It’s been a unique year. We have seen the market rebound and inflation slow down while also experiencing interest rates reaching highs, we have not seen in over two decades. It is important to remember that the end goal shouldn’t… Read More
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Understanding the Net Investment Income Tax
If your income hits a certain level, you may face an additional wrinkle in calculating your taxes: the net investment income tax (also referred to as the unearned income Medicare contribution tax). This 3.8% Medicare tax applies to some or… Read More
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Capital Gains Tax
What is capital gains tax? Capital gains tax is imposed on gains realized from the sale of capital assets such as a home, an investment, or a business interest. Special maximum tax rates generally apply to long-term capital gains; these… Read More
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Tax Benefits of Home Ownership
In tax lingo, your principal residence is the place where you legally reside. It’s typically the place where you spend most of your time, but several other factors are also relevant in determining your principal residence. Many of the tax… Read More
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Taking Advantage of Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
Employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans such as 401(k)s are some of the most powerful retirement savings tools available. If your employer offers such a plan and you’re not participating in it, you should be. Once you’re participating in a plan, try… Read More
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Income Tax Planning and 529 Plans
The income tax benefits offered by 529 plans make these plans attractive to parents (and others) who are saving for college or K-12 tuition. Qualified withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax free at the federal level, and some states… Read More
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Tax Tips: Health Insurance
Your health insurance coverage probably came in handy several times over the past year. It all seemed so simple at the time—you paid a deductible, and your insurance usually kicked in the rest. But what do you do at tax… Read More
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Taxation of Investments
It’s nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it’s time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head. Just how do you report your investments… Read More
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Education Tax Credits
It’s tax time, and your kitchen table is littered with papers and forms. As if this isn’t bad enough, you recently paid your child’s college semester bill, and you don’t know where you’ll find the money to pay the taxes… Read More
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Qualifying for the Home Office Deduction
Working from home can certainly provide you with personal benefits, such as a flexible schedule and more family time. But increasing numbers of people are discovering the tax advantages as well. It’s no secret that you generally can’t deduct certain… Read More
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Charitable Gifting
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GIFT TO CHARITY? A gift to charity is simply a gratuitous transfer of property to a charitable organization. The key is that your gift must be some kind of property — your time or personal services do… Read More
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Personal Deduction Planning
Taxes, like death, are inevitable. But why pay more than you have to? The trick to minimizing your federal income tax liability is to understand the rules and make the most of your tax planning opportunities. Personal deduction planning is one… Read More
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Tax Withholding
A common question we encounter is: How much in taxes should I have withheld from my paycheck? This is a frequent thought once the prior year’s tax returns have been filed and individuals are looking ahead to the current year. Reviewing… Read More
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More on Taxes… What Happens to My Charities?
Many of you are BWFA tax clients, and our team of tax professionals assist you with filing your annual tax returns, doing quarterly analysis of the proper amount of estimated taxes where necessary, and a host of other tax analyses. The… Read More
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How Does Everyone Feel About Taxes?
I’m assuming you all have answers I don’t want to hear. Last quarter, Amy Cudia (Tax Advisor) took the time to tell you about Federal tax credits and how they work. Let’s discuss even more ways to save you money…. Read More
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Understanding Personal Tax Credits
Have you ever thought that you’re paying too much income tax? You may be, if you’re not claiming all of the tax credits for which you are eligible when you file your federal tax return. These credits may significantly reduce… Read More
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How Can Losses Help Reduce Taxes and Benefit Your Long Term Results?
You are taxed on your earnings. Generally speaking, your earnings equal your income and gain, less your allowable expenses and losses. Because losses reduce your earnings, losses can help to reduce your tax liability. It is important, therefore, to know… Read More
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Gift and Estate Taxes
If you give away money or property during your lifetime, those transfers may be subject to federal gift and estate taxes, as well as state gift tax. The money and property you own when you die (i.e., your estate) may… Read More
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Taxes Are Changing! What Do We Do?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We are going to work our way through a 1040 (individual income tax return) and give the highlights of the tax changes. The first item on the return that changed is alimony. Starting in… Read More
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Tax Planning for the Self-Employed
Self-employment is the opportunity to be your own boss, to come and go as you please, and oh yes, to establish a lifelong bond with your accountant. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to pay your own FICA taxes and take… Read More
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BWFA Focus: Tax Services
Art Buchwald, the famous American humorist and syndicated newspaper columnist, once said—“Tax reform is taking taxes off things that have been taxed in the past and putting taxes on things that haven’t been taxed before.” Since Benjamin Franklin long ago… Read More