March 13, 2024
After months of searching, countless open houses, and endless deliberation, you’ve finally found your dream home. Like many homebuyers, your mortgage requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). The premium will most likely be included in your monthly payment, and you may be wondering whether PMI is tax deductible. Key points: Mortgage Insurance Premiums (MIP) or Private […]
July 5, 2023
Caring for an elderly parent or adult dependent can be emotionally and financially burdensome. According to a study by AARP, caregivers spend an average of $7,242 per year on caregiving expenses. Thankfully, there are tax breaks available to help offset the cost of elder care. The name of the Child and Dependent Care Credit is […]
May 22, 2023
The federal tax return deadline for individuals falls on (or around, depending on the day of the week) April 15th every year. If you aren’t prepared to file by then, you can request a tax extension by filing Form 4868, which gives you an additional six months to file your previous year’s federal income tax […]
December 7, 2022
These days, it’s not uncommon for at least part of your home to double as office space. Whether you work from the couch or run your business from a designated room, you should know the tax implications of setting up a home office and claiming the home office deduction. Does it raise your chance of […]
December 1, 2022
Tackling home improvements and reducing your tax bill at the same time? Sounds like a win-win! The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act includes expanded tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements, which some analysts have estimated could save over 100 million households $37 billion a year on their energy bills. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act extended […]
September 7, 2022
2022 not your year for earning potential? Many of us are still feeling the effects of the pandemic reflected in our income, AND we now have inflation to deal with. Perhaps you’ve been forced to take a break from work due to personal circumstances, or maybe your business just hasn’t done that well this year. […]
July 14, 2022
Your home is probably one of the most significant purchases you’ll ever make in your life. It’s also one that comes with a lot of pride and emotion. Now, it’s time to sell. Of course, you want to make a profit, but what about the tax implications? Here’s what you should know if you’re selling […]
June 22, 2022
The child and dependent care tax credit helps to offset the cost of child or dependent care for families that pay for care while they work—whether that’s child care, summer camp, babysitting, adult day care, or another form of care for qualifying dependents. Over the years, the child and dependent care tax credit has undergone […]
May 24, 2022
While the family office concept has been around for decades, it has seen significant growth in the past 10 years. We attribute this to many of the factors driving other changes in the business world: greater home connectivity and access to information, as well as the tremendous amount of change and upheaval in the wealth […]
May 10, 2022
“Join me in inviting @elonmusk to move @Twitter to the freest state in the nation! Florida would benefit the company as a whole—we have no state income tax and the perfect business climate. It’s time to book a one-way ticket,” said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis in a tweet after it was announced that Elon Musk […]
April 26, 2022
Last week’s blog covered some of the 2022 tax changes that may cause your tax situation to be quite different than it was in 2021. Here are some additional changes that may impact your return for the next filing season. Standard Mileage Rates Mileage Type 2021 2022 Standard mileage rate for business driving/mile 56¢ 58.5¢ […]
April 21, 2022
Although filing your 2021 tax return may still be top of mind, there’s no better time to start planning for the tax changes coming in 2022. Every year brings with it a long list of tax law changes that can affect your bottom line, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with what’s new and what’s […]
February 23, 2022
The deadline for filing 2021 taxes looms around the corner, and once again the COVID-19 pandemic is causing some complications. In addition to the well-publicized IRS backlog, filers this year will need to account for economic stimulus payments and reconcile any advance payments of the Child Tax Credit. We’ve compiled a list of seven things […]
February 10, 2022
If you’ve earned money through an online platform or other source of income outside of a traditional employment arrangement, you will most likely receive Form 1099 in January of the following year. The earnings could come from a wide variety of sources: selling products, subcontracting or freelance work, renting your home or other property, or […]
February 3, 2022
Saving for retirement is a top priority when it comes to financial planning. We all hope to reach financial freedom and enjoy our golden years, live comfortably, travel, and spend time with loved ones. Looking past our own needs, many of us also have family members we wish to provide for long after we are […]
January 13, 2022
The advance monthly payments of the Child Tax Credit ended in 2021, and the IRS has begun sending out letters to taxpayers who received monthly payments that indicate how much each individual received, as well as the number of children on which the credit amount was based. The expanded child tax credit will not continue […]
