Category: individual tax

  • Child tax credit: The rules keep changing but it’s still valuable

    If you’re a parent, you may be confused about the rules for claiming the Child Tax Credit (CTC). The rules and credit amounts have changed significantly over the last six years. This tax break became more generous in 2018 than it was under prior law — and it became even better in 2021 for eligible…

  • Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances

    You generally must pay federal tax on all income you receive but there are some exceptions when you can exclude it. For example, compensatory awards and judgments for “personal physical injuries or physical sickness” are free from federal income tax under the tax code. This includes amounts received in a lawsuit or a settlement and…

  • Answers to your questions about 2023 limits on individual taxes

    Many people are more concerned about their 2022 tax bills right now than they are about their 2023 tax situations. That’s understandable because your 2022 individual tax return is due to be filed in 10 weeks (unless you file an extension). However, it’s a good time to familiarize yourself with tax amounts that may have…

  • Data analytics is more accessible than you might think

    Data analytics is the science of collecting and analyzing sets of data to develop useful insights, connections and patterns that can lead to better informed decision making. It can be enormously useful for not-for-profits. For example, data-driven nonprofit Community Solutions partners with local charities to help them reduce, and even end, homelessness in their communities.…

  • Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances

    You generally must pay federal tax on all income you receive but there are some exceptions when you can exclude it. For example, compensatory awards and judgments for “personal physical injuries or physical sickness” are free from federal income tax under the tax code. This includes amounts received in a lawsuit or a settlement and…

  • Claiming losses on depreciated or worthless stock

    Have you bought stock in a company that later dropped in value? While you may prefer to forget such an ill-fated investment, at least you can claim a capital loss deduction on your tax return. Here are the rules that apply when a stock you own is sold at a loss or becomes completely worthless.…

  • The 2022 gift tax return deadline is coming up soon

    Did you make large gifts to your children, grandchildren or other heirs last year? If so, it’s important to determine whether you’re required to file a 2022 gift tax return. And in some cases, even if it’s not required to file one, you may want to do so anyway. Filing requirements The annual gift tax…

  • Answers to your questions about 2023 limits on individual taxes

    Many people are more concerned about their 2022 tax bills right now than they are about their 2023 tax situations. That’s understandable because your 2022 individual tax return is due to be filed in 10 weeks (unless you file an extension). However, it’s a good time to familiarize yourself with tax amounts that may have…

  • Tax-saving ways to help pay for college — once your child starts attending

    If you have a child or grandchild in college — congratulations! To help pay for the expenses, many parents and grandparents saved for years in tax-favored accounts, such as 529 plans. But there are also a number of tax breaks that you may be able to claim once your child begins attending college or post-secondary…

  • Why you might want to file early and answers to other tax season questions

    The IRS announced it opened the 2023 individual income tax return filing season on January 23. That’s when the agency began accepting and processing 2022 tax year returns. Even if you typically don’t file until much closer to the mid-April deadline (or you file for an extension), consider filing earlier this year. The reason is…