- Standard Deduction for Dependents: Rules and Strategies
When it comes to taxes, dependents can affect your return in ways many families don’t expect. Whether you’re claiming a young child, a college student or an aging parent, understanding how deductions and credits apply may change how much you owe or receive. From the standard deduction rules to tax credits like the child tax… read more…
- Standard Deduction for Married Filing Separately: Tax planning
Deciding how to file your taxes as a married couple can have a meaningful impact on your return. Depending on your situation, it may affect how much you owe or receive. Many couples assume married filing jointly is always the better choice, but that may not be true in every case. Some may choose to… read more…
- Standard Deduction for a Widow Over 65: Rules and Strategies
The standard deduction for a widow over 65 can be higher than that of the average taxpayer. This has the potential to lower your taxable income and reduce your federal tax bill. This is because widows may be able to file as a “qualifying surviving spouse.” They have two tax years following their spouse’s death… read more…
- Cross-Border Tax Accountant: Services and Examples
When your financial life involves more than one country, taxes can get complex. This is true for expats, dual citizens, digital nomads and business owners with activity abroad. A cross-border tax accountant can help you handle international filing rules and reporting obligations. They work with issues like double taxation, foreign tax credits and returns required… read more…
- Dependent Care FSA: High Income Earners
For high-income earners, balancing a demanding career with the rising costs of childcare can quickly become a financial juggling act. Even families earning six figures can find that daycare, nannies or after-school programs absorb a surprising portion of their budget. That’s where a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) comes in. As a tax-advantaged tool,… read more…
- Standard Deduction for Married Filing Jointly: Strategy and Examples
One of the biggest tax decisions that a couple can make is whether to take the standard deduction or itemize. The standard deduction offers a straightforward way to reduce your taxable income. In 2025 it’s more valuable than ever thanks to inflation adjustments and new provisions for older taxpayers. Understanding how it works, when to… read more…
- Extra Standard Deduction for Seniors Over 65: Requirements
Turning 65 doesn’t just mark a milestone in life, it can also unlock valuable tax savings. The IRS grants seniors an extra standard deduction. This deduction can lower taxable income by thousands of dollars, helping stretch retirement savings further. Whether you’re newly retired or planning ahead, understanding how this deduction works, and when it makes… read more…
- Standard Deduction for Singles: Strategy and Examples
Filing taxes can feel overwhelming, but one of the most important decisions you’ll make is also one of the simplest: whether to take the standard deduction. For single filers, this deduction offers a powerful way to lower your taxable income without diving into piles of receipts or complicated calculations. Knowing how the standard deduction for… read more…
- Tax Credits for Students: Tips and Strategies
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but smart tax planning can make a real difference. The IRS offers several education tax incentives to help students and families cut costs, lower their tax bill and even get a refund. Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student or a parent supporting a student, understanding how these… read more…
- Taxable Income vs. AGI: Key Differences and Examples
While taxable income and adjusted gross income (AGI) might sound similar, they refer to different stages of your income after certain deductions and adjustments have been applied. AGI starts with your gross income and subtracts specific adjustments, such as retirement contributions or student loan interest, to arrive at a baseline number. Taxable income then takes… read more…
- Capital Gains Exemption for Primary Residence: Tax Rules
Selling your home can have tax consequences if its value has gone up. The IRS offers an exemption that lets you exclude some of the profit from capital gains tax when selling your primary residence, as long as you meet certain rules. This can save you a significant amount of money. Knowing how the exemption… read more…
- Do Capital Gains Count as Income? Tax Definition and Examples
Capital gains count as taxable income and can affect your tax bracket, deductions and rates. They are taxed as short-term or long-term gains depending on how long you owned the asset and your total income. Short-term gains are taxed at regular income rates, while long-term gains often have lower rates. A financial advisor can help… read more…
- Can You Deduct Mortgage Interest on a Second Home?
