The Ins and Outs of IRAs

Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs have been around for decades and the rules surrounding them have changed many times. What hasn’t changed is that they can help you save for retirement on a tax-favored basis. Here’s an overview. Traditional IRAs You can make an annual deductible contribution to a traditional IRA if: You (and your […]

Tax records can paint a vivid picture

Are you eligible for a medical expense tax deduction?

You may pay out a bundle in out-of-pocket medical costs each year. But can you deduct them on your tax return? It’s possible but not easy. Medical expenses can be claimed as a deduction only to the extent your unreimbursed costs exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Plus, medical expenses are deductible only if […]

Missing a form

Are you missing a key tax document? Or did you receive a document with errors? Employers must send W-2s (Wage and Tax Statements), Forms 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation Statements) and other 1099s by Jan. 31 each year. If you’re missing a form or received an incorrect document, start by contacting the employer or other responsible entity. […]

Extended filing and payment deadlines

Most people welcome the arrival of spring. But unfortunately, spring can mean a higher incidence of such natural disasters as tornados and flooding. To help individuals and businesses affected by disasters, the IRS regularly updates a list of tax relief by jurisdiction. Currently, it includes information for those affected by Washington state storms, Colorado fires […]

New tax reporting requirements for payment apps could affect you

If you run a business and accept payments through third-party networks such as Zelle, Venmo, Square or PayPal, you could be affected by new tax reporting requirements that take effect for 2022. They don’t alter your tax liability, but they could add to your recordkeeping burden, as well as the number of tax-related documents you […]

Tax policy on emissions

How are carbon-dioxide emissions affected by tax or allowance prices on them? A recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) paper examines this question. It scrutinizes three groups: the electrical power industry, the transportation sector and a composite residential, commercial and industrial group. In the electrical power industry, “price sensitivities of energy-related emissions over the first 10 […]

Was that a Yes or a No?

It’s a simple “yes” or “no” question, but you must answer it on your Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR: At any time during 2021, did you receive, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any financial interest in any virtual currency? According to the IRS, some examples of a transaction involving virtual currency are the receipt […]

Keeping meticulous records is the key to tax deductions and painless IRS audits

If you operate a business, or you’re starting a new one, you know you need to keep records of your income and expenses. Specifically, you should carefully record your expenses in order to claim all of the tax deductions to which you’re entitled. And you want to make sure you can defend the amounts reported […]

IRS creates new Office

The IRS has established its first-ever Taxpayer Experience Office. The new office will focus on all aspects of taxpayers’ transactions with the IRS. Specifically, in the near-term, the office will seek to expand customer callback, provide additional payment options, secure two-way messaging and offer more services for multilingual customers. The office will work in conjunction […]