Tamila McDonald, Author at The Free Financial Advisor

Are You Financially Prepared to Return to The Office?

April 12, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Now that vaccine rates are rising, and restrictions on gathering are loosening. Many professionals will soon be returning to their traditional workplaces. While the idea of transitioning back may not seem like a big deal. As many people have years and years of experiencing going to an office. That doesn’t mean there won’t be an impact. Returning to the office will come with a financial burden. If you aren’t ready, it can be hard to start shouldering again. If you want to make sure you’re financially prepared to return to the office. Here’s what you need to know.

The Costs of Heading Back to the Office

Often, you can’t determine if you’re financially prepared to return to the office without first understanding the costs you may face. That way, you can estimate how they may impact your budget, giving you a chance to make adjustments in advance.

Commuting

One of the biggest shifts in your expenses will involve your commute. Since you won’t be working from home, you’ll need to tackle transportation costs that may not have been a part of your life for some time. This can include increases in fuel expenses, tolls, parking fees, and wear-and-tear costs if you drive your own vehicle. If you use public transit, then you may need a new pass or to factor in the price of tickets.

Lunch, Drinks, and Snacks

Another point you may need to cover is food and drinks. While you can certainly pack a lunch to bring with you and only drink beverages available for free at work, meals and drinks out may also be part of the equation. If you don’t plan on bringing your own, you need to factor in these costs.

Wardrobe

Additionally, you may have to spring for new clothing. You’ll need to look at your wardrobe to determine two things. First, you need to see if your clothes are in good repair. Second, you need to find out if they still fit.

Many people saw their weight change during the pandemic, as being stuck at home altered activity levels and may have also led to diet changes. Since you want to look professional when you head back to the office, you need to make sure your clothing is the right size for you now.

PPE

Finally, you may need to cover some PPE costs that you didn’t have to shoulder before. This could include a higher quality mask, particularly if you aren’t yet vaccinated, and your job doesn’t allow for six feet of separation, as well as personal stashes of hand sanitizer, gloves, or other items that may not be available through your employer.

Child Care

If you have children at home, you may need to make child care arrangements for when you head back to the office. This is especially true if your children aren’t school-aged or if schools have not reopened in your area and your kids aren’t old enough to take care of themselves.

It’s also important to note that these costs may be higher than they were pre-pandemic. Many child care facilities have seen their costs rise and may still be dealing with restrictions about the number of kids who can be on-site at a time. As a result, they might have had little choice but to raise their prices in order to sustain their operations.

How to Financially Prepare to Return to the Office

If you want to make sure that you’re financially prepared to return to the office, your biggest step is to review your budget. Estimate the cost of any expenses you’ll have to cover once you start heading to a workplace and see if you can cover them comfortably. If not, you may need to cut back in various areas, ensuring that any costs that you can’t avoid can fit into your budget.

Additionally, for any items you need to buy – like clothing or PPE – shop around. Discount retailers like TJ Maxx or Ross Dress for Less may help you stretch your budget, or you may find solid options from thrift stores.

It’s also wise to keep a close eye on your food and drink expenses. Dining out is convenient, but it typically costs far more than bringing your own meals, snacks, and beverages. If you’re worried about safety, consider investing in an insulated lunch box or thermos if you need to keep items cold or hot. That way, you don’t have to store your food or drinks in areas that all employees can access, which may give you more peace of mind.

Finally, try to make room for saving. Keeping a solid emergency fund and your retirement on target should be priorities. While you may have to scale back while you regain your financial footing, try to stay committed to setting aside as much as possible. That way, you can maintain your savings habit.

Do you have any tips or insights that can help people financially prepare for a return to the office? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Here’s What Your Children Know About Investing That You Don’t

April 5, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

While younger generations often get a bad rap when it comes to how they handle their finances. A decent portion of that reputation is underserved. In fact, on occasion, younger investors are savvier than their older counterparts. Causing them to make better choices than their parents. If you are wondering what your children know about investing that you don’t. You should keep reading.

Dodging Fees and Other Costs

Overall, younger generations are more fee and cost-conscious than older ones. They don’t just understand that investment-related expenses can hinder their progress. They also know how to find information about the associated fees.

