Estate planning isn’t just about what happens to one’s assets after death. It’s also about protecting oneself and one’s family during life. This article discusses two estate planning documents that are essential for everyone: a living will and a health care power of attorney....
Kids who learn about money when they’re young are more likely to develop sound financial habits when they’re adults. This brief article offers tips on how to raise financially responsible kids at various stages of childhood....
Most people have April 15 “tattooed on the brain” as the deadline for filing their federal income tax returns. What many forget is that the gift tax return deadline is on the very same date. This article explains the filing requirements and why some taxpayers...
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created a new tax credit for certain employers that provide paid family and medical leave. Originally, it was available only for the 2018 and 2019 tax years but was recently extended by a new law. This article has the...
Gig workers represent a growing segment of the economy. And no matter what the job or app, they all have one thing in common: taxes. This article explores the distinctive aspects of this type of self-employment. A sidebar points out that gig workers may qualify...
Despite the prevalence of Web-based meetings, many of today’s businesses still have plenty of employees who travel. For companies that reimburse employees on a tax-free basis for travel expenses, it’s important to stay up to date on the rules that determine the location of a...
It’s an awful feeling for anyone to learn that his or her credit or debit card has been used fraudulently. Whether the cardholder is liable typically depends on the type of card, whether he or she still possesses the card and when the card issuer...
Business owners must monitor the cash flow and tax positions of their companies, while also looking out for their own personal financial futures. This article looks at how to lay the foundation for a strong exit strategy using a buy-sell agreement and family-focused succession planning...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the first quarter of 2020....
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act generally reduced individual tax rates through 2025, but some taxpayers have actually seen their taxes go up because of reductions or eliminations of certain tax breaks. This brief article explains why it’s important for taxpayers to know their brackets....
Many people might consider donating their car to charity at year end to start the new year in a fresh ride and get a tax deduction. This brief article urges caution and explains why this strategy doesn’t always work out as intended....
The days of the calendar year are vanishing quickly, but there still may be some last-minute strategies that business owners can use to lower their 2019 tax bills. This article lists five to consider, including postponing invoices and qualifying for the pass-through deduction....
With the dawn of 2020 on the near horizon, here’s a quick list of tax and financial to-dos you should address before 2019 ends:...
Many financially savvy individuals are already thinking about filing their tax returns next year. But they shouldn’t overlook another critical and equally important aspect of financial planning: asset protection. This article discusses some fundamental strategies to consider. A sidebar discusses asset ownership structure....
Do you have investments outside of tax-advantaged retirement plans? If so, you might still have time to reduce your 2019 tax bill by selling some investments ― you just need to carefully select which investments you sell. Balance gains and losses If you’ve sold investments at a gain this year, consider selling...
Many people dream of retiring early so they can pursue activities other than work. But making this dream a reality requires careful planning and diligent saving during the years leading up to retirement. This brief article touches on some of the fundamental ways to live...
Among the most important impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is its increase of the standard deduction. This article explains how the increase has affected the strategy of “bunching” deductible medical expenses into one year to save tax dollars....
It’s common for owners of closely held businesses to transfer money into and out of the company. But it’s critical to make such transfers properly or risk unwanted IRS attention. This article explains how and why a transfer should be defined as a loan —...
Traditional and Roth IRAs can be relatively “safe” retirement-savings vehicles, depending on what they’re invested in. But a drawback is that they limit investment choices. This article looks at an alternative: self-directed IRAs, which provide more flexibility in investment choices but also come with a...
Most small business owners probably breathed a sigh of relief after filing their 2019 taxes (or requesting an extension). They’ll have a much easier time filing next year if their tax-related files (whether paper or digital) are culled of clutter. This article provides both general...
When teachers are setting up their classrooms for the new school year, it’s common for them to pay for a portion of their classroom supplies out of pocket. A special tax break allows these educators to deduct some of their expenses. This article explains how...
Despite its name, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act didn’t cut all types of taxes. It left several taxes unchanged, including the 3.8% tax on net investment income (NII) of high-income taxpayers. This brief article defines the NII tax and urges you to explore strategies...
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has given business owners much to think about, including whether to change the structure under which their companies operate. This article explains what’s changed and offers some scenarios to ponder. A sidebar looks at what growth-focused businesses should think...
Finding ways to defer or minimize taxes on investments is always important. One way to do so — and diversify one’s portfolio, too — is to invest in qualified small business stock. This article describes the tax advantages....
A vacation home can provide a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But that’s not all: It can also offer valuable tax benefits. This article sorts out the rules for claiming a tax break....
A long-term care insurance policy supplements traditional health insurance by covering services that assist the insured with one or more activities of daily living. Long-term care coverage is relatively expensive, but it may be possible to reduce the cost under a tax-qualified policy. This brief...
Must one spouse pay the tax resulting from a fabrication or omission by another spouse on a jointly filed tax return? It depends. This article explores the “innocent spouse” rules, which aren’t easy to qualify for but do offer relief to some taxpayers. A sidebar...
It’s not uncommon for businesses to sometimes generate tax losses. But the tax law limits deductible losses in some situations, and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act limits them even further for pass-through entities. This article explains how and why the rules have changed following...
Among the many great challenges of parenthood is what to do with the kids when school lets out. If one chooses to send a child to day camp, he or she may qualify for a valuable tax break: the child and dependent care credit. This...
Now that most taxpayers have filed their 2018 tax returns, one troubling afterthought may come to mind: Could I get audited? This brief article discusses how the IRS goes about choosing returns to audit and why most people should breathe easy....
