Articles

How does work affect your Social Security payments?

Many people continue to work after retirement age, either by choice or out of necessity. But if you are receiving Social Security benefits, you need to be aware of how working can affect your benefit payments. Earning income above Social Security thresholds can cause a reduction in benefits and mean your benefits will be taxed. Whether it makes sense to work and collect Social Security at the same time is a complicated assessment that depends on

The little-known tax on Roth 401(k) distributions

Employee retirement savings plans come in two main types: the traditional 401(k) and the Roth 401(k). The benefit of a Roth 401(k) over a traditional 401(k) after retirement is that distributions from a Roth 401(k) are tax-free, but there is a little-known situation in which distributions can be taxed. Contributions to a traditional 401(k) are made pre-tax, so although it reduces your taxable income in the year you contribute to it, you have to pay taxes

How to prepare when elderly parents move in with adult children

More and more parents are moving in with their adult children, and the trend probably won’t reverse any time soon. As nursing home costs continue to rise, children and their parents are finding that living together is a better arrangement, both financially and emotionally. But having a parent move in is a big adjustment for everyone, and it is important to be prepared. Preparations can range from making physical adjustments to the house to figuring out

When can an adult child be liable for a parent’s nursing home bill?

Although a nursing home cannot require a child to be personally liable for their parent’s nursing home bill, there are circumstances in which children can end up having to pay. This is why it is important to read any admission agreements carefully before signing. Federal regulations prevent a nursing home from requiring a third party to be personally liable for a resident’s charges as a condition of admission. However, children of nursing home residents often sign

IRS Announces 2019 Mileage Rates

Mileage rates for travel are now set for 2019. The standard business mileage rate increases by 3.5 cents to 58 cents per mile. The medical and moving mileage rates also increase by 2 cents to 20 cents per mile. Charitable mileage rates remain unchanged at 14 cents per mile. 2019 Standard Mileage Rates

Taking a Home Office Deduction: A great tax reduction idea, if done right!

Cloud-based applications, extensive communication channels, and other new technologies make it easier to run your business out of your home. If you qualify, many home business expenses are deductible. Think you might qualify? You must first pass these tests. Trade or business use test. To qualify for business use of your home you must use part of your home for a qualified trade or business. This profit-seeking activity must not be a hobby in the eyes

How to Raise a Financially Savvy Child

If you have children (or grandchildren) you have an opportunity to give them a jump-start on their journey to becoming financially responsible adults. While teaching your child about money and finances is easier when you start early, it’s never too late to impart your wisdom. Here are some age-relevant suggestions to help develop a financially savvy young adult:

Hey Alexa. Are you Making Me Dumb? 3 concerns to consider while living with a smart speaker

Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home are popping up everywhere. According to a Nielsen study from last September, nearly one of every four U.S. households has a smart speaker – 40 percent of those homes have more than one. For some, the speaker is an easy way to play music, for others it’s a unique way to easily access the Internet for information and control other Wi-Fi enabled products. However, there are some

Every Business Needs Cash! 5 keys to better cash management

Focusing solely on sales and profits can create a surprise for any business when there is not enough cash to pay the bills. Here are five key principals to improve your cash management. Create a cash flow statement and analyze it monthly. The primary objective of a cash flow statement is to help you budget for future periods and identify potential financial problems before they get out of hand. This doesn’t have to be a complicated

Tips for a Faster Refund

As the tax filing season approaches, there are steps you can take now to speed up the filing process. The faster your return is filed, the faster you get your refund. Even if you end up owing money to the IRS, knowing the amount due sooner gives you more time to come up with the funds needed to pay your tax bill. Here are things you can do now to get organized:

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