The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of December 2017 changes the way tax is calculated for retirees, just as it does for most taxpayers. In addition, tax brackets and rates have changed, the standard deduction has increased, personal exemptions are gone, and some deductions have been reduced or eliminated. Even though you’re no longer receiving employment income, the Internal Revenue Service advises that you review your tax situation to avoid surprises come April 2019. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll … Read more →

Most of us have heard the term “S corporation,” and many may know that it’s a somewhat sheltered form of business structure, but beyond that, there are many people who really don’t understand what an S corp is all about. If you’re the sole proprietor of a successful small business, it’s a good idea to understand what this business structure is all about, since it may be the next logical step for your company’s growth. Sometimes referred to as “C … Read more →

Whether you’re saving money for a vacation or just clearing your life of clutter, a garage sale serves the purpose and can often add the allure of a neighborhood social event. Regardless of your reasons, few will argue the satisfaction of a good cash return for the effort of days of hard work. Not only is money in your pocket a reward, it’s an indicator of the relative success of your event. Maximizing your profits is easy if you keep … Read more →

So you’re behind this month due to unexpected expenses. What’s your course of action? If you’re like many Americans, you may see about the possibility of putting extra hours at your job or adding a second job to extend your income. While it’s time-honored and effective for short-term situations, there’s a serious flaw in the concept. Whether your main job is salaried or hourly, you’re essentially selling your time. Certainly, your knowledge and expertise has value, but that may be … Read more →

If you own a home, you should have homeowner’s insurance, and if you have a mortgage on that home, your lender likely insists upon it. Insurance is one of those things that you may scramble for at the last minute when your home purchase is closing, or it may be something you renew without thought each year. There are things you need to know, however, to ensure you’re not caught short-handed when it comes to coverage. Today we’ll take a … Read more →

The Treasury Department released new income tax withholding tables in January, with updates to reflect the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which eliminated personal exemptions, raised standard deductions and cut individual income taxes. These changes may affect your take-home pay as early as February 2018. However, the IRS is still working on updates to form W-4, that you complete to instruct your employer how much tax to withhold from your earnings. If you’re withholding too much, you can expect a … Read more →

Buying your first home is an exciting time, when you’re making the biggest transaction of your financial life. It’s hard to stay emotionally detached from a home purchase, and many people before you have spent more than necessary, blinded by the attraction of that “perfect place.” When you’re not familiar with the home buying process, it’s easy to overlook, forget, or just plain not know about all the costs involved. Not only are you looking at the bottom line cost … Read more →