Nov 20, 2018
One of the most interesting wrinkles of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed last December, was the creation of Opportunity Zones. According to the IRS, Opportunity Zones are particular distressed communities throughout the country in need of economic revitalization. ...
Nov 19, 2018
It’s not too late to cut your 2018 tax bill. Prior to Dec. 31st: Increase your 401(k) and 403(b) contributions if you haven’t been contributing at the maximum rate all year. This year you can put away up to $18,500 ($24,500 if 50 or older) into your...
Nov 19, 2018
As of January 1, 2019, the process for claiming a small business energy exemption will be changing. For 2019 and later years, small businesses will apply online for an exemption certificate rather than submitting Form ST-13 to their energy provider. The certificate...
Nov 18, 2018
With the year-end upon us, many investors see it as the time to rebalance their investment portfolios. However, savvy investors need to be aware of just when the timing is “right” or “wrong” to make that buy or sell trade happen. Mutual funds are required by law to...
Nov 9, 2018
To the best of my knowledge, contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) is the only investment opportunity that allows for tax-deductible contributions and tax-free withdrawals. Please note that only individuals with a qualifying high-deductible health insurance...
Nov 1, 2018
For 2018, the standard deduction for a single individual is $12,000 and for a married couple is $24,000. A person will benefit by itemizing once allowable deductions exceed the applicable standard deduction. Itemized deductions include state and local income taxes (or...
Nov 1, 2018
Most years, the government bumps up the maximum Social Security taxes that you can pay. For 2019, the maximum wage base jumps to $132,900, an increase of $4,500, or 3.5%, over the max of $128,400 that was in place for 2017. At a rate of 6.2%, the maximum Social...
Nov 1, 2018
Contributing to a retirement plan is one of the best tax shelters available to you during your working years. Recently, the IRS announced that many of the retirement savings limits will increase for 2019. Employer Sponsored Plans Most working professionals have...
Oct 1, 2018
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the tax reform legislation passed last December, made major changes to the tax law, including increasing the standard deduction, removing personal exemptions, increasing the Child Tax Credit, limiting or discontinuing certain deductions and...
Oct 1, 2018
The IRS has recently launched a new format for individual tax transcripts to protect taxpayer data from unauthorized disclosure and theft. The new format will redact personally identifiable information from the Form 1040 series. Financial entries will remain visible,...
Oct 1, 2018
Earlier this year, the IRS released a draft of the 2018 Schedule A, Itemized Deductions form. Let’s review the rules for itemizing your deductions for 2018: Medical Expenses For 2018, and only for 2018, medical expenses are deductible to the extent they exceed...
Oct 1, 2018
Month Income Taxes Saving and Investing OCTOBER Tax returns on extension due 10/15/18 Find out how to complete your W-4 form correctly using the IRS’ On-line Withholding Calculator Taxpayers on extension must fund retirement accounts by October 15th 5500s...
Oct 1, 2018
FROM IRS NEWS – https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp RS2Go is the official mobile app of the IRS Check your refund status, make a payment, find free tax preparation assistance, sign up for helpful tax tips, and more! IRS2Go is available in both English and Spanish....
Oct 1, 2018
A natural disaster can strike at any time. Take time now to: Document valuables – including by photographing or videotaping the contents of your home. Review and update your emergency plans annually. Visit Ready.gov for help with planning. Create electronic copies of...
Sep 25, 2018
Join us for lively topics that focus on helping you improve your financial well-being. Sessions include: The Ins & Outs of Basic Financial Planning What You Need to Know About the Recent Tax Law Changes How to Increase Your Practice’s Top Line Retirement...
Sep 20, 2018
For 2017, the standard deduction for a single individual is $6,350 and for a married couple is $12,700. A person will benefit by itemizing once allowable deductions exceed the applicable standard deduction. Itemized deductions include state and local income taxes (or...
Sep 19, 2018
Frustrated with Dental Insurance? Meet Chewsi. Chewsi is liberating patients and dentists from the hassles of traditional dental insurance. With Chewsi, there’s no paperwork, no claims and no restrictions – meaning you can provide dental care to patients on your...
