Schedule J

[laurannm]

I wonder if that is because you seem to have had the misfortune of being audited?

In any case, I will have as much documentation possible in the event I get asked the same questions. I think worst case I am still negative enough to absorb the loss of the expense and still be ok

[Help!]

I looked into our situation further. What we are going through is identical to the "random" audits the UST use to conduct, only in our district they are not random. It is standard procedure for high income filers here.

I hope you know I am not at all trying to be negative, just trying to help prepare others so they won't be blindsided the way we were at our 341. I truly hope you get through the process without a hitch!

[laurannm]

I looked into our situation further. What we are going through is identical to the "random" audits the UST use to conduct, only in our district they are not random. It is standard procedure for high income filers here.

I hope you know I am not at all trying to be negative, just trying to help prepare others so they won't be blindsided the way we were at our 341. I truly hope you get through the process without a hitch!

Ouch....I feel for you. I can't believe your attorney didn't prepare you for that

If I may ask were you also above 100k in unsecured debt? I think in our district the UST typically will ask for 6 months of pay stubs and bank statements to justify any expenses on your schedule J that may seem out of whack. Other than that, the only audit our lawyer mentioned was the "random" audits that they pull

I don't think your being negative at all! I appreciate all your ideas

[Help!]

Nothing my attorney fails to do surprises me anymore, but it's too late to waste energy on that topic.

Yes, above 100K in unsecured debt, too... red flags everywhere (attorney must be colorblind?).

[laurannm]

Nothing my attorney fails to do surprises me anymore, but it's too late to waste energy on that topic.

Yes, above 100K in unsecured debt, too... red flags everywhere (attorney must be colorblind?).

Same here...we are about $3k above median but have around $120k in unsecured debt

[laurannm]

Was just looking at test scores and realized that the public schools in MA do not use the Iowa Basic Skills testing..they use their own testing called MCAS (massachusetts comprehensize Assesment System). Catholic school, such as my sons, are not required to use MCAS and thus use the IBST testing. So I am not sure I could use test scores as a justification for the tuition expense.

I may just have to stick with the faith-based explanation if it ever came up (catholic up-bringing, attend church every Sunday, etc.) Anyone else out there have to justify your child's tuition expense?

[Phillymanhere]

So what is the "real" reason(s) you guys decided on private school? ... I'm thinking you can start there to construct your justification. You guys didn't just arbitrarily choose it ...

[laurannm]

So what is the "real" reason(s) you guys decided on private school? ... I'm thinking you can start there to construct your justification. You guys didn't just arbitrarily choose it ...

Agreed...honestly religion is the real reason. I was thinking maybe something like this:

"Our catholic beliefs are extremely important to our family and our values. Our catholic belief system provides the foundation for which our family life and values are built on. In order for these same values to be installed into our children outside of the home, we need our child's curriculum to include faith-based teachings."

What I don't get is when it says on the means test for the tuition expense "not already accounted for in the IRS Standards", is it saying that somewhere it actually has a standard listed, or is the standard $137.50?

[Cali]

I grew up in private Catholic school and my kids went to them until this year. And I can say their public school is as good as the private school they went to last year.

And yes their is a standard for 137.50$ per child. Line 38 on the 22a.

Agreed...honestly religion is the real reason. I was thinking maybe something like this:

"Our catholic beliefs are extremely important to our family and our values. Our catholic belief system provides the foundation for which our family life and values are built on. In order for these same values to be installed into our children outside of the home, we need our child's curriculum to include faith-based teachings."

What I don't get is when it says on the means test for the tuition expense "not already accounted for in the IRS Standards", is it saying that somewhere it actually has a standard listed, or is the standard $137.50?

[laurannm]

I grew up in private Catholic school and my kids went to them until this year. And I can say their public school is as good as the private school they went to last year.

And yes their is a standard for 137.50$ per child. Line 38 on the 22a.

Wish i could say the same for us...public school system around here is horrible, even if religion wasn't a factor. You will see more entries in the local police blog about middle schoolers bringing weapons to class......

[Cali]

I see why you put them in private school. That is just scary.

Wish i could say the same for us...public school system around here is horrible, even if religion wasn't a factor. You will see more entries in the local police blog about middle schoolers bringing weapons to class......

[laurannm]

I see why you put them in private school. That is just scary.

I should use that as justification if it comes up

[Frogge]

The only problem with this I think (at least maybe for us anyways) is that our bank statements for example will show a $50 purchase at Target. However, that purchase may have been $25 for clothes and $25 for personal hygiene stuff. So the statements really won't show the details...but maybe that won't matter, not sure

According to my attorney, they just want to see where you spent the money at and how much was spent.

I was wondering about this too looking at my statements. Target could be anything! I spend a lot there, and a lot of it is groceries and personal, but how do they know without receipts? I'm thinking surely someone will want to see what you bought if it's over a certain amount, am I wrong?

[Cali]

If you think you need receipts then keep them.

I've filed and I was told I didn't need receipts. All I need is my bank statement. And since I don't buy groceries where I buy clothes, I am pretty set on any questions that might be asked.

[Frogge]

If you think you need receipts then keep them.

I've filed and I was told I didn't need receipts. All I need is my bank statement. And since I don't buy groceries where I buy clothes, I am pretty set on any questions that might be asked.

Thanks, Cali. Since we have some time before we would actually file I will make adjustments there. I shouldn't buy food at Target anymore now, anyway.. they're pretty high on food compared to others.