Last-Minute Tips for Your 2020 Personal Return
Goodbye, 2020. Hello, tax season. Individual taxpayers have until April 15, 2021, to pay Uncle Sam for taxes owed for 2020. (Remember, you can extend the deadline for filing your return [...]
2021 Individual Taxes: Answers to Your Questions About Limits
Many people are more concerned about their 2020 tax bills right now than they are about their 2021 tax situations. That’s understandable because your 2020 individual tax return is due [...]
The Power of the Tax Credit for Buying an Electric Vehicle
Although electric vehicles (or EVs) are a small percentage of the cars on the road today, they’re increasing in popularity all the time. And if you buy one, you may [...]
Ways to Fully Deduct Business-Related Meals
Restaurants have struggled mightily during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, they're specifically targeted for a new tax relief measure found in the massive Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), which became law on December [...]
One Reason to File Your 2020 Tax Return Early
The IRS announced it is opening the 2020 individual income tax return filing season on February 12. (This is later than in past years because of a new law that [...]
Can You Qualify For A Medical Expense Tax Deduction?
You may be able to deduct some of your medical expenses, including prescription drugs, on your federal tax return. However, the rules make it hard for many people to qualify. [...]
The COVID-19 relief law: What’s in it for you?
The new COVID-19 relief law that was signed on December 27, 2020, contains a multitude of provisions that may affect you. Here are some of the highlights of the Consolidated [...]
Six Key Tax Breaks that Homeowners May Be Able to Claim
The days of classic "tax shelters"— such as cattle breeding or oil drilling deals — are long gone. But at least one major tax shelter is still standing: Your home. [...]
Taking Distributions From a Traditional IRA
Although planning is needed to help build the biggest possible nest egg in your traditional IRA (including a SEP-IRA and SIMPLE-IRA), it’s even more critical that you plan for withdrawals [...]
How Series EE Savings Bonds Are Taxed
Many people have Series EE savings bonds that were purchased many years ago. Perhaps they were given to your children as gifts or maybe you bought them yourself and put [...]
Bring Home a Tax Credit for Adoption
When you adopt a child, you could bring home more than a bundle of joy. You may also be in line for a valuable tax credit. For 2020, a tax [...]
Medical Costs: Can I Really Get a Tax Break for That?
It's difficult for many people to write off medical expenses because of the limits imposed under the tax laws. But you may qualify by including every expense allowed. Some of [...]
What Tax Records Can You Throw Away?
October 15 was the deadline for individual taxpayers who extended their 2019 tax returns. (The original April 15 filing deadline was extended this year to July 15 due to the [...]
Tax Implications When Lenders Cancel Debts in the Covid-19 Era
In the COVID-19-ravaged economy, debts can pile up beyond a borrower's ability to repay. Lenders sometimes may be willing to forgive (or cancel) debts that are owed by certain borrowers. While [...]
CARES Act Changes Rules for NOL Carrybacks and QIP
Consider these two favorable federal income tax rule changes included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act when deciding whether to take advantage of first-year depreciation breaks [...]