Author Archives: Cordasco
Use an S corporation to mitigate federal employment tax bills
If you own an unincorporated small business, you probably don’t like the size of your self-employment (SE) tax bills. No wonder! For 2023, the SE tax is imposed at the painfully high rate of 15.3% on the first $160,200 of … Continue reading
Put restrictions on your large charitable gifts for added peace of mind
If philanthropy is an important part of your legacy, consider taking steps to ensure that your donations are used to fulfill your intended charitable purposes. Indeed, outright gifts can be risky, especially large donations that will benefit a charity over … Continue reading
Avoiding probate: How to do it (and why)
Few estate planning subjects are as misunderstood as probate. But circumventing the probate process is usually a good idea, and several tools are available to help you do just that. Why should you avoid it? Probate is a legal procedure … Continue reading
Starting a business? How expenses will be treated on your tax return
Government officials saw a large increase in the number of new businesses launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the U.S. Census Bureau reports that business applications are still increasing slightly (up 0.4% from April 2023 to May 2023). The Bureau … Continue reading
The best way to survive an IRS audit is to prepare
The IRS recently released its audit statistics for the 2022 fiscal year and fewer taxpayers had their returns examined as compared with prior years. But even though a small percentage of returns are being chosen for audits these days, that … Continue reading
Corporate officers or shareholders: How should you treat expenses paid personally?
If you play a major role in a closely held corporation, you may sometimes spend money on corporate expenses personally. These costs may end up being nondeductible both by an officer and the corporation unless the correct steps are taken. … Continue reading
Solo business owner? There’s a 401(k) for that
If you own a successful small business with no employees, you might be ready to set up a retirement plan. Now a 401(k) might seem way out of your reach — only bigger companies can manage one of those, right? … Continue reading
The advantages of using an LLC for your small business
If you operate your small business as a sole proprietorship, you may have thought about forming a limited liability company (LLC) to protect your assets. Or maybe you’re launching a new business and want to know your options for setting … Continue reading
How to address your frequent flyer miles in your estate plan
If you’re a frequent traveler, you may have accumulated hundreds of thousands or even millions of frequent flyer miles. The value of these miles may be significant, so it’s important to determine whether you can include them in your estate … Continue reading
Moving Mom or Dad into a nursing home? 5 potential tax implications
More than a million Americans live in nursing homes, according to various reports. If you have a parent entering one, you’re probably not thinking about taxes. But there may be tax consequences. Let’s take a look at five possible tax … Continue reading