Archive for Tax Planning

Writing Off Your Start-Up Expenses

Business owners – especially those operating small businesses – may be helped by a tax law allowing them to deduct up to $5,000 of the start-up expenses in the first year of the business’s operation. This is in lieu of amortizing the expenses over 180 months (15 years). Generally, start-up expenses include all expenses incurred […]

Retirement Savings: the Earlier, the Better

Generally, teenagers and young adults do not consider the long-term benefits of retirement savings. Their priorities for their earnings are more for today than that distant and rarely considered retirement. Yet contributions to a retirement plan early in life can enjoy years of growth and provide a substantial nest egg at retirement. Due to its […]

Getting the Most Out of Employee Business Expense Deductions

Individuals can deduct as miscellaneous itemized deductions certain expenses that they incur in the course of their employment. Generally, qualified business expenses are un-reimbursed expenses that are both ordinary (common and accepted in your industry) and necessary and do not include personal expenses. There are two major barriers to deducting employee business expenses. The most […]

Tax Smart Gifting

Frequently, taxpayers think that gifts of cash, securities or other assets they give to other individuals are tax deductible and, in turn, the gift recipient sometimes thinks income tax must be paid on the gift received. Nothing is further from the truth. To fully understand the ramifications of gifting, one needs to realize that gift […]

No Health Insurance? Qualify for Hardship Waiver?

If you didn’t get health insurance coverage this year, you may be subject to a penalty unless you qualify for one of the many general or hardship exemptions. There are in excess of 30 possible exemptions from the penalty and some of the exemptions require you to complete and file an application for approval. If approved for […]

Recordkeeping Tips to Keep the IRS Away

With the ever-increasing complexity of our tax system, it is commonplace for many small businesses to make mistakes with bookkeeping and filing. One way to avoid making errors is to be aware of the most commonly encountered pitfalls. Here are some tips to help keep the proper records. Receipts – Even though the IRS does not […]

Tips to Avoid Tax Penalties for 2014

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season and the time when we begin to think about family get-togethers, holiday gift sharing and parties. But don’t overlook what comes right after the holidays: tax season. And don’t overlook a couple of things you can do now to avoid or reduce potential penalties on your 2014 […]

Tax Breaks for Charity Volunteers

If you volunteer your time for a charity, you may qualify for some tax breaks. Although no tax deduction is allowed for the value of services performed for a charity, there are deductions permitted for out-of-pocket costs incurred while performing the services. The normal deduction limits and substantiation rules also apply. The following are some […]

Tax Benefits for Grandchildren

If you are a grandparent there are a number of things you can do to teach your grandchildren financial responsibility and set aside money for their future education and retirement. Before we get into actual suggestions, it is important that you understand the gift tax rules. You can give anyone, every year, an amount up […]

Don’t Overlook the Earned Income Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit primarily for lower-income individuals and couples with qualifying children. The credit first offsets any tax liability of the taxpayer(s), and any credit left over is fully refundable. For 2013, the credit can be as much as $6,044 for a taxpayer with three children. The IRS […]