If you’re thinking about helping a child or grandchild pay for school, you’re not alone, and you’re not without help. While families have always saved for education, Section 529 plans have made it easier and more tax-efficient. Tax Advantages With a 529 plan, your contributions grow tax-deferred, and no taxes are due when the money […]
Ever since you became a business owner, you’ve focused on growing revenue, managing expenses and leveraging tax advantages. But don’t overlook a critical element of your long-term financial well-being, that is, a business exit strategy. Ideally, your exit strategy will help you meet your retirement and estate planning goals. Multiple-Owner Businesses A buy-sell agreement is […]
The accounting method your business uses to report income for tax purposes, either cash or accrual, can significantly impact your tax bill. While the cash method can offer tax-saving opportunities, the accrual method may in some cases be more appropriate or even required. So review your current method to help ensure you’re using the best […]
If you own a company and travel for business, you may wonder whether you can deduct all the costs of having your spouse accompany you on trips. It’s possible, but the rules are restrictive. When Your Spouse Is Also Your Employee If your spouse is your employee, you may be able to deduct most of his or […]
Most people feel some relief after filing their income tax returns each year. But even if you’ve successfully filed your 2024 return, you may still have questions. Here are three common ones. 1. What’s the Status of Your Refund? You can learn the status of your tax refund using an IRS online tool. Go to […]
The consequences of misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor can be costly. You could be liable for back taxes (including the employee’s shares of unpaid payroll and income taxes), penalties and interest. There may be serious nontax consequences as well. How Important Is This? Businesses must withhold federal and state income taxes and the […]
Whether you’re a casual or professional gambler, your winnings are taxable. However, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration reports that gambling income is vastly underreported. Failing to report winnings accurately can lead to back taxes, interest and penalties. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and potentially minimize your tax liability. Reporting […]
Payroll fraud schemes can be costly. According to a 2024 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) study, the median loss generated by payroll fraud incidents is $50,000. It’s essential to know the payroll schemes making the rounds and how to prevent them or at least catch them before they go on very long. Common Threats […]
If you’ve filed your 2024 tax return, you may be eager to do some spring cleaning, starting with tax-related paper and digital clutter. The documentation needed to support a tax return may include receipts, bank and investment account statements, K-1s, W-2s, and 1099s. How long must you save these records? Three years is the general […]
If you’re preparing to file your 2024 federal income tax return and your tax bill is higher than you’d expected or your tax refund is smaller than you’d hoped, there might still be an opportunity to change it. If you qualify, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA until the filing date […]