Here are 6 ideas that most people can use While 2020 winds down, there is still time to reduce your tax burden. Here are six ideas that can save money for most of us. 1. Leverage pre-tax savings. Take advantage of opportunities to set aside income on a pre-tax basis. This includes; Participation in your employer's …
Category: Planning
This Estate Planning Mistake Could Cost You Thousands
While you may never need to worry about forking over an estate tax payment to the federal government, there is a financial trap hidden within your estate that could bite you big time. Spend a few minutes with the following example to see where you could get tripped up by a simple mistake that could …
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Don’t Let Plummet in IRS Audits Lead to Complacency
Prepare for an IRS audit despite a low risk for getting selected. In 2018, the most recent year for which the IRS has released information, you have a 0.05% chance of getting audited if you make more than $1 million. In comparison, if you made more than $1 million in 2010, you had a 9.72% …
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The Lost Art of Tracking Home Improvements
How a tax law makes us sloppy and creates a tax risk One of the more popular provisions in the tax code is the $250,000 capital gain exclusion ($500,000 for a married couple) of any profit made when selling your home. As long as you follow the rules, most home sales transactions are not a …
Don’t Run the Risk of a High Tax Bill!
Before taking action talk to your tax adviser. How many times have you seen this legal disclaimer? Unfortunately, all too often taxpayers do not follow this advice and then must pay the price with an unnecessarily high tax bill. Here are some of the most common situations that can save you money by seeking advice …
Reminder: Third Quarter Estimated Taxes Due
Now is the time to make your estimated tax payment If you have not already done so, now is the time to review your tax situation and make an estimated quarterly tax payment using Form 1040-ES. The third quarter due date is now here. Due date: Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 Remember, you are required to …
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Donating Stock to Charities Can Yield Bigger Tax Savings
Scrolling through your inbox, you come across an e-mail from your favorite charity asking for a donation. You've been meaning to make a contribution for a while now, but just never got around to sending them a payment. But you're ready to do it now, and you're cyber smart, so you avoid the e-mail and …
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Tax Shifting Ideas to Reduce Your Bill to Uncle Sam
Many tax experts talk about shifting your tax burden from one year to the next. While in theory it may make sense, how can you make it work for you in practice? The concept Since the tax code is complex in its construction, there are often opportunities to reduce your tax burden by controlling the …
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A Gift of Stock
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 gift stock there are not one, but two values …
Be Prepared For Higher Taxes
"Tis impossible to be sure of anything but death and taxes." The Cobbler of Preston by Christopher Bullock (1716) This old adage by Christopher Bullock is still true today, but there's actually a third certain thing in life - fluctuating tax rates! The past 50 years includes a roller coaster of increasing and decreasing tax rates depending …
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