Should you accept Venmo, PayPal & Zelle?
Many people are exchanging money these days with new, electronic payment options. Such methods can be convenient for businesses, too, but they have some pitfalls.
Report from Counsel
Seven things sellers do that can kill a sale
The home market is still hot, but, certain mistakes can turn buyers off, cost you thousands of dollars, or even squash a deal altogether.
Be on the lookout for dangerous products
We all should be able to expect products, from everyday household goods to drugs and medical devices, to be safe. But that’s not always the case.
Increase in nursing home closures across U.S.
Choosing nursing home care can be a big, emotional decision. Long-term care is a sizable investment, and many people struggle with entrusting their loved one’s care to someone else. Now some families are dealing with an additional hurdle, as nursing home closures are forcing some seniors to relocate, widening the distance families must travel to … Read more
Use caution when creating an IRA inheritance trust
When you hold an IRA, those funds can be distributed to the person you name as beneficiary or to an inheritance trust. Before you name a trust as the beneficiary of your IRA, however, consider the pros and cons.
Keep your tax credit for charitable gifts
Following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), many taxpayers are concerned about losing tax breaks for charitable contributions. Under the law, fewer households have a tax incentive to make charitable gifts. With planning, however, individuals and businesses can still benefit from donations. The law increased the standard deduction to $12,000 for individual filers and … Read more
Your Health Savings Account can be a stealth IRA
Generally, people don’t think about a Health Savings Account (HSA) as a savings account. The HSA was intended to be a tax-advantaged account to pay for medical expenses, but in certain ways it’s better than an IRA. An HSA is a tax-preferred investment account with triple tax advantages. Your money isn’t taxed when it’s contributed, … Read more
Credit unfreezes now free
As of Sept. 21, a new law requires that the three major credit reporting bureaus allow you to place or lift a security freeze on your credit files without charge. When your files are frozen, lenders can’t check your credit. That means an identity thief can’t take out new credit or borrow in your name. … Read more
Paying taxes when you inherit a home
When you inherit a home and sell it, you pay capital gains tax based on increase the value of the home after the date of the owner’s death. For example, if you inherit your dad’s vacation cabin, and it was worth $300,000 when he died, and you later sell it for $325,000, you’ll pay tax … Read more
Grandparents’ options for college costs
With the cost of college tuition rising, some grandparents are pitching in. Grandparents who want to help out have several options, but many come with limitations or possible pitfalls: With the cost of college tuition rising, some grandparents are pitching in. Grandparents who want to help out have several options, but many come with limitations … Read more