The executor’s role is critical to the administration of an estate and the achievement of estate planning objectives. So your first instinct may be to name a trusted family member as executor (also referred to as a personal representative). But that might not be the best choice. Important duties [...]
Certain tax return and extension due dates will change for taxable years ending on or after December 31, 2016, based on provisions included in the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 that was signed into law on July 31st, 2015. The changes represent years [...]
Why Making Annual Exclusion Gifts Before Year End Can Still be a Good Idea A tried-and-true estate planning strategy is to make tax-free gifts to loved ones during life, because it reduces potential estate tax at death. There are many ways to make tax-free gifts, but one of the [...]
You may be aware of the rule that allows businesses to deduct bonuses employees have earned during a tax year if the bonuses are paid within 2½ months after the end of that year (by March 15 for a calendar-year company). But this favorable tax treatment isn’t always available. [...]
There’s Still Time to Benefit on Your 2016 Tax Bill by Buying Business Assets In order to take advantage of two important depreciation tax breaks for business assets, you must place the assets in service by the end of the tax year. So you still have time to act [...]
Overtime Regulation Changes
The last month or so of the year offers accrual-basis taxpayers an opportunity to make some timely moves that might enable them to save money on their 2016 tax bill. Record and recognize The key to saving tax as an accrual-basis taxpayer is to properly record and recognize expenses [...]
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Life insurance can be a powerful financial and estate planning tool, but its benefits may be reduced or even eliminated if you designate the wrong beneficiary or fail to change beneficiaries when your circumstances change. Here are common pitfalls to avoid: Naming your estate as beneficiary. Doing so subjects [...]
Your estate plan likely accommodates your spouse, children and grandchildren. But have you overlooked your parents? How can you best handle their financial affairs in the later stages of life? You may want to incorporate their needs into your own estate plan while tweaking, when necessary, the arrangements they’ve [...]
