Archive for Taxes

Important Times to Seek Assistance

Waiting for your regular appointment to discuss current tax-related issues can create problems or cause you to miss out on beneficial options that need to be timely exercised before year-end. Generally, you should call this office any time you have a substantial change in taxable income or deductions. By doing so, we can advise you […]

Receive Your Refund Faster With Direct Deposit

Don’t wait around for a paper check. Have your federal (and state, if applicable) tax refund deposited directly into your bank account. Selecting Direct Deposit is a secure and convenient way to get your money into your pocket more rapidly. Speed – When combining e-file with direct deposit, the IRS will likely issue your refund in […]

Is a 1031 Exchange Right for You?

If you own real property that you could sell for a substantial profit, you may have wondered whether there’s a way to avoid or minimize the taxes that would result from such a sale. The answer is yes, if the property is business or investment related. Normally, the gain from a sale of a capital […]

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 […]

Refinanced Mortgage Interest May Not All Be Deductible

Mortgage interest rates continue to be low, and home values are on the uptick. If you are considering a refinance, there are some important home mortgage interest rules you should be aware of. Generally, the mortgage interest that you may deduct on your home includes the interest paid on the acquisition debt and on up […]

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 […]

Health Savings Accounts Offer Tax Breaks

A health savings account (HSA) is a trust account into which tax-deductible contributions can be deposited by qualified taxpayers who have high-deductible medical insurance plans. These accounts are set up at a bank or other financial institution. Income earned on the HSA balance is income tax-free. The funds from these accounts are then used to […]

When Can You Dump Old Tax Records?

Taxpayers often question how long records must be kept and the amount of time IRS has to audit a return after it is filed. It all depends on the circumstances! In many cases, the federal statute of limitations can be used to help you determine how long to keep records. With certain exceptions, the statute […]

Gambling Income and Losses

Generally, a taxpayer must report the full amount of his recreational gambling winnings for the year as income on his 1040 return. Gambling income includes, but is not limited to, winnings from lotteries, raffles, horse and dog races, and casinos, as well as the fair market value of prizes such as cars, houses, trips or […]

Where’s My IRS Tax Refund?