July 2018

In this issue:

• Five Tax Breaks for New Parents
• How Long Will It Last?
• Planning to replace common items
• Become Debt-Free
• Is It Worth It to Amend Your Return?
• Elements of a Good Business Partnership
• Useful Online Productivity and Security Tools

This Month:

• July 4: Independence Day

It's the height of summer, and hopefully you've had a chance to enjoy some pleasant weather and Fourth of July fireworks. This issue contains tips on tax breaks for new parents, deciding whether to amend a tax return, strategies for reducing debt, and budgeting for replacing major household items. There's also an article about creating a strong business partnership, and a review of some of the best online productivity and security tools.

Should you wish to review your situation please feel free to call. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit.

June 2018

In this issue:

• Tax Planning Time
• Six Home Ownership Tax Benefits
• Unconventional Summer Vacation Ideas
• Five Great Finance Tips Everyone Should Know
• Overlooked Business Metrics
• New! Small Business Medical Leave Credit

This Month:

• June 15th: 2nd quarter estimated taxes due
• June 15th: 2017 tax deadline for Americans living abroad
• June 17th: Father's Day

Summer is the perfect time to schedule a tax planning session. Take a look at the lead article to learn why. Summer is also peak season for buying a home. There are tax breaks discussed in this issue that may make owning a home more affordable for you. Also inside is a review of some often overlooked summer vacation ideas, as well as some classic finance fundamentals everyone should know.

Should you wish to review your situation, please feel free to call. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit.

May 2018

In this issue:

• Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Update
• Handling Health Care Coverage Gaps
• Protect Yourself From Port-Out Scams
• Managing Money Tips for Couples

This Month:

• May 13th: Mother's Day
• May 28th: Memorial Day

Now that the 2017 tax filing season is over, it's time to start adapting to some of the momentous tax changes passed last year. This issue provides an update on the latest news affecting 2018 taxes, as well as a guide to the (still intact) IRS penalties for gaps in health care coverage. There's an article about managing money with your significant other, and also an update about the latest identity theft "port-out" scam.

If you wish to review your situation, call at any time. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit.

April 2018

In this issue:

• Tax Quiz: So You Think Our Taxes Are Crazy?
• Know the Top IRS Tax Scams
• When an Extension May Make Sense
• Win the Battle Against Retirement Health Care Costs

This Month:

• April 17th: 2017 Individual federal tax returns due
• April 17th: First-quarter 2018 estimated tax due
• April 1st: Easter Sunday
• Other April 17 Deadlines:
  - Six Month Filing Extension
  - 2017 Gift Taxes
  - 2017 IRA Contributions

Happy tax filing month! To help celebrate, this month's newsletter includes a quiz on strange tax laws from around the world. Also included are some tips for using your refund check as well as advice on handling spiraling health care costs during retirement. Should you wish to review your situation please feel free to call. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit.

March 2018

In this issue:

• Answers to Commonly Asked Tax Questions
• Alert: Expired Tax Breaks Revived for 2017
• Your Brain on Social Media: How to make online interaction better for your health
• Staying Organized Before and After Tax Time

This Month:

• March 15th: Due date for partnership and S corporation tax returns (Forms 1065,1120S)
• Reminders: Daylight-saving time begins Sunday, March 11

Tax season is underway, and articles in this month's issue will help get you over the finish line. Included are some answers to commonly asked tax questions, an update on some late tax breaks now available for 2017, and some tips on how to stay organized when you file your return this year. Also included is an article about how to make social media use healthier for you and your family.

Should you wish to review your situation, please feel free to call. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit from this information.

February 2018

In this Issue:

• New Tax Legislation Requires Planning
• Your New Life as a Pass-Through Entity Owner: An initial look at the new business deduction
• Taxes and Virtual Currencies: What you need to know
• How to Navigate the World of Crowdfunding

This Month:

• Feb. 14th: Valentine's Day
• Feb. 15th: Employer deadline to adopt new withholding schedule
• Feb. 19th: Presidents' Day
• Reminders: • Receive all 1099s and W-2s • Set up tax appointment • Rebalance Investment Portfolios

As your mailbox fills up with the forms you need to file your 2017 returns, you may already be thinking ahead to how tax reform legislation will impact you in 2018. This newsletter outlines seven issues resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to think about after the 2017 tax season. The new tax rules affecting small businesses are also explored in detail here, as well as some guidelines for virtual currencies like Bitcoin. Also included: a primer on the current world of crowdfunding, both for entertainment and for entrepreneurs who want to try it themselves.

