Tax Terminology
Here at PSVS we are in the trenches every day helping you navigate your way through the various complexities of your accounting-related activities. It is easy to forget that not everyone knows all the accounting-specific terminology we use daily.
We have created this fairly comprehensive glossary to supplement your knowledge and understanding and hopefully answer some of your questions.
Of course, if you have any questions send us an email or give us a call: (650) 578-1200.
Main Home
The home in which an individual lives for most of the year.
Mandatory Retirement Age
The age set by an employer at which an employee must retire.
Marriage
A legal union between a man and a woman as husband and wife. For federal income tax purposes, this definition supersedes any state definitions.
Material Participation
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.
Medical Care Expenses
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.
Minimum Required Distribution
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.
Minimum Retirement Age
The earliest age at which a taxpayer can first receive a pension or an annuity if they are not disabled.
Ministerial Qualified Services
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.
Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS)
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.
Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)
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.
Mortgage
A legal document an individual signs when they borrow money and put real estate up as collateral to protect the interests of the lender.
Multiple Support Agreement
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.
