November 3rd, 2017 by Kim Chen
Charitable giving allows you to help an organization you care about and, in most cases, enjoy a valuable income tax deduction. If you’re considering a large gift, a noncash donation such as appreciated real estate can provide additional benefits. For example, if you’ve held the property for more than one year, you generally will be […]
October 31st, 2017 by Kim Chen
With kids back in school, it’s a good time for parents (and grandparents) to think about college funding. One option, which can be especially beneficial if the children in question still have many years until they’ll be starting their higher education, is a Section 529 plan. Tax-deferred compounding529 plans are generally state-sponsored, and the savings-plan […]
October 31st, 2017 by Kim Chen
Most of the talk about possible tax legislation has focused on wide-sweeping tax reform and taxes under the Affordable Care Act. But another question is whether Congress will extend through 2017 some valuable breaks for individuals that the 2015 PATH Act extended only through 2016. One is the above-the-line deduction for higher education tuition and […]
October 27th, 2017 by Kim Chen
If you don’t pay attention to the details, the tax consequences of selling an investment may be different from what you expect. For example, if you bought the same security at different times and prices and want to sell high-tax-basis shares to reduce gain or increase a loss to offset other gains, be sure to […]
October 23rd, 2017 by Kim Chen
Here are three tax strategies for individuals that can be more effective if you begin executing them midyear: 1) Take steps to stay out of a higher tax bracket, such as deferring income and accelerating deductible expenses or shifting income to family members in lower tax brackets. 2) Sell depreciated investments to generate losses to […]
August 3rd, 2017 by Kim Chen
The IRA’s value as a retirement planning tool is well known: IRA assets compound on a tax-deferred (or, in the case of a Roth IRA, tax-free) basis, which can help build a more substantial nest egg. But if you don’t need an IRA to fund your retirement, you can use it as an estate planning […]
June 12th, 2017 by Kim Chen
Rather than keeping track of the actual cost of operating a vehicle, employees and self-employed taxpayers can use a standard mileage rate to compute their deduction related to using a vehicle for business. But you might also be able to deduct miles driven for other purposes, including medical, moving and charitable purposes. What are […]
June 9th, 2017 by Kim Chen
As you file your 2016 return and plan your charitable giving for 2017, it’s important to keep in mind the available deduction. It can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. What you giveOther than the actual amount you donate, one of the biggest factors that can affect your deduction is what you give: […]
May 30th, 2017 by Kim Chen
Mortgage interest rates are still at low levels, but they likely will increase as the Fed continues to raise rates. So if you’ve been thinking about helping your child — or grandchild — buy a home, consider acting soon. There also are some favorable tax factors that will help: 0% capital gains rate. If the […]
August 4th, 2016 by Kim Chen
Written by Ronald W. Gustason, CPA Most of us know that identity theft is an ever growing problem in the 21st century. It happens when someone uses your social security number or other personal information to open or access bank accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund. We have all heard or read about […]
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