filing purposes.

An individual who files a joint return for which all or part of their share of the overpayment was, or is expected to be, applied toward their spouse's past-due federal tax, child or spousal support, federal non-tax debt (such as a student loan), or state income tax.

A taxpayer who did not know and had no way of reasonably knowing that there was an understatement of tax due to erroneous items of their spouse (or former spouse) on their joint return.

The condition that occurs when a taxpayer's debts are more than the fair market value of their assets.

An agreement with the IRS to pay tax debt in smaller, more manageable amounts (installments).

A sale of property in which the seller receives at least one payment after the tax year of the sale.

A legal document.

Property that has value but cannot be seen or touched, such as goodwill, patents, copyrights, and computer software

A tax based on the value of certain intangible personal property, such as portfolio income (income from stocks, bonds, mutual fund shares, etc.).

The fee received for lending money, usually calculated as a percentage rate for a certain time period. Interest can be earned through depositing money in savings programs, buying certificates of deposits (CDs) or bonds, or lending money to people.

Property or merchandise the individual produces or purchases to sell in the natural course of their trade or business.

The interest paid for money borrowed to buy property held for investment.

Generally, property that produces interest, dividends, annuities, or royalties not derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business.

The forced (not voluntary) disposition of property due to theft, casualty, or condemnation, and the receipt of other property or money in payment of this property, such as insurance or a condemnation award. An involuntary conversion is also called an involuntary exchange.

For a traditional IRA, the amount of nondeductible traditional IRA contributions in the person's IRA. For a Roth IRA, the amount of contributions and conversions to the Roth IRA.

An annuity from which more than one person can receive regular payments. Upon the original annuitant's death, regular payments are made to the designated survivor.

A form of property ownership in which two or more individuals own property jointly. If one owner dies, the survivors are automatically entitled to the decedent's share of the property.

A retirement savings plan that is available to self-employed taxpayers. Contributions are deductible within specific limits.

The Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005.

A child who is presumed by law enforcement authorities to have been kidnapped by someone who is not a family member.

Properties of the same nature or character, even if they differ in grade or quality.

An entity formed under state law by filing articles of organization as an LLC. Unlike a partnership, none of the members of an LLC are personally liable for its debts. An LLC may be classified for federal income tax purposes as a partnership, a corporation, or an entity disregarded as an entity separate from its owner by applying the rules in the Treasury Regulations, section 301.7701-3.

A partnership formed under a state limited liability partnership law. Generally, a partner in an LLP is not personally liable for the debts of the LLP or any other partner, nor is a partner liable for the acts or omissions of any other partner, solely by reason of being a partner.

A partnership formed under a state's limited partnership law and composed of at least one general partner and one or more limited partners.

Items specifically named (listed) in IRS code as subject to special rules for depreciation. Listed property includes passenger automobiles and any other property used for transportation; property of a type used generally for entertainment, recreation, or amusement; computers and their peripheral equipment (unless used only at a regular business establishment and owned or leased by the person operating the establishment); and cellular telephones or similar telecommunications equipment.

The costs incurred to obtain a loan.

A period of more than one year.

The distribution or payment made in one tax year of a plan participant's entire balance from all of the employer's qualified plans of one kind; for example, pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan.

A vehicle for which the depreciation deduction is limited because of its purchase price.

Generally, the home in which an individual lives for most of the year.

Generally, the age set by an employer at which an employee must retire.

A legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. For federal income tax purposes, this definition supersedes any state definitions.

The satisfaction of one of several tests used to determine that a trade or business is not a passive activity. Generally, material participation in an activity includes being involved in its operations on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis during the year.

Amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, relief, treatment, or prevention of disease and for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. The medical care expenses must be primarily to relieve or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.

The smallest amount that must be distributed from a qualified plan to prevent an additional tax on excess accumulation. Also called a required minimum distribution.

Generally, the earliest age at which a taxpayer can first receive a pension or an annuity if they are not disabled.

An individual who is duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed by a religious body constituting a church or church denomination. They are given the authority to conduct religious worship, perform sacerdotal functions, and administer ordinances or sacraments according to the prescribed tenets and practices of that church or denomination. If a church or denomination ordains some ministers and licenses or commissions others, anyone licensed or commissioned must be able to perform substantially all the religious functions of an ordained minister to be treated as a minister for Social Security purposes.

Services performed in the exercise of the taxpayer's ministry or in the exercise of the taxpayer's duties as required by their religious order.

The name given to tax rules relating to recovering, through depreciation deductions, the basis of most business and investment property placed in service after 1986.

