Can States Save Seniors? Fighting the Rising Costs of Property Taxes

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Property taxes are a significant financial burden for many Americans, particularly senior citizens. Rising property taxes have begun to jeopardize the financial stability of older adults living on fixed incomes. In response, some states are…
Facing a Huge Gain from a Realty Sale?

Facing a Huge Gain from a Realty Sale?

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If you are contemplating selling real estate property, there are a number of issues that could impact the taxes that you might owe, and there are steps you can take to minimize the gain, defer the gain, or spread it over a number of years. The…
Tax Reform Has Substantially Altered the Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Tax Reform Has Substantially Altered the Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

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As part of the recent tax reform, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the deduction for home mortgage interest and property taxes has undergone substantial alterations. These changes will impact most homeowners who itemize their deductions each…
Filing a 1099-MISC May Now Apply to Landlords. Are You Collecting the Needed W-9s?

Filing a 1099-MISC May Now Apply to Landlords. Are You Collecting the Needed W-9s?

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If you use independent contractors to perform services for your business or your rental that is a trade or business, for each individual whom you pay $600 or more for the year, you are required to issue the service provider and the IRS a Form…
Vacation Home Rentals How the Income Is Taxed

Vacation Home Rentals: How the Income Is Taxed

If you have a second home in a resort area, or if you have been considering acquiring a second home or vacation home, you may have questions about how rental income is taxed for a part-time vacation-home rental. The applicable rental rules…
Short-Term Rental, Special Treatment

Short-Term Rental, Special Treatment

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With the advent of online sites such as Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway, many individuals have taken to renting out their first or second home through these online rental sites, which match property owners with prospective renters. If you are doing…
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Yes, Student Debt is Delaying Homeownership

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Article by Katie Lobosko | Found on CNN.com College grads have claimed for years that they were putting off buying a home because of student debt. Now, there's strong proof that their loans really have pulled down homeownership rates. About…
home equity, retirement

What Role Should Your House Have in Retirement Planning?

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Article by Ilana Polyak | Featured on Journal of Accountancy Home is where the heart is. And it can also be where the assets are. As of 2011, home equity made up about three-quarters of the average American’s net worth, according to the…

The Right Time to Sell Is Anytime

Article by JOANNE KAUFMAN | Found on New York Times When Aaron Thornton and his wife, Michelle League, decided a few months ago to sell their brownstone on West 120th Street, they first tended to some maintenance issues, then consulted their…
U.S. expands crackdown on secret real estate buyers

U.S. Expands Crackdown on Secret Real Estate Buyers

Article by Kathryn Vasel | Featured on CNN Money The government's crackdown on anonymous real estate buyers hiding behind shell companies seems to be working. In January, the Treasury Department announced a temporary initiative that requires…