Coral Springs bookkeeping services for small businesses: One of the easiest ways to secure an experienced, certified, professional bookkeeping service is to use a virtual accounting service provider. In fact, you can hire an entire bookkeeping staff—including an accounting software specialist, full-charge bookkeeper and controller—all through a virtual service without having to create an internal department. And after utilizing their services, you may just find that your company couldn’t afford not to have their expertise.

Automate or Outsource Tax Calculation and Filing: While the IRS has made an effort to simplify tax forms and reduce the time and complexity of filing a tax return, it remains a daunting task, especially since it occurs only once per year and is often stressful. Fortunately, companies like TurboTax and H&R Block offer sophisticated tax software programs to help filers complete the task quickly and relatively inexpensively. The IRS even offers free tax filing software for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $69,000 or less. To determine whether you’re eligible for the free software, check last year’s return for your adjusted gross income (AGI), which appears on line 7 of the 2018 version of Form 1040. For those with incomes greater than $69,000, the IRS provides Free File fillable forms for electronic filing. However, these forms offer only basic guidance, so you must know how to do your taxes yourself. Most of the filing programs allow you to keep track of any refund due and select your preferred method of payment – direct deposit, paper check, or holding and applying the refund for the coming tax year. When deciding whether to use a professional preparer or a software program, consider your income, the complexity of your return, unusual events that significantly affect your income or expenses, and your concern about a tax audit.

Pick Up Capital Gains if You’re in a Low Tax Bracket: The end of the year is also a good time for some people to sell stocks that have appreciated significantly in value. This can be a particularly good strategy for those who are in the 10% and 12% tax brackets since their capital gains tax may be zero. The stocks can then be repurchased, which resets the basis and minimizes the amount of tax to be paid on future gains. Even if you’re not in the lowest tax brackets, you may want to sell winning stocks to reset the basis if you’re also harvesting losses. “What you want to do is balance (gains) with stocks that have losses,” Barlin says.

Consider saving more for retirement: If you have a 401(k) or traditional IRA, you may get a tax break by contributing more money to your retirement account. That’s because contributions you make to these accounts are typically deductible on your tax return. Keep in mind, though, there are income restrictions and contribution limits that determine how much you can put in an IRA, and deferral limits on how much you can put into your 401(k). Be sure you understand what those limits are, and how much you’re able to contribute for the year. Read more details on Fort Lauderdale Bookkeepers.

For most garnishments including child support, creditor garnishments, and student loans, Title III of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) requires that the amount of pay garnished should be based on an employee’s “disposable earnings,” meaning the amount remaining after legally mandated deductions. Broadly speaking, disposable income is the employee’s total compensation, less mandatory deductions including federal, state, and local taxes; state unemployment insurance contributions; and Social Security taxes. This includes salaries, bonuses, and sales commissions, as well as earnings derived from retirement plans and pensions. Tips aren’t usually regarded as earnings for garnishment, but service charges are considered earnings.

State tax you paid last spring: Did you owe taxes when you filed your 2018 state tax return in 2019? Then remember to include that amount with your state tax itemized deduction on your 2019 return, along with state income taxes withheld from your paychecks or paid via quarterly estimated payments. Beginning in 2018, the deduction for state and local taxes is limited to $10,000 per year. When you buy a house, you often get to deduct points paid to obtain your mortgage all at one time. When you refinance a mortgage, however, you have to deduct the points over the life of the loan. That means you can deduct 1/30th of the points a year if it’s a 30-year mortgage—that’s $33 a year for each $1,000 of points you paid. Doesn’t seem like much, but why throw it away? Also, in the year you pay off the loan—because you sell the house or refinance again—you get to deduct all the points not yet deducted, unless you refinance with the same lender.

Super accountant and tax expert. Kenneth can find all the legal tax deductions and save you thousands of dollars! Call Him NOW if you want the best accountant and/or tax preparation services. Although we are located in Florida, a bunch of our client base is located outside the state. Thru efficient work, excellent communication, and clear expectations, we are more reliable and easier to get ahold of than even an accountant located down the street from you. See additional details at Bookkeeping Help.