Could the AMT boost your 2017 tax bill?
November 7, 2017 Knowledge Center
Could the AMT boost your 2017 tax bill?

A fundamental tax planning strategy is to accelerate deductible expenses into the current year. This typically will defer (and in some cases permanently reduce) your taxes. But there are exceptions. One is if the additional deductions this year trigger the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Complicating matters for 2017 is the fact that tax legislation might […]

The Ins and Outs of Tax on “Income Investments”
October 31, 2017 Knowledge Center
The Ins and Outs of Tax on “Income Investments”

Many investors, especially more risk-averse ones, hold much of their portfolios in “income investments” — those that pay interest or dividends, with less emphasis on growth in value. But all income investments aren’t alike when it comes to taxes. So it’s important to be aware of the different tax treatments when managing your income investments. […]

Weigh Your Options For Cashing In On Outstanding Invoices
October 20, 2017 Knowledge Center
Weigh Your Options For Cashing In On Outstanding Invoices

How long will you take to collect the outstanding receivables that are reported on your balance sheet? Many companies take weeks or even months to collect invoices from customers. Fortunately, there are ways to convert them into cash now. Line of credit A line of credit can help bridge the “cash gap” between performing work […]

“Bunching” Medical Expenses May Be A Tax-Smart Strategy For 2017
October 3, 2017 Knowledge Center
“Bunching” Medical Expenses May Be A Tax-Smart Strategy For 2017

Various limits apply to most tax deductions, and one type of limit is a “floor,” which means expenses are deductible only if they exceed that floor (typically a specific percentage of your income). One example is the medical expense deduction. Because it can be difficult to exceed the floor, a common strategy is to “bunch” […]

How to Prevent “Founder’s Syndrome” From Impeding Your Succession Plan
September 22, 2017 Knowledge Center
How to Prevent “Founder’s Syndrome” From Impeding Your Succession Plan

Are you the founder of your company? If so, congratulations — you’ve created something truly amazing! And it’s more than understandable that you’d want to protect your legacy: the company you created. But, as time goes on, it becomes increasingly important that you give serious thought to a succession plan. When this topic comes up, […]

Are You Paying Sales Tax on Gratuities? Tip: You May Need To
September 12, 2017 Knowledge Center
Are You Paying Sales Tax on Gratuities? Tip: You May Need To

By Stephen Ozen If you own a restaurant in California, chances are you’ve dealt with large parties before. Due to the elevated levels of attention and service required for parties of 6 or more, there is typically gratuity added to the bill. While it may sound like it makes sense to ensure a certain amount […]

Watch Out for Potential Tax Pitfalls of Donating Real Estate to Charity
September 5, 2017 Knowledge Center
Watch Out for Potential Tax Pitfalls of Donating Real Estate to Charity

Charitable giving allows you to help an organization you care about and, in most cases, enjoy a valuable income tax deduction. If you’re considering a large gift, a non-cash donation such as appreciated real estate can provide additional benefits. For example, if you’ve held the property for more than one year, you generally will be […]

The ABCs of The Tax Deduction for Educator Expenses
August 27, 2017 Knowledge Center
The ABCs of The Tax Deduction for Educator Expenses

At back-to-school time, much of the focus is on the students returning to the classroom — and on their parents buying them school supplies, backpacks, clothes, etc., for the new school year. But let’s not forget about the teachers. It’s common for teachers to pay for some classroom supplies out of pocket, and the tax […]

Will Congress Revive Expired Tax Breaks?
August 8, 2017 Knowledge Center
Will Congress Revive Expired Tax Breaks?

Most of the talk about possible tax legislation this year has focused on either wide-sweeping tax reform or taxes that are part of the Affordable Care Act. But there are a few other potential tax developments for individuals to keep an eye on. Back in December of 2015, Congress passed the PATH Act, which made […]

A Refresher on The ACA’s Tax Penalty on Those Without Health Insurance
August 1, 2017 Knowledge Center
A Refresher on The ACA’s Tax Penalty on Those Without Health Insurance

Now that Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal and replacement efforts appear to have collapsed, at least for the time being, it’s a good time for a refresher on the tax penalty the ACA imposes on individuals who fail to have “minimum essential” health insurance coverage for any month of the year. This requirement is commonly […]

Nonqualified Stock Options Demand Tax Planning Attention
July 18, 2017 Knowledge Center
Nonqualified Stock Options Demand Tax Planning Attention

Your compensation may take several forms, including salary, fringe benefits, and bonuses. If you work for a corporation, you might also receive stock-based compensation, such as stock options. These come in two varieties: nonqualified (NQSOs) and incentive (ISOs). With both NQSOs and ISOs, if the stock appreciates beyond your exercise price, you can buy shares […]

The Earlier You Prepare for Your 2017 Taxes, the Better
July 14, 2017 Knowledge Center
The Earlier You Prepare for Your 2017 Taxes, the Better

t can be easy to forget all about taxes during summertime, when “the livin’ is easy,” as the Gershwin song goes. But if you start your tax planning now, you may avoid an unpleasant tax surprise when you file next year. Summer is also a good time to establish a storage system for your tax […]