As part of your planning for next year, now is the time to review funding your retirement accounts in 2026. Recent cost of living calculations means much higher contribution limits for next year. So plan now to take full advantage of this tax benefit. Here are annual contribution limits for the more popular programs: How …
Author: Velisa Bookkeeping Services LLC
IRS Updates Regulations for New Trump Accounts
What everyone needs to know Recent tax legislation includes new provisions that allow for the establishment of new investment accounts for children ages 18 or younger. The goal of the account is to have funds available for them when they become adults. While not yet available to create, news out of the IRS in early …
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Vehicle Donations: Do it Right!
A little mistake could cost you plenty At the end of the year you will be inundated with commercials to donate a vehicle to charity. While it is one of the biggest contributions a taxpayer can make, if not done carefully, the tax deduction of a donated vehicle could be a lot lower than you …
Setting Benefits for Next Year
Great time to leverage tax ideas Each year there's typically an open enrollment for many benefit programs from your employer. Here are some tips to consider. Leverage employer contributions Employers that offer retirement plans like 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and 457s often include an employee match or safe harbor contribution. So make sure you understand this benefit …
Borrowing Money from Your 401(k)
Review this tip before you act! For years you have put away money from your pay into your employer-provided 401(k) retirement savings account. Your employer may have even matched 50% of your contributions or contributed 3% of your pay to the account as part of a safe harbor program. Now you want to take some …
The New Car Interest Deduction
What you need to know For years, the tax code trend was to reduce the amount of interest that may be deducted on your tax return. Until recently, it really only allowed interest deductions as an itemized deduction on qualified residences and vacation property. That is changing now with the passage of the OBBB Act …
Year-End Tax Planning Tips: 2025 EDITION
There's still time to act At the end of each year there are a number of things to consider that may have a positive impact on your tax obligation. Here is a list of ideas that may be worth a quick review while there is still time. And especially this year with recent tax law …
Social Security Benefits Announced for 2026
The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% boost to monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 2026, another rate drop versus last year's increase of 3.2%. The increase is based on the rise in the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months ending in September 2025. For those contributing to Social Security through …
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Leveraging Gift Rules to Your Advantage
As you or your family members approach retirement years, it's important to have a basic understanding of the IRS gift giving rules. With this understanding, there are opportunities to leverage this tax law without creating a tax problem. The rules You may give up to $19,000 to any individual (donee) in 2025 and avoid any …
Check for Itemizing Now
Itemizing deductions may be back for you With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act) many who took a standard deduction may now need to consider a potential change to itemizing. If this could be you, it is better to know this now, when you can still take tax advantage of …
