Accounting & CPA Blogs

Forgiven Debt Taxable?

Forgiven Debt Taxable?

With the recent economic downturn experienced by many taxpayers, there is a tax concept that is very important: cancellation of debt. You would think that the cancellation of debt by a credit card company or mortgage company would be a good thing for the taxpayer. And...
Forgiven Debt Taxable?

Tax Extension Deadline

Time is almost up on that six-month extension you filed back in April to give yourself more time to complete your 2011 individual income tax return. What happens if you fail to file your return by October 15, the extended due date? One consequence: Unless a...
Record Keeping For Business

Record Keeping For Business

If you want to give your tax recordkeeping skills a performance boost, do what accounting professionals do. 1. Maintain a separate bank account for all self-employed business activity. This will greatly minimize confusion come tax time by giving you just one place to...
Forgiven Debt Taxable?

How To Lower Income Tax

Consider tax-exempt investments as a means of cutting your income tax. There is an easy way to compare the yield on tax-exempt investments (such as municipal bonds) with the after-tax yield from taxable investments. Subtract your top tax bracket from 100 and divide...
SIMPLE IRAs/401(k)s

SIMPLE IRAs/401(k)s

Many sole proprietors and small business owners agree on the following two issues: they pay too much in taxes and they have difficulty attracting and retaining good employees. One way to address both of these issues is to have your business sponsor a retirement...