Now that Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States and Republicans have retained control of both chambers of Congress, an overhaul of the U.S. tax code next year is likely. President-elect Trump’s tax reform plan, released earlier this year,...
Individuals
Your Weekly ReadWhat’s your charitable donation deduction?
When it comes to making a charitable donation, remember that all donations are not created equal. You must keep in mind the available deduction for different types of assets donated. Cash. This includes not just actual cash but gifts made by check, credit card or...
Find the right tax-advantaged account to fund health care costs
With health care costs continuing to climb, tax-friendly ways to pay for these expenses are more attractive than ever. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) all provide opportunities for...
Tips for deducting casualty losses from a natural disaster
If you suffer damage to your home or personal property, you may be able to deduct these “casualty” losses on your federal income tax return. A casualty is a sudden, unexpected or unusual event, such as a natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, etc.),...
Have a new job? Don’t neglect your old retirement plan
There’s a lot to think about when you change jobs, and it’s easy for a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan to get lost in the shuffle. But to keep building tax-deferred savings, it’s important to make an informed decision about your old retirement plan....
Why you should donate appreciated stock instead of cash
If you’re charitably inclined, making donations is probably one of your key year-end tax planning strategies. But if you typically give cash, you may want to consider another option that provides not just one but two tax benefits: Donating long-term appreciated stock....
Don’t roll the dice with taxes on your gambling winnings
For anyone who takes a spin at roulette, cries out “Bingo!” or engages in other gambling activities, it’s important to be familiar with the applicable tax rules for gambling winnings and losses. Otherwise, you could be putting yourself at risk for interest or...
Are frequent flyer miles ever taxable?
If you recently redeemed frequent flyer miles to treat the family to a fun summer vacation or to take your spouse on a romantic getaway, you might assume that there are no tax implications involved. And you’re probably right — but there is a chance your miles could be...
What you need to know about estimated tax payments
Paying the proper amount of tax by the annual federal income tax filing deadline isn’t always enough to avoid penalties and interest; you must also meet requirements for paying tax throughout the year through withholding and/or quarterly estimated tax payments. If you...
Know Your Higher Education Tax Benefits
Last week, we discussed applying for financial aid to help defer the cost of college. Besides financial aid, specific higher education tax benefits can reduce the net cost of sending a child to college. Among the three major tax breaks—American Opportunity Tax Credit,...
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