-
Many business tax limits have increased in 2025
February 17, 2025
Categories: Business, Deductions, Flexible Spending Account, HSA, Retirement, Section 179, Social Security
A variety of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually based on inflation. Many have increased for 2025, but with inflation cooling, the increases aren’t as great as they have been in the last few years. Here are some amounts that may affect you and your business. 2025 deductions as compared with 2024 Section 179 expensing: Limit: $1.25 million (up from $1.22 million) Phaseout: $3.13 million (up from $3.05 million) Sec. 179 expensing limit for certain
-
Financial relief for families: The benefits of the Child Tax Credit
February 14, 2025
Categories: TCJA
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) has long been a valuable tax break for families with qualifying children. Whether you’re new to claiming the credit or you’ve benefited from it for years, it’s crucial to stay current on its rules and potential changes. As we approach the expiration of certain provisions within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of 2025, here’s what you need to know about the CTC for 2024, 2025 and beyond. Current state of the credit Under the TCJA,
-
Questions about taxes and tips? Here are some answers for employers
February 13, 2025
Categories: Cash Tips, Noncash tips, Tip Tax Credit
Businesses in certain industries employ service workers who receive tips as a large part of their compensation. These businesses include restaurants, hotels and salons. Compliance with federal and state tax regulations is vital if your business has employees who receive tips. Are tips becoming tax-free? During the campaign, President Trump promised to end taxes on tips. While the proposal created buzz among employees and some business owners, no legislation eliminating taxes on tips has been
-
Taming the tax tangle if you’re retiring soon
February 10, 2025
Categories: Retirement, RMD, Social Security
Retirement is often viewed as an opportunity to travel, spend time with family or simply enjoy the fruits of a long career. Yet the transition may bring a tangle of tax considerations. Planning carefully can help you minimize tax bills. Below are four steps to take if you’re approaching retirement, along with the tax implications. 1. Consider your post-career lifestyle Begin by assessing what retirement might look like for you. For example, will you relocate to a different state or downsize
-
Looking ahead to 2025 tax limits as you prepare to file your 2024 return
February 5, 2025
Categories: charitable giving, Itemized deductions, Tax rates, TCJA
Chances are, you’re more concerned about your 2024 tax return right now than you are about your 2025 tax situation. That’s understandable because your 2024 individual tax return is due to be filed by April 15 (unless you file for an extension). However, it’s a good time to familiarize yourself with tax amounts that may have changed for 2025 due to inflation. Not all tax figures are adjusted annually for inflation, and some amounts only change when Congress passes new laws. In
-
Early bird tips: Answering your tax season questions
February 4, 2025
Categories: Extension, Identity Theft
The IRS announced it will start the 2025 filing season for individual income tax returns on January 27. That’s when the agency began accepting and processing 2024 tax year returns. Even if you typically don’t file until much closer to the mid-April deadline (or you file for an extension), you may want to file earlier this year. The reason is you can potentially protect yourself from tax identity theft. Here are some answers to questions taxpayers may have about filing. How can your
-
The standard business mileage rate increased in 2025
January 30, 2025
Categories: mileage, reimbursement, Travel
The nationwide price of gas is slightly higher than it was a year ago and the 2025 optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business has also gone up. The IRS recently announced that the 2025 cents-per-mile rate for the business use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck is 70 cents. In 2024, the business cents-per-mile rate was 67 cents per mile. This rate applies to gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles as well as electric and hybrid-electric
-
Do you have questions about taking IRA withdrawals? We’ve got answers
January 27, 2025
Categories: IRA, Retirement, RMD, Secure2.0, SEP-IRA, Simple IRA
Once you reach age 73, tax law requires you to begin taking withdrawals — called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) — from your traditional IRA, SIMPLE IRA and SEP IRA. Since funds can’t stay in these accounts indefinitely, it’s important to understand the rules behind RMDs, which can be pretty complex. Below, we address some common questions to help you navigate this process. What are the tax implications if I want to withdraw money before retirement? If you
-
Small business strategy: A heavy vehicle plus a home office equals tax savings
January 17, 2025
Categories: Depreciation, Section 179, Small business, Vehicles
New and used “heavy” SUVs, pickups and vans placed in service in 2025 are potentially eligible for big first-year depreciation write-offs. One requirement is you must use the vehicle more than 50% for business. If your business usage is between 51% and 99%, you may be able to deduct that percentage of the cost in the first year. The write-off will reduce your federal income tax bill and your self-employment tax bill, if applicable. You might get a state tax income deduction too. Setting
-
Saving for college: Tax breaks and strategies your family should know
January 16, 2025
Categories: 529 Plan, AOTC, Cloverdell, College Savings, ESA, GiftTax, LLC, Savings Bonds, Series EE bonds, Series I bonds
As higher education costs continue to rise, you may be concerned about how to save and pay for college. Fortunately, several tools and strategies offered in the U.S. tax code may help ease the financial burden. Below is an overview of some of the most beneficial tax breaks and planning options for funding your child’s or grandchild’s education. Qualified tuition programs or 529 plans A 529 plan allows you to buy tuition credits or contribute to an account set up to meet your