The Many Benefits of a Health Savings Account (HSA)

By |2022-08-18T08:46:08-04:00December 14th, 2015|Uncategorized|

A Health Savings Account (HSA) represents an opportunity for eligible individuals to lower their out-of-pocket health care costs and federal tax bill.  Since most of us would like to take advantage of every available tax break, now might be a good time to consider an HSA, if eligible. An HSA operates somewhat like a flexible [...]

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Shared Equity Financing Arrangements for Home Ownership

By |2022-08-18T08:46:11-04:00November 16th, 2015|Taxation|

Adult children may be able to acquire a more expensive home than they might otherwise afford by using a shared equity financing arrangement, under which parents or other relatives share in the purchase and cost of maintaining a house used by the children as a principle residence.  The nonresident owner rents his or her portion [...]

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Time to Start Year-End Tax Planning

By |2022-08-18T08:46:11-04:00November 9th, 2015|Taxation|

The federal income tax rates for 2015 are the same as last year; 10%, 15%, 25%, 28% 33%, 35% and 39.6%.  However, the rate bracket beginning and ending points are increased slightly to account for inflation.  For 2015, the maximum 39.6% bracket affects singles with taxable income above $413,200, married joint-filing couples with income above [...]

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Planning to Avoid or Minimize the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax

By |2015-10-09T16:04:15-04:00October 26th, 2015|Taxation|

The net investment income tax, or NIIT, is a 3.8% surtax on investment income collected from higher-income individuals.  It first took effect in 2013.  After filing your 2014 return, you may have been hit with this extra tax for two years, and you may now be ready to get proactive by taking some steps to [...]

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Maximizing FDIC Insurance Coverage fo Bank Deposits

By |2022-08-18T08:46:13-04:00October 19th, 2015|Taxation|

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has provided deposit insurance coverage to depositors of insured banks since 1933.  This protection is important to all investors, especially those who tend to be invested heavily in cash and who are dependent on these accounts to cover living expenses. Note:  The covered institutions must display an official sign [...]

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Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriages in all States

By |2022-08-18T08:46:13-04:00October 12th, 2015|Taxation|

Since the Supreme Court’s 2013 Windsor decision, same-sex couples who are legally married under state or foreign laws are treated as married for federal tax purposes just like any other married couple.  The Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision (issued in late June) now requires all states to license and recognize marriages between same-sex couples can exercise [...]

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