For many people, December 31 means a New Year’s Eve celebration. However, from a tax perspective, it means thinking about the filing status you’ll use when filing your tax return for the year. The one you use depends partly on whether you’re married on that...
Employers may want to explore the benefits of providing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to their workforce. When coupled with a high-deductible health plan, an HSA can be a powerful tool for funding medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. This brief article outlines the advantages and...
The sale of business or trade property can be subject to many rules, depending on the details. Factors that affect the taxability of the sale include the type of property, the primary use and how long the property was held. This article gives a rundown...
Many people want to make gifts of cash and stocks to loved ones during the holidays and at year-end. If properly used, the annual exclusion allows you to give to family members and loved ones and reduce the size of your taxable estate, within limits....
What are the tax implications when a taxpayer who owns a vacation home rents it out? The answer depends on various factors, such as the amount of time rented out and the number of days used by the owner. The calculation of taxable income can...
Under the “wash sale” tax rule, if a taxpayer sells stock or securities for a loss and buys back substantially identical stock or securities within the 30-day period before or after the sale date, that loss can’t be claimed for tax purposes. This article provides...
The “sandwich generation” includes people who are caught between caring for their aging parents and still raising or helping their children. This brief article encourages those in the middle part of the sandwich to initiate family discussions with the other two parts to discuss tax...
October 17 – Personal federal income tax returns for 2021 that received an automatic extension must be filed today and any tax, interest and penalties due must be paid. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114 “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts” (also...
Long-term care — including nursing home care — is expensive. Generally, tax issues aren’t top of mind when someone enters a nursing home. But for those who pay the bills, there may be tax breaks that help offset the cost, such as the ability to...
When businesses receive large amounts of cash or cash equivalents, they may be required to report these transactions to the IRS. Specifically, a payment of more than $10,000 cash in one or more related transactions must be reported on a specific form. Although not all...
Dividing a marital estate is rarely easy. But it’s made much harder if a divorcing spouse owns a private business and attempts to deflate profits or hide assets. Divorcing spouses — or their attorneys — who suspect this type of deception should engage a forensic...
When taxpayers have seriously delinquent tax debt (SDTD), they may face more than financial consequences. That is, the IRS may revoke or limit their passports. How is SDTD defined? In 2022, an unpaid tax bill becomes an SDTD when the assessed federal tax liability exceeds...
Employer-provided life insurance can be a great benefit, with the cost of part of it excluded from an employee’s taxable income. Participating employees need to be aware that this exclusion only applies to the first $50,000 in coverage, and the employer-paid cost of the excess...
Traditionally, important tax and financial records have been stored as hard copies in desk drawers, filing cabinets and safe deposit boxes. These days, it has become increasingly popular and easy to digitize documents and store them electronically. This article explores the advantages and risks of...
A good family budget should be simple yet comprehensive. As this brief article explains, this objective can be accomplished by addressing both the near term (such as day-to-day items) and the long term (such as college education and retirement)....
Business owners may be wondering whether alternative energy technologies can help them manage their business energy costs. A valuable federal income tax benefit — in the form of a business energy credit — applies to the acquisition of many types of alternative energy property. The...
Individuals who plan to transfer real estate, a family business or other assets that are expected to appreciate dramatically in the future may want to consider an installment sale. This option may provide benefits, including the ability to freeze asset values for estate tax purposes...
When teachers are setting up their classrooms for the new school year, it’s not uncommon for them to pay for a portion of their classroom supplies out-of-pocket. A special tax provision allows them to recoup some of the cost at tax time. In light...
Americans who are 65 and older qualify for basic Medicare insurance, but they may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage they desire. The premiums can be expensive — especially for a married couple with both spouses paying them. One aspect...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the third quarter of 2022....
Do you have significant investment-related expenses, including payment for financial service subscriptions, home office maintenance and clerical support? Under current tax law — specifically the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — these expenses aren’t deductible through 2025 if they’re considered investment expenses to produce...
Married couples may not be able to save as much as they need for retirement when one spouse doesn’t work outside the home. In general, an IRA contribution is allowed only if a taxpayer earns compensation. However, there’s an exception involving a “spousal” IRA. It...
Despite a seemingly endless period of COVID-19 setbacks, last year the country experienced a large increase in new businesses launched. The latest figures available from the U.S. Census Bureau (June 2020 through June 2021) show that business applications rose 18.6%. Entrepreneurs often don’t know that...
No matter the season, scam artists look for new victims, including those who would pick the pockets of older people in search of money and financial data. This article offers seven ways to help prevent elder financial abuse and fraud....
Among the many challenges of parenthood is what to do with the kids when school lets out. Parents who choose to send a child to day camp may qualify for a valuable tax break: that is, the child and dependent care credit. This article explains...
Everyone loves a juicy tax refund, but why wait to receive the money? By adjusting one’s withholding and/or estimated tax payments, a taxpayer can enjoy that money throughout the year. This article lists some circumstances under which adjustments are particularly advisable and explains how to...
Taxpayers who have filed their 2021 tax returns may be eager to start clearing out some tax-related paper clutter. Paring down is a good idea, as long as essential records that may be needed in the event of an IRS audit are kept. Some documents...
Business owners may be able to hire their minor children this summer and get tax breaks and other nontax benefits. While owners save on payroll taxes and lower some costs, the kids also benefit. They can gain on-the-job experience, learn practical skills and at the...
There’s a harsh tax penalty that business owners could have to pay personally if they own or manage a business with employees. It’s called the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty and it applies to the Social Security and income taxes required to be withheld by a...
In recent months, some Americans have been victimized by severe storms, flooding, wildfires and other disasters. No matter where someone lives, an unexpected disaster may cause damage to his or her home or personal property. Before the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,...
