The costs of commuting from a personal residence to places of business or employment generally are nondeductible personal expenditures. The deduction for commuting costs is disallowed regardless of the distance involved. However, taxpayers whose residences qualify as their principal place of business can deduct transportation expenses incurred in going between
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created as a tax-favored framework to provide health care benefits. HSAs are targeted mainly at the self-employed, small business owners, and employees of small to medium-sized companies who do not have access to health insurance. The tax benefits of HSAs are quite favorable and substantial.
Legislation in 2008 waived the Minimum Required Distributions (MRDs) for 2009 from IRAs and defined contribution plans, including Section 401(k), 403(b), and state-sponsored Section 457 plans. It did not otherwise change MRD rules. Therefore, MRDs are once again required in 2010. The 2009 waiver has no impact on the 2010
Individuals are opting to start new businesses at a rapid pace. This phenomenon is likely the result of various reasons including the slow economy, early retirement, and folks just wanting to get away from the everyday grind of working for someone else. If you are considering fulfilling the dream of owning
If escalating energy costs have you looking for ways to reduce your gas and electric bills, here are some tips on how you can cut costs and reap tax-saving energy credits as well. A great way to cut energy costs and save up to $1,500 in federal income taxes is
The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (the HIRE Act) includes two temporary payroll tax breaks intended to boost hiring. An interesting point about these breaks is that they could be claimed for a business owner’s newly hired spouse. They might also be claimed for wages paid to other newly
One of the most common areas of contention between the IRS and businesses is the issue of worker classification. If a worker is an employee, the business is responsible for payroll taxes and fringe benefits. However, if the worker is an independent contractor, the business is generally not responsible for
If debt collection is a problem for your business, deducting uncollectible (bad) debts from your tax bill may somewhat lessen the sting of simply writing them off. Here is some basic information on deducting business bad debts. First, the debt must be legitimate. A bona fide debt arises from a
