Year‑End Tax Strategies: A Practical Checklist As the end of December approaches, here are key tax‑saving moves to review and complete before year‑end. Make Charitable Contributions Individuals may generally deduct charitable gifts up to 50% of their adjusted gross income. Donate unused household items or clothing to qualified charities; keep receipts, canceled checks, and any…

Sabbatical payments made to a minister are generally treated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as taxable compensation rather than exempt benefits. Although sabbaticals are often intended for rest, study, or renewal, the IRS views the payments as primarily personal in nature. Because the minister remains employed during the sabbatical, any salary continuation, stipend, or…

Are You a Household Employee? When you work in someone’s home—whether as a nanny, caregiver, housekeeper, or gardener—you may wonder how the IRS classifies your role. Understanding whether you are a household employee or an independent contractor is crucial because it directly affects your tax responsibilities and your employer’s obligations. What Defines a Household Employee?…

QUESTION: Is there an advantage to setting up on HSA and contributing post tax dollars to it and deducting on my tax return? Versus simply tracking my medical expenses and deducting them without the HSA? ANSWER: There is a significant advantage to using a Health Savings Account (HSA), even if you contribute with post-tax dollars…