The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed in late 2017 made big tax changes, including to individual tax rates. If you are self-employed or retired and pay your taxes on a quarterly basis, calculating your new tax obligation is going to be a little...
Three-fourths of filers get a tax refund every year, with the average check weighing in at $2,895. Here are some ideas to put that money to good use: #1: Pay off debt. If you have debt, part of your refund could be used to reduce or...
One of the things that’s going away under the new tax reform laws implemented this year is an employee’s ability to deduct unreimbursed expenses related to their job. Farewell to miscellaneous itemized deductions The deduction for unreimbursed employee expenses was among the qualified 2-percent miscellaneous itemized deductions...
If you’ve ever had to care for a sick, elderly or disabled person, you know it can be difficult financially as well as emotionally. A recent study found that many caregivers are forced to make financial sacrifices, including delaying retirement, in order to help their...
Scammers were very successful last year with a scheme to pry W-2 pay stub data away from employers. The IRS warned that it may be one of several techniques they use again this year. How the W-2 scam works Fraudsters simply identify employees with access to company...
Start your engines! Tax filing season officially begins on Monday, Jan. 29. Not many people file that early, but for some taxpayers it makes sense to do so. Here are common reasons to consider trying to be at the head of the line. You’re worried about...
The IRS released new income tax withholding tables that reflect the changes to the tax bracket structure in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed in late December. Employers will have until Feb. 15 to update their payroll systems to reflect the new changes,...
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 fourth-quarter due date is now here. Normal due date: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Remember you are required to withhold at...
Inheriting a retirement account like a 401(k) or an IRA is more complicated tax-wise than if you’d been left a house or a set of golf clubs. Here’s a tip on how to use a “stretch out” to avoid being hit with a big tax...
Tax reform was passed by Congress this week and is expected to be signed into law soon. Most of the new laws take place in the 2018 and 2019 tax years, but there are a couple items that you need to know about right away...
