Social Security Tax Update: How High Can It Go?
Employees, self-employed individuals and employers all pay Social Security tax, and the amounts can get bigger every year. And yet, many people don’t fully understand the Social Security tax [...]
House Rich But Cash Poor? Consider a Reverse Mortgage Strategy
Are you an older taxpayer who owns a house that has appreciated greatly? At the same time, you may need income. Thankfully, there could be a solution with a [...]
Smart Tax Planning Pays Off
If you're financially successful or expect to become so, taxes are or will become one of your biggest expenses — and most people want to minimize their tax obligations. Roughly [...]
Close-Up on Pass-Through Entity Tax Laws
At the start of 2024, three dozen states and New York City already had pass-through entity taxes (PTETs) on their books, with legislation pending in three other states. These types [...]
The Tax Advantages of Including Debt in a C Corporation Capital Structure
Let’s say you plan to use a C corporation to operate a newly acquired business or you have an existing C corporation that needs more capital. You should know that the [...]
Taxes When You Sell an Appreciated Vacation Home
Vacation homes in upscale areas may be worth way more than owners paid for them. That’s great, but what about taxes? Here are three scenarios to illustrate the federal [...]
Updated Guidance on Business Vehicle Depreciation
The rules for deducting depreciation expenses on vehicles used for business purposes have been liberalized under current tax law, but they remain complicated. In addition, annual inflation adjustments make allowable depreciation [...]
Get Ready for Due Diligence Long Before a Sale or Merger
It may seem odd, but as soon as you start up a business, you should begin preparing the documentation needed to sell or merge with another enterprise. It may be years [...]
Don’t have a tax-favored retirement plan? Set one up now
If your business doesn’t already have a retirement plan, it might be a good time to take the plunge. Current retirement plan rules allow for significant tax-deductible contributions. For [...]
Bartering is a Taxable Transaction Even if No Cash is Exchanged
If your small business is strapped for cash (or likes to save money), you may find it beneficial to barter or trade for goods and services. Bartering isn’t new [...]
Uncovering Hidden Assets in a Divorce
These days, marriage can be a complex venture, and when it dissolves, sorting out the finances can be difficult. Even in amicable divorces, the financial entanglements can be complicated. And [...]
The tax deadline is almost here: File for an extension if you’re not ready
The April 15 tax filing deadline is right around the corner. However, you might not be ready to file. Sometimes, it’s not possible to gather your tax information by the [...]
6 Factors to Classify Workers as Employees or Independent Contractors
In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued its long-awaited final rule related to employment status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The new rule carves out [...]
Update on Retirement Account Required Minimum Distributions
If you have a tax-favored retirement account, including a traditional IRA, you’ll become exposed to the federal income tax required minimum distribution (RMD) rules after reaching a certain age. [...]
Installment Sales Can Be a Win-Win for Buyers and Sellers
For federal income tax purposes, an installment sale is when at least one payment of proceeds from an eligible sale is deferred until after the end of the tax year [...]