The Internal Revenue Service today announced grants to groups that support volunteer tax preparation and tax-filing programs. (Photo by Liza Summer) It’s December, so you’re focusing, as you should, on holiday plans. But the arrival of the last month of the year also means that the 2025 tax-filing season is almost here. Lots of taxpayers already are planning to file as early as they can. And many do so by using free and personal tax preparation and filing help two nationwide programs, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). Today the Internal Revenue Service announced... Read more →
Elderly
If you've met or exceeded your IRA savings target, a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD, might be worth considering. This month, millions of U.S. residents gather with family and friends. But you can help others find thing to be thankful this Thanksgiving season by donating to charitable organizations. Gifts typically are cash, which in Internal Revenue Service parlance includes those made by check and credit card. If the tax agency rules are met, the donations also might be tax deductible. But some older philanthropists have another option. They can give part or all of their required minimum distribution, or RMD,... Read more →
Photo by Jill Wellington Thanksgiving, of course, is the main focus this month. We spend the days leading up to the holiday thinking about what we’re going to cook, or eat if someone else is doing the kitchen heavy lifting. And figuring out a tactful way to deal with that, shall we say, out-there uncle. Good luck! November is also a great month to make sure we don't fall afoul of tax turkeys. To prevent that, there are some tax moves you can make this month. Since it’s already four days into the month — my bad; I got caught... Read more →
Whether your dream retirement is traveling the world or enjoying your own backyard, you need to save now so you can enjoy it. One way to ensure your post-work years are golden is to take full advantage of tax-favored retirement plans. Regardless of who wins the White House, the Social Security system is going to get a lot of attention in the coming years. The aging population, combined with the much ballyhooed birth dearth, is going to put more pressure on Uncle Sam’s retirement program. Even if the new president and Congress can agree on ways to bolster Social Security,... Read more →
Mom is the best nurse, but sometimes you need outside medical care. In those cases, some inflation adjusted medical tax breaks could be just the Rx. Autumn’s seasonal change also can bring some medical challenges. Different flora means new pollens to aggravate allergies. Youngsters are back in classrooms, but all that reuniting with friends means sharing germs, too. And, of course, it’s cold and flu (and still COVID-19) season; get your vaccines! Just one unexpected medical emergency can really ding a budget. But the tax code offers some ways that can help your financial hurt, if not your specific ailment.... Read more →
Photo: Investment Zen via Flickr Deductions can help reduce your taxable income. The less money subject to taxes, the small your annual bill to Uncle Sam. Some people get the most advantageous deduction amount by itemizing. Most of us, however, claim the standard deduction, especially after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 dramatically increased those amounts. Even better, every year the standard deductions amounts — there are several because the amounts depend on your filing status — get reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service. That usually leads to at least some hike in the standard deduction amounts. Best... Read more →
On Oct. 10, Social Security recipients got the annual word on how their benefits will change in the coming year. It was not exactly the news many had hoped to hear. The 2.5 percent increase for 2025 for around 68 million retirees and disabled workers who receive Social Security payments was one of the lowest in recent years. Recipients’ grumbling about the 2025 increase also were likely influenced by this year’s 3.2 percent hike, and the 8.7 percent boost in 2023 when inflation was at an historic level. Fixed-income folks also are still worried about inflation. Although it has eased,... Read more →
The coming wage base bump also means more FICA taxes for higher earners. Running the numbers is important for everyone, but critical for older folks who rely on Social Security benefits, and the annual cost-of-living increases, to cover much of their expenses. (Photo by Getty Images via Unsplash) There’s some good news for the more than 72.5 million recipients of Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration (SSA) today announced they’ll soon see an increase in their retirement and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Nearly 68 million retirees who receive monthly Social Security deposits will see a 2.5 percent cost-of-living... Read more →
If you have a big heart like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz classic movie, consider helping out fellow taxpayers as a volunteer during the coming tax-filing season. Volunteering is getting a lot of attention right now, as people are doing what they can to help each other in areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene. These good deed doers are as critical as the official government and organized philanthropic organization workers. The Internal Revenue Service also depends on volunteers every filing season. They are the IRS-trained people who staff Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the... Read more →
When making retirement plans, be sure to include how taxes might affect your ability to spend your golden years the way you want. Taxation of Social Security is getting a closer look this year, mainly because the Republican presidential nominee has suggested ending the current federal tax paid by some retirees on up to 85 percent of their benefits. A handful of states also tax the federal retirement benefits that their residents receive. This is the case in Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Those nine Social Security taxing states are this weekend’s... Read more →
