Watch Out for ‘Ghost’ Tax Return Preparers!
Unfortunately, the list of tax scams one must be wary of during tax season is fairly lengthy. And, though you should watch out for all the scams on that list, there’s one that is particularly prominent and sneaky, and has subsequently victimized many: ghost tax return preparers. Whether you’ve already finished your taxes this year […]
How to Identify and Prevent A Phishing Attack During Tax Season
Each year, the IRS releases its’ “Dirty Dozen,” which is a list of the top 12 tax scams to watch out for. And, this year, the scheme that made the top of the list is certainly one that has fooled many: phishing attacks.
How to Protect Yourself from Scams this Tax Season
Each year, while in the midst of tax season, taxpayers in North Carolina are warned to be wary of criminals posing as tax agents that carry out different scams. However, with every tax season comes increasingly sophisticated tax schemes, resulting in more and more reports of tax scams each year. In fact, according to a […]
6 Reasons Small Business Owners Need to Hire a CPA this Tax Season
Each year, millions of taxpayers around the country take it upon themselves to navigate through the complexities of tax preparation. However, attempting to prepare one’s taxes without assistance is very similar to attempting to perform surgery on oneself without proper training. This does not apply as much to individuals with simple income tax returns and […]
Charitable Giving Changes with the New Tax Law
When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed in late 2017, it did not remove the deduction for cash and appreciated assets for nonprofit agencies. National and local nonprofits let out a collective ‘sigh of relief’ knowing donations for 2018 will remain but may look different. Exactly how different?
Beware Criminals Posing as the IRS
Scammers posing as the IRS are making threatening phone calls and using email scams to scare taxpayers. Learn how you can tell the difference between a scam and something legit.
Being Realistic About Your Retirement Age
Building a formal retirement plan around a certain age may cause you to make drastic changes if something goes wrong. Learn how to plan for the unexpected.
Why Should I Be Checking My Federal Income Tax Withholdings?
Over the last few weeks, the IRS has been issuing news releases stating that employees should check their withholding…soon. There seems to be a lot of urgency in these notices, don’t you think? While it’s always good to check your withholdings from time to time, the IRS almost seems nervous about 2018 withholdings. Find out why.
Do I Need to Claim My Dependents on My 2018 Tax Return?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed on December 22, 2017 made many changes to individual taxes beginning in 2018. One of those changes was the elimination of a deduction for personal exemptions and replacing it with a higher standard deduction.
The question becomes, if I don’t get a deduction for my dependents, is there any reason to list them on the return? The answer is: absolutely yes.
Choosing a Successor for Your Family Business
If your retirement is approaching, it’s time to consider who you may choose as a successor. It can be a daunting decision because of the amount of trust that you are placing in the person you choose. If you run a family business, it is important to separate your opinions as a family member from […]