Six Education Tax Breaks on the Books
It costs a pretty penny to send a child to college or private school these days. But at least the federal tax code may provide some relief, within certain limits. [...]
Selling Securities by Year End? Avoid the Wash Sale Rule
If you’re planning to sell assets at a loss to offset gains that have been realized during the year, it’s important to be aware of the “wash sale” rule. How [...]
Don’t Overlook a Roth IRA if You Are Self-Employed
Saving for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis should be on nearly everyone's financial "to do" list. Making contributions to a Roth IRA is one tax-wise way to save, because you [...]
Reap Tax Rewards from Year-End Harvesting
The stock market has experienced plenty of ups and downs this year. So, some investors are poised to take big gains for 2019, while others are currently showing losses and many [...]
Understanding and Controlling the Unemployment Tax Costs of Your Business
As an employer, you must pay federal unemployment (FUTA) tax on amounts up to $7,000 paid to each employee as wages during the calendar year. The rate of tax imposed [...]
Tax-Favored Employee Fringe Benefits: What’s the Right Mix for Your Business?
Job applicants look at more than just wages when evaluating potential employers. They consider the whole compensation package, including fringe benefits and perks. These add-ons enable employers to cast a [...]
Changing Jobs? What Will Become of Your 401(K)
Most private sector employers, for better or worse, put you in the driver's seat when it comes to saving for retirement. If you're a genuinely savvy and diligent investor, you might [...]
Combinations for Growth: Mergers & Acquisitions
If your company has decided the best way to grow is to expand your ownership boundaries, you are probably considering either a merger or an acquisition. Both are convenient, quick [...]
Bonus Depreciation for Your Business: Review Your Options
First-year bonus depreciation has been around for a while now. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set forth more generous, but temporary, rules for 2018 through 2026. Recent [...]
Take Advantage of the Gift Tax Exclusion Rules
As we head toward the gift-giving season, you may be considering giving gifts of cash or securities to your loved ones. Taxpayers can transfer substantial amounts free of gift taxes [...]
When is Tax Due on Series EE Savings Bonds
You may have Series EE savings bonds that were bought many years ago. Perhaps you store them in a file cabinet or safe deposit box and rarely think about them. [...]
Taking Distributions from Your Traditional IRA
If you’re like many people, you’ve worked hard to accumulate a large nest egg in your traditional IRA (including a SEP-IRA). It’s even more critical to carefully plan for withdrawals [...]
The Clock May Be Ticking on Corporate Stock Redemptions
Favorable individual federal income tax rates established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. But some analysts think that they could [...]