Does your employer provide you with group term life insurance? If so, and depending on the amount of coverage, this employee benefit may create undesirable income tax consequences for you. The first $50,000 of group term life insurance coverage that your employer provides is excluded from taxable income and doesn’t add anything to your income […]
Author Archive | James B. Reynolds
Are scholarships tax-free or taxable?
If your child has been awarded a scholarship, congratulations! But be aware that there may be tax implications. Scholarships and fellowships are generally tax-free for students at elementary, middle and high schools, as well as those attending college, graduate school or accredited vocational schools. It doesn’t matter if the scholarship makes a direct payment to […]
Take advantage of a “stepped-up basis” when you inherit property
If you’re planning your estate, or you’ve inherited assets, you may be unsure of the “cost” (or “basis”) for tax purposes. Under the fair market value basis rules (also known as the “step-up and step-down” rules), an heir receives a basis in inherited property equal to its date-of-death value. For example, if your grandfather bought […]
Conduct a “paycheck checkup” to make sure your withholding is adequate
Did you recently file your tax return and receive a refund that was smaller than you were expecting? Or did you wind up owing additional tax when you filed your return? That might mean it’s time to check and adjust your withholding. This might be necessary due to changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs […]
After you file your tax return: 3 issues to consider
After filing a 2019 tax return, there may still be three issues to bear in mind. 1) You can check up on your refund. Go to irs.gov and click on “Get Your Refund Status” to find out. 2) Some tax records can now be thrown out. You should generally save statements, receipts, etc. for three […]
Some people are required to return Economic Impact Payments that were sent erroneously
Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) are being sent to eligible individuals in response to the financial impact caused by COVID-19. However, the IRS says some payments were sent erroneously and should be returned. For example, an EIP made to someone who died before receipt of the payment should be returned. The entire EIP should be returned […]
What qualifies as a “coronavirus-related distribution” from a retirement plan?
The CARES Act allows qualified people to take “coronavirus-related distributions” from retirement plans without paying tax. So how do you qualify? You can take up to $100,000 in coronavirus-related distributions made from an eligible retirement plan between Jan. 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. If you repay the distribution to your IRA or plan within 3 […]
If you’re selling your home, don’t forget about taxes
Traditionally, spring and summer are popular times for selling a home. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has resulted in a slowdown in sales. The National Association of Realtors reports that existing home sales in April decreased 17.2% from April 2019. Still, many people are selling this year. If you’re one of them, it’s a good time […]
Seniors: Can you deduct Medicare premiums?
If you’re age 65 and older, and you have basic Medicare insurance, you may need to pay additional premiums to get the level of coverage you want. The premiums can be costly, especially if you’re married and both you and your spouse are paying them. But there may be a silver lining: You may qualify […]
A nonworking spouse can still have an IRA
It’s often hard for married couples to save for retirement when one spouse doesn’t work. An IRA contribution is generally only allowed if you have compensation. However, an exception exists. A spousal IRA allows a contribution to be made for a nonworking spouse.
