Can a Modest-Income Elderly Person Stop Filing Tax Returns?
As you know, we spend a lot of time in this e-newsletter talking about tax return filing responsibilities. But not everyone is required to file. If a person's income [...]
Get a Head Start on College Savings
The Brookings Institution estimates parents will spend about $310,605 to raise a child born in 2015 until the age of 17. This figure is adjusted for future projected inflation but [...]
Tax Planning Can Reduce Adoption Costs
Adoptions plummeted during the COVID pandemic, but the adoption rate is slowly rebounding. If you're among those considering adopting a child, you need to know about the various tax breaks that [...]
Tax-Saving Ways to Help Pay for College — Once Your Child Starts Attending
If you have a child or grandchild in college — congratulations! To help pay for the expenses, many parents and grandparents saved for years in tax-favored accounts, such as [...]
The Tax-Deductible Mileage Rate for Business Driving Increases for 2023
The IRS has announced the 2023 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Background: If you use [...]
A Dozen Ways the SECURE 2.0 Law Helps Individuals and Employees
In the waning hours of the 117th Congress, a large government funding bill was passed that includes many provisions that will help Americans save more for retirement. The Setting Every Community Up [...]
Save for Retirement by Getting the Most Out of Your 401(k) Plan
Socking away money in a tax-advantaged retirement plan can help you reduce taxes and help secure a comfortable retirement. If your employer offers a 401(k) or Roth 401(k), contributing [...]
Computer software costs: How does your business deduct them?
These days, most businesses buy or lease computer software to use in their operations. Or perhaps your business develops computer software to use in your products or services or [...]
Adopting a Child? Bring Home a Tax Break Too
Two tax benefits are available to offset the expenses of adopting a child. In 2022, adoptive parents may be able to claim a credit against their federal tax for [...]
How Inflation Will Affect Your 2022 and 2023 Tax Bills
The effects of inflation are all around. You’re probably paying more for gas, food, health care and other expenses than you were last year. Are you wondering how high [...]
Plan Now to Reduce AMT Exposure
First the bad news: Despite passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the individual alternative minimum tax (AMT) is still in place. But there's some good news: The [...]
You May Be Liable For “Nanny Tax” For All Types of Domestic Workers
You’ve probably heard of the “nanny tax.” But even if you don’t employ a nanny, it may apply to you. Hiring a house cleaner, gardener or other household employee [...]
Providing Fringe Benefits to Employees With No Tax Strings Attached
Businesses can provide benefits to employees that don’t cost them much or anything at all. However, in some cases, employees may have to pay tax on the value of [...]
How Tax Reform Affects Divorce Settlements for Small Business Owners
How does the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) affect divorce settlements? Changes in the new law may require divorcing individuals — especially those who own businesses and other investments [...]
Seller-paid points: Can homeowners deduct them?
In its latest report, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) announced that July 2022 existing home sales were down but prices were up nationwide, compared with last year. “The [...]