When you file your tax return, you do so with one of five filing statuses. It’s possible that more than one status will apply. The box checked on your return generally depends in part on whether you’re unmarried or married on December 31. Here are the filing statuses: Single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, […]
Author Archive | James B. Reynolds
Five Ways to Trim 2019 Taxes
Does your business use and accrual-based accounting system? If so, there may still be opportunities to reduce your 2019 tax bill. Read on for 5 ideas on minimizing this year’s tax bill. We’re always here to help, so contact us to learn more about these and other ideas that may reduce your tax burden for […]
Using your 401(k) plan to save this year and next
Does your employer offer a 401(k) or Roth 401(k) plan? Contributing to it is a taxwise way to build a nest egg. If you’re not already socking away the maximum allowed, consider increasing your contribution between now and year end. With a 401(k), an employee elects to have a certain amount of pay deferred and […]
You may be ABLE to save for a disabled family member with a tax-advantaged account
There’s a tax-advantaged way for people to save for the needs of family members with disabilities, without having them lose eligibility for government benefits to which they’re entitled. It’s done though an ABLE account, which is a tax-free account that can be used for disability-related expenses. ABLE accounts can be created by eligible individuals to […]
IRA Charitable Donations are an Alternative to Taxable Required Distributions
Are you charitably minded and have a significant amount of money in an IRA? If you’re age 70-1/2 or older, and don’t need the money from required minimum distributions, you may benefit by giving these amounts to charity. A popular way to transfer IRA assets to charity is through a tax provision that allows IRA […]
Selling securities by year end? Avoid the wash sale rule
If you’re planning to sell assets at a loss to offset gains that have been realized during the year, it’s important to be aware 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 before or […]
Use a Coverdell ESA to Help Pay College, Elementary and Secondary School Costs
You may be able to save for your child’s or grandchild’s education with a Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA). There’s no upfront federal tax deduction for contributions, but the earnings grow tax-free. No tax is due when the account funds are withdrawn, to the extent the amounts don’t exceed the child’s qualified education expenses. Qualified […]
Watch Out for Tax-Related Scams
Victims of tax-related scams can be contacted through regular mail, phone calls and email. If you receive a text, letter, email or phone call purporting to be from the IRS, keep in mind that the tax agency never calls taxpayers demanding immediate payment using a specific method of payment (such as a wire transfer or […]
Take Advantage of the Gift Tax Exclusion Rules
As we head toward gift-giving season, you may be considering giving cash or securities to your loved ones. Taxpayers can transfer amounts free of gift taxes to their children or others each year through the use of the annual federal gift tax exclusion. For 2019, the exclusion is $15,000 to each person. If you’re married, […]
When is tax due on Series EE savings bonds?
If you own Series EE bonds, check the issue dates on your bonds. If they’re no longer earning interest, you probably want to redeem them. Read this article to learn more on that and how the interest on the bonds is taxed. Contact us if you have questions about the taxability of savings bonds.
