Courtney Walters Esq.

12/04/2025

A little team building this afternoon at Mind Bender Escape Rooms! 🧩 We’re excited to share that we work just as well outside the office—and we proved it by escaping with minutes to spare! 💪 Great teamwork, great fun!

12/07/2022

Always be on alert with any transaction involving your home, and always have an attorney review prior to signing a contract.

Contact our office if you need assistance. (904) 429-4755.

MV Realty uses quick cash to entice homeowners into signing restrictive contracts.

12/01/2022

Are you purchasing or selling your residence? Check out these great moving tips!

Contact us to discuss how we can assist you with this transaction. (904) 429-4755.

01/10/2022

Are you thinking about purchasing or selling a home? Contact us today to see how we can assist you with your transaction. (904) 429-4755.

07/01/2021

Here’s what taxpayers need to know about paying taxes on their hobby activities

Many people are engaged in hobby activities that are also a source of income. For example, some people started selling handmade items during the pandemic. These people must report this income on their tax return.

A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. This differs from those that operate a business with the intention of making a profit.

In determining whether their activity is a business or hobby, taxpayers must consider nine factors.

These factors are:
Whether the activity is carried out in a businesslike manner and the taxpayer maintains complete and accurate books and records.

Whether the time and effort the taxpayer puts into the activity show they intend to make it profitable.

Whether they depend on income from the activity for their livelihood.

Whether any losses are due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer's control or are normal for the startup phase of their type of business.

Whether they change methods of operation to improve profitability.

Whether the taxpayer and their advisors have the knowledge needed to carry out the activity as a successful business.

Whether the taxpayer was successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past.

Whether the activity makes a profit in some years and how much profit it makes.

Whether the taxpayers can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.
All factors, facts and circumstances with respect to the activity must be considered. And, no one factor is more important than another.

06/29/2021

IRS announces "Dirty Dozen" tax scams for 2021
Americans urged to watch out for tax scams during the pandemic

The Internal Revenue Service today began its "Dirty Dozen" list for 2021 with a warning for taxpayers, tax professionals and financial institutions to be on the lookout for these 12 nefarious schemes and scams.

This year's "Dirty Dozen" will be separated into four separate categories:

- pandemic-related scams like Economic Impact Payment theft;
- personal information cons including phishing, ransomware and
phone "vishing;"
- ruses focusing on unsuspecting victims like fake charities and
senior/immigrant fraud; and
- schemes that persuade taxpayers into unscrupulous actions such
as Offer In Compromise mills and syndicated conservation
easements.

Taxpayers are encouraged to review the "Dirty Dozen: list in a special section on IRS.gov and should be alert to these scams during tax filing season and throughout the year.

See Full Article Here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2021

IR-2021-135, June 28, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today began its “Dirty Dozen” list for 2021 with a warning for taxpayers, tax professionals and financial institutions to be on the lookout for these 12 nefarious schemes and scams.

06/22/2021

The first step of good tax planning is good recordkeeping

Year-round tax planning is for everyone. An important part of that is recordkeeping. Gathering tax documents throughout the year and having an organized recordkeeping system can make it easier when it comes to filing a tax return or understanding a letter from the IRS.

Good records help:
- Identify sources of income.
- Keep track of expenses.
- Prepare tax returns.
- Support items reported on tax returns.

Records to keep include:
- Tax-related records.
- IRS letters, notices and prior year tax returns.
- Property records.
- Business income and expenses.
- Health insurance.

Read More In-depth Here:

COVID Tax Tip 2021-89, June 22, 2021

06/17/2021

The IRS has introduced an online tool that enables families to register for monthly payments of the expanded Child Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit Non-filer Sign-up Tool:

Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments of the Child Tax Credit starting in the summer of 2021.

The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance monthly payments. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. We’ll make the first advance payment on July 15, 2021. For a full schedule of payments, see https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-topic-a-general-information

Full Article Here: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-non-filer-sign-up-tool

If you are aren’t required to file a tax return, give us some basic information for the advance Child Tax Credit.

06/09/2021

Here’s how saying “I do” can affect a couple’s tax situation

The arrival of summer is also the start of wedding season. Marriage changes many things and taxes is one of them. Newlyweds should know how tying the knot can affect their tax situation.

Here's a tax checklist for newly married couples:

- Name and address changes: Name. When a name changes through marriage, it is important to report that change to the Social Security Administration. Address. If marriage means a change of address, the IRS and U.S. Postal Service need to know. To do that, people should send the https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8822, Change of Address.

- Withholding: After getting married, couples should consider changing their withholding. Newly married couples must give their employers a new https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4 within 10 days.

- Filing status: Married people can choose to file their federal income taxes jointly or separately each year. While filing jointly is usually more beneficial, it's best to figure the tax both ways to find out which works best. Remember, if a couple is married as of December 31, the law says they're married for the whole year for tax purposes.

- Scams: All taxpayers should be aware of and avoid tax scams. The IRS will never initiate contact using email, phone calls, social media or text messages. First contact generally comes in the mail.

More Info Here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-saying-i-do-can-affect-a-couples-tax-situation

Tax Tip 2021-82, June 9, 2021

06/02/2021

Identity theft protection for taxpayers in six steps

Thieves are actively working to steal the taxpayer information and identities. Everyone should do everything they can to prevent identity theft.

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses a taxpayer's stolen personal information, such as a Social Security number, to file a tax return claiming a false refund.

The IRS and its partners are working hard to prevent these types of crimes, and taxpayers can help by doing their part in stopping identify theft.

Here are some tips to help taxpayers protect themselves against identity theft. Taxpayers should:

- Always use security software
- Use strong, unique passwords
- Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves
- Don't click on links in unsolicited emails or messages from unknown senders
- Protect personal information and that of any dependents
- Get an Identity Protection PIN

Read Full Story Here:

Tax Tip 2021-77, June 1, 2021

05/17/2021

IRS, Treasury announce families of 88 percent of children in the U.S. to automatically receive monthly payment of refundable Child Tax Credit

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today that the first monthly payment of the expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan will be made on July 15. Roughly 39 million households — covering 88% of children in the United States — are slated to begin receiving monthly payments without any further action required.

IRS and Treasury also announced the increased CTC payments will be made on the 15th of each month unless the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. Families who receive the credit by direct deposit can plan their budgets around receipt of the benefit. Eligible families will receive a payment of up to $300 per month for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child age 6 and above.

Read More Here:

IR-2021-113, May 17, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today that the first monthly payment of the expanded and newly-advanceable Child Tax Credit (CTC) from the American Rescue Plan will be made on July 15.

05/13/2021

Filing season reminder: Social Security benefits may be taxable
Taxpayers receiving Social Security benefits may have to pay federal income tax on a portion of those benefits.

Social Security benefits include monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. They don't include supplemental security income payments, which aren't taxable.

The portion of benefits that are taxable depends on the taxpayer's income and filing status.

To find out if their benefits are taxable, taxpayers should take half of the Social Security money they collected during the year and add it to their other income. Other income includes pensions, wages, interest, dividends, and capital gains.

- If they are single and that total comes to more than $25,000, then part of their Social Security benefits may be taxable.
- If they are married filing jointly, they should take half of their Social Security, plus half of their spouse's Social Security, and add that to all their combined income. If that total is more than $32,000, then part of their Social Security may be taxable.

Read More Here:

Tax Tip 2021-66, May 12, 2021