Tax Planning

Are you an older taxpayer who owns a house that has appreciated greatly? At the same time, you may need income. Thankfully, there could be a solution with a tax-saving bonus. It involves taking out a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgage basics With a reverse mortgage, the borrower doesn’t make payments to the lender to pay […]

There are many rewards for taking care of an elderly relative. They may include feeling needed, making a difference in the person’s life and allowing the person to receive quality care. In addition, you could also be eligible for tax breaks. Here’s a rundown of four of them: Medical expenses. If the individual qualifies as […]

Are you planning to take a business trip this summer? If your destination is known for its cultural or recreational attractions, you might want to combine some leisure with your business activities. You still may be able to enjoy plenty of tax benefits from the trip — if you stick to a strict tax itinerary. The […]

For years, the tax code has offered an incentive for employers to provide child care to their employees in the form of the Section 45F child care tax credit. But the credit is rarely claimed, according to the Congressional Research Service. Employers that qualify for the credit could significantly cut their tax bills, while simultaneously boosting […]

Let’s say you own one or more vacant lots. The property has appreciated greatly and you’re ready to sell. Or maybe you have a parcel of appreciated land that you want to subdivide into lots, develop them and sell them off for a big profit. Either way, you’ll incur a tax bill. For purposes of […]

Homeowners have long been rewarded with favorable tax treatment for making energy-efficient improvements. The Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, expands the tax credit for qualified energy-efficient improvements to help subsidize home energy audits, which can result in even more savings in your utility bills. Recent IRS guidance sheds some light on the credit. Overview The […]

Let’s say you plan to use a C corporation to operate a newly acquired business or you have an existing C corporation that needs more capital. You should know that the federal tax code treats corporate debt more favorably than corporate equity. So for shareholders of closely held C corporations, it can be a tax-smart move to include […]

The rules for deducting depreciation expenses on vehicles used for business purposes have been liberalized under current tax law, but they remain complicated. In addition, annual inflation adjustments make allowable depreciation deductions moving targets. (See “First-Year Depreciation Deductions under the TCJA,” below.) Here’s how to calculate depreciation deductions for cars, SUVs, pickups and vans used in […]

Many people dream of turning a hobby into a regular business. Perhaps you enjoy boating and would like to open a charter fishing business. Or maybe you’d like to turn your sewing or photography skills into an income-producing business. You probably won’t have any tax headaches if your new business is profitable over a certain […]

Interest rates on residential mortgage loans have increased significantly over the last few years. If your adult child or another family member needs a mortgage to buy a home, the interest expense may be unaffordable. Plus, skyrocketing home values and low inventories of for-sale properties in most parts of the country are presenting challenges to prospective […]