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Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA

Taxes Expert

About

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated as a top Woman in Accounting by Practice Ignition and honored as a Top 100 Innovative Women in Tax by Canopy Tax.

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated as a top Woman in Accounting by Practice Ignition and honored as a Top 100 Innovative Women in Tax by Canopy Tax. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, son, one rescue dog and five chickens.

Expertise

  • Individual income taxes
  • Small business taxes
  • Accounting
  • Personal finance

Achievements

  • Nearly 20 years experience in income tax planning and preparation
  • Licensed CPA
  • Contributor to multiple online and print publications

Other Publications

Education

Morrison University (B.S., Accounting)

Honors and Awards

  • Top Woman in Accounting Nominee from Practice Ignition
  • Top 100 Innovative Women in Tax by Canopy Tax

Professional Memberships

  • Association for Accounting Marketing
  • Nebraska Society of CPAs

  • You Can Still File Taxes Through Credit Karma—But It’s No Longer Completely Free

    Credit Karma Tax has become Cash App Taxes, but Credit Karma isn’t out of the tax game. The company now offers tax filing through TurboTax, another product from Credit Karma’s current parent company, Intuit. TurboTax is one of the easiest...
    You Can Still File Taxes Through Credit Karma—But It’s No Longer Completely Free

  • What Is My Correct Tax Filing Status?

    When you file your federal income tax return, one of the first decisions you need to make is selecting your filing status. Choosing the right one is crucial because it affects your standard deduction—assuming you don’t itemize—along with your tax...
    What Is My Correct Tax Filing Status?

  • When Does Your Previous Employer Send A W-2 Form? And What’s The Penalty If They Don’t?

    One of tax season’s biggest challenges is gathering all the documents you’ll need to file your return by the IRS deadline—including a W-2 form from your employer. If you left a job during the tax year, you should receive a...
    When Does Your Previous Employer Send A W-2 Form? And What’s The Penalty If They Don’t?

  • What Is a Taxpayer Identification Number and How Do I Get One?

    Each taxpayer in the U.S. needs to have a unique nine-digit number that can identify them to the IRS. Many Americans use their Social Security number, or SSN, to confirm their identity on tax returns and other IRS correspondence. But...
    What Is a Taxpayer Identification Number and How Do I Get One?

  • Standard Deductions for 2023 and 2024 Tax Returns, and Extra Benefits for People Over 65

    Each year when you fill out your federal income tax return, you can either take the standard deduction or itemize deductions to reduce your taxable income. The overwhelming majority of taxpayers claim the standard deduction, because due to changes in...
    Standard Deductions for 2023 and 2024 Tax Returns, and Extra Benefits for People Over 65

  • What’s The Penalty If You File Your Taxes Late—Or Don’t File At All?

    If you miss the tax deadline, the IRS can charge two separate penalties: one for not filing your tax return and another for not paying what you owe. You can avoid or minimize these penalties, but ignoring your tax filing obligations...
    What’s The Penalty If You File Your Taxes Late—Or Don’t File At All?

  • Medical Expenses Claim: Will It Work For Your Taxes?

    If you’re paying a lot of healthcare costs out of your own pocket, can you deduct those medical expenses from your taxes? The short answer is yes, but there are some limitations. Can You Claim Medical Expenses on Your Taxes?...
    Medical Expenses Claim: Will It Work For Your Taxes?

  • Married Filing Taxes Jointly Vs. Separately: What Are The Benefits Of Each?

    When deciding how to file your federal income tax return as a married couple, you have two filing status options: married filing jointly or married filing separately. Each choice has advantages and drawbacks, so it's important to understand the differences...
    Married Filing Taxes Jointly Vs. Separately: What Are The Benefits Of Each?

  • What’s The Difference Between Your Marginal And Effective Tax Rate?

    When you file your taxes each year, figuring out how much tax you'll owe or whether you can expect a hefty refund will be top of mind. For answers, it's helpful to know your marginal and effective tax rates. Understanding...
    What’s The Difference Between Your Marginal And Effective Tax Rate?

  • How To Donate A Car For A Tax Deduction

    That old clunker gathering rust in your backyard or driveway could be worth big money to your favorite charity and provide a nice tax write-off for you. Even junk cars can be auctioned for parts or for restoration and reuse....
    How To Donate A Car For A Tax Deduction

  • Guide To The Tax Implications Of A Cash-Out Refinance

    If you’re a homeowner looking to access some of your home's equity, you may want to consider a cash-out refinance. A cash-out refinance allows homeowners to tap their home's equity without selling their house. But before diving into this option,...
    Guide To The Tax Implications Of A Cash-Out Refinance

  • Tax Season 2023: Who Needs To File A Tax Return?

    Each year, the IRS processes more than 150 million individual tax returns. Yours may be one of them—that is, if you have to file a tax return. Not everyone must file a return; whether you need to file depends on...
    Tax Season 2023: Who Needs To File A Tax Return?

  • Are Home Equity Loans Tax Deductible?

    Homeownership is expensive, and if you want to improve the home you’re in now, you might need a little help from the bank. If you need cash for home improvement projects, you may be able to access the equity in...
    Are Home Equity Loans Tax Deductible?

