News

New Rules for Depreciation and Expensing As part of final guidance issued that pertains to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, new rules and limitations are in effect for taxpayers who deduct depreciation for qualified property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017, and, as...

It’s Not Too Late to Make an IRA Contribution If you haven’t contributed funds to an Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) for tax year 2019, or if you’ve put in less than the maximum allowed, you still have time to do so. You can contribute to either a traditional or...

Worker Classification: Employee vs. Contractor If you hire someone for a long-term, full-time project or a series of projects that are likely to last for an extended period, you must pay special attention to the difference between independent contractors and employees. Why It Matters The Internal Revenue Service and...

Are Social Security Benefits Taxable? Social Security benefits include monthly retirement, survivor, and disability benefits; they do not include Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, which are not taxable. Generally, you pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits only if you have other substantial income in addition to...

What to Do If You Are Missing Important Tax Forms If you are ready to file your taxes but are missing important tax forms here’s what you should do: Form W-2 You should receive a Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, from each of your employers for use in preparing...

Tax Due Dates for March 2020 March 2 Farmers and Fishermen – File your 2019 income tax return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due. However, you have until April 15 to file if you paid your 2019 estimated tax by January 15, 2020. Health Coverage Reporting – If you are...

Start 2020 Right: Get into the Report Habit Whether or not you made New Year’s resolutions, for many business owners, the beginning of a new year means a fresh start – including incorporating new habits that help improve your company’s financial bottom line such as committing to using the...

Tips for Taxpayers Who Make Money From a Hobby Many people enjoy hobbies that are also a source of income. From soap making to pottery and jewelry making to calligraphy, these activities can be sources of both fun and finances. Taxpayers who make money from a hobby must report...

Figuring out Your Correct Filing Status Your filing status determines which tax forms you need to file, the amount of your standard deduction, eligibility for certain tax credits, and how much tax you owe. In some cases, it may even impact whether you need to file a federal income...

Student Loans: Cancellation of Debt Relief Taxpayers who took out federal or private student loans to finance their attendance at a nonprofit or for-profit school now qualify for safe harbor with regard to cancellation of debt income for discharged student loans. Relief is also extended to any creditor that...

Six Facts About Form 1040-SR Taxpayers aged 65 or older now have the option to use Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors, thanks to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which required the IRS to create a tax form for seniors. Here are six facts you should know: 1. Form...

Do You Need to File a 2019 Tax Return? Most people file a tax return because they have to, but even if you don’t, there are times when you should – because you might be eligible for a tax refund and not know it. The tax tips below should...