Adjusted gross income that is modified to meet the requirements of a specific tax item. Modifications are specific for each tax item that uses MAGI.

A legal document an individual signs when they borrow money and put real estate up as collateral to protect the interests of the lender.

A written agreement indicating which taxpayer can claim the dependent exemption for an individual when two or more qualifying taxpayers together provide more than half of the individual's support and individually provide more than 10% of the individual's support.

A helpful and appropriate expense for a field of trade, business, or profession; it does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.

The amount by which the net long-term capital gain for the year exceeds the net short-term capital loss.

Generally, the amount by which allowable deductions exceed gross income.

The year in which an NOL occurred.

The increase in the value of securities while held in trust.

An individual who receives income in their name that actually belongs to someone else.

A reimbursement or allowance arrangement under which an employer reimburses an employee or provides the employee an expense allowance regardless of whether the employee meets any of the requirements of an accountable plan.

The parent who has custody of a child for the shorter part of the year or who does not have custody at all.

Income from earnings or wages, active business participation, dividends, interest, or capital gains.

A payment or distribution from a retirement plan that does not recur on a regular basis.

A plan that does not meet the IRS requirements for qualified retirement plans.

The net section 1231 losses for the previous five years that have not been applied against a net section 1231 gain by treating the gain as ordinary income.

A debt for which the debtor is not personally liable.

Financing for which the taxpayer is not personally liable.

A credit that cannot be more than the tax liability on the taxpayer's tax return.

Most real property (real estate) other than residential rental property.

An exchange in which any gain is not taxed and any loss cannot be deducted.

Generally, an activity that has not produced a profit in at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year.

A contract conveying the right to buy (call) or sell (put) specific securities, commodities, or stocks at a predetermined price within a defined period.

An expense that is common and accepted in a field of trade, business, or profession.

The person whose name is listed as owner in official documents.

An individual who shares ownership of an unincorporated trade or business with one or more persons.

An unincorporated organization with two or more parties who join together to carry on a trade or business, with each party contributing money, property, labor, or skills and expecting to share in the profits and losses of the business.

Any four-wheeled vehicle made primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways and rated at 6,000 pounds or less of unloaded gross vehicle weight (6,000 pounds or less of gross vehicle weight for trucks and vans).

Generally, a trade or business activity in which a taxpayer did not materially participate and any rental activity (except a rental activity for those who qualify as real estate professionals).

Income from a trade or business activity in which a taxpayer did not materially participate and income from all real estate activities, regardless of their participation (except rental activities for those who qualify as real estate professionals).

The exclusive right granted to an owner or inventor to manufacture, use, or sell an invention for a limited period of time.

Generally, a series of regular definitely determinable payments made to the individual after they retire from work.

Daily or per day.

Payments made on a periodic basis without regard to actual expenses incurred.

The period of time after which a taxpayer can bring no legal action against the IRS regarding their tax return or vice versa.

A payment or distribution from a retirement plan that recurs on a regular basis, such as monthly or yearly.

A condition that indicates an individual cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental condition. A physician must certify that the condition has lasted or can be expected to last continually for at least 12 months or that the condition can be expected to result in death.

A court-appointed executor or administrator of an estate or anyone who is in charge of a deceased individual's property.

An activity that involves the performance of personal services in the fields of health (including veterinary services), law, engineering, architecture, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, or any other trade or business in which capital is not a material income-producing factor.

A corporation for which the main work is the performance of personal service activities and for which these activities are substantially performed by employees who are also owners of the corporation.

The gradual reduction in the amount allowed as a deduction, a credit, or an expense.

Ready and available for a specific use whether in a trade or business, the production of income, a tax-exempt activity, or a personal activity.

The date property is ready and available for a specific use.

Mortgage interest fees paid to reduce the initial interest rate on a loan. Points may also be called loan origination fees, maximum loan charges, loan discount, or discount points.

A person who owns the proceeds of an insurance contract. The policyholder may also be the insured.

Interest, dividends, annuities, and royalties not derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business; a gain or loss from the disposition of property that produces these types of income or that is held for investment.

Education beyond high school at a college, university, or vocational school.

The voluntary contribution an employer deducts from an employee's pay that is not subject to income tax. Also known as deferred compensation or elective deferral.

A type of share in the ownership of a company that usually does not provide voting rights, but the preferred stock shareholders' claim to dividends comes before shareholders owning common stock.

An area declared by the president of the United States to be eligible for federal assistance under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Losses not allowed in prior years due to basis limitations, at-risk limitations, or passive activity loss limitations that are carried forward to the current tax year.

