Married? Know Your Filing Options
Married taxpayers generally have the option to file a joint tax return or separate returns, a filing status commonly referred to as married filing separate (MFS). If you are married and you and your spouse are filing separate returns, or are considering doing so, you should read this article before making that decision.Depending on whether the taxpayers are residents of a separate or community property state, their separate returns may include just the income and [Read More]
Wonder What a Tax Deduction Is Worth?
Individuals are always looking for tax deductions that can reduce their tax liability. But what is the actual tax benefit derived from a tax deduction? There is no straightforward answer because some deductions are “above the line”, others must be itemized, some must exceed a threshold amount before being deductible, and certain ones are not deductible for alternative minimum tax purposes, while business deductions can offset both income and self-employment tax. In other words, there [Read More]
Start Off on the Right Foot for the 2023 Tax Year
If your 2022 refund or balance due turns out not to be the desired amount, you may want to consider adjusting your withholding based on your projected tax for 2023. If you need assistance, please call this office. W-9 Collection – If you are operating a business, then you are required to issue a Form 1099-NEC to each service provider to which you have paid at least $600 during a given year. It is a [Read More]
What Is Business Cash Flow?
As the name suggests, cash flow is a term used to describe the money coming into and out of a business. Cash received – like money being paid to the business from its customers – would be inflow. Cash spent – like the funds being paid to vendor partners and other operational costs – would be outflow. Obviously, it’s always important to have more money coming into your business than going out in most situations. [Read More]
The Tax Consequences of Gig Work
Over the last decade, in particular, the definition of the term “career” has changed. Rather than being employed by a single entity for which you receive a W2 at the end of the year, many are now participating in the “gig economy” in a variety of ways. They’re not just working a day job. They’re also driving for a ride-sharing service like Uber. They’re delivering food for companies like DoorDash. They’re leaning into the versatility [Read More]
Time is Running Out to Take Your 2022 RMD
Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) are required taxable distributions from qualified retirement plans and are commonly associated with traditional IRAs, but they also apply to 401(k)s and SEP IRAs. The tax code does not allow taxpayers to indefinitely keep funds in their qualified retirement plans. Eventually, these assets must be distributed, and taxes must be paid on those distributions. If a retirement plan owner takes no distributions, or if the distributions are not large enough, then [Read More]
IRS Plans On Targeting Abusive ERTC Claims
Have you seen those ads on television or received email solicitations promoting a large tax credit? The large tax credit they are referring to is the employee retention tax credit (ERTC). The ERTC is a government-sponsored program to keep workers employed during 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID pandemic by providing refundable tax credits to employers that kept their workers on payroll during the COVID crisis. Unlike most tax credits, this is a credit [Read More]
2022 Year-End Tax Planning For Individuals
With rising interest rates, inflation and continuing market volatility, tax planning is as essential as ever for taxpayers looking to manage cash flow while paying the least amount of taxes possible over time. As we approach year end, now is the time for individuals, business owners and family offices to review their 2022 and 2023 tax situations and identify opportunities for reducing, deferring or accelerating their tax obligations. The information contained within this article is [Read More]
2022 Year-End Tax Planning for Businesses
U.S. businesses are facing pressure to drive revenue, manage costs and increase shareholder value, all while surrounded by economic and political uncertainties. Disruptions to supply chains brought about by the pandemic have continued into 2022. Inflation and rising interest rates have made the cost of debt, goods and services more expensive and cooled consumer spending. The stock market has declined sharply, and the prospect of a recession is on the rise. What’s more, the outcomes [Read More]
Inflation Reduces Income Tax
As the country emerges from the COVID pandemic and supply chain issues, along with the fallout from the war in Ukraine, the country has been experiencing high inflation rates that negatively impact the cost of everyday living, including food, gas for your vehicle, utilities and more. But there is one shining light: tax-related inflation adjustments that will benefit most taxpayers. However, many media outlets have been touting the IRS’ recently released inflation adjustments for 2023 as if [Read More]