What better place for online thieves to target than a database that contains 300 million+ Social Security numbers and a treasure trove of financial information? Your IRS Data Is Not Secure imageThe IRS has 52 Internet applications to help U.S. citizens comply with their tax obligations. But these online portals, which collect, process and store…
For many folks, the lyrics of a 1960s rock song summarize the American dream: “Our house is a very, very, very fine house.” According to U.S. Census figures, about two-thirds of American families are homeowners. But buying a house or condo may not be the best choice for every family in every situation. Renting offers…
Do you need a quick infusion of cash? Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you may be able to take money out of a qualified plan, like a 401(k), or an IRA, with favorable tax consequences. But should you do it? You might view withdrawing money from a retirement account as…
Deep inside legislation passed in late 2019, is a provision that broadens the acceptable use of 529 college savings plan funds. Background 529 savings plans are available to set aside after-tax funds to pay for college and K through 12 education expenses. As long as the funds are used to pay for qualified expenses, any…
It is late January and you realize the 1099-MISC you receive is in error. In fact, it overstates your income by $2,000. What should you do? Gather your facts. Put yourself in the shoes of the vendor, bank or investment company representative. Gather evidence they will need to support your claim to correct the tax…
Does your child, grandchild, or someone else you know need a place to live while attending college? Instead of renting a dorm or apartment, buying a condo or small house might make more sense. This can save money and provide tax breaks, but you need to do the math and be aware of the risks….
If you have not already done so, now is the time to review your tax situation and make an estimated quarterly tax payment using Form 1040-ES. The 2020 fourth quarter due date is now here. Due date: Friday, January 15, 2021 You are required to withhold at least 90 percent of your 2020 tax obligation…
There’s usually an element of relief after your annual tax return has been filed. But what do you do if you find an error on your tax return? Should you always file an amended return? Here are some things to consider. Errors in the IRS’s favor Errors discovered that lead to an additional tax obligation…
You own some stock that has increased in value. To avoid a possible taxable gain by selling the stock, you wish to give it directly to a child or grandchild. This simple idea has some interesting tax consequences to consider. Value of the gift When you gift stock there are not one, but two values…
New state tax laws are making more and more taxpayers tax cheats without them realizing it is happening. Think it can’t happen to you? Your small business registers for sales tax in Texas and you receive a letter from some obscure Texas town that says you need to send them a registration fee. Where did…
You’re ready to take out a loan to buy a house, a car or get a credit card. You fill out the application and wait to hear back from your bank on its decision whether to loan you the money. And then you get the dreaded phone call. Your credit score wasn’t high enough to…
[pl_row] [pl_col col=12] [pl_text] You have your own unique personality, preferences and lifestyle. Likewise, how you manage and organize your finances can have its own personality, including how you budget. Here are five different methods of budgeting, each with a distinct way of helping you organize your spending and finances. Traditional budget. Use last year’s budget…
The IRS recently announced its 2020 edition of its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams with a special emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to COVID-19 tax relief, including Economic Impact Payments. Here are six of the more common scams. Phishing. Phishing refers to potential fake emails or websites looking to steal your personal information. Remember…
New state tax laws are making more and more taxpayers tax cheats without them realizing it is happening. Think it can’t happen to you? Here are some examples. Your small business registers for sales tax in Texas and you receive a letter from some obscure Texas town that says you need to send them a…
You may have started your business as a simple sole proprietorship that files its taxes as a Schedule C on your Form 1040. As your business grows, you may want to change the structure. Here are several scenarios where it may make sense to do just that. Reasons to Create Business Entities Establishing limited liability. The…
Here are several new tax rule 2020 passed this year to consider as you start planning your tax obligation. Make up to $300 of charitable contributions. For the new tax rule 2020 tax year only, an above-the-line deduction of $300 is available to all Americans who want to make a charitable contribution. You can…
The banking sector is the latest industry to dramatically change how it operates in response to the current economic environment. The most visible change for consumers are new requirements for taking out a mortgage. Here are some tips for working with banks and other lending institutions in the midst of tighter lending requirements and a…
Small business owners, self-employed workers and freelancers received some welcome news when Congress recently passed the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act. This new law clarifies how businesses can qualify to have all or a portion of its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiven. Here is what you need to know: December 31, 2020 is the new…
Most taxpayers ignore the federal estate tax, thinking they will never be touched by it. Unfortunately, you do this at your own peril. Why? Because states often have this tax AND politicians have a habit of frequently changing the rules. The best approach for all taxpayers is to understand the basics of the estate tax….
Your tax bill is now due and you may be considering paying the bill with your credit card. Is this a good idea? How does it work? Here is what you need to know The IRS has contracted with a few credit card merchants to offer credit cards as a method of payment. Why not?…
With the tax filing extension giving you until July 15th to file your return, it is easy to overlook ways to avoid receiving a letter from the IRS. Here are some of the most common tax filing mistakes: Forgetting a W-2 or 1099. The IRS does an effective job comparing W-2s and 1099s they receive…
The banking sector is the latest industry to dramatically change how it operates in response to the current economic environment. The most visible change for consumers are new requirements for taking out a mortgage. Here are some tips for working with banks and other lending institutions in the midst of tighter lending requirements and a…
Not required to file. If you have not filed a tax return in either 2018 or 2019, using the non-filer tool or other tax filings methods is the only way to receive the payment. College students. If you are not a dependent on someone else’s tax return, you need to look into using the non-filer…
Coronavirus uncertainty abounds. Thankfully, by monitoring tax changes on your behalf, we can work together to navigate the right path for you and your family. Here is a round-up of tax-related laws and information to help with tax planning for 2020. Early distribution penalty waived The 10% early distribution penalty on up to $100,000 of…
The April 15 federal income tax filing due date has been moved to July 15, the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS recently announced. Here is what you need to know: Tax deadlines move to July 15 The due dates for all tax payments normally due April 15 have been pushed back 90 days to July…
What better place for online thieves to target than a database that contains 300 million+ Social Security numbers and a treasure trove of financial information? Your IRS Data Is Not Secure imageThe IRS has 52 Internet applications to help U.S. citizens comply with their tax obligations. But these online portals, which collect, process and store…
The IRS has finalized Form 8917 (Tuition and Fees Deduction) and its instructions. The tuition and fees deduction expired at the end of 2017, but was reinstated by the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 for tax years beginning in 2018. The January 2020 revision of Form 8917 and its instructions will…
The IRS recently released its 2018 Data Book, including information on its audit activities for the last fiscal year. This infographic details what you need to know regarding your audit risk, how to prepare for and what to expect in an IRS audit.
Whether you are hiring for the first time, filling an open position, or conducting annual performance reviews, finding a salary range that attracts and retains valued employees can be a difficult task. Here are some suggestions to help make the process a bit easier for you and your company: Hands holding cashKnow what your business…