For one reason or another, you may need to take some money out of an IRA before reaching retirement. You can withdraw money from an IRA at any time and for any reason, but it's important to keep in mind that most IRA withdrawals are at least partially taxable. In other words, you'll owe regular income tax on the amount. In addition, the taxable portion of a withdrawal taken before age 59 1/2, which is called an "early withdrawal," will be hit with a 10% penalty — unless you qualify for an exception.
In the News
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Passive job candidates aren't lazy. They're just people who aren't actively looking for work because they're happy where they are. But that doesn't mean they might not be even happier working for you. You might assume luring people to join your team would require you to give them a hefty raise, but that's not necessarily true. This article looks at why you might want to go fishing in the passive candidate pond and suggests some ideas for creating effective bait
Thursday, December 5, 2019
In the past, home office deductions were available to a wide range of taxpayers, including certain employees who worked from home. But the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has effectively eliminated home office deductions for employees through 2025. Fortunately, many self-employed individuals can still claim deductions — even if they don't itemize deductions on their tax returns.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
As you know, we spend a lot of time in this e-newsletter talking about tax return filing responsibilities. But not everyone is required to file. If a person's income falls below prescribed levels, he or she may not have to bother. However, as we'll explain, it may be a good idea to file even if it's not required.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Are you thinking about buying a business? How you structure the deal will affect the taxes owed by the buyer (you) and the seller (the other party).
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Nearly everyone should consider updating his or her estate plan. This is smart advice even if you're not currently exposed to the federal estate tax. Year end can be a convenient time to reflect on major life changes and plan for the future, including devising strategies to minimize taxes.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Today's college students often leave school with an overwhelming amount of debt. In some cases, student loans are discharged (also known as being cancelled or forgiven). In other cases, these loans are paid off by an employer. Both actions have tax consequences for the student loan borrowers. We'll explain the tax implications, but first, let's cover some necessary background information.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Soon you may not be able to pass through security checkpoints at your local airport using your current form of identification, even if you're just flying domestically. The crackdown is aimed at U.S. citizens who don't yet have a "Real ID-compliant" driver's license, United States passport, United States military ID or another acceptable form of identification.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a tax-smart way to cover an individual's uninsured medical expenses. Your business can set up HSAs for qualifying employees. Then the business can fully or partially fund the accounts or let employees fund them with salary-reduction contributions.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Do you plan on making contributions to charity this year? If you're in a giving mood, you may be rewarded with sizeable charitable deductions on your tax return. But the tax law is fraught with numerous twists and turns, so you must be careful to navigate the rules.
