Tax Planning

Believe it or not, there are ways to collect tax-free income and gains. Here are some of the best opportunities to put money in your pocket without current federal income tax implications: Roth IRAs offer tax-free income accumulation and withdrawals. Unlike withdrawals from traditional IRAs, qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are free from federal income tax. A […]

Having a high income may mean you owe two extra taxes: the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) and a 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wage and self-employment income. Let’s take a look at these taxes and what they could mean for you. 1. The NIIT In addition to income tax, this tax applies on […]

Partnerships are often used for business and investment activities. So are multi-member LLCs that are treated as partnerships for tax purposes. A major reason is that these entities offer federal income tax advantages, the most important of which is pass-through taxation. They also must follow some special and sometimes complicated federal income tax rules. Governing […]

Charitable donations can provide businesses with significant tax savings. But for gifts over a certain amount, they must obtain a contemporaneous written acknowledgement of their donations to qualify for a charitable contribution deduction. Failing to do so can prove costly. An S corporation learned that lesson the hard way when the IRS and the U.S. Tax […]

Many employees began working remotely during the pandemic and continue doing so today. Remote work has many advantages for employers and employees, and as a result, it’s here to stay in many industries. But it may also lead to some tax surprises, especially if workers cross state lines. Double taxation may occur It’s not unusual […]

Your businesses may have a choice between using the cash or accrual method of accounting for tax purposes. The cash method often provides significant tax benefits for those that qualify. However, some businesses may be better off using the accrual method. Therefore, you need to evaluate the tax accounting method for your business to ensure […]

Navigating the complexities of tax law can be difficult, especially when faced with an unexpected tax bill due to the errors of a spouse or ex-spouse. The reason for such a bill has to do with the concept of “joint and several” liability. When a married couple files a joint tax return, each spouse is […]

If you requested an extension for your 2023 federal income tax return, you have until six months from the original due date — October 15, 2024, to be exact — to wrap things up. This extra time may give you the opportunity to lower your overall tax bill and possibly increase a refund. Here are 10 […]

Federal estimated tax payments are designed to ensure that certain individuals pay their fair share of taxes throughout the year. If you don’t have enough federal tax withheld from your paychecks and other payments, you may have to make estimated tax payments. This is the case if you receive interest, dividends, self-employment income, capital gains, […]

In a pinch, you may need to take some money out of your traditional IRA (or IRAs) before you reach age 59½. The IRS refers to these distributions as “early withdrawals.” While most traditional IRA withdrawals are at least partially taxable, the taxable portion of withdrawals taken before age 59½ will also be hit with the […]