More Questions for a New CPA

More Questions for a New CPA

I’m a very empathetic person — so much so that sometimes I break out in a cold sweat worrying about people I will never meet. Will they ask the right questions when they go to an accountant? Once again I’ve put together a list of questions for you to ask. How often...
Hiring an Accountant? Ask These Questions

Hiring an Accountant? Ask These Questions

Seasons change, and so do our expectations of people. It seems like this year a lot of people are starting to think that maybe they need a new tax preparer. Many weren’t happy with last year, or they did it themselves on TurboTax or something, and it was an...
Passport Trivia

Passport Trivia

I don’t know if my readers can tell, but I love to travel. I also have really bad nightmares where I realize I don’t have my passport on me on the way to the airport. Passports are the original gatekeepers, and it’s worth learning some of the rules surrounding them....
Scamming Is the World’s Oldest Profession

Scamming Is the World’s Oldest Profession

Tax fraudsters are…doing their thing. I keep an ear close to the ground and I haven’t heard about anything new under the sun this year. Meanwhile, non-tax scammers are flourishing, angling to intercept our tax refunds after we receive them.  If you ever get a call...
It’s a Movement: Disney Is Too Expensive

It’s a Movement: Disney Is Too Expensive

Disney has been getting a lot of bad press for their out-of-control pricing. There’s no question anymore that Disney only enjoys shaking you down for money…all the livelong day. Let’s take a look at their flagship park, Disney World. I don’t know if companies realize...
Last-Minute Tax Check

Last-Minute Tax Check

As tax time grinds on, it’s all about documents, documents, documents. We talked about it a little bit, but I thought maybe we could go into further detail. Get together last year’s tax return: Especially when going to a new accountant, you need to dust off your...
Tax Strategies for Bequeathing Your Wealth

Tax Strategies for Bequeathing Your Wealth

When people are planning their estates, they often come to the point where they have to decide how to distribute a lump sum of money. The reason it’s an issue is, of course, taxes. While the federal inheritance tax has a fairly generous threshold at $13,610,000 for...
Divorce: Knowledge is Power

Divorce: Knowledge is Power

If you’re contemplating a divorce, it’s really important — even before you go to an attorney — to get your paperwork in order. The best defense is not offense, it’s knowledge. Granted, achieving that knowledge is easier said than done, especially in the...
Pre-Tax Preparation

Pre-Tax Preparation

As January 31 approaches, your mailbox should start filling up with forms like we talked about last week and earlier this month. But we’re not done! Form 1098: Use Form 1098 (Info Copy Only) to report mortgage interest of $600 or more received by you during the year...
Know Your Forms

Know Your Forms

The gig economy — and 2024’s new reporting rules for PayPal, etc. — are going to make 1099s more “popular” than ever. There is a dizzying array of situations that call for 1099s, and it’s on us to know.    For example, there’s a long-standing rule at the IRS which...