Personal Finance

Are you eligible for mileage deductions?

Whether you’re filing your 2025 individual income tax return or planning for 2026, it’s important to know if you can deduct vehicle-related expenses. A change that was made permanent by last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) limits who can claim a deduction for…

Don’t miss your opportunity to make a 2025 IRA contribution — whether you can deduct it or not

Generally, each year you can contribute up to the annual limit to a traditional or Roth IRA (or a combination of the two). But once the contribution deadline has passed, the opportunity to contribute for that year is lost forever. The deadline for 2025 IRA…

April 15 is the deadline for more than just your income tax return

You know your 2025 federal income tax return is due April 15, 2026. But do you know what else has an April 15 deadline? If you don’t, you could miss out on valuable tax-saving opportunities or become subject to interest and even penalties. Making 2025 contributions to…

Schedule C vs. Schedule E: Key Differences and Tax Implications for Individual Taxpayers

If you have income from sources such as a sole proprietorship, single-member limited liability corporation, and rental property, you likely need to report this income on your tax return on Schedules C and E. You may find it confusing when you should report this income…

If you’re married, should you file jointly or separately?

Married couples have a choice when filing their 2025 federal income tax returns. They can file jointly or separately. What you choose will affect your standard deduction, eligibility for certain tax breaks, tax bracket and, ultimately, your tax liability. Which filing status is better for…

Before claiming a charitable deduction for 2025, make sure you can substantiate it

If you itemize deductions on your 2025 individual income tax return, you potentially can deduct donations to qualified charities you made last year. But your gifts must be substantiated in accordance with IRS requirements. Exactly what’s required depends on various factors. In some cases, you…

Personal Finance Quiz: Test Whether Your College Grad Is Ready for the Real World

With a diploma in hand, your new graduate might seem ready to conquer the world. But college rarely prepares students for the financial responsibilities that come with living in the real world. Graduates often have questions about money matters, such as applying for a loan, buying a house, saving for retirement and insuring newly acquired assets. Here are some questions and answers to share with your child, along with some information about job prospects for the Class of 2022.

Tax Implications of Student Loan Debt Relief

Many people have incurred student loan debts. But some are fortunate enough to have their loans discharged or paid off by employers. If you’re one of the lucky ones, be aware that cancellation of student loan debt will result in taxable income, unless an exception applies. Here’s an overview of the federal income tax rules that apply in these situations.

Federal Tax News for Businesses

Reporting by Third-Party Settlement Organizations Is Changing If you run a business and receive payments through third-party settlement organizations (TPSOs), expect significant changes in 2022. To improve voluntary tax compliance, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) now requires TPSOs to significantly increase reporting of financial…

Unlock 8 Tax Breaks for Home Ownership

Home ownership can be a financially rewarding investment, especially when you factor in the potential tax savings opportunities. This article summarizes various federal tax breaks that sweeten the deal for homeowners today, including the home sale gain exclusion, itemized deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes, credits for certain “green” home improvements and more.