Millennials and Gen Z aren’t afraid to get online and dig into the fine print about what various brokerages or investments will cost them. Additionally, Millennials are particularly value-driven. So they look for opportunities to save whenever they exist.

Thanks to the rise of low-cost robo-advisors, many younger investors have learned that high fees aren’t something they have to accept. That isn’t necessarily true of many older investors, particularly those that have been using the same approach for years, if not several decades. In the latter case, the investors simply settle into the status quo, and that can be costly in the long run. With the former, it’s all about finding the best value, ensuring that more of their money works for them instead of going to fees.

Investing Isn’t Just for the Rich

Investing is often touted as a pathway to long-term financial success. However, outside of retirement plans, a reputation of investing just being for the rich arose. In some cases, this was initially true, as getting access to a broker wasn’t an option for lower-income households. The issue is that the idea remained even as that became less and less of the case.

That myth that investing is only for the rich is often more pervasive among older generations than younger ones, causing some households to shy away from investing outside of retirement plans. Younger generations know that investing is something anyone can do. App-based robo-advisors are an expression of that fact, as they give people a quick, easy way to get started.

Plus, information about investing is usually only a few clicks away, either in the apps or online in general. For Millennials and Gen Z, this further demystifies investing, making it feel even more accessible.

Downturns Can Be Opportunities

During the early days of the coronavirus, stock markets tumbled. Many companies that were classically viewed as solid – and financially inaccessible from a stock-buying perspective – saw the price of their shares drop.

For younger investors, the downturn wasn’t just a crisis; it was an opportunity. Some investors who previously couldn’t afford to purchase certain stocks suddenly could, so they hopped on board with companies they believed would ultimately recover.

Older generations didn’t always view the situation similarly. The closer you get to retirement, the more you tend to focus on portfolio value preservation. In some cases, this led investors to abandon companies that were experiencing hardship, even if the odds of that hardship persisting were relatively low.

Investing Doesn’t Have to Be a Taboo Subject

For many older generations, the idea of having genuine conversations about money isn’t appealing. Money is often discussed in hushed tones, viewed as one of the most private topics in a person’s life.

Millennials and Gen Z don’t necessarily see it that way. Many younger people are comfortable with sharing details about their lives with the masses, thanks to their comfort level with social media. As a result, they aren’t averse to learning about and discussing investing with their peers, something that can work in their favor.

By being open to talking about money and investing, members of younger generations learn from each other. They can find out about mistakes their peers made and opportunities that were seized. The odds of them being pointed to valuable informational resources may also be higher.

Now, it is true that this can also lead to trouble. After all, not all information is accurate or reliable, so it can lead to the spread of misinformation, too. However, treating the topic as if it isn’t taboo is something that older generations could benefit from, as it can create openings for learning from others, getting support, and, ultimately, making better decisions.

Can you think of anything else young children know about investing that you don’t? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Work From Home? Here’s How to Take The Tax Deduction

March 29, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

If you’re self-employed. You may be eligible for a variety of tax deductions designed to reduce your tax burden. Overlooking these deductions means potentially paying more in taxes than necessary. Something that isn’t ideal for anyone. If you want to make sure you get every deduction you’re eligible to snag. Here are some work from home tax deductions that you should take advantage of if you qualify for them.

Home Office

If you have either a separate home office or a designated spot in your home where you work. You may be eligible for a home office deduction. The IRS does require that the space be used “exclusively and regularly” for work. Though, for many self-employed professionals who mainly handle computer-based tasks. This requirement is often fairly simple to meet.

With this deduction, you have two potential approaches. If you’re looking for the easiest option, go simplified. With that, self-employed individuals have the ability to deduct $5 per square foot of office space, up to a total of 300 square feet.

If you aren’t afraid of handling some calculations. You can use the regular method. With that, you can calculate the percentage of your home that you are using for work only. Then, apply that percentage to eligible housing related costs. Which allows you to determine what portion of the allowable expenses are deductible.

In many cases, it’s wise to run both options to determine which approach results in the largest deduction. Just make sure that you handle the calculations carefully to ensure accuracy when you go through the more complex method.

