What is the Best Age to Start Drawing Social Security?

Saving
Tax Preparation and Planning

One of the most common and most difficult questions clients ask me it when should they start their social security benefits. It is an important question in that social security represents a significant amount of money over the course of your retirement. The amount of...

Do I Need a Living Trust?

Wills & Trusts

Considering what may happen after we are gone is not a pleasant thought. But, as the saying goes, death and taxes are unavoidable. In both cases, planning ahead can save time, trouble and money. While estate planning can be extremely complex, getting started with the...

Planning and Saving for College

Saving for Education

As a CPA, I am asked a lot of questions regarding tax benefits and credits for children. One of the more interesting questions I have heard is “Why do they take away benefits as the kids get older? They don’t cost less, they cost more – a lot more”. While I don’t...

When to Begin Saving

Saving

We are living longer. Some believe that the first person that will live until 150 is alive today. It is not unreasonable to believe that people will spend upwards of 50 years in retirement – more years than they spend working. What kind of life will they lead? What...

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Identity Fraud & Protection

With the holiday shopping season now safely behind us, some of our thoughts and concerns may turn to our finances. Besides over-eating and running up the credit cards, an all too familiar negative aspect of the holiday season seems to be identity theft. Many of us,...

Letters from the IRS

Tax Preparation and Planning

What To Do With A Letter From the IRS I’ve been in the tax business for over 25 years, but when I go to the mailbox and find a letter from the IRS, I still get a tinge of fear. I’m sure they have a similar effect on you. And unless you are among the lucky few, sooner...

Understanding Health Savings Accounts

Health Savings Accounts

There has been a lot of discussion lately about how to solve the crisis of rising health insurance and the growing number of uninsured. I don’t know about you, but none of the solutions sound very good to me. At best, universal healthcare seems to be marginally...

When Does Incorporation Make Sense

Small Business
Tax Preparation and Planning

Understanding Incorporation One of the most misunderstood topics in business is incorporation. There are so many myths and misunderstandings. I would like to take a moment and discuss what a corporation can and cannot do for you. Many beginning business owners become...