Inheriting Money? Considerations for Handling It
After receiving an inheritance, you need to determine how to incorporate those assets, whether stocks, bonds, real estate or some other asset, into your finances. Consider these points during the process: Determine what you will receive and when. Inheritances typically don’t come in the form of one check. You’re likely to receive the inheritance in…
Year-End Strategies to Reduce Adjusted Gross Income
Reducing your current-year adjusted gross income (AGI) is usually a tax-smart idea. Here are ten ways to reduce your AGI (and modified AGI) over the short and long run. Closeup on AGI AGI equals all taxable income items minus selected deductions for such items as deductible IRA and retirement plan contributions and alimony payments required…
One Option to Finance a Business Sale
Structured settlements are commonly associated with the payment of personal injury damages because of their advantageous tax-free treatment, but some business purchases and buyouts can also benefit from structured settlements using annuity payments from an insurance company. While payments from these non-personal injury cases are not tax-exempt, the recipient only owes taxes on the amount…
Claiming Your Parent as a Dependent
If you pay over half the cost of supporting a parent, he or she is considered your dependent for federal income tax purposes — which may qualify you to some significant tax breaks. Here are the details. New Credit for a Dependent Parent For 2018 through 2025, your dependent parent may qualify you for a…
Expanding Retirement Plan Options for Small Businesses
A new final rule from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) clarifies some of the ins and outs of multiple employer plans (MEPs). These are defined contribution retirement plans — such as 401(k) plans — that are sponsored by an association or employer group on behalf of member employers. Clarifying the Rules Existing DOL rules…
Update on the New Business Interest Expense Limitation
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) imposes a new limitation on deductions for business interest expense. The IRS recently issued guidance in the form of proposed regulations. The business interest expense limitation is a permanent change for tax years that began in 2018. Thankfully, many businesses are unaffected. Here’s what you need to know….
Is a New Individual Health Plan in Your Future?
First the old news: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers with at least 50 employees (or full-time equivalents) are required to provide health benefits and pay for a good portion of the cost. And many smaller employers that aren’t required to offer health coverage do so anyway. Why? They may do it to compete…