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,...
Individuals who have a life insurance policy probably want to ensure that the benefits their families will receive after their deaths aren’t included in their estates. That way, the benefits won’t be subject to the federal estate tax. This article discusses the ins and outs...
Business owners who have been audited by the IRS are likely aware that the process may be stressful. It might help to understand what IRS auditors know about the business’s industry. IRS examiners generally do research on a specific industry and on issues on a...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the second quarter of 2022....
It may not be too late to lower your 2021 tax bill. Qualified individuals can still make deductible contributions to traditional IRAs until the tax filing date of April 18, 2022, and claim the deduction for 2021. This article provides details, including alternate strategies....
Business owners who intend to hire should be aware of a recent law that has extended through 2025 a valuable credit to those that hire members of certain targeted groups. This article provides the limits and other details of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and...
It’s an awful feeling to learn that your credit or debit card has been used fraudulently. Whether you’re liable for charges typically depends on the type of card, whether you still possess the card and when the card issuer is alerted. This article provides further...
An employer-sponsored flexible spending account allows participants to pay health care costs with pre-tax dollars and be reimbursed, tax-free. Unused funds at year-end may be forfeited unless the plan includes one of two exceptions. In 2021, the IRS added some items to the list of...
They say the early bird gets the worm. Early federal income tax filers may get a couple worms. This article discusses two benefits to filing early. A sidebar addresses the idea of not filing a 2021 tax return until one’s delayed 2020 tax refund is...
COVID-19’s rapid spread and the economic havoc that followed are vivid reminders of how unpredictable and volatile the broad economy — and each family’s personal finances — can be. This article discusses three financial lessons that may be learned from the pandemic....
People with aging parents may worry about whether they could be held financially responsible for their parents’ nursing home bills if the parents can’t afford to pay them. This article explores filial responsibility laws, which are rarely enforced, and Medicaid’s estate recovery process....
Business owners should remember that the 50% deduction limit for certain meals remains suspended in 2022. That means companies can deduct 100% of the cost of business-related, restaurant-provided meals. This brief article has the details....
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other reasons, job upheaval has become common among Americans. If you’ll soon be changing employers, you should handle your retirement plan carefully. This article outlines the four basic options for plan rollovers....
Many businesses need to invest in heavy sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to transport equipment and provide timely services. Fortunately, they may be able to claim valuable tax deductions for the purchases. This article provides an overview of the tax rules and benefits for SUV purchases....
To support a charitable deduction, taxpayers need to comply with IRS substantiation requirements. But what if you never receive a letter from the charity substantiating a donation? This article explains the rules and notes a valuable tax deduction....
According to the Federal Trade Commission, veterans lost approximately $60 million to fraud in 2020. Among the greatest fraud threats to this group is “imposter” fraud. This brief article defines this type of fraud and offers suggestions on how to avoid falling victim...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the first quarter of 2022....
Babies bring joy and excitement. They also bring substantial adjustments to the family budget! This article discusses a couple of ways to pacify the challenge: checking insurance and reviewing tax breaks. A sidebar advises starting a college fund as early as possible....
