Another year is here, and that comes with a new school semester and tuition bills for many people. If you’re considering helping a grandchild or other loved one with their college expenses, first take time to review the tax implications. If the total amount you give to the student in 2025 exceeds the annual gift tax exclusion, you might owe gift tax on the excess.
Business Owners: Be Sure You’re Properly Classifying Cash Flows
Properly prepared financial statements provide a wealth of information about your company. But the operative words there are “properly prepared.” Classifying information accurately isn’t always easy — especially as the business grows and its financial transactions become more complex.
When Can You Deduct Business Meals and Entertainment?
You’re not alone if you’re confused about the federal tax treatment of business-related meal and entertainment expenses. The rules have changed in recent years. Let’s take a look at what you can deduct in 2024.
Avoid IRS Audits: Fix the 1099 Prepaid-Rent Mismatch
Two questions:
- Are you prepaying your 2025 rent so that you have a big 2024 tax deduction?
- How do you identify in your accounting records the monies you put on your IRS Form 1099-MISC for the business rent payments to your landlord?
Business Gifts: What’s the Tax Treatment?
During the holiday giving season, keep the following tax limits in mind. Your business can deduct only up to $25 per person per year for gifts to recipients such as clients and business partners. You can also generally deduct $25 per person per year for employee gifts.
2025 Brings Slight Increase to Retirement Savings
How much can you and your employees contribute to your 401(k)s or other retirement plans next year? In Notice 2024-80, the IRS recently announced cost-of-living adjustments that apply to the dollar limitations for retirement plans, as well as other qualified plans, for 2025. With inflation easing, the amounts aren’t increasing as much as in recent years.
How Can You Build a Golden Nest Egg if You’re Self-Employed?
If you own a small business with no employees (other than your spouse) and want to set up a retirement plan, consider a solo 401(k) plan. This option is also for self-employed individuals or business owners who wish to upgrade from a SIMPLE IRA or Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan.
Help Prevent Financial Scams Aimed at Older People
In any season, scam artists are seeking new ways to steal financial data and money from vulnerable people. Such fraudulent activities often target older adults. Here are three ways to help prevent elder financial abuse and fraud, whether you’re in this age bracket or you share them with senior loved ones:
Tax Records: What Can You Toss, and What Should You Keep?
Generally, the IRS has three years to audit a tax return, from the later of the due date or the date you file. If you overlooked something, you can also file an amended return within this time frame.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping financial records involved in your tax returns.
Is Disability Income Taxable?
If you may be eligible for disability income should you become disabled, it’s important to know whether that income will be taxable. As is often the case with tax questions, the answer is “it depends.”