Tax Planning

Once you’re married, you have two options when it comes to filing your annual federal income tax return — married filing jointly or married filing separately. While some couples may find it more tax-efficient to file separately, joint filing often is more advantageous. Benefits of Filing Jointly Married couples who file their federal income tax return […]

The head of household (HOH) federal tax filing status is often misunderstood by taxpayers who might qualify, including single, divorced or legally separated parents, and taxpayers who support adult family members. However, it’s worth exploring, because you could reap substantial savings at tax time. Benefits of HOH Status The IRS enumerates several advantages from qualifying for […]

Do you work from home all or part of the time? If you’re self-employed and meet certain requirements, you can write off a portion of your home office expenses, even if you perform work at other locations. The deduction may be based on the actual expenses you’re able to substantiate — or it may be computed […]

Unemployment has been holding steady recently at 3.7%. But there are still some people losing their jobs — particularly in certain industries including technology and media. If you’re laid off or terminated from employment, taxes are likely the last thing on your mind. However, there are tax implications due to your altered employment circumstances. Depending […]

With the high cost of college, many parents begin saving with 529 plans when their children are babies. Contributions to these plans aren’t tax deductible, but they grow tax deferred. Earnings used to pay qualified education expenses can be withdrawn tax-free. However, earnings used for other purposes may be subject to income tax plus a […]

A recent report shows that post-pandemic global business travel is going strong. The market reached $665.3 billion in 2022 and is estimated to hit $928.4 billion by 2030, according to a report from Research and Markets. If you own your own company and travel for business, you may wonder whether you can deduct the costs of having […]

As tax season heats up, companies of all kinds and sizes will be on the hunt for ways to reduce their tax bills. One of the most common ways is through business expense deductions, but not every such expense is deductible. Here’s what to know about the expenses that you can — and can’t — […]

Did you make large gifts to your children, grandchildren or others last year? If so, it’s important to determine if you’re required to file a 2023 gift tax return. In some cases, it might be beneficial to file one — even if it’s not required. Who must file? The annual gift tax exclusion has increased […]

Did you donate to charity last year? Acknowledgment letters from the charities you gave to may have already shown up in your mailbox. But if you don’t receive such a letter, can you still claim a deduction for the gift on your 2023 income tax return? It depends. What the law requires To prove a […]

The following chart provides some important federal tax information for 2024, as compared with 2023. Social Security/ Medicare 2024 2023 Social Security Tax Wage Base $168,600 $160,200 Medicare Tax Wage Base No limit No limit Employee portion of Social Security 6.2% 6.2% Employee portion of Medicare 1.45% 1.45% Individual Retirement Accounts 2024 2023 Roth IRA Individual, […]