Entries by IslerNW

What Does a Tax Deduction Save You?

Taxpayers frequently ask what benefit is derived from a tax deduction.  Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer.  The reason the benefit cannot be determined simply is because some deductions are above-the-line, others must be itemized, some must exceed a threshold amount before being deductible, and certain ones are not deductible for alternative minimum tax purposes, […]

New Tax Rules for Retirees

If you are at or approaching the age of 70, you need to be aware of some changes that Congress made to the tax laws, effective starting in 2020. These changes will have direct impacts on you and the decisions you make related to your retirement accounts. Not only will they affect your federal taxes, […]

March 2020 Individual Due Dates

March 10 – Report Tips to Employer If you are an employee who works for tips and received more than $20 in tips during February, you are required to report them to your employer on IRS Form 4070 no later than March 10.

Congress Does Away with the Stretch IRA

Some members of Congress have, for some time, expressed their displeasure with the so-called stretch IRAs that have permitted some beneficiaries, such as a young child or a grandchild, to extend the payout period from the IRAs they inherited for decades.

IRS Letters: Tax Scam or Something You Need to Address?

Your taxes contain an array of sensitive information, from financial data to your Social Security number or tax ID number. Because of this, there are many scams that unsavory characters attempt to perpetrate by impersonating the IRS or another tax authority. It can be difficult to tell when the IRS is really seeking information versus […]

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Congress Removes IRA Contribution Age Restriction

On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law the Appropriations Act of 2020, which included a number of tax law changes, including retroactively extending certain tax provisions that expired after 2017 or were about to expire, a number of retirement and IRA plan modifications, and other changes that will impact a large portion of […]

New Twist for Kiddie Tax with a Refund Opportunity

On December 20, 2019, President Trump signed into law the Appropriations Act of 2020, which included a number of tax law changes, including retroactively extending certain tax provisions that expired after 2017 or were about to expire, a number of retirement and IRA plan modifications, and other changes that will, as a whole, impact a […]