If you’re married, you may wonder whether you should file joint or separate tax returns. The answer depends on your individual tax situation. In general, it depends on which filing status results in the lowest tax. But keep in mind that, if you and your spouse file a joint return, each of you is “jointly […]
Married couples filing separate tax returns: Why would they do it? Read More »
If you donated to charity last year, letters from the charities may have appeared in your mailbox recently acknowledging the donations. But what happens if you haven’t received such a letter — can you still claim a deduction for the gift on your 2021 income tax return? It depends. The requirements. To prove a charitable
Did you give to charity in 2021? Make sure you have substantiation Read More »
Are you planning to launch a business or thinking about changing your business entity? If so, you need to determine which entity will work best for you — a C corporation or a pass-through entity such as a sole-proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC) or S corporation. There are many factors to consider and proposed
Many factors are involved when choosing a business entity Read More »
Have you heard of the “nanny tax?” Even if you don’t employ a nanny, it may apply to you. Hiring a house cleaner, gardener or other household employees (who isn’t an independent contractor) may make you liable for federal income and other taxes. You may also have state tax obligations. If you employ a household
You may owe “nanny tax” even if you don’t have a nanny Read More »
Studies have found that more people are engaging in online gambling and sports betting since the pandemic began. And there are still more traditional ways to gamble and play the lottery. If you’re lucky enough to win, be aware that tax consequences go along with your good fortune. Review the tax rules. Whether you win
The tax score of winning Read More »
If you’re a business owner and you’re getting a divorce, tax issues can complicate matters. Your business ownership interest is one of your biggest personal assets and in many cases, your marital property will include all or part of it. Tax-free property transfers. You can generally divide most assets, including cash and business ownership interests,
Getting a divorce? Be aware of tax implications if you own a business Read More »
If you have a parent entering a nursing home, you may not be thinking about taxes. But there are a number of possible tax implications. Here are five. 1. Long-term medical care. The costs of qualified long-term care, including nursing home care, are deductible as medical expenses to the extent they, along with other medical
5 possible tax aspects of a parent moving into a nursing home Read More »
If your business is organized as a sole proprietorship or as a wholly-owned limited liability company (LLC), you’re subject to both income tax and self-employment tax. There may be a way to cut your tax bill by conducting business as an S corporation. Fundamentals of self-employment tax. The self-employment tax is imposed on 92.35% of
An S corporation could cut your self-employment tax Read More »
Many businesses use independent contractors to help keep their costs down. If you’re among them, make sure that these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes. If the IRS reclassifies them as employees, it can be a costly error. It can be complex to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or an
Help ensure the IRS doesn’t reclassify independent contractors as employees Read More »
Merger and acquisition activity in many industries slowed during 2020 due to COVID-19. But analysts expect it to improve in 2021 as the country comes out of the pandemic. If you are considering buying or selling another business, it’s important to understand the tax implications. Two ways to arrange a deal. Under current tax law,
What are the tax implications of buying or selling a business? Read More »