Generally speaking, couples filing jointly are also jointly responsible for the tax obligation of their household. This means that the IRS can go after either spouse for the entire tax obligation, not just the part associated with their earnings. One exception to this rule is called an “Innocent Spouse.”
Retirement planning is a vital part of financial health. Many people use a Traditional IRA to help ensure a comfortable retirement (you can help your household employee too). Building an IRA during your working life is only half the consideration; you should plan for distributions as well.
In the spring of 2019 the Social Security Administration (SSA) started sending out “no-match” letters. These letters are to inform employers that the W-2 given to an employee(s) has information that doesn’t match the agency’s files. Specifically, the information in question is the employee’s name and Social Security Number (SSN).
Virtual currency has had a rapid rise in popularity and thus regulators are still trying to really figure out how to manage (tax) this new form of commerce. Some employers see this as an opportunity to capitalize on the gray area and potentially avoid some tax costs.
Planning a vacation requires putting together a variety of different details: hotels, rental cars, airline tickets, and more. But if you have a loved one that requires caregiving assistance and you will be gone for an extended time and will not be able to check in in-person from day to day, you will also need to plan on getting coverage in your absence. This might mean that the caregiver will be required to step in and be available for 24 hours shifts. Not sure how to calculate for overtime when your caregiver is working those long shifts? We can help.
For household employers all the way up to midsize businesses, regulatory changes and administrative tasks can be an uphill battle. If you don’t have the staff to devote to these matters then it makes sense to outsource. The trick then is to do it right. This article touches on a few things to watch out for in the process of selecting a vendor/partner.
The changes to US Federal tax laws in 2018 created a lot of confusion, and many taxpayers did not realize that they were withholding too much tax or not enough tax until they prepared their 2018 tax returns this spring. Figuring out how much to have deducted from your paycheck has gotten more and more complicated over the years - in fact the Form W-4 will be modified in 2020 and it asks more questions than ever.
Working from home could save you more than just commuting costs! You could be eligible to deduct your home office expenses. It is a complicated deduction to claim so take a look at this post and see if you qualify.
Our client, Michelle W. called us when she learned there was a problem caused by only reporting part of her nanny's payroll to New York for tax purposes.