Health Insurance

If you’re self-employed, bought your own medical coverage, and aren’t eligible for coverage through a spouse’s employer, you may be able to deduct the cost of your premiums. Technically, this isn’t a deduction. Instead, it’s an income reduction, so you don’t necessarily have to itemize to claim this benefit.

Vehicle Expenses

If you drive your car as part of your self-employment business, you may be eligible for vehicle expense tax deductions. Usually, you’ll get a specific amount per mile driven, allowing you to recoup some of the financial loss related to greater wear and tear on your car.

Claiming this deduction does require an accurate log of your miles traveled for business purposes. However, it can be substantial, so it’s worth keeping those records to reduce your tax burden.

Plus, there are also potentially deductible vehicle costs. For example, gas, parking fees, tolls, repairs, and similar expenses related to business-connected travel may be claimable.

Self-Employment Tax

While it may seem odd, it is possible to snag a tax deduction for paying self-employment tax. Self-employment tax is the Social Security and Medicare tax that people who are self-employed have to pay and comes in at a rate of around 15.3 percent.

With traditional employment, the employer and employee split that tax burden. If you’re self-employed, you have to pay it all. But you also get to deduct half of the amount you pay when you file your taxes, helping you to reduce some of that burden.

Internet and Phone

If you use your home internet for work or have a separate phone for business purposes, you can deduct the portion of your bill that aligns with your business use. For example, if half of your internet time is work-related, half of your internet bill can be a deductible expense. If you have a separate phone line for business calls that is only used for that purpose, that is 100 percent deductible.

Trade Publications, Memberships, or Subscriptions

Self-employed individuals who pay for specialty publications, memberships, or subscriptions that directly align with their work can deduct the cost as a business expense. The most critical part of the equation is that the content is specialized. For example, a trade magazine counts, while a national newspaper does not, as the latter is too general to be profession-specific.

Educational Expenses

Educational expenses related to honing work skills in your current self-employment field can be deductible. The course or skill has to connect to your existing business, not something you hope to do later or anything you do for personal growth. For example, a self-employed web developer can deduct the cost of a course on responsive design but wouldn’t be able to take the deduction for a yoga class or music theory course.

Advertising

If you spend money to advertise your business, that cost is deductible. This can include any kind of paid-for ad, including Facebook or Google ads, television commercials, bench ads, or mailed flyers.

Business Insurance

In most cases, business insurance premiums are deductible. There are some nondeductible premiums, though, so it’s wise to review IRS guidance to determine which ones you can use to reduce your tax burden.

Office Equipment and Supplies

In many cases, office equipment or supplies that you purchase to use for your self-employed business can reduce your tax burden. The value of the items may determine what kind of deduction or benefit you receive, as high-cost items like computers may be treated differently than pens and paper.

Credit Card and Loan Interest

If you paid interest on a business purchase because you used a credit card or loan to cover the cost, you might be able to deduct the interest. The card or loan doesn’t necessarily have to be a business one. However, you usually need to use that card or loan solely for business purposes to claim the deduction cleanly.

Travel (Including Meals)

If you’re gone on business, some of your travel-related costs are deductible. Plane tickets, hotel stays, Uber rides, and similar expenses that you incur while away from home handling a work-related activity can potentially qualify. Similarly, certain meal-related costs may be deductible, including if you take a client out for dinner or have to pay for meals because you are on the road.

Retirement Contributions

If you have a self-employed retirement plan – like an SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), or SIMPLE IRA – you can potentially deduct the contributions. This can be a boon if you save up to the contribution limit, though it does make a difference even if you are setting aside less than that each year.

Qualified Business Income

A newer self-employed tax deduction, the qualified business income deduction allows self-employed individuals – as well as some small business owners – to deduct part of their business income when they file their taxes. Your total taxable income from all sources does have to be below a set threshold to qualify. But if it is, you may be able to deduct 20 percent of your taxable business income.

Do you know of any other work from home tax deductions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Is It Ever Worth Buying Solar Panels For Your Home?

March 22, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

For many homeowners, finding ways to save on their electricity bills is a priority. In most parts of the country. Utility costs usually go up over time and can be hard to shoulder for many households. On occasion, this piques homeowner interest in solar panels. However, it’s normal to wonder. Is it ever worth buying solar panels for your home? After all, they can be pricey to install and have to be maintained. So do you get enough from them to make it worth the investment? If you’re trying to decide if buying solar panels for your home is the right move for you. Here’s what you need to consider.