Should you wish to review your situation please feel free to call. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit from this information.

January 2018
In this issue:

• Tax Reform in 2018: Individual rule changes
• Best Way to Avoid an Audit: Preparation
• Where Did My Retirement Go?: How to locate lost benefits
• New Year's Resolutions Are for Suckers: Do this instead
• Mileage Rates for 2018

This Month:

• Jan. 1st: New Year's Day
• Jan. 15th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Jan. 16th: 4th Quarter Estimated Payments Due
• Start tax planning for the new year:
  • Adjust withholdings
  • Organize filing records
  • Schedule tax reform consultation
  • Rebalance investment portfolio

Happy New Year! Now that tax reform has passed, there are many changes to consider. Some of the major ones are summarized in this newsletter. And as you prepare to file your 2017 return, take note of the advice on avoiding audits. Also included are some tips on locating lost retirement benefits, and some unconventional thinking about New Year's resolutions.

Should you wish to review your situation please feel free to call. Also feel free to forward this newsletter to someone who may benefit from this information. Have a happy and productive 2018!

December 2017

In this Issue:

• New Year, New Job: Five Tax Tips for Job Changers
• Save more in 2018: Retirement contribution and Social Security limits on the rise
• A Happy Holiday Traditions Quiz
• Credit Card Transactions Could Pose Audit Risk: What small businesses need to know

This Month:

• December 12th: Hanukkah Begins
• December 25th: Christmas Day
• December 26th: Kwanzaa Begins
• January 16th: 4th Quarter Estimated Payments Due
• Take final year-end actions:
  • Deductible gifts
  • Capital gains/losses
  • Charitable giving
  • Dividend income

After an eventful year, we all deserve a happy holiday season and hopefully some well-needed relaxation. While tax reform will continue to be debated, many preliminary figures for 2018 are set. Check out the details inside. The economy and job market have continued to improve, which means you may be considering new work. If you are planning on a change, look at the tax checklist for job changers. Or, if you work for yourself and take credit cards as payment, learn about the new IRS focus on those small business payments.

Looking for something to talk about at the next family gathering? Consider sharing the quiz regarding the sometimes strange origins of popular holiday traditions.

As always, should you know of someone who may benefit from this information please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.

November 2017

In this Issue:

• Year-End Tax Checklist
• Six Must-Dos When You Donate to Charity 
• The Equifax Breach and You: Be Proactive
• Five Great Banking Tips
• Holiday Shopping Survival Guide 

This Month:

• Saturday, Nov. 11th: Veterans Day
• Thursday, Nov. 23rd: Thanksgiving
• Friday, Nov. 24th: Black Friday (shopping sale day)
• Monday, Nov. 27th: Cyber Monday (online shopping sale day)
• Tuesday, Nov. 28th: #GivingTuesday (charitable giving day)
• Reminder: Conduct year-end tax and financial planning

Now is a good time to review your year-end tax situation while there is still time to act. This newsletter begins with a handy checklist to help you do that. There are details on "must-dos" to get the most out of your charitable donations.

Also inside: personal finance articles on how to protect your credit in the wake of the Equifax security breach earlier this year, as well as how to get the best experience from your bank. Finally, check out the survival guide for the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping days.

October 2017

In this Issue:

• Ace the FAFSA
• Review Your ITIN Now
• Dos and Don'ts of Business Expensing
• Fix Youre Overfunded Account

This month:

• October 1st: SIMPLE IRA plan establishment due
• October 15th: Extended tax return filing deadline
• October 31st: Halloween

Tax reform is under discussion in Congress as we enter the fall months, and students are back in school. While we wait to see what comes out of Washington DC, here are some suggestions for students and parents to get an A+ on their next FAFSA student loan application.

