Tax Reform
5 Annual Tax Essentials
The more things change the more they stay the same. This is especially true when it comes to reviewing your tax situation. Mark your calendar to review these essential items each year to ensure you are not missing something that could cause tax trouble when you file your tax return: Required minimum distributions If you…
Read MoreHustling for Extra Income
Don’t Forget the Taxman! Conduct an online search of the phrase “side hustle” and you will find websites with countless ideas on how you can make some money on the side. The ideas range from carpet cleaning to podcasting. What a lot of these sites fail to inform you, is the tax implications that come…
Read More6 Last-Second Money-Saving Tax Moves
As 2018 winds down, there is still time to reduce your potential tax obligation. Here are some ideas to make your 2018 tax return less of a burden on your wallet: Accelerate expenses. Individual taxpayers are on the cash basis for income tax purposes. This means your income is taxable when you receive it and…
Read MoreTime to Launch Your Tax Strategy
Consider conducting a final tax planning review now to see if you can still take actions to minimize your taxes this year. Here are some ideas to get you started. Assess your income. Begin by determining how your income this year will compare to last year. Then apply any tax implications this income change may…
Read MoreEducation: Tax Changes You Need to Know
As students gear up to head back to school, there are some changes to education deductions that could save or cost you more in taxes and even raise college tuition costs. Here is what you need to know to get up to speed: What is gone Continuing Education as an itemized deduction: In previous years,…
Read MoreIs a Tax Surprise Waiting for You?
Often lost in the excitement of large-scale tax change is how they can negatively impact some individual situations. Check out the questions below to see if you might be in for a tax surprise this year. Will you pay more than $10,000 in state and local taxes? Previously, you could take a full deduction for…
Read MoreManage Capital Gains Tax Tips
If not tracked and managed properly, capital gains tax can come as a large surprise at tax-filing time. In fact, many taxpayers don’t realize they have a capital gain until they get their 1099 form in January and see a capital gain distribution. Here’s what you need to know. Understand capital gains and their taxability…
Read MoreDramatic Sales Tax Change
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in the South Dakota vs Wayfair case that opens the door for states to impose sales tax on sellers outside their borders. The case highlights a new standard of business presence called “economic nexus” that may have major implications for businesses and consumers alike. Economic nexus explained The…
Read MoreStudent Loan Forgiveness Creates New Tax Trap
There’s a new student loan repayment program that forgives some student loan debt if other payments are made. This new debt forgiveness is creating a tax surprise for the unsuspecting student. Here is what you need to know. The debt forgiveness program dilemma To combat the hardship of high student loan debt, a popular new…
Read MoreIs It Worth It to Amend Your Return?
Whether it makes sense to amend your tax return depends on which of these situations you’re in: If you owe the IRS If you discover an omission on your tax return that results in you owing additional tax, you need to correct it with an amendment and provide the tax due. Don’t delay if this…
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