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.
RMD Deadline and Penalties
If you’re subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs), you must take your 2024 RMD by December 31 to avoid penalties.
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.
From Flights to Meals: A Guide to Business Travel Tax Deductions
As a business owner, you may travel to visit customers, attend conferences, check on vendors, and for other purposes. Understanding which travel expenses are tax deductible can significantly affect your bottom line. Properly managing travel costs can help ensure compliance and maximize your tax savings.
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 Tax-Smart HSAs Help Your Business and Employees
As a small business owner, managing health care costs for yourself and your employees can be challenging. One effective tool to consider adding is a Health Savings Account (HSA). HSAs offer a range of benefits that can help you save on healthcare expenses while providing valuable tax advantages. You may already have an HSA. It’s a good time to review how these accounts work because the IRS has announced the relevant inflation-adjusted amounts for 2025.
Tips To Avoid Fraud and Scams After a Disaster
Criminals and fraudsters often see disasters as an opportunity to take advantage of victims when they are the most vulnerable, as well as the generous taxpayers who want to help with relief efforts. Generally, these disaster scams start with unsolicited contact – typically a phone call, on social media, by email, or even in person. Reviewing the tips listed below will help taxpayers recognize a scam and avoid becoming a victim.
Working Capital Management Is Critical to Business Success
Business success is often measured in profitability — and that’s hard to argue with. However, liquidity is critical to reaching the point where a company can consistently turn a profit.
Want to Find Out What IRS Auditors Know About Your Industry?
To prepare for a business audit, an IRS examiner generally researches the specific industry and issues on the taxpayer’s return. Examiners may use IRS Audit Techniques Guides (ATGs).
Seniors: A Tax-Wise Alternative to Selling Your Appreciated Home
In recent years, the residential real estate market has surged in many areas. That means many homes have greatly appreciated, and the $250,000 home sale gain exclusion ($500,000 for joint filers) isn’t always sufficient to protect a home sale from federal income taxes.