Tax & Business Alert
Showing 529–544 of 664 results
-
2015 HSA amounts
August 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 273
Abstract: This article explains the benefits of a Health Savings Account (HSA) and how this vehicle differs from a Flexible Spending Account. It also lists the 2015 contribution limits for an HSA.
-
IRS phone scam warning
July 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 320
Abstract: The IRS has issued a warning about a pervasive phone scam. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) called it the largest scam of its kind. In it, the thief poses as an IRS agent and makes an unsolicited call to the target, telling the victim that he or she owes taxes to the IRS. The caller demands that the victim pay the money immediately with a preloaded debit card or wire transfer, and often threatens the victim with arrest, deportation, or suspension of a business or driver’s license. This article explains tactics that these scammers use and tactics the IRS does not use, and explains what to do in response to such a call.
-
Getting around the $25 deduction limit for business gifts
July 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 610
Abstract: Sometimes doing business entails making gifts to customers, clients, employees, and other business entities and associates. For numerous reasons, such gifts often make perfect business sense. Unfortunately, the tax rules limit the deduction for business gifts to a less-than-generous $25 per person per year — a limitation that hasn’t been raised in decades. But this article offers a quick rundown of some major exceptions to the $25 limit.
-
Tax calendar
July 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 209
Abstract: This article lists a number of key tax reporting deadlines through September.
-
Do you need to adjust your federal income tax withholding amount?
July 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 450
Abstract: With over half the year already gone, now is a good time for taxpayers to check to see if they are on track to have about the right amount of federal income tax withheld from their paychecks for 2014. Underpaying taxes can result in a penalty, and overpaying is basically making an interest-free loan to the government. This article points to a location on the IRS website that can help taxpayers make this calculation.
-
Comparing taxable vs. tax-exempt investment yields
July 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 353
Abstract: With rising tax rates, some taxpayers are considering allocating at least a portion of their investments to tax-exempt investments. When comparing taxable investments to tax-exempt investments, one important factor is the after-tax return. This article offers a fairly straightforward formula that can be used to compare yields for taxable vs. tax-exempt investments if one’s income tax bracket is known.
-
IRS warns taxpayers to beware of phishing scams
June 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 355
Abstract: Phishing is a scam typically carried out by unsolicited e-mail and/or bogus websites posing as legitimate sites luring unsuspecting victims to provide personal and financial information. This article explains what to watch out for and how to report suspicious communications.
-
Tips for businesses that outsource payroll duties
June 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 604
Abstract: Though most payroll service bureaus provide very good service, there are, unfortunately, some who do not have their clients’ best interests at heart. And the client is responsible for the service bureau’s errors or omissions. This article offers some steps a company can take to protect itself against unscrupulous service bureaus.
-
Midyear tax planning ideas
June 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 370
Abstract: Midyear is a good time for tax planning. This article addresses questions pertinent to those who are considering a gift to a relative or charity, who are self-employed, or who need to update their estate plan.
-
Expenses qualifying for the child care credit
June 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 240
Abstract: A nonrefundable credit is available if a qualifying child care expense is incurred so that parents can work. This article explains which expenses qualify.
-
IRS toughens the one-year wait between IRA rollovers
June 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 418
Abstract: To receive tax-free treatment, the amount withdrawn from an IRA must be redeposited into the same or another IRA no later than 60 days after the taxpayer received the distribution. For years, the IRS has held that the one-year waiting period between IRAs applies separately to each IRA, but has now adopted the Tax Court’s recent unfavorable interpretation of the one-IRA-rollover-per-year rule, which considers all the taxpayer’s IRAs together for the limitation. The new, stricter interpretation will not be applied to any rollover involving a distribution that occurs before January 1, 2015. So there is still a little time to take advantage of the current, more liberal, rules.
-
Taxing Social Security benefits
May 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 299
Abstract: Some taxpayers must include up to 85% of their Social Security benefits in taxable income, while others find that their benefits are not taxable at all. Those who receive income from other sources may have to pay taxes on at least a portion of their Social Security benefits. Income and filing status will also affect whether these benefits are taxable. This article offers a quick way to find out if one’s benefits may be taxable and how to avoid tax time surprises by voluntarily requesting that federal income tax be withheld from benefit payments.
-
Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2014
May 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 81
Abstract: This article notes that the IRS has released its latest annual list of the “Dirty Dozen,” the twelve most common scams that taxpayers encounter. Topping the list in 2014 is tax fraud using identity theft.
-
Avoiding penalties on IRA withdrawals before age 59½
May 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 434
Abstract: IRA owners can withdraw money from their account at any time and for any reason because the owner is in total control of this account. But most withdrawals from traditional IRAs will be at least partially taxable, and the taxable portion of a withdrawal made before age 59½ will be subject to a 10% penalty tax (or as high as 25% on early withdrawals from a SIMPLE IRA). There can even be a 10% penalty tax assessed on a nontaxable portion of some early withdrawals from Roth IRAs. However, this article notes that there are some ways to avoid the penalty tax.
-
Taxable tip income
May 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 175
Abstract: Tips received on the job from customers must be included in the computation of one’s tax liability, if any. This article explains the different kinds of tips that are taxable and what tips must be reported to one’s employer.
-
Don’t be a charity scam victim
May 2014
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 160
Abstract: When a natural disaster strikes, thieves often play on the goodwill of people by posing as representatives of real charities to steal money or get information to commit identity theft. This article describes how bogus charities use several different tactics to get money and information from unsuspecting individuals.