Dana McGuffin CPA Blog
Before taking action talk to your tax adviser. How many times have you seen this legal disclaimer? Unfortunately, all too often taxpayers do not follow this advice and then must pay the price with an unnecessarily high tax bill. Here are some of the most common situations that can save you money by seeking…
Read MoreDoes your paycheck look a little higher than normal? If so, it could be a tax time bomb. The Problem A payroll tax deferral beginning September 1 was recently signed via a presidential executive order. The potential deferral of your portion of Social Security as an employee could raise your take…
Read MoreYou own some stock that has increased in value. To avoid a possible taxable gain by selling the stock, you wish to give it directly to a child or grandchild. This simple idea has some interesting tax consequences to consider. Value of the Gift When you gift stock there are not one, but…
Read MoreWithdrawing funds from your retirement accounts must be done carefully to avoid a potential 10% early withdrawal penalty. Unfortunately, each retirement account type has different rules. Here are some tips for Roth IRAs. Roth IRA basics Roth IRA accounts differ from other IRAs in that your contributions are made in after-tax dollars. If you…
Read MoreYou may be considering booking stock losses due to recent market drops in order to save on your bill from Uncle Sam. Selling losers can be a great strategy when these losses can offset stock gains and up to $3,000 in excess stock losses can offset your ordinary income. However, there is a little…
Read MoreYou’ve got it all planned out. Your retirement savings accounts are full, you have started receiving Social Security benefits and your pension is ready to go. Everything is planned. What could go wrong? Here are five surprises that can turn your plan on a dime. 1. Health emergencies and long-term care. When a simple…
Read MoreThe kids are out of school and summer is well underway. Make sure you understand the rules regarding the tax deductibility of summer activities and related daycare expenses through the use of the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Collecting those receipts now can save plenty during tax time. What is deductible? 20 to 35%…
Read MoreMost taxpayers ignore the federal estate tax, thinking they will never be touched by it. Unfortunately, you do this at your own peril. Why? Because states often have this tax AND politicians have a habit of frequently changing the rules. The best approach for all taxpayers is to understand the basics of the…
Read MoreThe banking sector is the latest industry to dramatically change how it operates in response to the current economic environment. The most visible change for consumers are new requirements for taking out a mortgage. Here are some tips for working with banks and other lending institutions in the midst of tighter lending requirements and a…
Read MoreLost in the media storm during the coronavirus pandemic is a law change enacted in late 2019 that eliminates an IRA withdrawal technique known as the stretch IRA. Here is what you need to know. Time to review beneficiaries While the chances of you having a severe reaction to the coronavirus are low, it…
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