The Facts: Taxable vs. Nontaxable Income
Are you wondering if there’s a hard and fast rule about what income is taxable and what income is not taxable? The quick answer is that all income is taxable unless the law specifically excludes it. But as you might have guessed, there’s more to it than that. Taxable Income Taxable income includes any money […]
Employee Business Expense Deductions: Who Qualifies?
Prior to tax reform, an employee could deduct unreimbursed job expenses, along with certain other miscellaneous expenses, that were more than two percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) as long as they itemized instead of taking the standard deduction. Starting in 2018, however, most taxpayers can no longer claim unreimbursed employee expenses as miscellaneous itemized […]
Business Meals Fully Deductible in 2021 and 2022
Beginning January 1, 2021, and extending through December 31, 2022, businesses can claim 100% of their food or beverage expenses paid to restaurants as long as the business owner (or an employee of the business) is present when food or beverages are provided, and the expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances. In […]
What Is the Credit for Other Dependents?
The credit for other dependents is a tax credit available to taxpayers for each of their qualifying dependents who can’t be claimed for the child tax credit. The maximum credit amount is $500 for each dependent who meets certain conditions. These include: Dependents who are age 17 or older. Dependents who have individual taxpayer identification […]
There’s Still Time To Make an IRA Contribution for 2021
If you haven’t contributed funds to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for tax year 2021, or if you’ve put in less than the maximum allowed, you still have time to do so. You can contribute to either a traditional or Roth IRA until the April 18, 2022, due date (April 19 if you live in […]
Reminder: Social Security Benefits May Be Taxable
Social Security benefits include monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits; they do not include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, which are not taxable. Generally, you pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits only if you have other substantial income in addition to your benefits. Your income and filing status affect whether you must […]
Small Business Financing: Securing a Loan
At some point, most small business owners will visit a bank or other lending institution to borrow money. Understanding what your bank wants and how to approach them properly can mean the difference between getting a loan for expansion or scrambling to find cash from other sources. Unfortunately, many business owners fall victim to several […]
What To Know About the Gig Economy and Your Taxes
The gig economy, also called sharing or access economy, is defined by activities where taxpayers earn income providing on-demand work, services, or goods. This type of work is often carried out via digital platforms such as an app or website. There are many types of sharing economy businesses, including two of the most popular ones: […]