Your grandson needs a car, but cannot afford the payments. As a favor, you provide the $25,000 to purchase the car. You tell your grandson to pay you back when he can, but there is no loan document. The IRS sees this payment during an audit and asks you where your interest income is for …
The Tax Impact as Your Children Grow Up
Prepare now for potential income tax hits As your children grow older, you can easily be surprised by a larger tax bill. To help plan for the tax impact of these changes, consider these tax implications as your dependent children age. A higher tax bill in your future At age 13: Loss of your Dependent …
2026 Health Savings Account Limits
Reminder to review your contributions Contribution limits for the ever-popular health savings account (HSA) are outlined here for 2026. Now is a great time to review your contribution levels and make adjustments as appropriate while there is still plenty of time left for 2026. HSA defined An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account whose funds …
Hidden Back to School Tax Deductions
Plus NEW mileage rates! Summer is coming to a close next month and the back-to-school advertising blitz is underway. Hidden in some of those school expenses are tax deductions you can take advantage of. Here are some ways you can save: Watch for tax deductions on the supply list. Schools often send a list of requested …
Great Charitable Deduction Ideas
Even though the higher standard deduction limits make charitable deductions harder to find, there are still great options to find tax breaks within your charitable giving. Here are five tips to use charitable tax breaks: Qualified charitable distributions. If you’re age 70½ or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 (or a total of $200,000 for …
A Gift of Stock
Information is key when using this tax planning strategy You own some stock that has increased in value. To avoid a possible taxable gain by selling the stock, you wish to give it directly to a child or grandchild. This simple idea has some interesting tax consequences to consider. Value of the gift When you …
Understanding Tax Terms: Pass-through Entities
What everyone should know Small business owners have a number of options on how to organize their business for tax purposes. And if you sell items on eBay or Esty, drive for Uber, or offer your services as a writer or programmer, you are probably considered a flow-through entity in the eyes of the IRS. …
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Toss This. Not That. 2025 Edition
Your guide to post tax-filing record retention Tax season is over and your focus is on enjoying the summer. But before you close that tax file, make a final review to ensure you records are accessible should you ever need them. This is especially important. If the IRS or state revenue department selects your return …
To Amend or Not Amend?
Is it always a good idea to amend your tax return if you find an error? Here's a tip that is worth reviewing each year as adjustments to your income tax return may become apparent. This is often common with the advent of changing tax rules and as the IRS finalizes rules on recently passed …
Income the IRS Can’t Touch
Wouldn't it be nice to have a source of nontaxable income? You may be more fortunate than you realize. Here are several types of income that the IRS does not tax. 1. Tax-free interest. The federal government does not tax municipal bond interest. This includes bonds issued by a state or municipality. The tax-free benefit increases …
