Avoid Common Tax Mistakes
Avoid These Common Tax Mistakes There are nearly 1,000 different tax forms used by the IRS to report tax obligations. It’s no wonder the IRS faces thousands of tax returns with errors each year. Here are some of the most common: Wrong names and Social Security...
Business Planning: The Hourglass Approach
When it comes to annual planning, businesses often spend too much time on the planning process or too little because they are busy with day-to-day operations. There’s a simple method called the hourglass approach that can help you efficiently focus on your goals and...
Say Goodbye to The College Tuition Deduction
It’s hard enough to watch your child leave for college. Now you also have to say goodbye to the college tuition deduction. Congress decided not to extend this $4,000 deduction for 2017, leaving many parents worried that college will now be more expensive. But it isn’t...
Be a Smart Renter
Renting an apartment, condo or house; leasing a piece of equipment; renting business property; leasing a car: all involve the common practice of renting something that is owned by someone else. To make sure you always have a good experience, here is how to be a smart...
Lessons from the Best Places To Work
Google, Facebook and Southwest Airlines are among the top five companies on job search site Indeed’s “Best Places to Work for 2017” list. You may not have the resources of these large companies, but you can incorporate some of their ideas into your company’s culture....
Medical Access Denial – What Every College Student’s Parents Should Know
Medical access denial can be a stressful thing, especially when it comes to your children. Imagine your college-aged daughter has an accident while away at school and ends up in the emergency room. When you call the hospital, you are denied information about her care...
HSA as a Retirement Tool: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Should you consider your HSA as a retirement tool? Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great way to pay for medical expenses, and since unused funds roll over from year to year, the account can also provide a source of retirement funds in addition to other plans like...
Five Reasons to Incorporate Your Business
Most new businesses start with no thought about legal structure, but there are important reasons to incorporate your business. In the eyes of the IRS, the default structure is a "sole proprietor," in which your business profits are taxed on your personal tax return....
Donate Stock to Lower Your Tax Burden
With U.S. equity valuations near historically high levels, now might be an opportune time to donate stock and take advantage of the tax benefits of donating long-term appreciated stock to a qualified charity. Directly donating a winning stock you've held for at least...
The Risk of an IRS Audit – Keep Your Fears in Check
The risk of an IRS audit is probably much lower than you think. A look at the latest IRS statistics for 2016 reveals some interesting and reassuring facts about the risk of an IRS audit. Audits are becoming less common. The number of individual tax returns the IRS...