Financial Relief for Families: The Benefits of the Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) has long been a valuable tax break for families with qualifying children. Whether you’re new to claiming the credit or you’ve benefited from it [...]
Federal Estate and Gift Tax Outlook 2025
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly increased the unified federal estate and gift tax exemption through the end of 2025. However, for 2026, it's currently scheduled to [...]
Tax Breaks for Vacation Home Rentals
Do you own a vacation home in the mountains or near the water where you can enjoy some much-needed rest and relaxation? If you rent it to tenants while you [...]
Filing jointly or separately as a married couple: What’s the difference?
When you file your tax return, a tax filing status must be chosen. This status is used to determine your standard deduction, tax rates, eligibility for certain tax breaks [...]
It’s Possible (but not easy) to Claim a Medical Expense Tax Deduction
One of your New Year’s resolutions may be to pay more attention to your health. Of course, that may cost you. Can you deduct your out-of-pocket medical costs on [...]
Deposit Interest into Five Tax Buckets
Interest rates rise and fall periodically, but the tax rules for deducting interest expenses remain the same — unless Congress changes them. Generally, the current rules have been in place [...]
What You Need to Know About Restricted Stock Awards and Taxes
Restricted stock awards are a popular way for companies to offer equity-oriented executive compensation. Some businesses offer them instead of stock option awards. The reason: Options can lose most [...]
What are the tax implications of winning money or valuable prizes?
If you gamble or buy lottery tickets and you’re lucky enough to win, congratulations! After you celebrate, be aware that there are tax consequences attached to your good fortune. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Year-end Tax Planning Ideas for Individuals
Now that fall is officially here, it’s a good time to start taking steps that may lower your tax bill for this year and next. One of the first [...]
Is Your Income High Enough To Owe Two Extra Taxes?
High-income taxpayers face two special taxes — a 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) and a 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wage and self-employment income. Here’s an overview of [...]
2022 Q4 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers
Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the fourth quarter of 2022. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may [...]
Self-employed? Build a Nest Egg With a Solo 401(k) Plan
Do you own a successful small business with no employees and want to set up a retirement plan? Or do you want to upgrade from a SIMPLE IRA or [...]