2024 Tax Considerations
Please click the heading below to jump to the section you like to read! Individual Income Tax Provisions Individual Tax Changes New income tax rates and brackets. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, seven tax rates apply for individuals: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The…
What the new tax law could mean for you
As 2025 began, individual taxpayers faced uncertainty with several key provisions of the tax law that were set to expire at the end of the year. That changed on July 4, when President Trump signed the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. The OBBBA not only makes many TCJA provisions permanent but also…
Significant business tax provisions in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act
The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4. The new law includes a number of favorable changes that will affect small business taxpayers, and some unfavorable changes too. Here’s a quick summary of some of the most important provisions. First-year bonus depreciation The OBBBA permanently restores the 100% first-year…
Tap into the 20% rehabilitation tax credit for business space improvements
If your business occupies a large space and you’re planning to relocate, expand or renovate in the future, consider the potential benefits of the rehabilitation tax credit. This could be particularly valuable if you’re interested in historic properties. The credit is equal to 20% of the qualified rehabilitation expenditures (QREs) for a qualified rehabilitated building…
Understanding spousal IRAs: A smart retirement strategy for couples
Retirement planning is essential for all families, but it can be especially critical for couples where one spouse earns little to no income. In such cases, a spousal IRA can be an effective and often overlooked tool to help build retirement savings for both partners — even if only one spouse is employed. It’s worth…
Milestone moments: How age affects certain tax provisions
They say age is just a number — but in the world of tax law, it’s much more than that. As you move through your life, the IRS treats you differently because key tax rules kick in at specific ages. Here are some important age-related tax milestones for you and loved ones to keep in…
DOs and DON’Ts to help protect your business expense deductions
If you’re claiming deductions for business meals or vehicle expenses, expect the IRS to closely review them. In some cases, taxpayers have incomplete documentation or try to create records months (or years) later. In doing so, they fail to meet the strict substantiation requirements set forth under tax law. Tax auditors are adept at rooting…
Is college financial aid taxable? A crash course for families
College can be expensive. According to the College Board, the average sticker price for tuition and fees at private colleges was $43,350 for the 2024–2025 school year. The average cost for tuition and fees for out-of-state students at public colleges was $30,780. For in-state students, the cost was $11,610. Of course, there are additional costs…
Hiring independent contractors? Make sure you’re doing it right
Many businesses turn to independent contractors to help manage costs, especially during times of staffing shortages and inflation. If you’re among them, ensuring these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes is crucial. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors can result in expensive consequences if the IRS steps in and reclassifies them. It could lead…
Are you missing a valuable tax deduction for Medicare premiums?
If you’re age 65 or older and enrolled in basic Medicare insurance, you may need to pay additional premiums to receive more comprehensive coverage. These extra premiums can be expensive, particularly for married couples, since both spouses incur the costs. However, there may be a silver lining: You could be eligible for a tax deduction…
5 tax breaks on the table: What business owners should know about the latest proposals
A bill in Congress — dubbed The One, Big, Beautiful Bill — could significantly reshape several federal business tax breaks. While the proposed legislation is still under debate, it’s already sparking attention across business communities. Here’s a look at the current rules and proposed changes for five key tax provisions and what they could mean…