Posts Tagged ‘fee-only’
American Rescue Plan Act Provides Relief to Individuals and Businesses
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA 2021) was signed into law. This is a $1.9 trillion emergency relief package that includes payments to individuals and funding for federal programs, vaccines and testing, state and local governments, and schools. It is intended to assist individuals and businesses during the…
Read MorePandemic Relief Measures and Your Tax Return
Two emergency relief bills passed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will make this an unusual tax season for many taxpayers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed in March, and a second relief package was attached to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, in December. The federal government relied…
Read MoreGameStop, Reddit, and Market Mania: What You Need to Know
Over the course of 11 trading days from January 13 to January 28, 2021, the stock of GameStop, a struggling brick-and-mortar video game retailer, skyrocketed by more than 2,200% — creating a mix of excitement and concern throughout the financial world, as well as among many people who pay little attention to the stock market.1 Other…
Read MoreWhen Must I Report the Interest from Series EE Savings Bonds on my Tax Form?
The interest that your savings bonds earn, regardless of whether you receive it, is subject to federal income tax, but not to state and local income tax. It is also subject to any federal estate, gift, and excise taxes as well as any state estate or inheritance taxes. Using the money from Series EE savings bonds for higher education…
Read MoreFinancial Aid Changes on the Horizon
The U.S. Department of Education has designated February as Financial Aid Awareness Month, and this year there’s a lot to talk about. On December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, another relief package in response to the pandemic. Included in the bill were several provisions related to education, including many changes to…
Read MoreIncome Tax Planning and 529 Plans
The income tax benefits offered by 529 plans make these plans attractive to parents (and others) who are saving for college or K-12 tuition. Qualified withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax free at the federal level, and some states also offer tax breaks to their residents. It’s important to evaluate the federal and state…
Read MoreConsolidated Appropriations Act Provides Relief to Individuals and Businesses
On Sunday, December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021) was signed into law. A $900 billion emergency relief package is included as part of this omnibus spending bill. It is intended to assist individuals and businesses during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and accompanying economic crisis. Major relief provisions are summarized here, as…
Read MoreFive New Year’s Resolutions Every Investor Should Make
You owe it to yourself to take these steps for a healthier financial future. Markets had a good 2020 and it’s almost a given that we will have a 10-15% pullback in early 2021 but based on current economic numbers, low-interest rates, and light at the end of the tunnel on the COVID crisis, we are planning…
Read MoreYear-End Tax Tips for 2020
As we wrap up 2020, we are all looking forward to brighter and more COVID-free days ahead. Year-end tax planning has never been more crucial. This year brought new challenges that can impact your personal and financial situations – COVID-19, economic relief measures, and new tax laws. Now is the time to take a closer…
Read MoreHow COVID-19 Changed Consumer Behavior and the Future of Retail
U.S. retail sales suffered in the spring of 2020 due to safety concerns, government-mandated lockdowns, and economic uncertainty wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. Sales — including purchases at stores, restaurants, and online — plunged from $483.95 billion in March to $412.77 billion in April, a record 16.4% drop.1 Fortunately, retail sales rebounded sharply after the…
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