  • Here’s How To Fill Out IRS Form 1040

    If you’ve ever filed a federal income tax return, chances are you used IRS Form 1040. This is the standard form used by most people to file a personal income tax return, report the income they received during the year,...
    Here’s How To Fill Out IRS Form 1040

  • EY TaxChat Review: Professional Tax Preparation With Varied Pricing 2024

    EY TaxChat, the on-demand tax preparation service of accounting giant Ernst & Young Global Limited, connects individuals with knowledgeable tax professionals who can prepare and file tax returns entirely online. It’s a fairly affordable option if your tax returns tend...
    EY TaxChat Review: Professional Tax Preparation With Varied Pricing 2024

  • Yes, Student Loans Can Impact Your Taxes. Here’s How

    If you have student loans, don’t forget about them at tax time. Student loans can impact your federal income tax return in several ways, from reducing your taxable income to losing your refund, depending on your situation. Here’s what you...
    Yes, Student Loans Can Impact Your Taxes. Here’s How

  • Yes, Unemployment Benefits Are Taxed. Here’s How That Works

    Unemployment benefits can be a financial lifeline when you lose a job, but you should know that the IRS considers them taxable income. As such, you may need to have income taxes withheld from your benefits, make estimated payments or...
    Yes, Unemployment Benefits Are Taxed. Here’s How That Works

  • Student Loan Interest Is Tax-Deductible: But Who Can Claim?

    After nearly three years, payments on federal student loans are set to resume in January. If you’re hoping for another reprieve, it’s unlikely that President Joe Biden will extend the payment moratorium past that date. However, there’s a tax deduction...
    Student Loan Interest Is Tax-Deductible: But Who Can Claim?

  • What Do They Mean By The SALT Tax Deduction?

    Are you paying hefty state income taxes or property taxes? Before the passage in 2017 of a major tax law—dubbed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—you may have itemized deductions and gotten a write-off for those payments on your federal...
    What Do They Mean By The SALT Tax Deduction?

  • Review: TurboTax vs. H&R Block

    Ready to file a tax return but not sure which do-it-yourself tax preparation software to use? If it’s a question of TurboTax vs. H&R Block, both offer an easy way to file your taxes online by yourself—and call in some...
    Review: TurboTax vs. H&R Block

  • What Is An Uncontested Divorce?

    Divorce rates may have been declining in recent years, but there are still more than half a million divorces every year in the U.S. An uncontested divorce is a divorce where both parties agree on everything (they reach a settlement)...
    What Is An Uncontested Divorce?

  • 8 Tips To Reduce Your Tax Bill For The Next Tax Season

    It’s never too early to start thinking about tax season, no matter how far off it seems. Tax time will return before you know it, and by then it’ll be too late for many of the maneuvers that can lower...
    8 Tips To Reduce Your Tax Bill For The Next Tax Season

  • How To Pay Taxes As An Independent Contractor: The Complete Guide

    Employees have it relatively easy when it comes to paying taxes. Their employer withholds taxes from each paycheck and sends the money to the federal (and sometimes state) government. Employees pay taxes on their income as they earn it—and generally...
    How To Pay Taxes As An Independent Contractor: The Complete Guide

  • Best Car Donation Charities

    Ready to donate an unwanted car but don’t know where to start? Many charities accept vehicle donations. The tricky part is finding a legitimate charity that qualifies for a charitable contribution deduction, has a mission you believe in, and uses...
    Best Car Donation Charities

  • Cryptocurrency Tax Calculator 2022-2023

    Use our crypto tax calculator below to determine how much tax you might pay on crypto you sold, spent or exchanged. Calculator disclaimer: Calculations are estimates based on the tax law as of January 2021. These rates are subject to...
    Cryptocurrency Tax Calculator 2022-2023

  • 3 Ways To Avoid Underpaying The IRS

    In the U.S., federal income taxes are a pay-as-you-go system. This means the IRS requires you to pay estimated taxes throughout the year—either via withholding from paychecks or by making quarterly estimated payments—as you earn income. Doing so helps you...
    3 Ways To Avoid Underpaying The IRS

  • 9 States With No Income Tax

    The benefit of moving to a state with no income tax is pretty straightforward: you don’t have to pay state income taxes on money you earn. Currently, seven states—Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming—don’t levy income taxes...
    9 States With No Income Tax

  • Jackson Hewitt Review 2024: Simple And Affordable DIY Tax Filing Software

    Jackson Hewitt is best known for its in-person tax preparation at nearly 6,000 brick-and-mortar locations throughout the U.S., including 3,000 in Walmart stores. But the company also offers customers the option of preparing their own return online. Here’s our take...
    Jackson Hewitt Review 2024: Simple And Affordable DIY Tax Filing Software

  • H&R Block Review 2024: Easy To File Your Own Taxes—But Watch For Fees

    Thinking about the upcoming tax season and not sure whether you can handle your return on your own or will need professional help? H&R Block has several tax filing options, whether you want to DIY or turn your tax return...
    H&R Block Review 2024: Easy To File Your Own Taxes—But Watch For Fees

  • TaxSlayer Review 2024: Gets The Job Done At An Affordable Price

    Are you thinking you'd like a low-cost option next time you file your taxes? TaxSlayer offers DIY online tax preparation software for a modest price—potentially even for free. But can it handle your tax situation? Here’s our take on TaxSlayer’s...
    TaxSlayer Review 2024: Gets The Job Done At An Affordable Price
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Top Picks From Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA

  • What’s The Penalty If You File Your Taxes Late—Or Don’t File At All?
    What’s The Penalty If You File Your Taxes Late—Or Don’t File At All?

    by Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA

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About

Janet Berry-Johnson, CPA, is a freelance writer with a background in accounting and income tax planning and preparation for individuals and small businesses. Her work has appeared in Business Insider and The New York Times. Janet has been nominated as a top Woman in Accounting by Practice Ignition and honored as a Top 100 Innovative Women in Tax by Canopy Tax.