Money Saving Tips - Herman & Co. CPA

Simple Tax Savings Techniques for Security Gains

The market swings over the last several years may have you wondering whether it’s time to capitalize on some market gains. While taxes should not be the main consideration in this decision, they certainly need to be considered, as they can make a significant impact on your investment return.

Tax Calendar for 2014

October 15: Personal returns that received an automatic six-month extension must be filed today and any tax, interest and penalties due must be paid.

2015 HSA amounts

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were created as a tax-favored framework to provide health care benefits mainly for small business owners, the self-employed, and employees of small to medium-size companies who do not have access to health insurance.

Midyear Tax Planning Ideas

Tax planning is a year-round process, so now is a good time to think about the following:Are you considering making a cash gift to a relative? If so, consider making the gift in conjunction with the overall revamping of your stocks and mutual funds held in taxable brokerage accounts to achieve better tax results

Federal Income Tax Withholding Adjustment & Tax Calendar

With over half the year already gone, now is a good time to check to see if you are on track to have about the right amount of federal income tax withheld from your paychecks for 2014. The problem with not having the correct amount of taxes withheld for the year is that:

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics

The 2015 application period opened May 5, 2014, and closes June 20, 2014. The 2015 Publication 3319, LITC Grant Application Package and Guidelines will be available on IRS.gov and two copies will be shipped to all current clinics. Organizations that must submit a full application must do so via Grants.gov and those that do not must complete their application in Grant Solutions.

Taxing a Child’s Investment Income

Some children who receive investment income are required to file a tax return and pay tax on at least a portion of that income (and possibly at the parents’ marginal tax rate). This is often referred to as the kiddie tax

Taxing Social Security Benefits

Some taxpayers must include up to 85% of their Social Security benefits in taxable income, while others find that their benefits are not taxable at all.

Double Benefit From a Tax Deduction

For most taxpayers, the amount of federal income tax they pay depends on where they fall in the federal income tax brackets and the breakdown of their taxable income between ordinary (e.g., wages) and capital gains from the sale of assets (e.g., common stock). Taxpayers eligible for the lower federal income tax brackets (those under 25%) on their ordinary income can generally expect to be taxed at 0% on their long-term capital gains. Taxpayers in the 25% or higher federal income tax brackets can generally expect to be taxed at either 15% or 20% (again, exceptions apply) on at least a portion of their long-term capital gains.

Implications Of Filing An Extension For Your Tax Return

Tick… tick… tick…

That’s the sound of the tax-filing clock winding down to April 15. What if you don’t think you’ll make the deadline? The consequences may not be as serious as you fear — if you take some simple steps before the deadline.