Roth + Traditional: A Powerful Combo?

If you already contribute pre-tax dollars to a traditional 401(k) plan or IRA, you may also want to contribute to a Roth version. You’ll forgo tax savings now because Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars. But diversifying retirement contributions across account types can help lower income tax bills later. That’s because you’ll owe tax […]

Increase your current business deductions under tangible property safe harbors

Did your business make repairs to tangible property, such as buildings, equipment or vehicles, in 2025? Such costs may be fully deductible on your 2025 income tax return — if they weren’t actually for “improvements” that must be depreciated over a period of years. Betterment, restoration or adaptation In general, a cost that results in […]

There’s still time to set up a SEP and reduce your 2025 taxes

If you own a business or are self-employed and haven’t already set up a tax-advantaged retirement plan, consider establishing one before you file your 2025 tax return. If you choose a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), you’ll be able make deductible 2025 contributions to it, saving you taxes. Not only is the SEP deadline favorable, but […]

Tax filing update for pass-through entities

Do you operate a business as a partnership, a limited liability company (LLC) treated as a partnership for tax purposes or an S corporation? In tax lingo, these are called “pass-through” entities because their taxable income items, tax deductions and tax credits are passed through to their owners and taken into account on the owners’ federal […]

When medical expenses are — and aren’t — tax deductible

If you had significant medical expenses last year, you may be wondering what you can deduct on your 2025 income tax return. Income-based thresholds and other rules can make it hard to claim the medical expense deduction. At the same time, more types of expenses may be eligible than you might expect. Limits on the […]

Not all “business” expenses are tax deductible

With 2025 in the rear view mirror and the tax filing deadline on the road ahead, it’s a good time for businesses to start gathering information about their deductible expenses for 2025. But what’s deductible (and what’s not) might not be as clear-cut as you think. Most business deductions aren’t specifically listed in the Internal […]

Avoiding inadvertent S corp termination

S corporation structure provides most of the tax benefits of a partnership plus the liability protection of a corporation. But because of the strict requirements that apply to these entities, preserving S corporation status requires due diligence. Reap the benefits Like a traditional C corporation, an S corporation shields its shareholders from personal liability for the corporation’s […]

If you suffered a disaster, you may be eligible for a casualty loss tax deduction

Every year, severe storms, flooding, wildfires and other disasters affect millions of taxpayers. Many experience casualty losses from damage to their homes or personal property. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law last year, generally made permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) limitation on the personal casualty loss tax deduction. […]

Shift income to take advantage of the 0% long-term capital gains rate

Are you thinking about making financial gifts to loved ones? Would you also like to reduce your capital gains tax? If so, consider giving appreciated stock instead of cash. You might be able to eliminate all federal tax liability on the appreciation — or at least significantly reduce it. Leveraging lower rates Investors generally are […]

How the Social Security wage base will affect your payroll taxes in 2026

The 2026 Social Security wage base has been released. What’s the tax impact on employees and the self-employed? Let’s take a look. FICA tax 101 The Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) imposes two payroll taxes on wages and self-employment income — one for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance, commonly known as the Social Security tax, […]