January 7, 2022
You may have envied the success of self-made millionaires. Have you ever stopped to think that could be you? For some, millionaire status is more than just a dream—it’s a goal that they will achieve. It will take hard work, planning, and commitment, but with the right financial advisor and motivation, you too can become […]
December 17, 2021
Your golden years should be spent doing the things you love, enjoying life to the fullest surrounded by those that you hold dear. Unfortunately, the majority of Americans have fallen short on retirement savings, leaving them in a bind financially. If your retirement years are looking less-than-relaxing based on your current savings, it’s not too […]
December 10, 2021
As 2021 comes to a close, it’s an ideal time to assess your finances and set goals for the new year. We recommend reviewing your current financial situation, identifying money moves to make before year-end, and determining any adjustments needed for 2022. For a comprehensive review, consider the following: Retirement accounts Since there is no […]
November 2, 2021
What if we told you that you could invest in a small business and not pay taxes on the gains? Well, your dream can be a reality, provided you make some key moves before you write that first check. Investing in a qualified small business not only offers great growth opportunities for local startups, but […]
October 11, 2021
Why is it so important to get Form 8879 back to your tax preparer? If you have used a CPA firm or other tax preparer to file your taxes in the past decade, you’ve been required to complete a form authorizing the preparer to electronically submit your return on your behalf. Failing to submit that […]
September 16, 2021
The average taxpayer goes searching for a CPA at tax time and often realizes that there are benefits to hiring a CPA firm throughout the year. CPAs provide valuable time and money-saving services to individuals and business owners. Whether you’re looking to save on your taxes, better understand your investments, plan for retirement, create an […]
August 27, 2021
You’ve heard the expression, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What happens when what you love to do becomes your work? Many people have seen their side-hustles grow into a serious income stream. But what about those hobbies or activities that don’t bring in the big bucks? In […]
July 9, 2021
If you’re looking for ways to maximize the tax benefits of charitable giving, donor-advised funds might be a great option. Donor-advised funds are accounts that are maintained and operated by a section 501(c)(3) organization. Donors can give money or assets (stocks, bonds, real estate) to a nonprofit sponsor to then be disbursed to various charitable […]
June 22, 2021
Our recent blog addressed many of the tax issues inherent in renting your vacation home on Airbnb, VRBO, or another platform. Which form to file (Schedule C or Schedule E) with your tax return is a classic area of confusion for owners of short-term rentals, and the answer is often unclear for Airbnb hosts and […]
April 20, 2021
If the transition to remote work due to the pandemic led you to flee a high-tax state and relocate to a state with a lower cost of living, there is a good chance you incurred moving expenses. Whether you moved yourself, had a moving service, or incurred hefty realtor fees, moving expenses can really add […]
April 15, 2021
$600 doesn’t sound like much in the grand scheme of a year’s income. It could come from a few sales on Etsy, or maybe you rented your home out on Airbnb out for a couple of nights. From the perspective of the IRS, however, that $600+ represents taxable income that has historically gone unreported—and unsurprisingly, […]
April 7, 2021
Contacting the IRS can seem like an overwhelming task. Likewise, many people feel panic when the IRS initiates contact with them directly. In order to help taxpayers identify legitimate IRS communication and help to fight against phishing attempts, the IRS uses specific channels for communication. You can contact IRS personnel in many different ways, including […]
March 29, 2021
2020 was the year for working remotely, and one of the more prominent questions in the 2020 tax season has to do with state income taxes. The question boils down to multiple states vying for your tax revenue relocation. Generally, you pay state income tax to the state in which you earned the income. For […]
March 12, 2021
President Biden has signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, aimed at assisting millions of Americans and business owners feeling the impact of COVID-19. Not only does the plan include the next round of stimulus payments that have been making headlines, but it also includes additional provisions to financially support […]
February 25, 2021
For many years, transactions and earnings in virtual currencies stayed off of tax returns. As the value of cryptocurrencies rose, the IRS began enforcing and clarifying cryptocurrency tax laws. The IRS has updated instructions for 2020 on the virtual currency question on Form 1040, and these instructions clarify what’s included under the term virtual currency. […]
January 4, 2021
The December 2020 COVID-19 stimulus bill has been signed into law by the President and includes many provisions designed to help individual taxpayers continue to weather the pandemic. Among other items, additional funding for unemployment, individual households, vaccine distribution, and small businesses are all included. Our focus in this post includes COVID relief for individual […]
