What do you do first when you sign on to QuickBooks Online? The site opens to your Dashboard, which provides a quick overview of your company’s finances. It’s easy enough to branch out from there to take care of business, whether it’s paying bills or categorizing newly downloaded transactions from your bank or checking your […]
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. […]
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 […]
If you’re a business owner, your company is likely your most valuable asset. To ensure it survives after you’re gone, you first need a succession plan that will provide a smooth transition of the business to one or more of your children (assuming you want to keep it in the family). In addition, you need […]
It’s a challenging time for many businesses. Therefore, any help you can get, such as tax incentives and sales tax exemptions, can make a big difference. Unfortunately, these benefits often go unclaimed because businesses don’t know about them or erroneously think they’re ineligible. 1. Statutory Incentives Some credits are available “as of right.” That is, […]
Every profession has its own set of best practices. These are simply guidelines for how employees should be doing their jobs and what steps management should take to ensure the best outcomes. They’re not set in stone. In fact, they can vary from business to business, and they tend to change over the years as technology […]
Before traveling for business, it’s important to know what’s tax deductible. Through 2025, employees aren’t permitted to deduct unreimbursed business expenses, including travel expenses, but self-employed people may deduct business travel expenses on Schedule C. Businesses may deduct employees’ travel expenses if they provide advances or reimbursements to employees or pay the expenses directly. For […]
Summer is a good time for some tax planning that could lower your 2024 tax bill. Since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which increased the standard deduction, fewer people benefit from itemizing deductions. You can use this IRS Interactive Tax Assistant to find your 2024 standard deduction. If it’s looking like your itemized […]
Purchasing a home is an expensive proposition that leaves many would-be buyers feeling cash strapped. If that’s you, you might be thinking about taking some money out of your traditional IRA to help fund the purchase. But should you? Afterall, a 10% penalty normally applies to IRA withdrawals before age 59 1/2. The good news […]