December 16, 2025 / by Brett Hess / Tax
You likely have a lot of things to do between now and the end of the year, such as holiday shopping, donating to your favorite charities and planning get-togethers with family and friends. For older taxpayers with one or more tax-advantaged retirement accounts, as well as younger taxpayers who’ve inherited such an account, there may […]
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Quadrupled SALT Deduction Limit Means More Taxpayers Will Benefit From Itemizing on Their 2025 Returns
February 26, 2026 / by Brett Hess / Tax
An important decision to make when filing your individual income tax return is whether to claim the standard deduction or itemize deductions. A change under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will make it beneficial for more taxpayers to itemize deductions on their 2025 returns. Specifically, if you paid more than $10,000 in state […]
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Before Claiming a Charitable Deduction for 2025, Make Sure You Can Substantiate It
February 19, 2026 / by Brett Hess / Tax
If you itemize deductions on your 2025 individual income tax return, you potentially can deduct donations to qualified charities you made last year. But your gifts must be substantiated in accordance with IRS requirements. Exactly what’s required depends on various factors. In some cases, you must have a written acknowledgment from the charity. Substantiating cash […]
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There’s Still Time to Set up a SEP and Reduce Your 2025 Taxes
February 3, 2026 / by Brett Hess / Tax
If you own a business or are self-employed and haven’t already set up a tax-advantaged retirement plan, consider establishing one before you file your 2025 tax return. If you choose a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), you’ll be able make deductible 2025 contributions to it, saving you taxes. Not only is the SEP deadline favorable, but […]
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Tax Filing FAQs for Individuals
January 23, 2026 / by Brett Hess / Tax
The IRS is opening the filing season for 2025 individual income tax returns on January 26. This is about the same time as when the agency began accepting and processing 2024 tax year returns last year, despite IRS staffing having been significantly reduced since then. Here are answers to some FAQs about filing. When is […]
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When medical expenses are — and aren’t — tax deductible
January 20, 2026 / by Brett Hess / Tax
If you had significant medical expenses last year, you may be wondering what you can deduct on your 2025 income tax return. Income-based thresholds and other rules can make it hard to claim the medical expense deduction. At the same time, more types of expenses may be eligible than you might expect. Limits on the […]
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Important 2026 tax figures for businesses
January 16, 2026 / by Brett Hess / Small Business, Tax
A new year brings many new tax-related figures for businesses. Here’s an overview of key figures for 2026. Be aware that exceptions or additional rules or limits may apply. Depreciation-related tax breaks Bonus depreciation: 100% Section 179 expensing limit: $2.56 million Section 179 phaseout threshold: $4.09 million Qualified retirement plan limits 401(k), 403(b) and 457 […]
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New itemized deduction limitation will affect high-income individuals next year
December 23, 2025 / by Brett Hess / Tax
Beginning in 2026, taxpayers in the top federal income tax bracket will see their itemized deductions reduced. If you’re at risk, there are steps you can take before the end of 2025 to help mitigate the negative impact. The new limitation up close Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), certain itemized deductions of […]
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Checking off RMDs on the year-end to-do list
December 16, 2025 / by Brett Hess / Tax
You likely have a lot of things to do between now and the end of the year, such as holiday shopping, donating to your favorite charities and planning get-togethers with family and friends. For older taxpayers with one or more tax-advantaged retirement accounts, as well as younger taxpayers who’ve inherited such an account, there may […]
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Have you used up your 2025 FSA funds?
December 5, 2025 / by Brett Hess / Tax
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer to help pay for health or dependent care expenses, now’s a good time to check your balance. FSAs save taxes, but they generally require you to incur expenses to use the funds by year end or forfeit them. Here’s a refresher on the rules […]
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Shift income to take advantage of the 0% long-term capital gains rate
November 24, 2025 / by Brett Hess / Tax
Are you thinking about making financial gifts to loved ones? Would you also like to reduce your capital gains tax? If so, consider giving appreciated stock instead of cash. You might be able to eliminate all federal tax liability on the appreciation — or at least significantly reduce it. Leveraging lower rates Investors generally are subject to […]
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