Sep 13, 2018
From IRS News: IR-2018-66, March 21, 2018 WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today concluded its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams with a warning to taxpayers to remain vigilant about these aggressive and evolving schemes throughout the...
Sep 5, 2018
Month Income Taxes Saving and Investing SEPTEMBER 3rd qtr estimates due 9/17/18 Corporate and Partnership tax returns on extension are due 9/17/18 SIMPLE/IRAs and Safe-Harbor 401k’s need to be set up by 10/1 Back to school – Read the monthly blog posted by...
Sep 1, 2018
Looking to purchase new equipment for your practice but not sure it makes financial sense to do so? Let’s review how to calculate “Breakeven” for equipment you purchase by working through an example with these assumptions: Revenue: Each exam with...
Aug 21, 2018
By Yuling Liu, CPA What is qualified business income deduction? Section 199A qualified business income deduction is available from 2018 to 2025. Taxpayers may deduct 20% of Qualified Business Income from Partnerships, S Corporations, Sole Proprietorships (Schedule...
Aug 15, 2018
We recently received an interesting question from a client that I know many of you may have as well: The Question: “My son-in-law is doing a PhD and has an NSF Fellowship from the government. Interestingly, the government does not take out taxes nor provide a...
Aug 13, 2018
Sign up for our August 16th Webinar on Economic and Investment Overview: Looking Past the Headlines presented by Alex Oliver, First National Corporation What will be covered: North Korea. Trade wars. The Fed. Oil prices. With today’s sensationalized media, it can be...
Aug 7, 2018
by Andrew D. Schwartz CPA (Originally written for the September 2016 newsletter.) Last week, my wife and I dropped off our older child at college to start his freshman year. He is eager to spend the next four years taking classes in a variety of interesting subjects...
Aug 1, 2018
Month Income Taxes Saving and Investing AUGUST Returns on extension are no longer due 8/15. For 2017 tax returns, you have until 10/15 to file returns that have been put on extension. Work through a Tax Projection to avoid any surprises next winter, especially with...
Jul 9, 2018
Sign up now for our FREE financial boot camps. You won’t break a sweat like those gym boot camps, but you will become financially stronger and learn how to flex your money muscles! All events are online and begin at 12 noon. For more info and to RSVP, please visit...
Jul 9, 2018
By Alex Oliver, Investment Advisor, First National Corporation Volatility returned to the markets this past quarter as fears of inflation, trade wars, and privacy issues with technology companies flooded the headlines. The S&P 500 fell as much as 10%, the first...
Jul 9, 2018
From IRS NEWS – Issue IR-2018-32 The Internal Revenue Service advised taxpayers that in many cases they can continue to deduct interest paid on home equity loans. Responding to many questions received from taxpayers and tax professionals, the IRS said that despite...
Jul 1, 2018
By Andrew D, Schwartz, CPA This year’s most interesting observation actually has more to do with next year’s taxes. The tax software we use comes with a Tax Projection option, and I prepared a 2018 tax projection for many of the clients I met with during...
Jul 1, 2018
Are you aware that there is an investment option available that allows for tax-deductible contributions and also for tax-free distributions? First introduced back in 2004, Health Savings Accounts offer individuals that unique winning combination. The favorable tax...
Jun 28, 2018
Month Income Taxes Saving and Investing JULY If you changed jobs, give one of our CPAs a call to discuss filling out new W-4 Forms Now’s the time to work through your 2018 income tax projection, especially to figure out how things look due to the recent tax law...
Jun 27, 2018
The end of 2017 saw the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). This new tax law is considered to be the largest tax reform in 30 years and we anticipate that most individual taxpayers will be impacted beginning with the 2018 tax year. ...
Jun 27, 2018
As you may have already heard, effective June 5, 2018, Fannie Mae announced many updates to their condo approval guidelines that will now loosen the requirements for “warrantable” condos. Effectively, these changes will allow many condos that would...
