Stop Going Through the Motions of Filing a Tax Return

March 30, 2015

Spring is a busy time of year here at Financial Finesse. While we are always busy providing financial guidance with passion and objectivity, the tax season and the April 15th deadline provide an extra sense of urgency for many callers reaching out to us on the Financial Helpline. Many of the income tax specific calls we receive can be characterized as information seeking and tend to be reactive discussions. When you think about the tax filing burdens created by a complicated tax code, the IRS can strike fear into hard working taxpayers to try and get things right. Continue reading “Stop Going Through the Motions of Filing a Tax Return”

Last Minute Tax Savings With An HSA

February 16, 2015

In recent weeks, millions of taxpayers have been realizing the true impact of the Affordable Care Act as they file their tax returns. It’s probably no surprise the individual mandate required most Americans to have health insurance coverage as of January 1, 2014. If you had employer-provided health insurance coverage for most of 2014 or you purchased coverage through a private exchange or directly from an insurance company, the health insurance mandate will not have an impact your taxes. Continue reading “Last Minute Tax Savings With An HSA”

Know Your Limits

December 09, 2014

With New Year’s Eve celebrations right around the corner, it is important to know your limits.I don’t mean your limit on glasses of champagne and calorie intake, although those limits are also pretty important while you ring in the new year. Uncle Sam has some changes in store as we head into 2015.  Continue reading “Know Your Limits”

How to Get Tax Relief for College Expenses

May 30, 2012

We’ve been talking for the last few months about the challenges of sending a child to college. First comes the choice of savings vehicles from the hundreds of options: state-sponsored 529s, private plans, Coverdell accounts, and self-managed investments. Then comes the crash course in financial aid, where parents and students have to figure out their eligibility for grants, scholarships, and government and private loans.   Continue reading “How to Get Tax Relief for College Expenses”

Pros & Cons of a 529 College Savings Plan for Your Kids

May 16, 2012

Figuring out how to pay for your child’s college education can be overwhelming. The cost for one year of school at a public university is over $17,000 and is nearly $40,000 at a private school – and that doesn’t even include the price of room and board. Counting on scholarships to cover college costs is foolhardy and the availability of student loans (especially a loan with a good rate) is not guaranteed. Continue reading “Pros & Cons of a 529 College Savings Plan for Your Kids”

My Favorite Tax Deduction

December 13, 2010

When you’re a business owner or an independent contractor, of course you can write off everything associated with your business.  But what if you aren’t?  I have to say that I never really wanted to run my own business– I love being an employee with my W2 at the end of the year.  An entrepreneur?  Not me.  I pride myself at being an “intraprenuer” where I enjoy creative projects like writing and being the host of “your money minute,” as well as educating employees to become financially secure and helping the company to grow. Continue reading “My Favorite Tax Deduction”