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, the mortgage interest deduction limits established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were made permanent. For loans taken out after December 15, 2017, taxpayers may deduct interest on up to $750,000 of combined mortgage debt across primary and secondary residences. Mortgages originated prior to that date… read more…
- Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Tips? Trump Tax Changes
Traditionally, all tip income was taxable, and workers had to report any cash tips exceeding $20 per month to their employer. But in 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill introduced temporary exemptions: individuals can deduct up to $25,000 in tips from their income if they meet all the qualifications (though tips will still be subject… read more…
- SALT Write-Offs: Trump Tax Changes and Requirements
The state and local tax (SALT) deduction lets taxpayers write off certain state and local taxes from their federal taxable income. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, the annual SALT write-off cap was raised from $10,000 to $40,000 for tax years 2025 through 2029.… read more…
- Can You Deduct Charitable Donations Without Itemizing Taxes?
For many taxpayers, the standard deduction makes it unnecessary to itemize. However, this also limits which deductions you can claim, including donations to charity. Recent tax changes have affected claiming and qualifying for charitable deductions if you don’t itemize your return. Knowing the current rules can help you plan your donations and potentially reduce your… read more…
- HSA vs. FSA vs. HRA: Tax Benefits and Requirements
Health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) offer tax benefits. But each has its own rules about who can contribute, how funds are used, who owns the account and whether unused money can carry over to the next year. Some accounts are only offered through employers, while others can… read more…
- Trump Tax Plan Auto Deduction
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act interest paid on certain car loans would become tax-deductible. If you purchased a personal-use vehicle after December 31, 2024, and financed it with a qualified loan, you may be able to deduct up to $10,000 in interest per year through 2028, even if you don’t itemize. However, income… read more…
- Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Rebates? Rules and Examples
When you score that great mail-in offer or discount, you might wonder: Do you have to pay taxes on rebates? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Generally, the IRS doesn’t consider most consumer rebates as taxable income. When a manufacturer’s rebate reduces the purchase price, that’s typically not a taxable event. Think of it as simply… read more…
- What Disqualifies You From the Earned Income Credit?
The earned income tax credit (EITC) offers support to low- and moderate-income workers, but certain conditions can make you ineligible. You may be disqualified if your income is too high, if you have significant investment income, or if you are married but filing separately. You also cannot claim the credit without valid Social Security numbers… read more…
- Schedule E Tax Form: When and How to File
If you earn income from rental properties, royalties, partnerships, S corporations, estates or trusts, you’ll likely need to submit Schedule E with your tax return. This supplemental federal income tax form, officially titled “Supplemental Income and Loss,” is where you report income beyond your regular wages or salary. Because of its complexity and potential impact… read more…
- Guide to Canada-U.S. Cross-Border Tax Planning
Cross-border tax planning between Canada and the U.S. will require you to manage income, assets and residency to avoid double taxation and meet rules in both countries. Key differences in retirement accounts, capital gains and estate taxes can create issues without careful planning. Tax treaties help, but dual filers and investors still face complex reporting.… read more…
- Guide to U.K-U.S. Cross-Border Tax Planning
U.K.-U.S. tax planning involves understanding how income, residency and asset ownership are taxed under both British and American law. Dual residents, expatriates and cross-border investors often face parallel filing obligations, with each country maintaining its own system for taxing worldwide income. While a bilateral tax treaty exists to help reduce the chance of double taxation,… read more…
- How to Calculate Your Taxable Income: Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing your taxable income helps you make smarter choices about deductions, retirement contributions and how much tax to withhold. It can also prevent surprises at tax time. If your finances are more complex—like having multiple income sources or major life changes—a financial advisor can help you lower your taxes while following IRS rules. How to… read more…
- Cross-Border Tax Planning: A Comprehensive Guide
Cross-border tax planning involves structuring your finances to account for tax laws in more than one country. Whether you are an expatriate, a business owner with international operations or an investor earning income abroad, differing tax rules can shape how income, gains and assets are taxed. Factors such as tax treaties, residency rules and reporting… read more…