- Temporary Tax Plan Could Boost Your Standard Deduction By Up to $4,000
A House panel has passed a bill that would temporarily expand the standard tax deduction used by the majority of taxpayers by $2,000 per person for the next two years. The Tax Cuts for Working Families Act (H.R.3936) recently approved by… read more…
- What Happens To Your Tax Liability With Proper Financial Planning?
Taxes are unavoidable but that doesn’t mean you have to pay more than you owe. What happens to your tax liability with proper financial planning? The simple answer is that it can allow you to minimize what you owe while… read more…
- Tax Loopholes That Could Save You Money
A tax loophole is a tax law provision or a shortcoming of legislation that allows individuals and companies to lower tax liability. Loopholes are legal and allow income or assets to be moved with the purpose of avoiding taxes. This… read more…
- An Independent Contractor’s Guide to Taxes
If you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you likely get paid as an independent contractor rather than an employee. The IRS defines an independent contractor as someone who performs work for someone else, while controlling the way in which the work… read more…
- Who Should Itemize Deductions Under the Trump Tax Plan
When you file a federal income tax return, you have the choice between taking the standard deduction or itemizing your deductions. The option that you pick should depend on which strategy will maximize your tax benefits. Your calculations may also have… read more…
- How to Avoid Paying Taxes on Inherited Property
Inheriting a home or other property can increase the value of your estate, but it can also result in tax consequences. If the property you inherit has appreciated in value since the original owner purchased it, you could be on… read more…
- Tax Prep Checklist: What You Need to Know
If you’re part of the roughly 60% of Americans who pay someone else to prepare their tax return, then there’s a good chance that you’ve had to make more than one visit to the preparer’s office because you forgot something. Since preparing… read more…
- Real Estate Investing Tax Strategies
When you’re starting with any investment, it’s always good to be aware of the tax implications. This is especially true when investing in real estate. Because the government wants to encourage real estate investment, there are several real estate investing… read more…
- How to Avoid Depreciation Tax on Rental Property
It can pay to be a responsible rental property owner. For instance, if you’re always investing in your rental property and making improvements, not only will your tenants appreciate it and remain tenants longer, you can get a depreciation deduction… read more…
- What Are Long-Term Capital Losses?
A long-term capital loss refers to money that you lose on investments held for more than 12 months. The alternative is a short-term capital loss, money lost on investments that you held for less than a year. When you do… read more…
- How CDs Are Taxed: Tax Planning Guide
Since the Federal Reserve has raised its federal funds effective rate to the highest since December 2007, interest rates on various types of loans have also increased. That’s bad news for anyone trying to take out new loans like mortgages or… read more…
- Do I Have to Pay Tax on Inherited Savings Bonds?
Inheriting savings bonds can provide you with an unexpected windfall. However, there’s one important question to ask: Do I have to pay tax on inherited savings bonds? The short answer is yes, you generally will be responsible for taxes owed… read more…
- Is Long-Term Care Insurance Tax Deductible?
Long-term care insurance can be an important part of planning for the twilight of your life. Despite everyone hoping they’ll be healthy and active until the end of their days, most of us end up needing a bit of help… read more…
- How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Collectibles
Collecting is a pastime to which a great many people are drawn. The satisfaction of having a complete set of old stamps or unearthing a rare bottle of wine is quite easy to understand. However, a less easy-to-understand aspect of… read more…
- How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Mutual Funds
In the long run, if you sell an investment asset for a profit you will owe capital gains taxes. But for active investors, it’s important to understand that the IRS gives you a few ways to defer those taxes. This… read more…
- How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Business Sale
There’s a lot to consider when selling a business and tax planning is at the top of the list. When you sell a business or business assets at a profit, the IRS expects to receive a cut in the form… read more…
- How to Avoid Paying Taxes on a Lawsuit Settlement
Winning or settling your lawsuit can be exhilarating. After you’ve received the settlement money and paid attorney fees, most people assume that the rest is theirs to keep. However, some settlements are subject to taxes. And, unfortunately, many people don’t… read more…
- How Savings Accounts Are Taxed
You are required to report and pay federal taxes on any interest income you receive from a savings account. The income is taxed as unearned, which means you’ll escape payroll taxes, but you will owe federal income tax on it… read more…
- Differences in Hiring a Tax Preparer vs. a CPA
If you’re like most taxpayers, you may not need either a tax preparer or a certified public accountant (CPA). There are exceptions, though. Maybe you’re self-employed, own a small business or have lived in several jurisdictions. In these cases you… read more…
- 7 Tax Saving Strategies for High-Income Earners
Earning a higher income can mean paying more in taxes at both the federal and state levels. You might assume that you’re stuck with a bigger tax bill because you earn more but that’s not always the case. There are… read more…
- How Much Should You Save for 1099 Taxes
Working as an independent contractor or small business owner can bring tremendous freedom—but it can also bring headaches at tax time if you’re not careful. In addition to filing income taxes each April, you’re also required to set aside money… read more…
- What Is a Tax Loss Carryforward?
A loss carryforward lets a taxpayer use a loss incurred in one year to reduce tax obligations in a future year. Businesses and business owners can carry forward net operating losses when expenses exceed income. Individual investors can carry forward capital losses after selling investments for less than they paid. For help with taxes and… read more…
- How to Avoid Capital Gains Tax on Foreign Property
Foreign investment in property is common these days, both by Americans investing abroad and the other way around. If you are part of the former group, you may at some point find that you have to sell your foreign property. Generally speaking, that means paying capital gains tax. But can those taxes be avoided? Like most… read more…
- How to Avoid Paying Taxes on a Divorce Settlement
Divorce settlements can be extremely complicated. While it makes eminent sense to work with a financial advisor as you plan your finances for a divorce, there are several key areas that can hold promise of avoiding or at least minimizing… read more…
- Capital Gains Taxes on the Sale of a Second Home
Capital gains tax applies when you sell an asset for more than you paid for it. While the IRS typically offers an exclusion for capital gains from the sale of a primary home, the rules are a little different when selling a property that you don’t live in full-time. Before unloading a vacation or rental… read more…