A tax-exempt bond issued by a state or locality to finance the private development of public projects for the benefit of the general public.

Damage resulting from a steadily ongoing operation or a normal process, rather than from a sudden event.

A category for property under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) that generally determines the depreciation method, recovery period, and convention.

A partnership in which the partnership's interests are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market (or its substantial equivalent).

A contract granting the owner of a security the right to sell the security at a predetermined price during a specified period of time.

Certain ordinary dividends received in tax years beginning after 2002 that are subject to the same 5% or 15% maximum tax rate that applies to net capital gains.

An employer's stock bonus, pension, or profit-sharing plan that is for the exclusive benefit of employees or their beneficiaries and that meets Internal Revenue Code requirements.

Services that are necessary diagnostic, preventative, therapeutic, curing, treating, mitigating, and rehabilitative services, or necessary maintenance and personal care services, required by a chronically ill individual. The services must be provided pursuant to a plan of care prescribed by a licensed health care practitioner.

Financing for which no one is personally liable for repayment and for which the financing is all of the following: (1) borrowed in connection with the activity of holding real property, (2) secured by real property used in the activity, (3) not convertible from a debt obligation to an ownership interest, and (4) loaned or guaranteed by any federal, state, or local government or borrowed from a qualified person. (Qualified persons generally include any person actively and regularly engaged in the business of lending money; for example, a bank or savings and loan association.)

Generally, a charitable organization that must apply to the IRS to be considered a qualified tax-exempt entity (unless it is a church or government entity).

A retirement plan that conforms to a specific set of legal rules. Qualified retirement plans include IRAs, 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Conforming profit-sharing plans and employee stock ownership plans are also qualified retirement plans.

Services performed in the exercise of the taxpayer's ministry or in the exercise of the taxpayer's duties as required by their religious order.

A sole proprietorship or a partnership that has average annual gross receipts (reduced by returns and allowances) of $5 million or less during a three-year period ending with the tax year of a net operating loss or the period the business was in existence if the business did not exist for the entire three-year period.

A program (also known as a 529 plan or program) established by a state or by an eligible educational institution that is set up to allow either prepayment of or contributions to an account established for paying a student's qualified higher education expenses at an eligible educational institution.

A trust that primarily invests in real estate or real estate secured loans. Most of the assets in real estate mutual fund include REITs.

Land and generally anything built on, growing on, or attached to land, such as buildings and their structural components (real estate).

The difference between the adjusted basis of the property and the sales price. In a like-kind exchange, the total of all money received, net liabilities given up, and the fair market value of all property received, minus the basis of the property traded is the realized gain or loss.

To include an amount in income that was deducted or excluded in a prior year.

Treating a contribution to one type of IRA as having been made to another type of IRA.

The part of a realized gain or loss that is a taxable gain or deductible loss. For a like-kind exchange, it is the lesser of realized gain or boot. A recognized (or taxable) gain is also known as the amount recognized.

The process of converting funds in a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA after they have been recharacterized. A reconversion cannot occur in the same tax year (or within 30 days, whichever is later) as the original conversion.

A debt for which an individual is personally liable.

The basis of property has been fully recovered when the total of the section 179 and cumulative allowed or allowable depreciation deductions equals the cost or investment in the property.

A return of an amount the taxpayer deducted or took a credit for in an earlier tax year.

A period of years during which the cost of business assets is depreciated.

The payment or exchange of an obligation such as when stock is sold or converted or a bond is presented for payment.

An item of existing debt that reduces the refund amount claimed on a tax return.

A credit that, when combined with a taxpayer's other tax payments, can reduce the amount of tax they owe, give them a refund, or increase their refund.

The federal tax liability imposed for the year without regard to the alternative minimum tax.

Commonly called a mutual fund, this type of investment company is required by law to distribute interest, dividends, and capital gains to its shareholders. The income avoids double taxation by only being taxed at the personal level, not at the corporate level.

To pay back for money spent for out-of-pocket expenses.

Ordinary and necessary expenses that may be deducted for rental property.

Any payment received for the use or occupation of property.

Property maintenance that keeps property in good operating condition and that does not materially add to the value of property or substantially lengthen its life.

The action of a lender or a seller taking property from an individual, usually because of loan default.

The date at which an individual must begin receiving distributions from a qualified retirement plan.

Requirements for distributing qualified retirement plan funds. The requirements differ depending on whether the person is the owner or the beneficiary.

The smallest amount that must be distributed from a qualified plan to prevent an additional tax on excess accumulation. Also called minimum required distribution.

