A & B Tax Services

Now is the time to plan next year's retirement contributions. Here's what you need to know.

Plan Your 2024 Retirement Contributions 2023 contribution limits are set for retirement plans. Now is a good time to plan for your upcoming retirement contributions.

There's still time to lower this year's tax bill with these ideas, plus some tax surprises to be on the lookout for. All this plus a fun holiday quiz to impress family and friends!

Client Update Newsletter: December 2023 The temperature isn’t the only thing falling this time of year. Your 2023 tax bill can also be falling with a little bit of proactive planning, but time is running out! To help you make the most of potential tax saving moves before the end of the year, this month's newsletter features several...

Another late law change impacts what the IRS will see regarding small business activity for individuals that often don't think they are in business. Here is what you need to know.

Late Breaking News: New 1099-K Requirements Delayed - You will be surprised how many are impacted If you sell concert or sporting event tickets, sell items on Amazon or eBay, or accept payments using digital tools like Venmo...READ THIS!

The window to lower your taxes is quickly closing. Here are tips to know when you need a review.

Tax Planning Triggers - When to know to conduct a tax review There is still time left in the year to impact your tax obligation, but only if you act soon. Here are some key triggers that mean a planning session might be in order.

Sales to related parties, like children, grandchildren and siblings can cause tax trouble if you aren't careful. Before you act, call to discuss the specifics of your transaction.

Selling Property to Family Creates Tax Complications Selling property to family is a common practice, but these transactions can have some unfavorable consequences if not planned for in advance. Here are four common related party situations and tips to help you avoid tax trouble.

The key to business success is understanding cash flow. Here are three great tips.

Tax & Business Newsletter: November 2023 This month's newsletter focuses on two topics critical for your business: cash flow and raising prices. The cash flow article presents three ideas you can immediately implement to help your business's cash situation, while the raising prices article provides some thoughts to consider as you approach...

As year-end approaches it's important to understand the transaction trends within your mutual funds. Taxable dividends and distributions from mutual funds can bring surprising additional taxes.

Surprise! The Mutual Fund Tax Trap Year end moves by mutual fund managers often cause tax obligations for their fund owners. These surprises come in the way of 1099 DIV and 1099 B tax forms. Here are some ideas to help manage the problem.

IRS audits are about to become more common place. Your best defense, be prepared. Here are some great ideas.

Audit Proof Your Deductions - Your best audit defense Taking valid deductions on your tax return is your right. Defending your deductions is going to be more common place as the IRS hires more staff. Here are some tips.

There's still time to lower your tax bill this year. But you need to act now! Find out more here.

Client Update Newsletter: November 2023 This month's newsletter outlines Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment for 2024, plus some basic information on how Social Security works. And there is still time to take action to reduce this year's tax bill. Please review the tax planning articles to bring some ideas top of mind for yo...

Happy Halloween 👻 🎃

Do you know the benefits of municipal bonds? Here is what you should know.

Time to Reconsider Municipal Bonds With the rise in interest rates, it is time once again to consider investment alternatives versus parking your money in a low interest savings account or in higher risk stocks. Here is a summary of the tax benefits of municipal bonds.

Consider withdrawing money from tax-deferred retirement accounts as soon as you turn 59 to reduce future tax risk on your Social Security benefits.

Tax Efficient Retirement Requires Planning - Large retirement account balances can cause tax problems A big surprise can occur when you see your Social Security Retirement Benefits being subject to income tax. This additional tax is often triggered by Retirement Account distributions. Are you prepared for this?

Cash is king for small businesses. Here are some tips to make sure you have enough cash to pay your bills over the next 12 months.

Tax & Business Newsletter: October 2023 Cash is key to running a successful small business. But how to manage cash can sometimes be a challenge. In this month’s newsletter, find out why working capital is important to your cash flow and how it can help pay your short-term bills. Also read about why keeping meeting minutes might be a...

$8,400 more of your income is subject to Social Security taxes in 2024. Here are the details.

Hike in Social Security Benefits Announced for 2024 - How much you pay and checks received are all going up! 2024 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) changes are here. This is what you need to know.

You can start receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 62, but you can give yourself a raise of 8% per year if you put it off.

How to Maximize Your Social Security - What every taxpayer should know When you decide to start taking your Social Security Benefit can have a big impact on the monthly amount you receive. Plan now to maximize your payments.

The IRS is NOT always right. Here are tips to help defend yourself in an audit. Plus great tips from recent tax court cases!

Client Update Newsletter: October 2023 Powerful. Always right. Intimidating. These are some of the descriptions used to describe our nation's tax collection agency, the IRS. But believe it or not, the IRS is wrong more often than you think. In this month's newsletter, read about several recent tax court cases, including one where the IRS...

Take advantage of all tax-free ideas. Many of them come from your employer. Here are a few to consider.

Employee Tax-Free Income Not everything is taxed. This is especially true of many employee benefits. Here is what you should know.

Here's an area of the tax code that surprises many with a larger tax bill.

Understanding Tax Terms: Depreciation Recapture Too many taxpayers using a home office or having rental property are surprised by their tax bill when they sell their property. A little understood area of the tax code called depreciation recapture is often the culprit.

How much should you pay yourself as a business owner? Here are some things to consider. Also find out why the IRS halted processing new Employee Retention Credit claims.

Tax & Business Newsletter: September 2023 Deciding how much to pay yourself as a business owner can be challenging. You need a certain amount to be able to pay your monthly personal bills, but you may also want to leave as much money as you can in your business to help it grow. In this month’s newsletter, read about three ideas to hel...

Did you know that business meals are deductible but business entertainment isn't? Make sure you keep a detailed expense log distinguishing the two.

Deduct Business Meals the Right Way If you own your own business, are self-employed or run a side business, can you deduct the cost of client meals? The answer is not so clear after the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Here are some tips to stay on the right side of the new rules.

Reminder: 3Q estimated taxes are due Friday, September 15. Here are some things to consider.

Reminder: Third Quarter Estimated Taxes Due - Now is the time to make your estimated tax payment If you have not already done so, please plan to make your third quarter estimated tax payment. The due date is Friday, September 15th.

With rising interest rates, the art of 0% financing is making a comeback. But buyer beware! Here is what you need to know.

Client Update Newsletter: September 2023 With interest rates continuing to increase, what could be better than making a purchase with 0% interest? In reality, financing a purchase with a 0% interest rate may be more trouble than it’s worth, as we explain in this month’s newsletter. Also discover the hidden tax benefits of ownin...

Understanding unearned income can be a great benefit in reducing your taxable income, but only if you understand what it is.

Understanding Tax Terms: Unearned Income - Not all income is the same in the eyes of the tax code What's in a name? If it is defining different types of income, it can mean more income tax obligations. Here are some things to know.