How often do you take time to talk about your finances? Once a year while preparing your tax return? Only when a financial emergency pops up? Or are money matters a topic you avoid entirely? If discussing financial goals makes you uncomfortable, you're certainly not alone. Surveys by a national financial company found that money [...]
If you're an employer, what you have to do to comply with Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules depends on the size of your workforce. When you have 50 or more full-time employees – a total that can include seasonal workers – you have to deal with additional reporting and coverage requirements known as the "employer [...]
If a fraudster steals your identity, you may find yourself embarking on an unpleasant journey to recover your good name and pilfered finances. Fortunately, tools are available to prevent and minimize potential losses. Here are two options to consider if you suspect your personal data has landed in the wrong hands. Fraud alert. Say you [...]
Failing to file tax returns on time doesn't necessarily make you a criminal, but the penalty for procrastinating can be punishing. What's the price you'll pay? The IRS can assess a failure to file penalty, which is usually 5% of your unpaid taxes per month, up to a maximum penalty of 25%. In addition, there [...]
Whew! You filed your return and now you're ready to forget all about taxes until next year. Not so fast! Your 2015 tax return is a great tool to help you plan for 2016. Here's what to look at. Review your withholding. If you owed tax this year or received a large refund, consider adjusting [...]
What happens if you owe the IRS – and you can't pay? First, be sure to file your return anyway to avoid penalties for nonfiling. Then consider the following options, and choose the one that fits your financial situation. Can you pay off the balance within 120 days? If so, apply for a short-term payment [...]
Will you be receiving a tax refund this year? If so, you have the opportunity to make some smart financial choices – and best of all, you can make them painlessly. Here's how: Direct deposit your refund. That way, all or part of your tax refund will automatically be deposited via electronic transfer system into [...]
Effective beginning with 2016 taxable years, the de minimis tangible property safe harbor has increased to $2,500 per invoice or item. The change affects regulations issued in 2013 that clarified when your business could expense tangible real and personal business property. Previously, the de minimis safe harbor let you elect to deduct individual capital expenditures [...]
If you helped support your parents or other adult relatives in 2015, tax breaks are available that could lower your taxes. You may be able to claim your relative as a dependent, deduct extra medical expenses, or use a more beneficial tax bracket. Claiming a relative as a dependent. An adult dependent’s gross income must [...]
Only one month to go until tax filing day! That means you still have time to trim your 2015 tax bill. Here are last-minute moves to consider and deductions to remember. Maximize your 2015 IRA contribution. You have until April 18 (or April 19 if you live in Maine or Massachusetts) to make deductible 2015 [...]