December 15, 2020
With all of the changes we’ve experienced in 2020, we strongly recommend reviewing your tax documentation and other financial information before the end of the year. We conduct year-end tax planning meetings with many clients, and these give us the opportunity to look through the nuances of individual finances. However, there are certain points that […]
December 9, 2020
Whether you file your taxes yourself or work with a preparer, it’s absolutely critical to protect your personal information. Before you enter your Social Security number, review these 6 tips to help you protect your identity online. 1. Get an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS Starting January 2021, the IRS is expanding its Identity […]
October 13, 2020
Cancellation of debt is an issue that often arises around tax time and is something that every taxpayer should understand. Many people are relieved to reach the end of a long battle with a debt, only to learn that there are tax implications. Any time there is a short sale, foreclosure, or another form of […]
August 20, 2020
Scammers never let an opportunity go to waste, and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new ways for bad actors to prey on the vulnerable and scared in the form of IRS scams. Criminals are already attempting to steal money and personal information under the guise of coronavirus tax relief. The IRS recently released their “Dirty […]
July 22, 2020
The 2020 tax season is going to sneak up on us. Several of the coronavirus relief laws that were passed on a federal level, including the CARES Act, created new tax credits and other changes for the upcoming tax season. The late 2019 SECURE Act, passed before we knew about the current crisis, will also […]
May 26, 2020
The COVID-19 public health crisis has taken its toll on businesses, individuals, retirees, and everyone in between. One of the efforts to help bring economic relief is a series of tax breaks to help individuals and businesses. We’ve summarized the most significant COVID-19 tax relief changes that will have a broad impact. Those of you […]
May 13, 2020
Between the SECURE Act and the CARES Act, retirement plan rules have seen some dramatic changes so far this year. Current retirees, as well as workers who are nearing retirement, should be aware of retirement plan changes that could have a favorable impact. First, consider whether it makes sense to convert your traditional IRA to […]
March 30, 2020
This post was updated on May 13, 2020, to include information about the CARES Act financial aid provision for college students. The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act is the coronavirus relief bill that has been making major headlines and includes the stimulus payments you’ve likely heard about. While the CARES Act worked […]
March 18, 2020
We all want our children and grandchildren to grow up to be financially stable, to make smart financial decisions, and to be confident in managing their money. Early, consistent teaching about finances is critical—and it’s never too early to start with your own kids and grandkids! Here are 5 tips to help you teach money […]
December 12, 2019
Have you heard about the invisible rich? These are the people whose lives are anything but flashy—they drive older cars, pack their lunches, live in a modest home, etc. At the same time, they’re making five-figure donations to their churches and sending their children to college without borrowing any money. Just how does this happen, […]
August 30, 2019
As the summer winds down, the IRS is gearing up for fall tax deadlines, year-end matters, and continued tax reform courtesy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. But before all of that, the agency released some significant updates in August. Here are 3 recent IRS news items that impact a broad swath of taxpayers. […]
July 19, 2019
Many people have similar tax situations from year to year, and so they become familiar with the rules and regulations that apply to their personal finances. However, changes in your situation or once-in-a-lifetime events can often have significant tax implications. Here are some of the lesser-known elements of our tax code that tend to trip […]
July 5, 2019
The IRS’ audit rate on individual income tax returns was 0.59% in 2018, which represented the lowest rate in the prior 17 years. Households in all tax brackets saw a decline in audit rates, except the $50,000-$75,000 bracket, which experienced a 0.06% increase. Overall, the low audit risk sounds like good news for taxpayers, but […]
June 10, 2019
If your 2018 tax return was a doozy, you may want to consider making some changes to your tax withholdings—after all, changes are in the air at the IRS. One of the most common reasons that many taxpayers had smaller refunds (or unexpectedly owed tax) for 2018 were errors in the IRS’ withholding tables. In […]
May 30, 2019
Summer has arrived! Whether you’re parked at the pool, planning a fabulous vacation, or just staying cool in the AC, it’s a time when life slows down a bit for many of us. If you have children or grandchildren who are getting ready to begin a summer job—or a recent graduate launching his or her […]
April 26, 2019
Many taxpayers filed extensions this year due to surprises and misunderstandings about the new rules under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. If you extended your tax return and didn’t pay an estimate of the tax you owe, be aware that interest and penalties are now accumulating. When you extend your tax return, it’s in […]