PDF and Printer Friendly Checklist: What to do when a family member dies This is a great resource that we put together and occasionally update for various reasons, including tax law changes. I can speak from experience that it helps during a difficult time. And our Estate and Trust group is very experienced, so please [...]
Is this the year you finally convert to a Roth IRA? It could be if it makes sense for your situation, but there are numerous factors that come into play. Do not make any rash decisions. Basic premise: Generally, distributions from a traditional IRA are fully taxable at ordinary income rates reaching as high as [...]
If you have been feeling the pinch at the gas pumps lately, at least there is some tax consolation: The standard mileage rates used by certain taxpayers in lieu of deducting actual expenses are going up for the last six months of 2022. Effective on July 1, 2022— The rate for business driving increases to [...]
Summer is a time for R&R, but also offers tax-saving opportunities for individuals and small business owners. Here are seven ways to reduce tax liability this summer. Host an employee gathering. Prior to 2018, your business could deduct 50% of the cost of qualified business entertainment expenses. But this deduction has generally been eliminated. Key [...]
If your child will be attending college or graduate school next year, you probably do not have to be told about the sky‑high cost of higher education. You already know all about it from personal experience. “At least my child has qualified for a scholarship to a prestigious university. That should take some of the [...]
Saving enough to pay for the future higher education of your children is a daunting task. Some consolation: There is no foolproof method, but at least a Section 529 plan may help you set aside funds, up to generous limits. Q. What exactly is a Section 529 plan? A. Named after the tax code section [...]
If you are an employer who sponsors a qualified retirement plan, we want to remind you about the requirement to restate your plan document. Many retirement plans that use plan documents preapproved by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must be restated periodically to reflect recent legislative and regulatory changes, in order to maintain their tax [...]
UPDATED March 22, 2022: Reminder that this must be implemented this financial reporting year i.e. it is effective for non-public companies (including not-for-profits) with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Financial Accounting Standards (FASB) announced in January 2016 that new Accounting [...]
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) created a major new tax deduction for self-employed individuals and owners of pass-through entities like partnerships, S corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs). Effective for 2018 through 2025, the deduction for “qualified business income” (QBI) can be as high as 20%. However, these deductions are reduced or [...]
There are usually some new twists and turns to the current tax return rules for individuals, but this year is especially tricky due to recent legislation. Following are six potential items to watch out for on 2021 returns. 1 Charitable donations: Normally, you can deduct monetary contributions made to qualified charitable organizations only if you [...]