Incentive trusts: Use them to pass your wealth and values on to beneficiaries

If your estate planning goals include distributing your wealth while also encouraging specific behaviors or achievements among your heirs, using an incentive trust might be right for your plan. Unlike a traditional trust, which distributes assets according to a set schedule or upon a beneficiary reaching a certain age, an incentive trust includes specific conditions […]

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Members of the “sandwich generation” face unique estate planning circumstances

Members of the sandwich generation — those who find themselves simultaneously caring for aging parents while supporting their own children — face unique financial and emotional pressures. One critical yet often overlooked task amid this juggling act is estate planning. How can you best handle your parents’ financial affairs in the later stages of life? […]

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Understanding the “step-up in basis” when inheriting assets

If you inherit assets after a loved one passes away, they often arrive with a valuable — but frequently misunderstood — tax benefit called the step-up in basis. Below is an overview of how the rule works and what planning might need to be done. What “basis” means First, let’s look at a couple definitions. […]

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Explore SEP and SIMPLE retirement plans for your small business

Suppose you’re thinking about setting up a retirement plan for yourself and your employees. However, you’re concerned about the financial commitment and administrative burdens involved. There are a couple of options to consider. Let’s take a look at a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) and a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE). SEPs offer easy […]

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What tax documents can you safely shred? And which ones should you keep?

Once your 2024 tax return is in the hands of the IRS, you may be tempted to clear out file cabinets and delete digital folders. But before reaching for the shredder or delete button, remember that some paperwork still has two important purposes: Protecting you if the IRS comes calling for an audit, and Helping […]

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Stepped-up basis rules can ease the income tax bite of an inheritance

With the federal gift and estate tax exemption amount set at $13.99 million for 2025, most people won’t be liable for these taxes. However, capital gains tax on inherited assets may cause an unwelcome tax bite. The good news is that the stepped-up basis rules can significantly reduce capital gains tax for family members who inherit […]

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An education plan can pay off for your employees — and your business

Your business can set up an educational assistance plan that can give each eligible employee up to $5,250 in annual federal-income-tax-free and federal-payroll-tax-free benefits. These tax-favored plans are called Section 127 plans after the tax code section that allows them. Plan basics Sec. 127 plans can cover the cost of almost anything that constitutes education, including […]

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6 essential tips for small business payroll tax compliance

Staying compliant with payroll tax laws is crucial for small businesses. Mistakes can lead to fines, strained employee relationships and even legal consequences. Below are six quick tips to help you stay on track. 1. Maintain organized records Accurate recordkeeping is the backbone of payroll tax compliance. Track the hours worked, wages paid and all […]

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Discover if you qualify for “head of household” tax filing status

When we prepare your tax return, we’ll check one of the following filing statuses: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household or qualifying widow(er). Only some people are eligible to file a return as a head of household. But if you’re one of them, it’s more favorable than filing as a single […]

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