June 12, 2019
Donating Your Vehicle to Charity May Not Be a Taxwise Decision
You’ve probably seen or heard ads urging you to donate your car to charity. “Make a difference and receive tax savings,” one organization states. But donating a vehicle may not result in a big tax deduction — or any deduction at all. Trade In, Sell or Donate? Let’s say you’re buying a new car and …
June 4, 2019
Thinking About Moving to Another State in Retirement? Don’t Forget About Taxes
When you retire, you may consider moving to another state — say, for the weather or to be closer to your loved ones. Don’t forget to factor state and local taxes into the equation. Establishing residency for state tax purposes may be more complicated than it initially appears to be. Identify All Applicable Taxes It …
May 30, 2019
The Chances of IRS Audit Are down but You Should Still Be Prepared
The IRS just released its audit statistics for the 2018 fiscal year, and fewer taxpayers had their returns examined as compared with prior years. However, even though a small percentage of tax returns are being chosen for audit these days, that will be little consolation if yours is one of them. Latest Statistics Overall, just …
May 21, 2019
Hire Your Children This Summer: Everyone Wins
If you’re a business owner and you hire your children (or grandchildren) this summer, you can obtain tax breaks and other nontax benefits. The kids can gain on-the-job experience, save for college and learn how to manage money. And you may be able to: Shift your high-taxed income into tax-free or low-taxed income, Realize payroll …
May 14, 2019
Selling Your Home? Consider These Tax Implications
Spring and summer are the optimum seasons for selling a home. And interest rates are currently attractive, so buyers may be out in full force in your area. Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 4.14% during the week of May 2, 2019, while the 15-year mortgage rate was 3.6%. This …
May 7, 2019
Check on Your Refund — and Find out Why the IRS Might Not Send It
It’s that time of year when many people who filed their tax returns in April are checking their mail or bank accounts to see if their refunds have landed. According to the IRS, most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. However, it may take longer — and in rare cases, refunds might …
April 30, 2019
Plug in Tax Savings for Electric Vehicles
While the number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) is still small compared with other cars on the road, it’s growing — especially in certain parts of the country. If you’re interested in purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. (Depending on where …
April 25, 2019
How Entrepreneurs Must Treat Expenses on Their Tax Returns
Have you recently started a new business? Or are you contemplating starting one? Launching a new venture is a hectic, exciting time. And as you know, before you even open the doors, you generally have to spend a lot of money. You may have to train workers and pay for rent, utilities, marketing and more. …
April 16, 2019
Three Questions You May Have After You File Your Return
Once your 2018 tax return has been successfully filed with the IRS, you may still have some questions. Here are brief answers to three questions that we’re frequently asked at this time of year. Question #1: What Tax Records Can I Throw Away Now? At a minimum, keep tax records related to your return for …
April 10, 2019
Seniors: Medicare Premiums Could Lower Your Tax Bill
Americans who are 65 and older qualify for basic Medicare insurance, and they may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage they desire. The premiums can be expensive, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But one aspect of paying premiums might be positive: If …