Any building or structure, such as a rental home (including a mobile home), for which 80% or more of its gross rental income for the tax year is from dwelling units.

Permanently withdrawing property from use in a trade or business or from use in the production of income.

The portion of the Hurricane Rita disaster area determined by the president before October 6, 2005, to warrant individual or individual and public assistance from the federal government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Rita.

A tax-free withdrawal of cash or other assets from a qualified retirement plan that is reinvested into another qualified retirement plan within 60 days.

A type of IRA that allows an individual (subject to certain income limits) to save for retirement while allowing the savings to grow tax-free.

A corporation that generally is exempt from federal income tax. Its shareholders include on their tax returns their share of the corporation's separately stated items of income, deduction, loss, and credit, and their share of income or loss not separately stated. An S corporation may have no more than 100 shareholders, may have only one class of stock, and must be a domestic corporation.

The estimated value of property at the end of its useful life. Salvage value is not used under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System.

Generally, an amount paid or allowed to, or for the benefit of, a student at an educational institution to aid in the pursuit of studies.

A money substitute, such as a card or paper certificate, that is used in exchange for goods and services.

Sales, exchanges, and involuntary conversions of business, rental, and royalty property held longer than one year.

Any property that is or has been subject to depreciation or amortization and is personal property, a single purpose agricultural or horticultural structure, or a storage facility (other than a building or its structural components) used for the distribution of petroleum.

Real property (other than section 1245 property) that is or has been subject to an allowance for depreciation.

Property defined under section 179 of the IRS code for which a taxpayer can choose to recover all or part of the cost of the property (up to a limit) by deducting it in the year they place the property in service.

Assets listed in section 197 of the IRS code that a taxpayer can choose to amortize over a period of 15 years.

An independent contractor, a person who carries on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, an active member of a partnership, or a person who is in business for themselves in any other way.

Social Security tax and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves.

A legal document, court order, or agreement specifying amounts paid to one spouse by another spouse while they live apart.

Property belonging to one spouse that is not community property.

The beneficiary, partner, or shareholder's distributive share of income and deductions from an estate, trust, partnership, or S corporation reported on a Schedule K-1.

The date by which property must be delivered and payment must be made.

An agreement under which two or more persons acquire undivided interests for more than 50 years in an entire dwelling unit (including the land), and one or more co-owners are entitled to occupy the unit as their main home upon payment of rent ot the other co-owner or owners.

A school operated by certain tax-exempt organizations (or by a state, a U.S. possession, a political subdivision of a state or possession, the U.S., or the District of Columbia) that provides special instruction or training designed to alleviate the disability of an individual.

A period of one year or less.

A payment to an employee to replace regular wages while they are temporarily absent from work due to sickness or personal injury.

A qualified retirement plan that certain small employers (including self-employed individuals) can set up for the benefit of their employees.

A qualified retirement plan, using IRAs, that certain small employers (including self-employed individuals) can set up for the benefit of their employees.

A written qualified retirement plan that allows self-employed individuals to make contributions toward their own, and their employees', retirement using a traditional individual retirement arrangement (called a SEP-IRA).

The required method of calculating the taxable portion of benefits from a qualified retirement plan with an annuity starting date after November 18, 1996.

Someone who owns an unincorporated business by themselves.

A business that is owned by one individual and is not incorporated.

A trustee or other administrator of a retirement plan.

The difference between an incentive stock option's exercise price and the stock's fair market value on the date of exercise.

A predetermined dollar amount that reduces the income subject to tax. The amount varies depending on the taxpayer's filing status, age, blindness, and dependency status.

A per mile rate, established by statute, that a taxpayer uses to calculate deductible vehicle expenses based on miles driven. Specific rates apply based on whether the use is for business, charity, moving, or medical reasons.

Costs for creating an active trade or business or investigating the creation of acquisition of an active trade or business. Start-up costs include any amounts paid or incurred in connection with any activity engaged in for profit and for the production of income in anticipation of the activity becoming an active trade or business.

A legislative act or law.

A worker who would normally be considered an independent contractor, but is treated by statute as an employee. Statutory employees include full-time life insurance salespersons, certain agent or commission drivers, traveling salespersons, and certain home workers.

A share in a company that represents the portion of the company's earnings and assets that a shareholder owns.

The ability to buy more shares in a company at a specified price for a limited time.

A method of calculating the depreciation for property that uses a percentage rate to deduct the same amount for each year in the recovery period. The percentage rate is determined by dividing one by the number of years in the recovery period.

