Tax

Are you eligible to take the pass-through deduction for qualified business income (QBI)? Here are 10 facts about this valuable tax break, referred to as the pass-through deduction, QBI deduction or Section 199A deduction. It’s available to owners of sole proprietorships, single member limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships and S corporations. It may also be […]

Married couples may not be able to save as much as they need for retirement when one spouse doesn’t work outside the home — perhaps so that spouse can take care of children or elderly parents. In general, an IRA contribution is allowed only if a taxpayer earns compensation. However, there’s an exception involving a […]

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a valuable tax break that was extended and modified by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enacted in March of 2021. Here’s a rundown of the rules. Background Back in March of 2020, Congress originally enacted the ERTC in the CARES Act to encourage employers to hire and […]

As we continue to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be traveling for business again. Under tax law, there are a number of rules for deducting the cost of your out-of-town business travel within the United States. These rules apply if the business conducted out of town reasonably requires an overnight stay. Note […]

Are you age 65 and older and have basic Medicare insurance? You may need to pay additional Medicare premiums to get the level of coverage you want. The premiums can be expensive, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But there may be a bright side: You may qualify […]

If you’re a parent with a college-bound child, you may be concerned about being able to fund future tuition and other higher education costs. You want to take maximum advantage of tax benefits to minimize your expenses. Here are some possible options for college funds. Savings bonds Series EE U.S. savings bonds offer two tax-saving […]

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers who hire from targeted groups of people who have historically had difficulty in securing employment. These targeted groups include qualified veterans, recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), food stamp recipients, ex-felons, and qualified long-term unemployment recipients. Historically, employers apply […]

If you’re claiming deductions for business meals or auto expenses, expect the IRS to closely review them. In some cases, taxpayers have incomplete documentation or try to create records months (or years) later. In doing so, they fail to meet the strict substantiation requirements set forth under tax law. Tax auditors are adept at rooting […]

If you are retiring soon, you maybe beginning experience changes in your lifestyle and income sources that may have numerous tax implications. Here’s a brief rundown of four tax and financial issues you may deal with when you are retiring: Taking required minimum distributions. This is the minimum amount you must withdraw from your retirement accounts. […]

If you’re a business owner and you hire your minor children this summer, you can obtain tax breaks and other nontax benefits. The kids can gain on-the-job experience, spend time with you, save for college and learn how to manage money. And you may be able to: Shift your high-taxed income into tax-free or low-taxed […]