By Jeffrey R. Wolfe, Senior Vice President, Manager of Wealth Planning Strategies
So, the traditional end of tax season would be tomorrow, and while the tax world has been pretty uneventful this year, everything else this year has been anything but normal. There have been some changes due to the SECURE Act, but the Covid-19 virus has rattled many things. Let’s take a look at what we’ve discussed during this Tax Tip Tuesday series,
By Theresa Fry, Senior Vice President and Manager, IRA’s and Retirement Planning
This time last year, many taxpayers were shocked to discover that despite getting income tax refunds in the past – and changes in the tax laws that promised reduced income tax rates, a doubled standard deduction, and an increased child tax credit – they owed money to the IRS! Were you one of those unhappy taxpayers?
By Jeffrey R. Wolfe, Senior Vice President, Manager of Wealth Planning Strategies
While tax rates these days are historically low, there are still a few taxes that continue to affect more and more people each year. Many tax thresholds are indexed for inflation, like the AMT tax exemption. However, other tax thresholds like the .9% Medicare Health Insurance Surtax and the 3.8% Net Investment Income taxes are not indexed for inflation.
As a parent of children, teenagers or young adults, you’re often able to share some wonderful and memorable experiences together. It’s one of the great perks of being a parent! Additionally, some of the financial perks of being a parent or having dependents can become apparent during tax time. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which became effective on January 1,
By Theresa Fry, Senior Vice President and Manager, IRA’s and Retirement Planning
If you have filed your tax return and are anxiously awaiting your income tax refund, have you decided what you will do with it? Last year the average federal income tax refund was $2,869[1]. The majority of IRS refunds are processed within three weeks, so you have a little time to decide if you will save it or spend it.
Tax season is a time when business owners often are juggling multiple priorities, seeking approaches for potentially reducing tax liability, while also looking for opportunities to increase retirement savings. For business owners looking for 2019 tax deductions, along with a way to jump start retirement savings, the SEP IRA is the only employer-sponsored retirement plan that can be both established and funded after the 2019 calendar year.
By Theresa Fry, Senior Vice President and Manager, IRA’s and Retirement Planning
Did you turn age 70 ½ last year? Did you take your first required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2019? If not, the deadline is fast approaching. It is April 1st, not the April 15th tax filing deadline. Why do those few days matter? The IRS could impose a 50% penalty on any RMD amount you fail to take on time.
By Jeffrey R. Wolfe, Senior Vice President, Manager of Wealth Planning Strategies
The IRS continues to monitor their “Dirty Dozen” of tax scams. These are the most common and most dangerous scams that affect taxpayers. The top three, for the third year in a row, are:
Phishing: Phishing is when scammers send fake emails or website links to try and trick a taxpayer into sharing private information.
By Chris Whiting, CFP®, Executive Vice President, Director of Sales and Marketing
Many people use or are considering hiring a tax professional to help prepare taxes. There can be many great reasons to partner with a tax specialist: perhaps you have a complicated tax situation, own your own business, had a major life event, or just would like an expert to help you navigate our complex tax code. Ultimately, a tax professional can help ensure you’re filing an accurate and timely return while minimizing taxes.
As the tax deadline approaches, you may be trying to determine the best time to file your taxes. Should I focus my attention on it now or relax and wait until it gets closer to April 15th? It probably comes as no surprise to you that there is no simple answer to this common tax season quandary.