An activity in which the taxpayer must perform significant duties over a reasonable period of time while working for pay or profit or in work generally done for pay or profit.

The value resulting from the future acquisition of goods or services used or sold by a business because of business relationships with suppliers including a favorable credit rating or a favorable supply contract.

The widow or widower of a deceased individual.

Property that can be seen or touched, such as buildings, machinery, vehicles, furniture, and equipment.

The entire city or general area of an individual's regular place of business, employment, or post of duty, regardless of where they maintain their family home.

The amount of total tax due to the IRS after claiming credits and before reporting payments such as withholding and estimated payments.

The annual period used for keeping tax records and reporting income and expenses. The most common tax year is a calendar year, which ends December 31.

Interest income that is not subject to federal income tax. Tax-exempt interest may or may not be exempt from state income taxes.

Gross income minus any adjustments to income, any allowable exemptions, and either itemized deductions or the standard deduction.

An individual subject to any internal revenue tax. All citizens of the U.S. and all individuals resident in the U.S. are subject to internal revenue tax.

Generally, a work assignment in a single location away from a taxpayer's tax home that the taxpayer realistically expects will last (and does last) for one year or less.

A form of property ownership in which a husband and wife own property jointly. If one owner dies, the survivor is automatically entitled to the decedent's share of the property.

A form of property ownership in which two or more individuals own property separately. If one owner dies, the survivors are not automatically entitled to the decedent's share of the property.

The amount of tax calculated under the alternative minimum tax rules.

Any individual who has been certified by a physician to have an illness that can be reasonably expected to result in death in 24 months or less.

Any activity primarily directed against the U.S. or its allies or any military action involving the U.S. Armed Forces resulting from violence or aggression against the U.S. or its allies.

The intentional taking and removing of money or other property from its rightful owner. The taking of property must be illegal under the laws of the state where it occurs and it must be done with criminal intent.

A method for calculating the taxable portion of benefits from a qualified plan for retirees whose annuity starting date was before July 2, 1986.

The method the IRS applies to determine who can claim the tax benefits when two or more tax returns are filed using the same individual as a qualifying child.

An interest-bearing savings account that restricts access to its funds for a defined time limit. Funds cannot be withdrawn before the limit without incurring a penalty.

A transfer of property for other property or services.

Generally, an activity carried on for a livelihood or in good faith to make a profit.

Any IRA that is not a Roth IRA, a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA, or a Simplified Employee Pension IRA (SEP-IRA).

Someone who does not have a regular place of business or post of duty and does not have a place where they regularly live.

The ordinary and necessary expenses a person incurs while traveling away from home to meet the demands of their job.

The person who is responsible for managing the assets of a trust for the benefit of the beneficiaries and who is usually independent of the person who created the trust.

A transfer of funds in a traditional IRA from one trustee directly to another, either at the taxpayer's request or at the trustee's request. This is not a rollover.

The basis of property for purposes of calculating gain on a sale without taking into account any depreciation taken in earlier years but with adjustments for the section 179 deduction and any special depreciation allowance.

The amount of tax that has not been paid by either withholding or estimated payments but that has been properly reported on the tax return.

A penalty assessed for not paying enough tax through withholding or because estimated tax payments were not made in a timely manner.

The difference between the tax that should have been reported on the tax return (if all the income had been properly included and all the deductions correctly reported) and the lower tax that was actually reported on the return.

Investment income (such as interest, dividends, and capital gains) and other income that is not generated by personal service (such as unemployment compensation, taxable Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities, and alimony).

A person who is unmarried or legally separated from their spouse under a divorce or separate maintenance decree. State law governs whether a taxpayer is married or legally separated under a divorce or separate maintenance decree. A taxpayer is considered unmarried for the entire year if they can be considered unmarried as of the last day of the tax year.

The difference between realized gain or loss and recognized gain or loss.

The part of the stated principal amount of an installment sale contract that is treated as interest when the contract does not provide for adequate stated interest.

The estimated length of time it takes for property to wear out, decay, get used up, become obsolete, or lose its value from natural causes.

Generally, a car, van, pickup truck, panel truck, or sport utility vehicle weighing 6,000 pounds or less that is considered a passenger automobile.

Payments made on a qualified student loan during a period when interest payments are not required, such as when the borrower has been granted a deferment.

A stock transaction in which the person sells or trades stock or securities at a loss and, within 30 days before or after the sale, acquires substantially identical stock or securities, either directly or through an option.

The portion of the Hurricane Wilma disaster area determined by the president before November 14, 2005, to warrant individual or individual and public assistance from the federal government under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Wilma.