- Don’t Overlook the Spousal IRA
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One frequently overlooked tax benefit is the “spousal IRA.” Generally, IRA contributions are only allowed for taxpayers who have compensation (the term “compensation” includes: wages, tips, bonuses, professional fees, commissions, alimony received, and net income from self-employment). Spousal IRAs are the exception to that rule and allow a non-working or low-earning spouse to contribute to his or her own IRA, otherwise known as a spousal IRA, as long as the spouse has adequate compensation.
- The Affordable Care Act Can Bring Surprises at Tax Time
- The Affordable Care Act, the federal health care law, will bring some surprises at tax time for many. This year there are two new issues that can complicate the preparation of almost anyone's tax return. First, there is the shared responsibility payment, a nice name the government gave to the penalty for not being insured. So everyone who is uninsured is subject to a monthly penalty, assessed on the individual 1040 tax return, unless they meet one or more of the many exceptions to the penalty. Many of the exceptions are complicated and difficult to understand by a layman.
- President's Budget Proposal
- The President's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Proposal was just released and includes a number of tax proposals that would increase the taxes on higher-income taxpayers and provide more tax breaks for low- to middle-income taxpayers. The following are some highlights of the budget proposal that would impact individuals and small businesses, but remember these are proposals only.
- Retirement Savings: the Earlier, the Better
- Generally, teenagers and young adults do not consider the long-term benefits of retirement savings. Their priorities for their earnings are more for today than that distant and rarely considered retirement. Yet contributions to a retirement plan early in life can enjoy years of growth and provide a substantial nest egg at retirement.
- Tuition for School to Treat Learning Disabilities is Deductible
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IRS has privately ruled that for a child diagnosed with multiple learning disabilities, tuition paid to attend a school designed to assist students in overcoming their disabilities and developing appropriate social and educational skills was a deductible medical expense.
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