Joint Returns: Spouses Are Guilty Until Proven Innocent
When you got married, you knew it was for "better or worse." But you might not know about laws that hold you responsible if your spouse cheats on a tax [...]
New Tax Provisions Passed by Congress
As part of a year-end budget bill, Congress just passed a package of tax provisions that will provide savings for some taxpayers. The White House has announced that President Trump [...]
Do You Have a Side Gig? Make Sure You Understand Your Tax Obligations
The number of people engaged in the “gig” or sharing economy has grown in recent years, according to a 2019 IRS report. And there are tax consequences for the people [...]
IRS Updates Per-diem Guidance for Business Travelers and their Employers
Information form IRS.gov On November 26, 2019 the Internal Revenue Service issued guidance for business travelers, updated to include changes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Revenue [...]
Beware of Deductions Claimed for Certain Business Expenses
To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense [...]
Why Buyers Love Asset Purchase Deals
Are you thinking about buying a business? How you structure the deal will affect the taxes owed by the buyer (you) and the seller (the other party). The Tax Cuts and [...]
Medical Expenses: What it Takes to Qualify for a Tax Deduction
As we all know, medical services and prescription drugs are expensive. You may be able to deduct some of your expenses on your tax return, but the rules make it [...]
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 [...]
What is Your Taxpayer Filing Status?
For tax purposes, December 31 means more than New Year’s Eve celebrations. It affects the filing status box that will be checked on your tax return for the year. When [...]
Self Employment Tax Facts
Do you owe self-employment (SE) tax on non-wage income that you collect only occasionally or in a one-off circumstance? Some sources of income may not be subject to the dreaded SE [...]
Using Your 401(k) Plan to Save This Year and Next
You can reduce taxes and save for retirement by contributing to a tax-advantaged retirement plan. If your employer offers a 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan, contributing to it is a [...]
Small Businesses: Stay Clear of a Severe Payroll Tax Penalty
One of the most laborious tasks for small businesses is managing payroll. But it’s critical that you not only withhold the right amount of taxes from employees’ paychecks but also [...]
Taking the Acquisition Route
An acquisition of a target company's stock or assets can help your business expand its operations while maintaining control of the company. With taxable direct purchases, the buyer simply pays [...]
Tax Planning for a Home in the Event of Divorce
For many people, the federal home sale gain exclusion is the single most valuable tax break available. But if you're getting divorced and selling a home, you may need to [...]