Taxes

Landing in a higher tax bracket can feel like a penalty for earning more, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. With the right strategies, you may be able to reduce your taxable income and limit how much of your earnings are exposed to higher tax rates. Smart tax planning…

Excise taxes and sales taxes both generate government revenue, but they work in fundamentally different ways. Sales taxes apply broadly to most retail purchases at a uniform percentage rate, appearing as a line item at checkout. Excise taxes, by contrast, target specific goods, like gasoline, tobacco and alcohol, and are…

While the process of adding a spouse to a deed can be relatively simple, there are some tax implications that make it more complicated. Depending on how you handle the property transfer, it can affect gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and estate planning outcomes later on. State laws and ownership…

While adding a child to a deed may seem straightforward, the tax implications can be complex and long-lasting. Depending on how you structure the transfer, it may affect gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and future estate planning outcomes. State laws and ownership structures can also influence the results. A financial…

Whether you have to report an inheritance on your taxes depends on what you inherit and the subsequent handling of that inheritance. While inheritances themselves are often not subject to federal income tax, certain inherited assets can generate taxable income once they begin producing interest, dividends or distributions. Because inheritance…

Setting up a trust can be a powerful way to manage and protect assets. However, it also comes with important tax responsibilities. One of the first steps many trustees face is obtaining a tax ID, or EIN. This allows the trust to operate as its own financial entity. Understanding when…

Transferring property with a quitclaim deed may seem like a quick and tax-free move, especially among family members. However, the reality can be far more complicated. These transfers often avoid immediate taxes. However, they can quietly set the stage for a much larger capital gains bill down the road. Understanding…

Selling your home is one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make. While many homeowners worry about a large tax bill, the reality is that rules like the Internal Revenue Code Section 121 can allow you to keep much, or even all, of your profit. Here’s how capital gains…

In New York City, property taxes are back in the headlines. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has floated the idea of raising them—by 9.5%—as part of this year’s budget. Mamdani says it’s a last resort, claiming that if Albany won’t raise taxes on millionaires, the city may have to raise them on…

Dealing with IRS penalties and incorrect tax assessments can be frustrating. This is especially true when you believe the charges are unfair or that they resulted from circumstances beyond your control. In these scenarios, Form 843 is the IRS mechanism for requesting relief from penalties, interest and certain tax overcharges. A…