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Is a Roth IRA Right for You?
Roth IRA or Traditional IRA? The answer is never easy, but perhaps asking the right questions can make your decision easier. Here are some thoughts: For most taxpayers, you have until April 15th of the following year to contribute up to $5,500 ($6,500 if age 50 or over) into a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Is an IRA an option worth considering for you? If so, which is better? Traditional IRA A Traditional IRA is an individual savings account that allows you to contribute money for your retirement. Depending on your income level, you may deduct the contributions from
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Gone Phishing?
Unlike fishing, phishing has no limits and can hurt anyone it touches. As one of the top 12 IRS tax scams, you do not want to take this bait. Here is what you need to know. Each year the IRS publishes the top dozen tax scams it encounters over the prior year. One of them that makes an all too common appearance on their list is the phishing scam. Here is what you need to know. Phishing requires bait Phishing is the act of creating a fake e-mail or website that looks like the real thing. This “bait” is then
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Are You Maximizing Your Retirement Account Tax Benefit? – 2013 contribution limits
If you have not already done so, consider adjusting your retirment account contributions to match the expanded annual limits that have increased for 2013. Here are the new limits. 2013 marks a watershed year for contribution limit increases in many of the core retirement savings programs. Many of these contribution limit increases are established using a federal formula. While most annual limits stayed the same from 2011 to 2012, this is not the case for 2013. Here are current annual contribution limits for the more popular programs: Retirement Program Current Year 2013 Last Year 2012 Change Age 50 or over
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Audit Target: The Sole Proprietor
Often the #1 target of IRS audits, sole proprietors need to be prepared with good records. Here are some tips. Each year the IRS publishes their activities in a publication called the Data Book. And each year for the past number of years the number one target of audits are those tax returns with a Schedule C for small business activity. So how to prepare yourself for a possible audit? Here are some tips. Keep records separate. The quickest way to get a deduction for your business disallowed is to blend your personal bills with those from your business. Open
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Don’t Forget Your Estimated Payment
With all the new tax changes taking place this year, it is more important than ever to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid potential penalties. The tax filing deadline is upon us. The sense of relief that another 1040 form is filed is like lifting a weight from your shoulders. But wait! April 15th is also the 1st quarter estimated tax due date for 2013! So how do you know if you need to place another check in the mail? Here are triggers that suggest you may wish to consider sending in a quarterly estimated tax payment. You needed
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Still Time to Make IRA Contributions for 2012
Remember you have until April 15th to fund last year’s IRA contributions. Here is what you need to know. Remember you have until you file your tax return to make a contribution to a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA for the 2012 tax year. The annual contribution limit is $5,000 or $6,000 (if you are age 50 or over). Prior to making the contribution, if you (or your spouse) are an active participant in an employer’s qualified retirement plan, you will want to make sure your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) does not exceed certain income thresholds. There are also
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984,000 Could Lose their Tax Refund
Each year the IRS pulls back money for unclaimed refunds. The amounts are not trivial, as the unclaimed refunds for 2009 are over $900 million. Here is what you need to know. Last week the IRS announced it is holding $917 million in unclaimed refunds for the 2009 tax year. If the claims for these unpaid refunds are not made by April 15th the refunds will no longer be available. Here is what you need to know: Timely filing. To receive the refund your 2009 tax return must be properly addressed, mailed, and postmarked by April 15th. It is best
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2014 Health Savings Account Limits Announced
If you are participating in an HSA, recently announce limits for 2014 will help you get a jump on planning for next year. The savings limits for the ever-popular Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are now set for 2014. The new limits are outlined here with current year amounts noted for comparison purposes. What is an HSA? An HSA is a tax advantaged savings account where part of your wages can be contributed on a pre-tax basis. There is no tax on the funds contributed or the interest or investment earnings as long as the funds are used to pay for
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Triple Tax: aka The Lottery
Most everyone enjoys dreaming of winning it big in the lottery. News media outlets publicize the large unclaimed pots of money on the evening news and they put a spotlight on the lucky multi-million dollar winners. Ever wonder what the tax math looks like? The bottom line when seen from a wage stand point is that 75% or more of the income used to play the lottery does not end up in the hands of the winner.
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Toss this. Not that – Post tax filing record retention
With a sigh you are relieved that yet another tax return has been sent off to the government. Another 12 months before you need to do this again. But before you close that tax file, there is still some work to do. If the IRS or state revenue department selects your return for review, you will need to be prepared. Here is what you need to know: Record Keeping Tips Normally three years. Normally tax records should be kept for three years from the later of the tax filing due date, the date you filed your taxes, or the date
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