Most taxpayers ignore the federal estate tax, thinking they will never be touched by it. Unfortunately, you do this at your own peril. Why? Because states often have this tax AND politicians have a habit of frequently changing the rules. The most recent change is scheduled to take place after 2025. The best approach for

What do I need to keep? Each of us needs to keep records that substantiate our tax return or other important life events for as long as they are needed. So what does this mean? The basic retention period. Federal tax return substantiation is generally three years from the later of the tax return filing

You’ve got it all planned out. Your retirement savings accounts are full, you have started receiving Social Security benefits and your pension is ready to go. Everything is planned. What could go wrong? Here are five surprises that can turn your plan on a dime. 1. Health emergencies and long-term care. When a simple procedure

Now is the time to make your estimated tax payment If you have not already done so, now is the time to review your tax situation and make an estimated quarterly tax payment using Form 1040-ES. The third quarter due date is now here. Due date: Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 You are required to withhold

One of the best audit tips available can be summed up in one simple word – Match. Spend a minute or two pretending you work for the IRS. What would you do to identify tax returns worth auditing? If you suggest matching information on filed tax returns with the information provided about that taxpayer from

Can't itemize? There are still tax breaks for you. A common misconception in tax filing has been that if you use the standard deduction versus itemizing your deductions you have few additional benefits available to reduce your tax bill. This is often not the case. Standard or Itemize? Every taxpayer can take the standard deduction to

 When it comes to the perception of IRS audits, conjecture reigns supreme. The combination of the complex tax code and a government agency with the full authority to enforce it leads to some pretty wild ideas. Here are five audit myths that, if believed, can cost you during an audit:Myth 1: Audits only happen shortly

You’ve loved dogs all your life so you decide to start a dog training business. Turning your hobby into a business can provide tax benefits if you do it right. But it can also create a big tax headache if you do it wrong. One of the main benefits of turning your hobby into a