If you were surprised at tax time this year, then you’re not alone. 2022 tax refunds were about 10 percent smaller than they were last year, and for those who owed money, they tended to owe more than they expected. The good news is, there’s still time to plan out how to lower your tax bill for next year - or at least feel more aware of what you will owe or receive. Taking the time now to make Continue Reading
Tax Changes This Year: Solar Panel Tax Credit, Electric Vehicle Tax Credit and More
Whether you’re preparing to file, waiting on a refund, or have already paid your tax bill, you might notice some differences this year. First of all, many taxpayers are noticing smaller refunds or higher tax bills this year than in the previous two years. That’s because many pandemic relief programs have ended or decreased, leading to a higher tax burden for many people. Additionally, the Continue Reading
How to Use Your Tax Refund in 2022
If you’ve already filed your taxes and received your refund, you might already be thinking of ways to use that refund. Save it? Pay down debt? Book a summer trip? All of the above could be the right answer depending on your situation. Here are some tips for putting that money to the best possible use in 2022: Avoid impulse tax refund spending If you received a tax refund, then you might already Continue Reading
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Identity theft is a real problem, and it can happen to anyone. Identity theft cases often spike, or are first discovered, during tax season. If you found suspicious activity while filing, or are hoping to protect yourself from other forms of identity theft, there are some important ways to fortify yourself against attack. Warning signs of tax identity theft Now that the tax deadline has Continue Reading
Check These Spring Financial Tasks Off Your List
Taxes get all the attention each spring, but there are some other spring financial tasks that you might be forgetting about. Tax day has moved to May 17th this year, but that doesn’t mean other key deadlines have changed. Here are some additional tasks to take care of this time of year: Spring Financial Tasks: IRA Withdrawal Deadline Did you or a loved one recently turn 72? If so, mark April Continue Reading
The Benefits of Filing Taxes Early
It’s tax time again! It may not be the most wonderful time of the year, but it is a necessary evil. If you tend to put off filing taxes until the last minute, you might want to consider filing taxes early this year. Here are a few of the benefits of sending in your taxes early: Why You Should Consider Filing Taxes Early in 2021 We actually had to wait 16 more days to begin filing taxes this Continue Reading
Filing Your 2019 Taxes: Reminders and Limits
Ready to file your 2019 taxes? (Or not?) Don’t stress: Here is my roundup guide to help the filing process be a little less painful: Know Your Limits Do you know where you fell last year on the tax brackets? If not, you can find the 7 brackets here via the IRS website. Here are some other limits you might need to know: The 2019 standard deduction is $24,400 for married filing jointly, Continue Reading
Tax Tips for Easier Filing
Nothing says “happy spring!” quite like tax time. If that looming April 15th deadline gives you a headache, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. The best way to tackle your taxes is to take them one step a time. Here is a roundup of my top tax tips to help you cruise through tax season a little easier: Gather Your Documents Whether you’re doing taxes on your own or Continue Reading
Last Minute Opportunities to Save on Taxes
Most of the actions you can take to reduce your tax bill have to happen by the end of the taxable year (a.k.a. December 31st.) However, there are still a few opportunities to save money on your taxes this year. The changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mean that many Americans will see a lower refund or end up owing this year. So this is a good time to do what you can to save yourself a little Continue Reading
Tax Refund Mistakes and How to Fix Them
It’s nearly the official tax deadline, which means you will soon have your tax refund in hand. A tax refund can be a nice boost to your savings or debt payoff, and it can even pay for a little fun. Whatever you decide to do with your refund, it’s important that you make a plan for that money. Otherwise, you could end up using it to fund random purchases you’ll regret down the road. Keep Continue Reading