TaxCPANY Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 Just got my first UN employee as a client, and it's a new job for her, too; so we're both unfamiliar with just what constitutes "earnings." Per the UN PowerPoint from its tax unit, "taxable earnings = gross salaries + other emoluments . . .", and there are no less than 11 components to her pay. Her English is not sophisticated enough to understand my requests for documents I assume would explain to new employees what all those pieces are about. Anyone been here before, could shed light on which "emoluments" I should base this year's projection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Normal Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 I'm of no use. I thought an emolument was something in skin lotion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 I'm of no use. I thought an emolument was something in skin lotion.emolument: a salary, fee, or profit from employment or officeemollient: a preparation that softens/moisturizes the skin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack from Ohio Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 emolument: a salary, fee, or profit from employment or officeemollient: a preparation that softens/moisturizes the skinYour vocabulary is transcendent! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max W Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 If she is a foreign citizen (and not a green card holder), she could be exempt from US taxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanmcq Posted June 25, 2015 Report Share Posted June 25, 2015 I have a UN employee as a client. Is your client working here or overseas? US citizen, green card holder, not?my client has a lot of emoluments too; hardship, hazard, etc. she is a US citizen and it's all included as salary, but a bunch of it isn't taxable because she is overseas. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxCPANY Posted June 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 Green card working stateside a couple of years now; first time she's been employed by UN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Normal Posted June 26, 2015 Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 emolument: a salary, fee, or profit from employment or officeemollient: a preparation that softens/moisturizes the skinPo-tay-to po-tah-to 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH Posted June 26, 2015 Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 I never say "emolument" when I can say "compensation."That's because I eschew obfuscation. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsTabbyKats Posted June 26, 2015 Report Share Posted June 26, 2015 The only thing I know about UN employees is that they have to itemize. I did one about a billion years ago. But I have an acquaintance who worked for the UN...and she mentioned this within the past decade. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 I am totally ignorant in this area, just want to say how great this group is. No matter what exotic question comes up, someone always seems to come forward with an answer, or at least a direction in which to look for an answer. Just want to thank you all, I've learned a lot, myself, and I know I'm not the only one. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail in Virginia Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I am curious - why do they have to itemize? I don't have any UN employees as clients, and I am not likely to, but I did not think anyone (other than MFS spouse of someone who itemizes) was required to itemize. I can see it might be advantageous.... but why required? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsTabbyKats Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I am curious - why do they have to itemize? I don't have any UN employees as clients, and I am not likely to, but I did not think anyone (other than MFS spouse of someone who itemizes) was required to itemize. I can see it might be advantageous.... but why required?They are required to itemize because the IRS says so But...if you really want to know....click on the "latest tax circular" linkhttp://www.un.org/Depts/oppba/accounts/tax/faqs/faq03.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail in Virginia Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 I looked at the link that you provided, and I really could not find anything about itemizing deductions in that link. After chasing through some other links, I did find a power point presentation from the UN about paying US taxes that, on slide 44, tells employees that they make all efforts to minimize their tax to qualify for reimbursement, including using the larger of standard or itemized deduction. See http://www.un.org/Depts/oppba/accounts/tax/forms/us_tax_reimbursement_procedures_at_unhq.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) Gail and MsTabbyKats, I looked at those links, and like Gail, I also could not find anything and agree with Gail about the employee being required to minimize their tax liability by means of all allowable adjustments to income, exemptions and deductions.In my search I came upon the UN's form entitled "Request for 2014 income tax settlement and 2015 income tax advances" that is available for download as a Word doc, and in the declaration area that is immediately above the signature area that the staff member is swearing to, the form contains 14 numbered points including #10 that states this (bold is mine): 10. I certify that I have minimized my income tax for 2014 by utilizing all adjustments to income, deductions and exemptions to which I am entitled, including the itemizing of deductions if they exceed the standard deduction allowable. The form referenced above is F.65 and has a link to download from this page on the UN's tax FAQ page. Edited June 29, 2015 by jklcpa added link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easytax Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 jklcpa ATX Supreme GuruSure, just confuse me --- not on the UN tax things but on going incognito with a new avatar.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklcpa Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 jklcpa ATX Supreme GuruSure, just confuse me --- not on the UN tax things but on going incognito with a new avatar.... Oh, did people like the scolding of Soup Nazi better? I was going for a softer image. Maybe I should have gone with a picture of one of my roses, you know, with the prickly thorns on the stem. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsTabbyKats Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 As a fact...my "kind of friend" Monica worked for the UN for 40 years. She told me that she was required to itemize....just as all the non-resident alien diplomats on diplomatic visas (filing 1040-NRs) are required to do.Now....this is NYC...where if someone makes about $50,000 and is single...they exceed the standard deduction (she made a lot more).I'm sure the guy I did a billion years ago also made over $50K. I vaguely remember him giving me "a sheet of instructions".That line might be interpreted to read as a reminder ...."Make sure you itemize in order to minimize your income" (because if people do their own tax returns they might overlook itemizing).Good to know...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richcpaman Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 Maybe we just need to ask the most recent past Treasury Secretary for how to treat her income tax.Just "shake the box, Timmy!"Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. Jani Posted June 30, 2015 Report Share Posted June 30, 2015 I have clients with UN who always give me one page worksheet. I do prepare based on which is better i.e. standard or itemized. But they always want to see Schedule A just to make sure that standard is better. I always print Schedule A if standard is taken and give it to them. Never had problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjenkins Posted July 3, 2015 Report Share Posted July 3, 2015 Oh, did people like the scolding of Soup Nazi better? I was going for a softer image. Maybe I should have gone with a picture of one of my roses, you know, with the prickly thorns on the stem. I love your new avatar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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