There’s a Favorable “Stepped-Up Basis” If You Inherit Property
A common question for people planning their estates or inheriting property is: For tax purposes, what’s the “cost” (or “basis”) an individual gets in property that he or she [...]
How Divorce Affects Eligibility for the Home Sale Gain Exclusion
It's common for couples who divorce to sell their homes. Not only does this move give former spouses fresh starts after the divorce is finalized, but it can also free [...]
Some Taxpayers Qualify for More Favorable “Head of Household” Tax Filing Status
When preparing your tax return, we’ll check one of the following statuses: Single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household or qualifying widow(er). Filing a return as [...]
Protect the “Ordinary and Necessary” Advertising Expenses of Your Business
Under tax law, businesses can generally deduct advertising and marketing expenses that help keep existing customers and bring in new ones. This valuable tax deduction can help businesses cut [...]
Tax Law Changes that Could Affect Your Business Return
Every tax season, business owners must familiarize themselves with tax law changes that went into effect for that tax year. Fortunately, businesses don't have to contend with sweeping changes for [...]
Retirement plan early withdrawals: Make sure you meet the requirements to avoid a penalty
Most retirement plan distributions are subject to income tax and may be subject to an additional penalty if you take an early withdrawal. What’s considered early? In general, it’s [...]
Why You Might Want to File Early and Answers to Other Tax Season Questions
The IRS announced it opened the 2023 individual income tax return filing season on January 23. That’s when the agency began accepting and processing 2022 tax year returns. Even [...]
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 [...]
Investing in the Future With a 529 Education Plan
If you have a child or grandchild who’s going to attend college in the future, you’ve probably heard about qualified tuition programs, also known as 529 plans. These plans, [...]
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 [...]
Be a Hands-On Owner to Maximize Profits
Over the years, McDonald's has been able to sell hundreds of billions of hamburgers. The business started with a single drive-in burger stand started by two brothers in Southern California. [...]
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 [...]