Taxes

Are Political Donations Tax-Deductible?
Taxes

Are Political Donations Tax-Deductible?

Abby Eisenkraft, EA | November 26, 2024

Every four years, America holds a Presidential election…and early the following year, many American taxpayers make an unwelcome discovery—the political…

Is My Annual Bonus Taxed?
Taxes

Is My Annual Bonus Taxed?

Maryann Reyes, CPA, PFS | November 21, 2024

Hoorah! You received a year-end bonus from your employer. But the bonus check you receive likely is less than you…

Gift Tax Rules: How to Gift Money to Family
Taxes

Gift Tax Rules: How to Gift Money to Family

Martin Shenkman, CPA, JD | September 28, 2024

A married couple helps their adult child make a downpayment on his first home. A woman pays her aging mother's…

Second-Home Tax Traps and Opportunities
Taxes

Second-Home Tax Traps and Opportunities

Timothy B. Borchers, Esq., CTFA, EPLS, AEP | September 26, 2024

Owning a second home can create unexpected tax traps as well as tax-saving opportunities, says attorney Timothy B. Borchers, coauthor…

Tax Planning for 2025
Taxes

Tax Planning for 2025

Maryann Reyes, CPA, PFS | September 17, 2024

Year-end tax planning presents a particular challenge in 2024 because there’s so much uncertainty about what taxes will look like…

How to Save Tax Documents — Digitizing Is the Answer
Tax Planning

How to Save Tax Documents — Digitizing Is the Answer

Brian Cluxton | August 28, 2024

So where do you keep all those tax documents? There are several potential solutions—but only one truly makes sense. You…

How Long Should You Keep Tax Returns?
Taxes

How Long Should You Keep Tax Returns?

Martin Shenkman, CPA, JD | August 21, 2024

How long do you keep tax returns and related paperwork? If you look for guidance about recordkeeping from the IRS…

States With No Income Tax: Do They Really Cost Less?
Taxes

States With No Income Tax: Do They Really Cost Less?

Joseph Johns | August 12, 2024

Nothing is certain except death and taxes—and even some taxes aren’t certain if you choose the right state. Examples: Alaska,…

Cash Yields and Taxes
Taxes

Cash Yields and Taxes

James White | June 11, 2024

Savers reveling in 5% yields on cash in money-market funds got a rude surprise this past April—they owe ordinary income…

The Sun Is Setting On Certain Tax Laws
Taxes

The Sun Is Setting On Certain Tax Laws

Robert Carlson | June 11, 2024

Heads up! Higher taxes are coming, and the clock is ticking if you want to take steps to protect yourself.…

US Tax Court Wins and Losses
Taxes

US Tax Court Wins and Losses

Edward Mendlowitz, CPA, ABV, PFS, and Maryann T. Reyes, CPA, PFS | April 18, 2024

Every year, hundreds of taxpayers battle the federal government in regional district courts and US Tax Court, an independent judicial…

Do I Need a Separate Tax Advisor?
Taxes

Do I Need a Separate Tax Advisor?

Derek Burnett | February 19, 2024

A separate tax advisor can provide tax advice, preparation, and filing services that other financial advisors may not be the best available for.

Hidden Tax Trap in New RMD Rules
Taxes

Hidden Tax Trap in New RMD Rules

Robert Carlson | February 8, 2024

New rules postpone the start of required minimum distributions (RMDs) until age 73—but not withdrawing money from traditional IRAs and…

You Can Dispute Your Property Taxes…and Win
Taxes

You Can Dispute Your Property Taxes…and Win

Ed Tomlinson | January 21, 2024

Property tax assessments are generated by computers without a human ever looking at the property—and they often are wrong. What…

Pros and Cons of Married Filing Separately
Tax Planning

Pros and Cons of Married Filing Separately

Damien Martin, CPA | January 7, 2024

You married your spouse for better or worse—not to file your taxes jointly. According to the most recent IRS statistics,…