Also included are articles on the requirement to renew your taxpayer identification number, as well as a checklist of "dos" and "don'ts" for anyone taking business expenses for things like travel, meals and entertainment. Since the end of the year is typically when we run into overfunding problems with retirement accounts, there's also an article with tips to fix any issues while there's still time.

As always, should you know of someone who may benefit from this information please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.

• Say Goodbye to the College Tuition Deduction
• Save on Insurance By Raising Deductibles
• Know Your Rights When Debt Collectors Call
• Contractor or Employee?
• Knowing the difference is important

• September 4^th:
• Labor Day
• September 15^th:
• 3rd Quarter Estimated Tax Due
• October 1^st:
• SIMPLE IRA plan establishment due

August 2017

In this Issue:

• The Most- and Least-Taxed States for Retirement
  The Most- and Least-Taxed States for Retirement
• Be a Smarter Renter
• Is Your HSA a Retirement Tool?
  The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• Don't Forget to Review Your Insurance

This Month:

• September 4th:Labor Day

 Hope you're having a great summer. This month's newsletter overviews the different kinds of state and local taxes that may impact your choice of where to live during retirement. It also looks at the pros and cons of using a Health Savings Account as a tax-advantaged savings tool. There are some tips for conducting an insurance self-review, and advice on becoming a smart renter.

As always, feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who may benefit.

July 2017
In this issue:

• Zombie Billing: Automatic Payments Have a Life of Their Own
• Five Home Office Deduction Mistakes
• Simplified Home Office Deduction
• How Much Do You Need to Retire?
• Common Mistakes When Buying or Selling a Business

This month:

• July 4th:Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July! While you're doing your best to avoid the summer heat, take a look at these tips for your tax and personal financial planning. This issue includes articles on retirement planning and on keeping your automatic bill payments under control. For the business-minded, there is a list of things to avoid when buying or selling a business, and five common mistakes made by those using the home office deduction.  As always, feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who may benefit.

• Donate Stock to Lower Your Tax Burden
• Keep Your Audit Fears in Check
• Home Buying in a Seller's Market
• Five Reasons to Incorporate Your Business

 This month:

• June 15th: 2nd Quarter Estimated Tax Due
• June 18th: Father's Day
• July 4th: Independence Day

There's an old Wall Street saying, "Sell in May and go away," advising investors to avoid the historically volatile summer markets. If you are considering selling stock this summer, you may consider donating instead as a way to lower your tax burden. Details on tax-efficient donating are inside, as well some comforting information about the declining frequency of IRS audits. Summer also tends to ignite our home buying instincts, so check out the article with tips for buying a home in this seller's market. Finally, if you're a business owner consider the list of reasons to incorporate.

Spring is in the air and before you know it summer will be upon us. It's the time of year when couples tie the knot; some of the tax to-dos for the newly married are enclosed. Unfortunately it's also audit season. One common audit trigger is incorrectly reporting business versus hobby activity; included here are some dos and don'ts. Also included are a list of tips for working into retirement age, as well as an article on the most effective ways to protect yourself from identity theft.

Happy tax filing month! To help celebrate, this month's newsletter includes a tax quiz exploring the history of taxation in the United States. Also included is a reminder to help your favorite charitable organizations retain their nonprofit status, a simple four-step household budget building process and a reminder of some popular tax breaks that are no longer available in 2017.

• IRS Announces Annual Tax Scams
• Inherited Property: A Matter of Value
• Avoid this potential tax headache
• The Right Ingredients to Improve Your Credit Score
• Seven Common Retirement Account Mistakes

 This month:

• March 12^th:
• Daylight Savings Time Begins
• March 15^th:
• Due Date for 1120, 1120S Corp. Tax Returns

In this issue:

• The Chances of Being Audited
  2014 audit statistics show changes  
• Know Someone Getting Married?
  Tips for every bride and groom  
• The Father's Day Quiz
  A little summer fun  
• In the News: IRS Data Breach
  Was your taxpayer identity stolen?  

In this issue:

• A First Job
  Your Introduction to Taxes  
• Five Interesting Consumer Inventions  
• Change a Little... Save a Lot  
• Financing for College? Be Creative.  

This month:

•  May 10th:
  Mother's Day
• Check May 25th:
  Memorial Day