The Cost of Purchasing and Installing Solar Panels

First and foremost, you need to determine how much it will cost to buy the solar panels you need. You also need to understand how much additional equipment is required – and have them installed. Along with the panels themselves. You’ll usually need other items. Like an inverter, cables, wiring, and metering equipment. You may also want to invest in batteries to store some of the energy you produce. Though those tend to be incredibly costly.

Installation can also come with a large price tag. Usually, solar panel installation requires specialized skills. That can push the total cost up.

Ideally, you want to gather several quotes in advance. That way, you can get a grip on the price. Thus, allowing you to determine if the investment is worthwhile.

Solar Panel Incentives in Your City, State, or Country

At times, there are incentives available that can offset some of the cost of buying solar panels for your home. For example, you may be eligible for rebates, tax breaks, subsidies, or other incentive programs.

In most cases, incentives are offered through the government – including on the local and national level – though they may also be available through your utility company. The incentives vary regularly, so you need to review the programs to see when they expire, allowing you to estimate which ones may be available to you based on your prospective installation date.

Ongoing Maintenance After Buying Solar Panels for Your Home

After installation, you have to contend with maintenance costs. The solar panels are a critical energy system, and they can’t be left unmaintained. If you neglect maintenance, you may find your system breaking down quickly or not functioning at its best.

Usually, cleaning is the most frequent form of maintenance you’ll need to handle. However, inverters, batteries, and other components may only last several years. As a result, you might have to plan for regular replacement based.

Additionally, you might need to budget for panel damage. While today’s solar panels are tough, that doesn’t mean they can’t be harmed. For example, a hail storm could be problematic and may require a panel to be repaired or replaced if it is damaged.

Sun Exposure on Your Roof, Not Just in Your Area

While solar panels are more efficient than they used to be, you get the best performance if your solar panels get a high amount of direct sun exposure. That means you need to look past the weather in your region and actually check out how sunlight moves across the section (or sections) or your roof you are considering for the installation.

Your Current Electric Bill

Your current electric bill is brimming with information that can help you decide if buying solar panels for your home is a good investment. Not only does it list your current electricity costs, but it can also reveal the amount of electricity you use, usually in kWh.

You can use the kWh information to estimate the number of panels you need based on the amount of sunlight the installation area receives. Alternatively, you can provide that information to the companies you receive estimates from, allowing them to give you a more accurate quote.

Once you have an idea of how much a solar panel system that could cover your energy needs costs, you can estimate how long it would take to recoup that expense through electricity bill savings. For example, if the solar panel system would run $20,000 to purchase and install, and your monthly electric bill is $200, then it would take around eight years and four months to recoup that investment, not including the additional money you’ll spend on maintenance.

Is Buying Solar Panels for Your Home Worth It?

By looking at all of the information above, you can estimate how long it would take to get your money back after buying solar panels for your home. At that point, you can decide if the investment is worthwhile to you.

For some homeowners, it will be incredibly worthwhile thanks to a high amount of sun exposure, solar panel incentives, and other factors. For others, the cost of a system that can handle 100 percent of their energy needs will be too high to make recouping the investment in a timely manner possible.

Ultimately, the choice is always yours. However, by doing the math, you can make sure you understand the financial side of the picture, ensuring you make a choice that’s best for your household.

Do you think buying solar panels for your home is ever a good idea? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

What Should I Do With the Next Stimulus Check?

March 15, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

With the new COVID relief bill passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. Many Americans have stimulus checks on the way if they aren’t already in hand. However, figuring out what to do with the money can be surprisingly tricky. Particularly if you have some conflicting needs. Luckily, it is possible to choose the best path for you. If you aren’t sure where to begin. Here are some options for what to do with the next stimulus check.

Handle an Urgent Need

If you have an urgent financial need, such as issues buying enough food for your household or past-due utility bills, using your stimulus check to handle those costs is your best bet. It ensures you can continue to live without undue hardship, and that’s important during this pandemic recovery period.

