If the fringe benefits of your job include employer-paid group term life insurance, a portion of the premiums for the coverage may be taxable. And that could result in undesirable income tax consequences for you. The cost of the first $50,000 of group term life insurance...
Government officials monitor the number of new businesses that are launched each year. In the aftermath of the pandemic, government officials saw a large increase of businesses formed. The U.S. Census Bureau measures this by monitoring the number of businesses applying for an Employer Identification...
Business owners who wish to set up a retirement plan for themselves and their employees may be worried about the financial commitment and administrative burdens involved. This article looks first at a “simplified employee pension” (SEP). Small business owners who establish and contribute to...
Anyone in the process of making a retirement or estate plan, or who intends to donate property to charity, needs to know the value of their assets. For many hard-to-value items — such as closely held business interests, real estate, art or collectibles — an...
Many Americans receive disability income, and the question is often asked: Is it taxable? The short answer is: That depends on who paid for it. This article details how and when taxes may apply. A sidebar discusses how much disability coverage an individual may need....
Taxpayers who have IRAs and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can transfer funds directly from their IRAs to their HSAs, under certain conditions. This is a once-in-a-lifetime transfer, without penalties or taxes, intended to help taxpayers who are hit with high medical bills that exceed the...
Receiving a sudden and sizable influx of cash may seem like a dream come true. It can be, but many people get carried away by a windfall and end up in worse financial shape. This article points out some of the pitfalls and how to...
Many people are distressed to find they owe money when they file their federal tax returns. When that happens, taxpayers might want to change their withholding so that it doesn’t happen again the following year. Another reason to consider adjusting withholding is when a...
A new law was recently passed that will help Americans save more for retirement, although many of the provisions don’t kick in for a few years. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement 2.0 Act (SECURE 2.0) was signed into law on December 29,...
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 “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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
For hard-to-value assets, such as closely held businesses, real estate and art, a professional appraisal may be necessary. This article explores situations that call for an appraisal, including retirement and estate planning, gift disclosures and charitable donations....
Since the introduction of the qualified business income (QBI) deduction, many business owners have been left wondering whether they qualify for it. This brief article explains who’s eligible and how businesses may take action at year end to qualify....
Many Americans receive disability income, and the question is often asked: Is it taxable? The short answer is: That depends on who paid for it. This article details how and when taxes may apply. A sidebar discusses how much disability coverage an individual may need....
Business owners sometimes decide to put their companies on the market. When doing so, they may focus on the federal tax implications of a sale. But there will be state tax implications, too. This brief article touches on some key issues regarding state taxes....
Because of the current estate tax exemption amount ($11.7 million in 2021), many estates no longer need to be concerned with federal estate tax. As a result, more energy can be devoted to other aspects of estate planning. This article looks at important issues to...
Stock market swings may bring both fortune and fear, so investors shouldn’t forget about the helpful balance of bonds. This brief article discusses several popular options, including U.S. government savings bonds and corporate bonds....
Future retirees have long grappled with whether to opt for a traditional or Roth IRA. Those who have a traditional IRA and have seen a decline in the value of their investments may want to consider a conversion to a Roth. This article reviews how...
No one likes a surprise when filing a tax return. One thing that takes many older people off-guard is getting taxed on their Social Security benefits. This article explains how to calculate provisional income to determine whether your Social Security income is indeed subject to...
About a year ago, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was launched in response to the COVID-19 crisis. If your company took out such a loan, you’re likely curious about the tax consequences — particularly for loans that have been forgiven. Forgiveness criteria An eligible recipient may have...
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, many people’s emergency funds were suddenly put the test. Now, presumably with the benefit of some hindsight, the financially savvy might want to reconsider their approach to saving. This brief article discusses some key points to keep in mind....
Now’s a good time for taxpayers to familiarize themselves with pertinent tax-related amounts that may or may not be changing in 2021 because of inflation. This article poses six key questions about such amounts, including those related to retirement planning and the itemized deduction....
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many cash-challenged businesses have bartered for goods and services instead of paying dollars for them. This article discusses the tax impact of bartering and explores membership in a barter exchange....
For many, December 31 means a New Year’s celebration. From a tax perspective, however, it should mean thinking about which filing status you will use for that year’s tax return. This article reviews the five statuses. A sidebar looks at whether a married person can...
As the end of 2020 draws near, investors should take the time to review any mutual fund holdings in their taxable accounts and take steps to avoid potential tax traps. This article offers helpful tips such as avoiding capital gains surprises and being careful about...
