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Federal Taxes

5 tax breaks on the table: What business owners should know about the latest proposals

(R&D) Research and Development, Business Income Tax, Corporate Federal Income Tax Rate, Federal Taxes, Independent Contractors, Past-Through Entities, Qualified Business Income Deducton (QBI), Section 179, Small Business Owners, Small Business Tax Tips, Small Business Tips /

A bill in Congress — dubbed The One, Big, Beautiful Bill — could significantly reshape several federal business tax breaks. While the proposed legislation is still under debate, it’s already sparking attention across business communities. Here’s a look at the current rules and proposed changes for five key tax provisions and what they could mean […]

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The advantages of a living trust for your estate plan

Estate Planning, Federal Estate Tax, Federal Taxes, Living Trust, Trust /

Do you believe you don’t need to worry about estate planning because of the current federal estate tax exemption ($13.99 million per individual or $27.98 million for married couples in 2025)? Well, think again. Even with this substantial exemption, creating a living trust can offer significant benefits, especially if your goal is to avoid probate

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Still have tax questions? You’re not alone

Federal Taxes, Filing an Amended Tax Return, Individual Income Tax, Individual Tax Tips, Statue of Limitations, Tax Refund /

Even after your 2024 federal return is submitted, a few nagging questions often remain. Below are quick answers to five of the most common questions we hear each spring. 1. When will my refund show up? Use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tracker at IRS.gov. Have these three details ready: Enter them, and the tool will

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The “wash sale” rule: Don’t let losses circle the drain

Capital Gains, Capital Losses, Cryptocurrency, Federal Taxes, Individual Tax Tips, Investment, Mutual Funds, Securities, Stocks, Tax Savings, Wash Sale /

Stock, mutual fund and ETF prices have bounced around lately. If you make what turns out to be an ill-fated investment in a taxable brokerage firm account, the good news is that you may be able to harvest a tax-saving capital loss by selling the loser security. However, for federal income tax purposes, the wash

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Small business alert: Watch out for the 100% penalty

Federal Taxes, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty /

Some tax sins are much worse than others. An example is failing to pay over federal income and employment taxes that have been withheld from employees’ paychecks. In this situation, the IRS can assess the trust fund recovery penalty, also called the 100% penalty, against any responsible person. It’s called the 100% penalty because the entire

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Are you a tax-favored real estate professional?

(PALs) Passive Activity Losses In Real Estate, Federal Taxes, Real Estate, Rental Property /

For federal income tax purposes, the general rule is that rental real estate losses are passive activity losses (PALs). An individual taxpayer can generally deduct PALs only to the extent of passive income from other sources, if any. For example, if you have positive taxable income from other rental properties, that generally counts as passive

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Deduct a loss from making a personal loan to a relative or friend

Applicable Federal Rates (AFRs_, Business Bad Debt Deduction, Capital Losses, Federal Taxes, Personal Loans, Tax Implications Of Making a Personal Loan /

Suppose your adult child or friend needs to borrow money. Maybe it’s to buy a first home or address a cash flow problem. You may want to help by making a personal loan. That’s a nice thought, but there are tax implications that you should understand and take into account. Get it in writing You

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Turning stock downturns into tax advantages

Capital Gains, Capital Losses, Federal Taxes, Stock Market, Taxes and Tips /

Have you ever invested in a company only to see its stock value plummet? (This may become relevant in light of recent market volatility.) While such an investment might be something you’d rather forget, there’s a silver lining: you can claim a capital loss deduction on your tax return. Here are the rules when a

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Planning for the future: 5 business succession options and their tax implications

Captial Gains, Closely Held Corporations, Employees, ESOP Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Federal Estate Tax, Federal Gift Tax, Federal Taxes, Gift and Estate Tax, Small Business, Small Business Owners, Succession Plans, Taxes and Tips, Trust /

When it’s time to consider your business’s future, succession planning can protect your legacy and successfully set up the next generation of leaders or owners. Whether you’re ready to retire, you wish to step back your involvement or you want a solid contingency plan should you unexpectedly be unable to run the business, exploring different

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Questions about taxes and tips? Here are some answers for employers

Federal Taxes, Small Business, Small Business Owners, State Tax, Taxes and Tips, Tip Tax Credit /

Businesses in certain industries employ service workers who receive tips as a large part of their compensation. These businesses include restaurants, hotels and salons. Compliance with federal and state tax regulations is vital if your business has employees who receive tips. Are tips becoming tax-free? During the campaign, President Trump promised to end taxes on

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