Many people start the year intending to get out of debt, yet end the year owing just as much, if not more. One approach that might yield success is called “throwing snowballs.” Under this method, you organize your debts from the lowest balance to the highest balance and begin paying off the debt on top [...]
Working from home has become commonplace for people in many jobs. But just because you have a home office space doesn’t mean you can deduct expenses associated with it. Beginning with the 2018 tax year, few taxpayers will qualify for the home office deduction. Here’s why. CHANGES UNDER THE TCJA For employees, home office expenses [...]
Contrary to popular belief, there’s nothing in the U.S. Constitution or federal law that prohibits multiple states from collecting tax on the same income. Although many states provide tax credits to prevent double taxation, those credits are sometimes unavailable. If you maintain residences in more than one state, here are some points to keep in [...]
As tax season ramps up, so do the efforts of scam artists looking to steal people’s financial data and money. Such fraudulent activities often target older adults. Whether you’re in this age bracket or worry about senior parents and other relatives, here are seven ways to prevent elder financial abuse: Keep both paper and online [...]
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made many changes to tax breaks for individuals. Let’s look at some specific areas to review as you lay the groundwork for filing your 2018 return. PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS For 2018, through 2025, the TCJA suspends personal exemptions. This will substantially increase taxable income for large families. However, enhancements [...]
Are you considering transferring real estate, a family business or other assets you expect to appropriate dramatically in the future? If so, installment sale may be a viable option. Its benefits include the ability to freeze asset values for estate tax purposes and remove future appreciation from your taxable estate. GIVING AWAY VS. SELLING From [...]