Category: Tax Tip Tuesdays
74 posts categorized as "Tax Tip Tuesdays"
Mar 31, 2020
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.
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Mar 24, 2020
By Edward “Ed” V. O’Neal, Vice President and Manager, Retirement Plans
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,
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Mar 17, 2020
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.
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Mar 10, 2020
By Edward “Ed” V. O’Neal, Vice President and Manager, Retirement Plans
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.
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Mar 3, 2020
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.
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Feb 25, 2020
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.
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Feb 18, 2020
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.
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Feb 11, 2020
By Edward “Ed” V. O’Neal, Vice President and Manager, Retirement Plans
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.
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Feb 4, 2020
By Jeffrey R. Wolfe, Senior Vice President, Manager of Wealth Planning Strategies
Like they say, there’s two things for sure in life, and one of those ramps up this time of year. That’s right, its tax season once again. Most tax laws have remained constant (a rarity in the last few years), but there are some changes in effect as well. In an effort to help you prepare for this year’s tax season we will once again publish our “Tax Tip Tuesdays” blog series over the next 11 weeks.
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Apr 16, 2019
By Jeffrey R. Wolfe, Senior Vice President, Manager of Wealth Planning Strategies
So, another tax season has come to an end. This one, though, was a little unique as it was the first tax season under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”). Were you surprised this year? Did you have to pay in more than you thought, or maybe you got an oversized refund?
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