As the end of the year approaches, many people give more thought to supporting charities they favor. To avoid losing valuable charitable deductions if you itemize, you’ll need specific documentation, depending on the type and size of your gift. Here’s a breakdown of the rules: Cash gifts under $250. A canceled check, bank statement or credit […]
A cost segregation study allows a business property owner to accelerate depreciation deductions. That, in turn, enables the owner to reduce current taxable income and increase cash flow. A cost segregation study combines accounting and engineering techniques to identify building costs that are properly allocable to tangible personal property rather than real property. It then […]
Having won control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives, Republicans will have the opportunity to move forward their vision for federal taxes. What might this mean? First, many provisions in President-Elect Donald Trump’s signature tax legislation from his first time in the White House, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act […]
To prepare for a business audit, an IRS examiner generally researches the specific industry and issues on the taxpayer’s return. Examiners may use IRS Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs). A little-known secret is that these guides are available to the public on the IRS website. In other words, your business can use the same guides to […]
Now is a good time to consider year-end moves that can help reduce your business’s 2024 taxes. The effectiveness of a particular action depends on the circumstances of your business. Here are several possibilities. Time Income and Deductions A tried-and-true tactic for minimizing your tax bill is to defer income to next year and accelerate […]
As the holidays approach, it’s time to consider tax planning moves that will help lower your 2024 taxes, as well as set you up for tax savings in future years. Here are seven year-end tax planning ideas to consider. 1. Strategize on the Standard Deduction vs. Itemizing This is a tried-and-true year-end tax planning strategy. […]
If the fringe benefits of your job include employer-paid group term life insurance, a portion of the premiums for the coverage may be taxable. And that could result in undesirable income tax consequences for you. The cost of the first $50,000 of group term life insurance paid by your employer is excluded from taxable income. […]
While the use of paper checks has greatly diminished, thieves still view them as a source for stealing revenue. In fact, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network warns that many thieves are returning to old-fashioned financial theft, using paper checks. That’s one reason why the U.S. Postal Service urges us to not send checks through the […]
Some small businesses struggle with employee morale for a variety of reasons, one of which may be economic uncertainty. If you want to boost employees’ spirits without a big financial outlay, an achievement awards program is a relatively low-cost fringe benefit that may be a win-win addition. Under such an initiative, you can hand out […]
As the saying goes, there’s nothing certain in life except for death and taxes. But when it comes to selling your home, proactive tax planning can help you reduce your federal income tax bill. A Costly Mistake to Avoid Let’s say Tom is a soon-to-be married homeowner who’s looking to sell his principal residence. If […]