Deductions for Self-Employed
If your business was forced to close due to the pandemic, you may be itching to get back in the game. Or maybe you're looking to fulfill a lifelong dream of [...]
Still Have Questions After You File Your Tax Return?
Even after your 2020 tax return has been successfully filed with the IRS, you may still have some questions about the return. Here are brief answers to three questions that [...]
Vacation Home Usage Has Tax Implications
Do you own a vacation home that's classified as a rental property for tax purposes? Rental property owners may be tempted to use their rental properties for their personal "staycations" or [...]
Did You Make Donations in 2020? There’s Still Time to Get Substantiation
If you’re like many Americans, letters from your favorite charities may be appearing in your mailbox acknowledging your 2020 donations. But what happens if you haven’t received such a letter [...]
Bad Debts: What Losses Can You Deduct and When?
Attempts to claim write-offs for bad debt losses have fueled controversies with the IRS for many years. Unfortunately, bad debt losses are increasingly common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's an overview [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Mid-year Tax Planning for Individuals
The extended July 15 deadline for filing your 2019 federal income tax return is behind us. Now it's time to think about your current federal tax situation. Tax planning is especially complicated for [...]
Rx for Itemizing Medical Expenses
Medical expenses can be costly — and they're not always covered by insurance. But there may be a silver lining: You may be able to claim an itemized deduction for [...]
Tax Breaks for Home Improvements
Are you planning to make substantial renovations to your home? You may be adding a deck or patio, finishing a basement or attic or installing a pool. Despite some changes [...]
IRS Issues New Regs on Deducting Meal and Entertainment Expenses
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanently eliminated deductions for most business-related entertainment expenses paid or incurred after 2017. For example, you can no longer deduct 50% of the cost [...]
Home Is Where the Tax Breaks Might Be
If you own a home, the interest you pay on your home mortgage may provide a tax break. However, many people believe that any interest paid on their home mortgage [...]
The Tax Aspects of Selling Mutual Fund Shares
Perhaps you’re an investor in mutual funds or you’re interested in putting some money into them. You’re not alone. The Investment Company Institute estimates that 56.2 million households owned mutual [...]
Taxpayers Should Know the Difference Between Standard and Itemized Deductions
Information from irs.gov Should you file using the standard deduction, or should you itemize your deductions? Deductions reduce the amount of taxable income when filing a federal income tax return. [...]