Back-to-School Tax Breaks on the Books
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, students are going back to school this fall, either remotely, in-person or under a hybrid schedule. In any event, parents may be eligible for certain tax [...]
The Tax Implications of Employer-Provided Life Insurance
Does your employer provide you with group term life insurance? If so, and if the coverage is higher than $50,000, this employee benefit may create undesirable income tax consequences for [...]
Take Advantage of a “Stepped-Up Basis” When You Inherit Property
If you’re planning your estate, or you’ve recently inherited assets, you may be unsure of the “cost” (or “basis”) for tax purposes. Fair market value rules Under the fair market [...]
Are Scholarships Tax-free or Taxable?
COVID-19 is changing the landscape for many schools this fall. But many children and young adults are going back, even if it’s just for online learning, and some parents will [...]
Changes to Retirement Plans Due to Covid-19
Information from IRS.gov Qualified individuals affected by COVID-19 may be able to withdraw up to $100,000 from their eligible retirement plans, including IRAs, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. [...]
Is Your Company Facing a Cash Flow Crunch?
Cash flow is always an important element in the smooth and successful operation of your business and is particularly key in meeting opportunities and demands. Generating sales and managing operations [...]
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 [...]
Hobby or Business? How to Treat COVID-19 Sideline Activities for Taxes
Today, many people sell homemade products online or work on some unincorporated sideline venture outside of their regular day jobs. Such activities can generate extra spending money. This can be [...]
Getting A Divorce: How Should You File Your Tax Return?
A divorced or divorcing couple's tax filing status is determined as of the last day of a tax year. A couple in the process of divorce may find that they [...]
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 [...]
Last-Minute Strategies for Businesses that Deferred Filing Tax Returns
During the COVID-19 crisis, some key tax deadlines were postponed until July 15, 2020. If your business and/or personal federal income tax return is still awaiting completion, you may have [...]
Seniors: Can You Deduct Medicare Premiums?
If you are age 65 and older, and you have basic Medicare insurance, you may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage you want. The premiums [...]
IRS Releases 2021 Amounts for Health Savings Accounts
The IRS recently released the 2021 inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSA basics An HSA is a trust created or organized exclusively for the purpose of paying the [...]
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 [...]
There’s Still Time to Make a Deductible IRA Contribution for 2019
Do you want to save more for retirement on a tax-favored basis? If so, and if you qualify, you can make a deductible traditional IRA contribution for the 2019 tax [...]