Taking the Political Easy Path – Extender Tax Provisions Update

In an earlier post, I discussed the on-going issue with Congress where they continue to extend 50+ key tax provisions (nick-named “extender tax provisions”) for only one or two years, and then the process must be repeated. Why won’t Congress make the changes permanent? Because of politics. Specifically, these changes reduce tax revenue and increase…

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Congress is Doing Nothing About Taxes… Again!

Updated 11/19/2015:  My article below addresses the bigger issue behind the annual tax-extender dance that takes place in Washington DC. Once again, we sit waiting for Congress to punch our card so that we can move off our seats. This is not just a current issue. It is an on-going large problem, and it is…

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5 Tips When Calling the IRS – How to Talk to a Real Person

If you need to call the IRS and talk to a person to get help, you most likely are already frustrated and stressed. Placing the call doesn’t help your anxiety level because it is easy to get lost in the myriad of automated responses… “Choose 1 for this”, “Choose 2 for that”, etc. Sometimes you…

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Looking Great is Not Deductible!

Does your job require you to look great? We have been able to meet some great small business people, including those in sales or leadership positions. To do the job right, the individual needs to look their best. This may mean more expensive clothing, on-going grooming, staying fit, etc. To look your best… to look…

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Section 179 Deduction

  When you purchase property or equipment, you utilize these assets over a period of several years (their “useful life”). Depreciation is the process of expensing or deducting the cost over the useful life of the asset rather than the entire amount in the year of purchase.   Illustration of business financials information without depreciation:…

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Minimize 2013 Income Tax Now. Don’t Wait Until April 15th.

If you wait until April 15th to try and reduce your 2013 income tax, there will be very few things you can do.  Now, before December 31st, review your situation and take action to minimize your 2013 income tax. Unlike the end of 2012, Congress isn’t still debating tax law changes. We know what the…

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Equipment & Property Purchases: Expense or Capitalize?

You just purchased computer equipment. Can you expense the purchase this year? Or must you capitalize the purchase? T.D. 9636 came out in September 2013 and was published in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2013-43 on October 21, 2013. It “contains final regulations that provide guidance on the application of sections 162(a) and 263(a) of the Internal…

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