Figure 1: Clearly-defined items result in precise reports. Obviously, you’re using QuickBooks because you buy and/or sell products and/or services. You want to know at least weekly — if not daily — what’s selling and what’s not, so you can make informed plans about your company’s future. You get that information from the reports that
Are You Defining Items in QuickBooks Correctly? Read More »
Whether you file as a corporation or sole proprietor here’s what business owners need to know about tax changes in 2012. Standard Mileage Rates The standard mileage rate in 2012 is 55.5 cents per business mile driven, 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile driven in service
2012 Tax Changes for Businesses Read More »
While in the mode of holiday shopping, consider these 3 tax-smart purchases. Make Charitable Contributions Consider making charitable contributions before year-end both to obtain the maximum tax deduction and to fulfill any charitable programs or commitments you may have established for the year. Pay Tax-Deductible Expenses Consider paying tax-deductible expenses prior to year-end. Some common
3 Ways to Spend Wisely in December Read More »
Here’s what individuals and families need to know about tax changes for 2012. From personal deductions to tax credits and educational expenses, many of the tax changes relating to individuals remain in effect through 2012 and are the result of tax provisions that were either modified or extended by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization
2012 Tax Changes for Individuals Read More »
The purpose of life insurance is to provide a source of income, in case of death, for your children, dependents, or other beneficiaries. Life insurance can also serve certain estate planning purposes, which we won’t go into here. Buying life insurance is contingent upon whether anyone is depending on your income after your death. If
Should You Invest in Life Insurance? Read More »
Millions of Americans forfeit critical tax relief each year by failing to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tax credit for low-to-moderate-income individuals who work. Taxpayers who qualify and claim the credit could owe less federal tax, owe no tax, or even receive a refund. The EITC is based on the amount
Do You Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit? Read More »
A tax deduction reduces the amount of your taxable income and generally reduces the amount of taxes you may have to pay. If you are able to itemize your deductions on your tax return instead of claiming the standard deduction, you may be able to claim certain miscellaneous deductions. Here are some things you should
Take Advantage of Miscellaneous Deductions Read More »
Millions of Americans have hobbies such as sewing, woodworking, fishing, gardening, stamp and coin collecting, but when that hobby starts to turn a profit, it might just be considered a business by the IRS. Definition of a Hobby vs a Business The IRS defines a hobby as an activity that is not pursued for profit.
Hobby or Business? Why it Matters Read More »
Most of us have heard of QuickBooks, and probably even use it for our day-to-day tasks in our businesses. But believe it or not, and Intuit would never you tell you this, but there are some areas in which it lacks. That’s where 3rd-party Apps come in. We all know “Apps”, a popular buzz word
Using QuickBooks? Check out this article for some useful apps… Read More »
Accelerating Income In most years, taxpayers adopt a strategy of deferring income, but with the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire on December 31, 2012, income tax rates and capital gains taxes set to rise, and a 0.9 percent Hospital Insurance (HI) tax applicable to earnings of self-employed individuals or employee wages in excess of
Year-end Tax Planning for Individuals Read More »