Deductions

How a Business Owner’s Home Office Can Result in Tax Deductions

As a business owner, you may be eligible to claim home office tax deductions that will reduce your taxable income. However, it’s crucial to understand the IRS rules to ensure compliance and avoid potential IRS audit risks. There are two methods for claiming this tax break: the actual expense method and the simplified method. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the tax break.

Read more

It May Not Be Too Late to Reduce Your 2024 Taxes

If you’re preparing to file your 2024 federal income tax return and your tax bill is higher than you’d expected or your tax refund is smaller than you’d hoped, there might still be an opportunity to change it. If you qualify, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA until the filing date of April 15, 2025, and benefit from the tax savings on your 2024 return.

Read more

Claiming an Elderly Parent or Relative as a Dependent

Are you taking care of an elderly parent or relative? Whether it’s driving to doctor appointments, paying for nursing home care or medical expenses, or handling their personal finances, dealing with an elderly parent or relative can be emotionally and financially draining, especially when you are taking care of your own family as well.

Read more

Man in home office sitting at his desk and looking at his chocolate lab.

Who Can Take the Home Office Deduction?

Working from home isn’t new, especially for self-employed people. But during the height of the pandemic, millions of jobs were moved from employers’ premises to employees’ private homes. Many continue working from home and wonder if they qualify for the …

Read more

Deduction vs. Credit

Many taxpayers are unclear on the difference between deductions and credits. Both can be powerful tax-saving tools. Here’s how they each work:

Read more

Standard Mileage Rates for 2023

Business Mileage Rate Is Up for 2025

The IRS has issued the 2025 cents-per-mile rates that can be used to calculate tax-deductible vehicle operating costs. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the standard mileage rate for the business use of a car, van, pickup truck, or panel truck is 70 cents per mile.

Read more

Tax Tip with flooded house icon

Not Every Disaster Allows for a Casualty Loss Tax Deduction

Many Americans have become victims of natural disasters in 2024. Wherever you live, unexpected disasters may cause damage to your home or personal property, creating a “personal casualty loss.” This is defined as damage from a sudden, unexpected, or unusual event, such as a hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, fire, act of vandalism, or terrorist attack.

Read more