It’s back-to-school time. Why not take a page from the kids’ books and do some learning of your own? QuickBooks is easy to use, intuitive and flexible. But it is not an accounting manual or class or tutorial. If your business is exceptionally uncomplicated, you might get by without knowing a lot about the principles of bookkeeping. Still, it helps to understand the basics. … [Read more...] about 25 Accounting Terms You Should Know
Tips for Employers Who Outsource Payroll Duties
Many employers outsource their payroll and related tax duties to third-party payers such as payroll service providers and reporting agents. Reputable third-party payers can help employers streamline their business operations by collecting and timely depositing payroll taxes on the employer’s behalf and filing required payroll tax returns with state and federal … [Read more...] about Tips for Employers Who Outsource Payroll Duties
Tax Benefits for Military Personnel
If you’re a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, there are many tax benefits that may apply to you. Special tax rules apply to military members on active duty, including those serving in combat zones. These rules can help lower your federal taxes and make it easier to file your tax return. Here are some of the more prominent of those benefits: Combat Pay Exclusion—If you are an … [Read more...] about Tax Benefits for Military Personnel
Renting Your Home or Vacation Home
If you own a home in a vacation locale – whether it is your primary residence or a vacation home – and are considering renting it out to others, there are complicated tax rules referred to as the “vacation home rental rules” that you need to be aware of. Generally, the tax code breaks a “vacation rental” into three categories, each with a different treatment for income and … [Read more...] about Renting Your Home or Vacation Home
Caring for an Elderly or Incapacitated Individual
With individuals living longer, we frequently find ourselves in the position of caregiver for elderly or incapacitated individuals. Whether you’re caring for an incapacitated or elderly spouse, an elderly parent, or even a child, understanding potential tax advantages can relieve some of the financial burden associated with being a caregiver. The following are some tax aspects … [Read more...] about Caring for an Elderly or Incapacitated Individual