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Category: Credits

  • Reasons Why Married Couples Might Want to File Separate Tax Returns

    Reasons Why Married Couples Might Want to File Separate Tax Returns

    Married couples often wonder whether they should file joint or separate tax returns. The answer depends on your individual tax situation. It generally depends on which filing status results in the lowest tax. But keep in mind that, if you and your spouse file a joint return, each of you is “jointly and severally” liable…

  • New Law Provides a Variety of Tax Breaks to Businesses and Employers

    New Law Provides a Variety of Tax Breaks to Businesses and Employers

    While you were celebrating the holidays, you may not have noticed that Congress passed a law with a grab bag of provisions that provide tax relief to businesses and employers. The “Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020” was signed into law on December 20, 2019. It makes many changes to the tax code, including an extension…

  • What Is Your Taxpayer Filing Status?

    What Is Your Taxpayer Filing Status?

    For tax purposes, December 31 means more than New Year’s Eve celebrations. It affects the filing status box that will be checked on your tax return for the year. When you file your return, you do so with one of five filing statuses, which depend in part on whether you’re married or unmarried on December…

  • Take Advantage of the Gift Tax Exclusion Rules

    Take Advantage of the Gift Tax Exclusion Rules

    As we head toward the gift-giving season, you may be considering giving gifts of cash or securities to your loved ones. Taxpayers can transfer substantial amounts free of gift taxes to their children and others each year through the use of the annual federal gift tax exclusion. The amount is adjusted for inflation annually. For…

  • Uncle Sam May Provide Relief from College Costs on Your Tax Return

    Uncle Sam May Provide Relief from College Costs on Your Tax Return

    We all know the cost of college is expensive. The latest figures from the College Board show that the average annual cost of tuition and fees was $10,230 for in-state students at public four-year universities — and $35,830 for students at private not-for-profit four-year institutions. These amounts don’t include room and board, books, supplies, transportation…

  • Plug in Tax Savings for Electric Vehicles

    Plug in Tax Savings for Electric Vehicles

    While the number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) is still small compared with other cars on the road, it’s growing — especially in certain parts of the country. If you’re interested in purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle, you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. (Depending on where…

  • Stretch Your College Student’s Spending Money with the Dependent Tax Credit

    Stretch Your College Student’s Spending Money with the Dependent Tax Credit

    If you’re the parent of a child who is age 17 to 23, and you pay all (or most) of his or her expenses, you may be surprised to learn you’re not eligible for the child tax credit. But there’s a dependent tax credit that may be available to you. It’s not as valuable as…

  • Three Big TCJA Changes Affecting 2018 Individual Tax Returns and Beyond

    Three Big TCJA Changes Affecting 2018 Individual Tax Returns and Beyond

    When you file your 2018 income tax return, you’ll likely find that some big tax law changes affect you — besides the much-discussed tax rate cuts and reduced itemized deductions. For 2018 through 2025, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) makes significant changes to personal exemptions, standard deductions and the child credit. The degree…