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Tax Filing Season is Here – Things for Taxpayers to Consider
All financial advisors, CPAs and tax preparers are not created equal! At Chesapeake Financial Advisors, we combine our expertise in financial planning and taxes to provide clients with a service level that provides them with tax advice and preparation that is relevant to their financial plan. After all they go together more than any other…
Read More2017 Q4 Market Commentary
It was quite a year driven by earnings growth and the hope and realization of deregulation and tax-reform. We began the year at 2,238.83 on the S&P 500 following earnings of $106.26 for 2016. In 2017 those earnings rose to $124.94 – an increase of 17.6% which is stellar by any measure. As we approach…
Read MoreTax Refunds in 2018
Refunds in 2018 Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds remains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund. The IRS expects more than four out of five tax returns will be prepared electronically using tax software. The IRS still anticipates issuing more than nine out of…
Read MoreTax Filing Season Begins Jan 29th Tax Returns Due April 17th
Tax Filing Season Begins Jan. 29, Tax Returns Due April 17 The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 29, 2018 with nearly 155 million individual tax returns expected to be filed in 2018. The nation’s tax deadline will be April 17th this year – so taxpayers will have two additional days to file…
Read More2018 Retirement Plan Contribution Limit Increases
The beginning of the New Year brings increases to the contribution limits for 401k, 403b, and 457 plans. You can now contribute up to $18,500. This is an increase of $500 from 2017. Additionally, if you are over the age of 50, the catch up contribution of $6,000 per year is still allowable which means…
Read MoreAn Amazon-Less Christmas
Well, I did it. I finished my Christmas shopping and I didn’t order a single thing from Amazon. Some 20 years ago, we all used to head to the mall, walk around and shop around for good deals. The internet, of course, has changed all of this and specifically Amazon.com. They have become such a…
Read MoreNew tax bill expands use of 529 Plans to private school tuition
URGENT call to action by 12/31 – new tax bill expands 529s As you may know, the U.S. Congress passed a tax reform bill that was signed into law by the President yesterday. Included in the law is a provision that expands the use of 529 accounts to pay for educational expenses like qualified elementary…
Read MoreHow do I split an IRA in divorce?
When an IRA needs to be split in a divorce it’s best to use a trustee-to-trustee transfer between the spouses IRA and former-spouses IRA. IRAs are split in accordance with the divorce decree so make sure the decree specifies the dollar amount or specific securities in the IRA that should be transferred. Review the process…
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Student Loan Debt
Student loan debt. Three words that strike fear into new graduates and parents everywhere. There are ways, however, to make the repayment of student loans more manageable. You may be surprised to learn that Income Driven Repayment Plans (IDR Plans) and loan forgiveness opportunities were created with you in mind. The only problem? You must…
Read MoreWhen Must RMDs Be Taken?
Your first required distribution from an IRA or retirement plan is for the year you reach age 70½. However, you have some flexibility as to when you actually have to take this first-year distribution. You can take it during the year you reach age 70½, or you can delay it until April 1 of the…
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