Dishonest workers can initiate a cyberattack by stealing valuable information from your company’s computer network and using it for personal gain. They could be working for a competitor, seeking revenge for perceived wrongs or they may need money to pay gambling debts. You can prevent insider cybercrime by monitoring IT use, removing network access as […]
Author Archive | James B. Reynolds
Your Taxpayer Filing Status: You May be Eligible to Use More Than One
For tax purposes, Dec. 31 is more than just New Year’s Eve. It will affect the filing status box that will be checked on your tax return. When filing a return, you do so with one of 5 tax filing statuses. The box checked on your return generally depends in part on whether you’re unmarried […]
The Next Estimated Tax Deadline is January 15 if You Have to Make a Payment
If you’re self-employed and don’t have paycheck withholding, you probably have to make estimated tax payments. These payments must be sent to the IRS on a quarterly basis. The 4th 2020 estimated tax payment deadline for individuals is Friday, Jan. 15. Even if you do have some withholding from paychecks or other payments, you may […]
Can You Qualify for a Medical Expense Tax Deduction?
Medical services and prescriptions are expensive. You may be able to deduct some expenses on your tax return but the rules make it difficult for many people to qualify. You may be able to time certain medical expenses to your tax advantage. For 2020, the medical expense deduction can only be claimed to the extent […]
Maximize Your 401(k) Plan to Save for Retirement
Are you thinking about selling stock at a loss to offset gains that have been realized during 2020? If so, it’s important not to run afoul of the “wash sale” rule. Under this rule, if you sell stock or securities for a loss and buy substantially identical stock or securities back within the 30-day period […]
Steer clear of the wash sale rule if you’re selling stock by year end
Are you thinking about selling stock at a loss to offset gains that have been realized during 2020? If so, it’s important not to run afoul of the “wash sale” rule. Under this rule, if you sell stock or securities for a loss and buy substantially identical stock or securities back within the 30-day period […]
Employees Don’t forget about your FSA funds
Many employees save taxes by placing funds in their employer’s health or dependent care flexible spending arrangements (FSAs). It’s a good time to review 2020 expenditures and project amounts to be set aside for 2021. A pre-tax contribution of $2,750 to a health FSA is permitted in 2020. To avoid forfeiture of your health FSA […]
Taking Distributions from a Traditional IRA
If you’ve built a nice nest egg in a traditional IRA (including a SEP or SIMPLE-IRA), it’s critical that you plan carefully for withdrawals from these tax-deferred retirement vehicles. For example, if you need to take money out of a traditional IRA before age 59½, distributions will generally be taxed and may also be subject […]
How Series EE Savings Bonds are Taxed
Many people have Series EE savings bonds that were purchased many years ago. Perhaps they were given as gifts or maybe you bought them yourself and filed them away. You may wonder: How is the interest taxed? EE bonds don’t pay interest currently. Instead, accrued interest is reflected in their redemption value. (But owners can […]
Disability income: How is it taxed?
You may wonder if and how disability income is taxed. It depends on who paid for the benefit. If the income is paid directly to you by an employer, it’s taxable to you as ordinary salary would be. (Taxable benefits are also subject to federal tax withholding, although they may not be subject to Social […]
