Tax help best firms from Houston, Texas? Consider investing in index mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. These funds are not actively managed and as a result, can be more tax-efficient than managed funds. These investments are a good way to diversify the taxation of your income after retirement. If you qualify for a Health Savings Account, you have the option of investing them instead of spending them on medical expenses. Contributions are tax-free and earnings grow tax-free, and — if you use future distributions to pay for qualified medical expenses — distributions are tax-free as well. The overall benefit of changing the character of your income is that it can reduce your MAGI for each tax year and allow you to take advantage of a lower tax bracket in some cases.
If you don’t have a tax preparer yet, a good way to find one is to ask friends and advisors (such as an attorney you know) for referrals. Be sure that the person you choose has a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) showing that they are authorized to prepare federal income tax returns. You should also inquire about fees, which are likely to depend on the complexity of your return. Avoid using a firm that intends to take a percentage of your refund. The IRS website has tips for choosing a preparer and a link to the IRS directory of preparers, which you can search according to their credentials and location.
Make 401(k) and HSA Contributions: People can make tax deductible contributions to traditional IRAs up to April 15 of next year. However, the door closes on Dec. 31 for 401(k) and health savings account contributions. “It’s a hard stop,” says Wendy Barlin, a Los Angeles-based CPA and author of “That’s Deductible!: Simple Tips and Tricks to Find More Business Tax Deductions.” “Whatever opportunities you have at work (for retirement savings), make sure you maximize them before the end of the year,” she says. Taxpayers with a qualified high-deductible family health insurance plan can deduct up to $7,000 in contributions to a health savings account. Individuals with self-only coverage can deduct $3,500. Those age 55 or older are eligible for an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution. Tax deductible contributions to a traditional 401(k) are capped at $19,000 for 2019. Workers age 50 and older can make an additional $6,000 in catch-up contributions.
Tax credits are the federal government’s way of encouraging businesses and individuals to do things—or not do things—that affect the greater good. For example, you can take tax credits for hiring employees, going green, providing access to disabled employees and the public, and providing health coverage for employees. Most are part of the General Business Credit, which is quite extensive so it’s quite possible that you qualify under some of its terms. Check with your accountant. See even more information on https://greentree.tax/tax-preparation-service-in-houston/.
Document Everything. While talking to the customer about the outstanding debt, take careful notes about everything that was discussed, including the customer’s comments in case there is a future debt dispute. If your company has tracking software, input everything into the system while the conversation is fresh in your mind. Over time, continue to add any additional details to your file to keep it as up-to-date as possible. Debt collections are common, especially in difficult economic times. Using these collection techniques should increase your odds of success. But, if all this effort doesn’t result in getting paid, you may want to use the services of a reputable collection agency.
Carving out a few minutes every January to make sure you’re making things easy for your accountant can help reduce the risk of a mistake come April or an audit later. But we recommend talking to your tax accountant more often than twice a year. In fact, we recommend chatting regularly — even monthly. You’ll have a better handle on your business and can plan for any tax law changes. Recording income and expenses in real-time allows you and your accountant to catch any mistakes early. And your accountant will know your business better and be more empowered to offer proactive, consultative advice. According to the OnPay 2019 Small Business Finance and HR Report, small business owners who have a strong relationship with their accountant are 32% more likely to expect a significant increase in revenue over the next year. Read more info at LLC tax preparation.