Summary: Thinking about buying an annuity so you can get steady income when you retire? It may be a good idea, but there’s a lot to think about first. Click through to learn about the array of annuities to choose from. You want a steady income stream during retirement — and an annuity may be […]
Summary: Wondering whether you can take a deduction for the clothing you wear as a small-business owner? The answer isn’t simple. The IRS has strict rules on clothing deductions. Click through before you buy that Armani suit on the company’s dime.Can you deduct clothes as a business expense? In some cases, you can deduct the […]
Summary: When investors open a new brokerage account or when they update their account information, they may want to provide a “trusted contact.” Click through to learn what this means and why you need to take it seriously. Your brokerage is going to ask you for a “trusted contact,” and some investors may provide the […]
Summary: Workplaces are always buzzing with employee-related activities, some of which may be protected by the National Labor Relations Act. Click through for an overview of this complex legislation in order to ensure that you don’t violate its provisions as an employer.Employers are granted certain degrees of leverage when setting standards for their workplaces, which […]
Summary: Self-employed individuals who use their homes for business purposes often look for advice on how to take full advantage of the IRS’s complex rules when deducting home office expenses. Click through to make sure you’re familiar with the nuances of home office deductions.It’s not always easy to figure out which home office write-offs are […]
Summary: You don’t get too much help from the IRS when it comes to medical deductions, unless the costs are substantial. But there are some quirks that can help. Click through to make sure you don’t leave anything on the table.Taxpayers who claim their standard deduction amounts can’t deduct their medical costs. Only if they […]
Summary: When you have fewer employees than you need, it can impede business growth. To staff up, you may have to think outside the box. Click through for some imaginative suggestions for overcoming staffing shortages and improving your bottom line. The reasons for talent shortages can get complex. Oftentimes, they stem from one or more of […]
Summary: Do you want to transfer your assets as efficiently and effectively as possible? Estate planners often suggest a trust — but it can get complicated. Click through to learn about the potential pitfalls in setting up a trust.When you use a trust, you bypass probate, a lengthy legal process that validates your will, and […]
Summary: It’s one of the more difficult decisions that come across the desks at the IRS: What is a gift and what is compensation? Click through for some insights into this age-old question to make sure you’re on the right side.Back in 1913, Woodrow Wilson began his first term as president, and Americans first filed […]
Summary: In the investing world, the term “capital gains” comes up a lot. But what does it really mean, and what are its implications? Click through for an introduction to the tax and finance rules surrounding capital gains.A capital gain is a profit made when you as an individual or business sell a capital asset […]