Many Americans have become victims of natural disasters in 2024. Wherever you live, unexpected disasters may cause damage to your home or personal property, creating a “personal casualty loss.” This is defined as damage from a sudden, unexpected or unusual event, such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, fire, act of vandalism or terrorist attack. […]
It’s common for individual and business taxpayers to lose financial records during a natural disaster. Unfortunately, you usually need such records to document losses for your insurance company and to qualify for federal assistance. But if you visit the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript), you can view or obtain copies of your historical tax returns, wage and […]
As the year winds down, you may want to combine estate planning with tax savings by taking advantage of the gift tax annual exclusion. It allows you to give cash or property up to a specified amount to an unlimited number of family members and friends each year without gift tax implications. That specified amount […]
In recent years, the residential real estate market has surged in many areas. That means many homes have greatly appreciated, and the $250,000 home sale gain exclusion ($500,000 for joint filers) isn’t always sufficient to protect a home sale from federal income taxes. If you’re a senior thinking about selling your highly appreciated home, the […]
Protection is key when guarding your personal and financial information from fraudsters. That’s why the IRS offers a vital tool, the Identity Protection Personal ID Number (IP PIN). The IP PIN is a six-digit number you can apply for voluntarily. It’s known only to you and the IRS. It’s valid for one year, and you’ll […]
Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, sole proprietors and owners of pass-through entities, such as partnerships, S corporations and, generally, limited liability companies, may be able to claim tax deductions based on their qualified business income (QBI) and certain other income. This deduction can be up to 20% of your QBI, subject to […]
As the year winds to a close, your chance to lower your 2024 tax bill also winds down. If you’re age 70½ or older, you may want to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from your IRA before year end. Normally, distributions from a traditional IRA are taxable. But the amount of your QCD is […]
Employers seeking to attract new recruits and retain talent should consider offering educational assistance programs to their employees. The plans aren’t new, but they temporarily offer greater flexibility in how they work. Through Dec. 31, 2025, the funds can be used to help employees pay their federal student loan debts. According to the U.S. Dept. […]
If you requested an extension to file your 2023 tax return, you probably know that the extended deadline is coming up soon, on Oct. 15. If you have the information you need, consider filing now. There’s no advantage to waiting, and last-minute filing may lead to worry. If you’re concerned about paying any tax owed, […]
If you pay premiums for Medicare health insurance, you may be able to combine them with other qualifying expenses and claim them as an itemized deduction for medical expenses on your tax return. This includes amounts for “Medigap” insurance and Medicare Advantage plans, which cover some costs that Medicare Parts A and B don’t cover. […]