NEWS
Filing jointly or separately as a married couple: What’s the difference?
When you file your tax return, a tax filing status must be chosen. This status is used to determine your standard deduction, tax rates, eligibility for certain tax breaks and your correct tax. The five filing statuses are: Single Married filing jointly, Married filing...
If you didn’t contribute to an IRA last year, there’s still time
If you’re gathering documents to file your 2023 tax return and you’re concerned that your tax bill may be higher than you’d like, there might still be an opportunity to lower it. If you qualify, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA right up...
Independent contractor vs. employee status: The DOL issues new final rule
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) test for determining whether a worker should be classified as an independent contractor or an employee for purposes of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has been revised several times over the past decade. Now, the DOL...
New option for unused funds in a 529 college savings plan
With the high cost of college, many parents begin saving with 529 plans when their children are babies. Contributions to these plans aren’t tax deductible, but they grow tax deferred. Earnings used to pay qualified education expenses can be withdrawn tax-free....
IRAs: Build a tax-favored retirement nest egg
Although traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs have been around for decades, the rules involved have changed many times. The Secure 2.0 law, which was enacted at the end of 2022, brought even more changes that made IRAs more advantageous for many taxpayers. What hasn’t...
Update on IRS efforts to combat questionable Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims
The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was introduced back when COVID-19 temporarily closed many businesses. The credit provided cash that helped enable struggling businesses to retain employees. Even though the ERC expired for most employers at the end of the third...
The standard business mileage rate goes up slightly in 2024
The optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business went up by 1.5 cents per mile in 2024. The IRS announced that the cents-per-mile rate for the business use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be 67...
Businesses: Do you have to comply with the new corporate transparency reporting rules?
Your business may have to meet new reporting requirements that took effect on January 1, 2024. Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted in 2021, certain companies will be required to provide information related to their “beneficial owners” — the individuals...
Strategies to cut your company’s 2023 tax bill
On the tax front, 2023 (as of now) has not seen any major legislation. This means fewer tax changes in 2023 than in years past. As always, there is a potential for that to change before the end of the year. As another year ends with interest rates and markets in flux,...
Take action now to reduce your 2023 income tax bill
A number of factors are making 2023 a confounding tax planning year for many people. They include turbulent markets, stabilizing but still high interest rates and significant changes to the rules regarding retirement planning. While much uncertainty remains, the good...