- Divorce
- Child SupportGetting married or divorced. One plus one does not always equal two in the tax world. Marriage means a new tax status, new deduction amounts and income limits, and a potential marriage penalty. The same is true for divorce, but with added complexity. Untangling assets, alimony, child support and dependents are all considerations worthy of discussion.
- Adoption
- Guardianship
- Spousal SupportYou'll have to change your tax plan if it was built on any of the following expiring tax provisions: personal exemptions, miscellaneous itemized deductions, home equity interest, alimony deductions (expiring in 2019), the additional child tax credit, theft and casualty losses, and the domestic production activity deduction (DPAD).
- FraudThe leaves are starting to change colors and cool air is just around the corner. With the fourth quarter upon us, now is the time to finalize your tax plans before the busy holiday season arrives. Included here are some steps you can take to jumpstart the process for you. Also included are articles on how to create a satisfying retirement, how the IRS identifies tax fraud, and six ideas to keep your business successful. In addition, there are some practical ideas to help improve your sleep quality, and tax considerations for side income.
- Theft
- EmbezzlementSeparation of duties is an important internal control for all businesses. This is tough to do in a small company. Businesses with one or two-person payroll departments are susceptible to fraud or embezzlement. Adding an outside payroll service can provide the checks and balances a company needs to stay protected.
- Identity TheftToo many people downplay the threat of identity theft because it hasn't been witnessed or experienced firsthand. This false sense of security can leave you exposed, especially during tax season. Here are some tips to keep your identity safe from scammers...
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business FormationIn our Helpful Resources section we have provided you with a host of links to valuable resources. Feel free to browse these web sites for more information on legal matters, taxation, accounting practices, business formation, estate planning, and other areas of interest.
- Business TransactionsSeparate your books. If starting a business from scratch, remember to set up separate bank accounts and recordkeeping. IRS auditors are quick to disallow expenses when your business expenses are mingled together with personal expenses. The same is true with credit cards. Use a separate credit card for your business transactions.
- Limited Liability CompaniesStep 2: Choose the Right Business Structure. It’s important that you select the legal structure that’s right for your small business. In California, the basic types of business structures available are sole proprietorships, partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, and Corporations (“C” and “S”). Since the Tuttle Firm is experienced in legal, tax and accounting, we can help you make the right choice that best meets your needs.
- Workers Compensation
- Employment Contract
- Non-compete Agreement
- Severance AgreementChanging jobs. Whether it's a new, exciting opportunity or a result of being laid off, a job change is going to affect your tax obligation. The termination of your previous job likely adds additional taxable income in the form of accrued vacation or a severance package. Review how your former employer handles tax withholdings, especially for big payouts. Your new job also brings new tax implications with a new salary, new benefits and possibly different taxing jurisdictions if you also move to a new location.
- Real Estate Litigation
- Property DamageUnderstand how business changes affect your policy. Figure out how your policy covers common changes, as well as other changes you know are happening soon. This involves understanding the limits and terms of your policy. You can start by asking if you're properly insured for property damage, liability coverage, health and disability, and life insurance.
- Social Security DisabilitySSD or SSDI Social Security Disability (SSD or SSDI) benefits are for people who have disabilities but have "paid into" the Social Security system through taxable income.
- Estate PlanningEstate planning ensures a client of an orderly passing of property at his/her death, as well as providing assurance that assets and personal affairs will be handled in accordance with the client’s wishes.
- WillsReview your beneficiaries. Once a year review beneficiaries on all accounts. This includes retirement accounts as well as names on wills and estate plans. The legal hassle created without this review can be devastating to your surviving family. This is especially important if you had a recent life event (marriage, divorce, birth or death).
- TrustsIs a Living Trust right for you? What is a Living Trust, and why should one consider establishing a Living Trust as opposed to a traditional will? A Revocable Living Trust, also known as a Living Trust, is today’s replacement for the traditional “will.” Similar to a will, a Living Trust distributes your estate at death. So what’s the key difference? With a traditional will, your estate is put through the courts via a process called probate. This can be costly, time consuming (sometimes as long as 1-2 years), and frustrating for your heirs.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- Tax LawDuring November: It’s wise to estimate your 2017 income tax liability and review your options for minimizing your tax bill. Call us if you’d like to schedule a tax-planning session.
- Debt CollectionMaybe you're behind on paying your bills because of circumstances outside of your control. Or perhaps there's been an error in billing. Either way, these scenarios may lead to a run-in with a debt collector. Fortunately, there are strict rules in place that forbid any kind of collector harassment in the U.S. If you know your rights, you can deal with debt collection with minimal hassle. Here's what to remember...