Jun 27, 2018
We recently held the fourth live webinar in our Financial Boot Camp series titled “Planning for the Rising Cost of College” which was recorded and is now online. Alex Oliver from First National Corporation a discussed a variety of topics. Did you know that...
Jun 11, 2018
The business world becomes more complicated every year. Yet most CPAs and other professionals continue to operate as generalists and serve a handful of clients in a wide range of industries. That being said: Why would a prospect go to a generalist when they can work...
Jun 1, 2018
by Andrew D. Schwartz, CPA Let’s start with the usual advice we dole out each year. Max out your 401k or 403b at work. The retirement savings accounts remain the best tax shelter available to working people Salary Deferral Limit increased to $18.5k for 2018...
May 29, 2018
Income Taxes: 2nd quarter estimates due 6/15/18 Income tax returns (or extension requests) for Ex-Patriots due 6/15/18 Saving and Investing: See if you have adequate Disability Insurance and Life Insurance in...
May 10, 2018
by Jess Huckins How can you make filing your taxes as an independent contractor as easy as possible? How will tax reform affect your locum tenens career in the years to come? Barton Associates’ locum tenens tax guide author and healthcare tax specialist Andrew...
May 5, 2018
IR-2018-102, April 23, 2018 WASHINGTON – While the federal income tax-filing deadline has passed for most people, there are some taxpayers still facing tax-related issues. This includes people who still haven’t filed, people who haven’t paid their...
Apr 30, 2018
Are you a Trump Tax Bill “tweener”, a taxpayer making sizable charitable contributions each year but with the new tax law recently enacted at the end of 2017, no longer being able to itemize your deductions nor claiming a tax deduction for those charitable...
Apr 20, 2018
On March 13, my firm held the third live webinar in our Financial Boot Camp series titled “Estate Planning: Introduction to the Essentials” which was recorded and is now online. Alex Oliver from First National Corporation and Sean Hagan from Eskow Law...
Apr 11, 2018
Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return April 17 is the deadline for most taxpayers to file an extension and to pay taxes owed to avoid penalty and interest charges. If you file for an extension, your return is due October 15, 2018. Special rules may apply if...
Mar 19, 2018
Our friends at Barton Associates, the Locum Tenens Experts, wanted to compile a tax guide to provide their contractors with a summary of the basic tax rules affecting them. Founded in 2001, Barton Associates is a leading locum tenens staffing company serving...
Mar 16, 2018
by Matt Kolcum, Carr Healthcare Realty Real estate is the second highest expense behind payroll for most healthcare practices. The benefits of capitalizing during lease negotiations can include a healthy raise through increased profitability, reduced debt, a nicer...
Mar 2, 2018
From IRS NEWS – Issue IR-2018-32 The Internal Revenue Service today advised taxpayers that in many cases they can continue to deduct interest paid on home equity loans. Responding to many questions received from taxpayers and tax professionals, the IRS said that...
Mar 1, 2018
March 15, 2018, is the deadline for filing 2017 S-Corp and partnership tax returns, or extensions, 2018 S-Corp elections, and 2018 Section 475 elections. Don’t forget! Don’t think you can file in time? 2017 S-Corp and partnership extensions give six additional...
Feb 10, 2018
For 2017, the standard deduction for a single individual is $6,350 and for a married couple is $12,700. A person will benefit by itemizing once allowable deductions exceed the applicable standard deduction. Itemized deductions include state and local income taxes (or...
Feb 4, 2018
The IRS announced that the standard mileage rate will increase to 54.5 cents per business mile driven in 2018. That is an increase of one cent from the 53.5 cents allowed in 2017. According to the IRS, “Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the...
Jan 18, 2018
As part of the new tax rules that took effect 1/1/18, the standard deduction jumped to $12k for single individuals and $24k for married couples. Additionally, the combined deduction for state and local income taxes and real estate taxes is now capped at $10k. Other...
Dec 28, 2017
As I’ve given more thought to the recent tax law changes, it has become apparent to me that married couples with a small or no mortgage on their homes will have a difficult time itemizing their deductions starting in 2018. With the standard deduction increasing to...
