Life insurance as the ultimate hedge

Many people think of life insurance as a product for family protection. The life of one or two breadwinners is insured; in case of an untimely death, the insurance payout can help with raising children and maintaining the current lifestyle. Once the children are able...

A grain of SALT in new IRS notice

From Melinda May, CPA | Featherstone Taxpayers who itemize deductions on Schedule A of their tax return have been able to deduct outlays for state and local income tax as well as property tax with no upper limit. (State and local sales tax may be deducted instead of...

Education as a small-business fringe benefit

As reported in previous issues of the CPA Client Bulletin this year, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 dramatically reduced taxpayers’ ability to itemize deductions. Among the tax deduction opportunities that have vanished, from 2018–2025, are miscellaneous itemized...

Now the G.I. Bill is forever

When you think of the G.I. Bill, you probably recall reading about a program designed to help military veterans receive college educations after they left the armed forces following World War II. Somewhat less known is that the G.I. Bill has endured, in various forms,...

How the new tax law affects 529 plans

For many years, 529 college savings plans have offered a tax-favored way to save for higher education. These plans, officially qualified tuition programs, are named for the IRC section that provides their advantages. In brief, 529 plans are funded with after-tax...

Are we a fit?

I find that I’m most useful advising and collaborating with small to medium-sized companies that have one to four owners. With businesses of this size, I have a direct connection to the decision makers who understand that I treat their business as if it were my own. I...