Using credit cards for food, paper costs does not add up
Purchases of food and paper is a significant and ongoing expense for restaurant owners, so it is natural that McDonald’s owner/operators would be looking for alternative ways to pay for the product without compromising cash flow. American Express offers a program that at first glance would appear to offer some valuable perks. For instance, it […]
IRS to begin contacting holders of virtual currency about taxes
Holders of virtual currency such as Bitcoin can expect to receive notices from the IRS within the next month advising them of their tax and filing obligations and how, if necessary, to correct past errors. Virtual currency is treated as property for U.S. federal tax purposes. Consequently, the general tax principles that apply to property […]
Summer: A good time to review your investments
You may have heard about a proposal in Washington to cut the taxes paid on investments by indexing capital gains to inflation. Under the proposal, the purchase price of assets would be adjusted so that no tax is paid on the appreciation due to inflation. While the fate of such a proposal is unknown, the […]
Roth or traditional IRA? Income level and taxes could help you decide
It’s never too early to begin planning for retirement or investing in a nest egg for the future. There are several options available for investing in retirement plans, but the two we get questions about most often are whether a traditional or a Roth IRA is the best option. Deciding which is the best vehicle […]
Are your employees ignoring their 401(k)s?
For many businesses, offering employees a 401(k) plan is no longer an option — it’s a competitive necessity. But employees often grow so accustomed to having a 401(k) that they don’t pay much attention to it. It’s in your best interest as a business owner to buck this trend. Keeping your employees engaged with their […]
State and local taxes could impact where you retire
The beach? The mountains? The country? Where is your retirement dream home? Many Americans relocate to another state when they retire. If you’re thinking about such a move, state and local taxes should factor into your decision. Income, property and sales tax Choosing a state that has no personal income tax may appear to be […]
Look closely at real estate investment ventures
Not all offers to invest in property are created equal. The IRS recently announced that it plans to treat one real estate investment strategy that is growing in popularity as a tax scheme. On Dec. 23, 2016, the IRS announced that syndicated conservation easement transactions amount to tax avoidance transactions. This is the latest move […]
Tax planning tips for 2016 investment income
The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (3.8% NIIT) is imposed on net investment income of higher-income individuals. This tax applies to individuals with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeding the following “thresholds,” which are not indexed for inflation: $250,000 for married individuals filing jointly; $200,000 if single; and $125,000 if married filing separately. The 3.8% […]
Be prepared for the unexpected
Have you ever thought about what could happen if you were hit with a large claim against you for property damage or personal injury? Like most people, you likely assume your existing homeowner or auto insurance policies will provide adequate coverage for such a claim. However, many times these policies either do not cover a […]