Keeping track of your finances when you're older can alert you to the possibility that you might owe tax on some of your Social Security benefits. Most of us look forward to retirement. Some of us also get a tax shock once we start collecting Social Security. Some of our federal retirement benefits, in some cases as much as 85 percent of our annual payout, could be subject to federal taxation. Not only is that tax an unwelcome surprise to older taxpayers, it also has become part of the current presidential campaign “Seniors should not pay tax on Social Security,”... Read more →
A scenic overlook is always worth a stop when traveling. But when it comes to taxes, you definitely don't want to overlook tax breaks that could save you money. (Photo by Gary Yost on Unsplash) There are two ways to reduce your tax bill. You can take deductions, which reduce the amount of your money that's taxable. You also can claim tax credits, which cut any tax you owe dollar-for-dollar, and in a few cases get you refund. The options are not mutually exclusive. But they don't do you any good if you don't claim the ones to which you're... Read more →
Did you turn 73 last year? Belated happy birthday wishes. Now here's an important tax question about that septuagenarian celebration. Did you take your first required minimum distribution (RMD) from your tax-deferred retirement funds by the end of 2023? If the answer is no, then you've got to withdraw that mandated amount by next Monday, April 1. No fooling. Miss that RMD deadline date, and you'll owe Uncle Sam more money than just the tax due on your withdrawal amount. Ending tax deferral days: The Internal Revenue Code offers myriad tax benefits for retirement savers. Several of them provide tax-deferred... Read more →
Photo by Elissa Garcia on Unsplash If you're ever tempted to utter "these kids today" with a sigh and head shake, then take a few minutes to read about some California teenagers who are making a big tax difference in their community. The Rancho Cucamonga high school students come back to campus every Saturday during tax filing season to run a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic. The students, many of whom are planning on financial careers once they graduate high school and college, filled out 250+/- Internal Revenue Service returns last year for taxpayers in the city just east... Read more →
Unsplash+ in collaboration with Getty Images Tax season 2024 officially starts Monday, Jan. 29. Lots of taxpayers have already filled out their 1040 forms and are just waiting for the Internal Revenue Service to start processing them next week. Most of these early filers are expecting tax refunds. They also likely have relatively simple tax lives. Lucky them. Others, however, have more complicated tax and financial circumstances. These folks have more tax documents with details that must be transferred to their return forms and schedules. They also need to consider how their situations might affect their tax returns. Below is... Read more →
Tax season 2024 officially starts on Jan. 29, and millions of taxpayers are getting ready to deliver their returns that day to the Internal Revenue Service. Some, however, are asking a more basic question. Do I have to file a Form 1040 at all? The answer probably is yes. If you're asking the question, you likely made some money, and the Internal Revenue Code doesn't exempt much from taxation. But as with all things tax, there are exceptions. In some situations, Uncle Sam doesn't demand individuals file. Here's a look at whether you might be able to join that group... Read more →
To ensure you have the type of retirement you want, you must do some calculations, including figuring how your required minimum distributions fit in, financially and tax-wise. (Photo via Unsplash+ in collaboration with Getty Images) Retirement savings can make a big difference in how enjoyable your post-work years will be. If you have tax-deferred retirement accounts, those savings also present new tax responsibilities once you reach a certain age. Some money in a traditional IRA that's been out of the Internal Revenue Service's reach for years must be taken out as a required minimum distribution, or RMD. Uncle Sam also... Read more →
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash Taxes are all about the numbers, and this past week I've been posting inflation-adjusted figures that apply to a variety of tax provisions. Long-time readers know I parcel the numbers out in a 10-part series. But one of those posts, Part 3 on cost-of-living boosts in 2024 for tax-favored retirement savings plans, was published first because the Internal Revenue Service typically issues those adjustments first. Since that earlier Part 3 post hasn't gotten a sequential mention during this recent run of inflation series posts, I'm boosting it today. And I'm pulling out an item... Read more →
Unsplash+ in collaboration with Getty Images If you've been to a doctor recently, refilled a subscription, had to go to an emergency room, or just bought over-the-counter medications, you know that all these treatments cost a lot more than in previous years. It's enough to make you sick, or at least nudge up your blood pressure a bit. However, the tax code might have an Rx that can help. There are a variety of medical tax breaks that can help lower your federal tax bill. Several of them are adjusted each year to account for inflation. Here, in Part 5... Read more →
Taxes are all about numbers, but generally speaking, we taxpayers are not big math fans. That's why we hire tax professionals or use tax software. That aversion to doing more calculations is why most of us have chosen, year-in and year-out, to claim the standard deduction. Sure, I know, we should use the tax deduction method, either standard or itemizing, that gives up the better tax due result. Still, I know some folks who use the standard deduction method without even comparing because, as noted, it's easier. There are no receipts to save, no additional adding, subtracting, and figuring percentages.... Read more →