If you owe federal tax, you can typically use credit and debit cards to pay directly or through certain third-party apps. However, the number of cards you can use when submitting individual tax forms is generally limited to two per year or two per month (for details: Frequency limit table by type of tax payment | […]
Any U.S. person with a financial interest in or authority over foreign financial accounts may be required to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). An FBAR is required if the aggregate value of the accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. FBARs are due April 15 of the […]
Employers are required to withhold federal tax from supplemental wages paid to employees. These include bonuses, commissions, reimbursements (so long as you don’t have an accountable plan), severance, cash prizes, retroactive raises and taxable fringe benefits. Suppose you pay a bonus separately from regular wages. In that case, you generally must either 1) withhold 22% […]
Many taxpayers are unclear on the difference between deductions and credits. Both can be powerful tax-saving tools. Here’s how they each work: Deductions lower a taxpayer’s taxable income before the tax is calculated. For instance, on an individual return, you can either claim the standard deduction or itemize deductions, depending on which option reduces your taxable […]
It’s time again to start thinking about getting your tax return prepared. Here are some quick tips you can use to help speed tax processing and avoid hassles.
The IRS has issued the 2025 cents-per-mile rates that can be used to calculate tax-deductible vehicle operating costs. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the standard mileage rate for the business use of a car, van, pickup truck or panel truck is 70 cents per mile. This is up from 67 cents per mile for 2024. (For […]
Another year is here, and that comes with a new school semester and tuition bills for many people. If you’re considering helping a grandchild or other loved one with their college expenses, first take time to review the tax implications. If the total amount you give to the student in 2025 exceeds the annual gift […]
Filing joint tax returns generally results in the lowest tax bill for married couples. However, in some circumstances, they may pay less taxes if they file separately, such as when one spouse has large medical expenses. Medical expenses are deductible only to the extent that they exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income (AGI). So if […]
During the holiday giving season, keep the following tax limits in mind. Your business can deduct only up to $25 per person per year for gifts to recipients such as clients and business partners. You can also generally deduct $25 per person per year for employee gifts. If gifts to employees are infrequent and of […]
If you’re subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs), you must take your 2024 RMD by Dec. 31 to avoid penalties. RMDs are mandatory withdrawals from retirement plans such as 401(k)s, IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs and SEPs. Roth accounts aren’t subject to RMDs during the owners’ lifetimes. RMDs are taxable income subject to ordinary-income tax (not long-term […]