The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is kicking off 2015 with Tax Identity Theft Awareness week, January 26 to 30. The purpose of this week is to educate people about identity theft—which could be anyone with a Social Security number (SSN). More than 1.6 million people were affected by tax identity theft in 2013. The IRS [...]
If you’re looking to make a New Year’s resolution, here’s a good one to consider: Better managing your taxes. You should be receiving your tax paperwork soon, so do some preparation now to optimize your return and streamline the process. Here’s how you can start making this year’s New Year’s resolution—and stick to it: 1) [...]
Smart people use the month of December to work on tax reduction strategies. One of the most common tax reduction strategies is to pay your January mortgage payment in December. If you did this, you may be wondering just how doing so will impact your 2014 taxes—the taxes you pay in 2015. If you paid [...]
Here's a quick list of the tax deductions Congress just extended to the end of the year. 1. Mortgage debt forgiveness. If you did a short sale in 2014, you will not have to pay taxes on the debt the lender writes off in the deal. 2. Deduction for private mortgage insurance. You can continue to [...]
This article was written by guest blogger Eva Rosenberg. Is there an age limit when it comes to paying taxes? No. Age has nothing to do with taxes; it’s all about income. Regardless of your age, if you work for someone who pays you or if you own a business, you are required to pay [...]
While the state in which you live may not seem to make much of a difference when you file your federal tax return, some people, including retirees and entrepreneurs, decide to move for state tax purposes. The option to deduct state and local income taxes or sales taxes on your federal return and the amount [...]
How is my end-of-the-year bonus taxed? The IRS has standardized how company's pay end-of-the-year bonuses but some employees still have questions. This article was written by guest blogger Eva Rosenberg. My firm has worked with many taxpayers and companies over the years, and I have seen employees receive their bonuses in a variety of ways. [...]
Believe it or not, the start of the 2015 tax-filing season is right around the corner. While there has been speculation that the start of the coming filing season may be delayed (as it was in 2014), it’s never too soon to begin preparing. Not only might you get your refund sooner if you file [...]
As the cost of college continues to increase, many parents opt to open 529 plans in order to help save for their children’s tuition. These plans, which are operated by a state or educational institution, offer federal and state tax benefits and allow the donor—often a parent—to retain control of the account. When it’s the [...]
The college years are an exciting and difficult time: From tuition payments to Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms to full or part-time employment, college may be the first time young adults are in charge of their own finances. With more financial freedom comes added responsibility, including a duty to pay Uncle Sam. [...]
