If you’re taking your first steps on your estate planning journey, congratulations! No one likes to contemplate his or her mortality, but having a plan in place can provide you and your loved ones peace of mind should you unexpectedly become incapacitated or die. Here are five basic pitfalls you’ll want to avoid: Pitfall #1: The post Beware these 5 estate planning pitfalls appeared first on Crawford Ellenbogen ..read more

Buckle up, America: Major tax changes are on the horizon. The reason has to do with tax law and the upcoming elections. Our current situation The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which generally took effect in 2018, made sweeping changes. Many of its provisions are set to expire on December 31, 2025. With this The post What might be ahead as many tax provisions are scheduled to expire? appeared first on Crawford Ellenbogen ..read more

There are many rewards for taking care of an elderly relative. They may include feeling needed, making a difference in the person’s life and allowing the person to receive quality care. In addition, you could also be eligible for tax breaks. Here’s a rundown of four of them: 1. Medical expenses. If the individual qualifies The post You may be entitled to tax breaks if caring for an elderly relative appeared first on Crawford Ellenbogen ..read more

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the third quarter of 2024. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements. July The post 2024 Q3 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers appeared first on Crawford Ellenbogen ..read more

The IRS recently released the inflation-adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) next year. For 2025, the annual contribution limit for an individual with self-only coverage under an HDHP will be $4,300. For an individual with family coverage, the amount will be $8,550. These are up from $4,150 and $8,300, respectively, for 2024. For calendar year 2025, an HDHP will be a health plan with an annual deductible that isn’t less than $1,650 for self-only coverage or $3,300 for family coverage. And annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-payments and other amounts, but not premium ..read more

The IRS recently issued a news release (IR-2024-65) warning that only qualified medical expenses are eligible for deductions or reimbursements from tax-advantaged accounts or arrangements. Personal expenses for “general health and wellness” aren’t. The news release specifically addresses health Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements and Medical Savings Accounts. The tax agency is concerned about “aggressive marketing” from companies claiming that a doctor’s note can “convert” purchases of nonmedical food, wellness or exercise products or service ..read more

A recent study found that background checks on job candidates aren’t always accurate, but that doesn’t mean employers should give up on them. Comprehensive and legally compliant background checks, properly conducted by either your organization or a trusted third party, can still reveal noteworthy information about job applicants. Examples include resumé inaccuracies, financial difficulties, and criminal charges or convictions. While conducting background checks, be sure to make legal compliance your highest priority. Particularly germane is the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Work with a qualified ..read more

Not only is April 15 the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return and pay any taxes due, it’s also the deadline to file a gift tax return. If you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members in 2023, you may have to file a gift tax return. It’s due by April 15 of the year after you make the gift, so the deadline for 2023 gifts is coming up soon. But you can extend the deadline to October 15 by filing for an extension. When a return is required Generally, a federal gift tax return (Form 709) is required if you make gifts to or for someone during the year that exceed the annual gift ..read more

With the rising cost of college, many families are in search of scholarships to help pay the bills. If your child is awarded a scholarship, you may wonder about how it could affect your family’s taxes. Good news: Scholarships (and fellowships) are generally tax-free for students at elementary, middle and high schools, as well as those attending college, graduate school or an accredited vocational school. It doesn’t matter if the scholarship makes a direct payment to the individual or reduces tuition. Requirements for tax-free treatment Despite this generally favorable treatment, scholarships a ..read more

Asset misappropriation schemes make up more than half of all occupational fraud schemes, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. It’s a broad category that includes everything from skimming cash to stealing inventory to paying “ghost” employees. One hotspot for asset misappropriation is the accounts receivables department, where dishonest staffers could potentially divert customer payments for their own use. If you don’t have strong internal controls for receivables, what are you waiting for? Lapping leads The most common form of receivables fraud is lapping, where perp ..read more