Additionally, if you have secured debt – like an auto loan – and you’ve fallen behind on payments, putting the asset at risk of seizure, it may be a solid target. By catching up, you may be able to avoid the repossession or foreclosure. Depending on the asset involved, that might be crucial.

However, before you send stimulus money toward any bill, you may want to see if there are other programs available that may reduce that burden. For example, utility companies, mortgage lenders, certain state or county offices, and many other organizations have relief programs to help those who are struggling due to the pandemic. If you’re eligible for their assistance, don’t hesitate to use it. Then, you can direct your stimulus check toward other needs.

Pay Your Taxes

If you have filed (or are about to file) your federal taxes and owe money to the IRS, using your stimulus check to handle that burden isn’t a bad idea. Unlike for the 2019 tax year filings, the IRS isn’t postponing 2020 tax filings this year. If you want to avoid fees and interest, then you need to pay what you owe in full by April 15.

Even if the stimulus check only covers part of your obligation, using it to handle some of your taxes reduces this total burden. Then, if you need to enter into a payment plan with the IRS to address the rest, what you’ll need to pay could be easier to shoulder.

Create an Emergency Fund

If you don’t have any cash – or very little money – set aside in an emergency fund, using your stimulus check to get one started is a good idea. It’s wise to have a little cash available for unexpected events, something that the pandemic made abundantly clear for many.

Ideally, you want at least $1,000 set aside initially. Then, you can work your way up over time, aiming to save a minimum of three to six months’ living expenses.

Pay Down High-Interest Debt

Using your stimulus check to tackle high-interest debt is always a good idea. Not only will it reduce the amount of money you’ll pay over the life of the debt, but it could potentially boost your credit.

For many people, starting with high-interest credit cards is the best way to go, especially if the cards are close to being maxed out. However, for others, a high-interest personal loan could also be a good target.

Finally, if you have a payday loan, focusing on that might be your ideal option. Payday loans usually come with astronomical interest rates, making them a wise debt to tackle with stimulus money.

Boost Your Retirement Savings

By using your stimulus check to boost your retirement savings, you not only do something to help secure your financial future, but you may also get a tax benefit. You have until April 15, 2021, to finish up your 2020 retirement investing. If you contribute your stimulus to a tax-advantaged account, you might be able to lower your 2020 tax burden.

However, you can also use the money for your 2021 retirement savings. You may be able to get a jump start on it or even fully fund an IRA, depending on how much you receive in your stimulus check.

Handle a Large Purchase

If you have a solid emergency fund, fully funded retirement accounts, no high-interest debt, and have your financial house otherwise in order, then using your stimulus check for a large purchase is certainly an option. It may give you the ability to buy high-cost items in cash, allowing you to potentially avoid high-interest debt.

Even using stimulus money to fund a vacation can be a smart move if you’re in good financial shape otherwise. Again, it lets you avoid the need for debt and could give you something fun to look forward to once you feel comfortable traveling.

Invest, Invest , Invest

If you want to put your stimulus check to work but already have a fully-funded retirement account, then you could always invest separately. There are many options that can help people get started, including full-service brokers, robo-advisors, and anything in-between.

You will need to do some research if you don’t currently have an investment account, ensuring you choose the right brokerage for you. Additionally, if you aren’t sure where to invest the money, you might need professional guidance or to conduct more research.

In many cases, focusing on individual stocks isn’t wise for beginners. Instead, options like index funds may be a better bet, as they come with an innate level of diversification.

Save Money for College

Whether you have children or may go back to college yourself, setting your stimulus check aside in a 529 college savings plan could be a smart move. It lets your money grow tax-free, and any withdrawals you make for qualifying expenses aren’t taxed either. In the end, this option can help make college more affordable, allowing you or your child to potentially avoid or reduce the need for costly student loans.

Do you already have plans for your next stimulus check? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Should You Be Investing in SPACs?

March 8, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Many investors are constantly on the prowl for new options that could help them make a bit of cash. If SPACs have recently made their way onto your radar and you’re wondering if you should be investing in them, here’s what you need to know.

What Are SPACs?

SPAC stands for “special-purpose acquisition company.” Also referred to as “blank check companies,” SPACs are publicly-listed, but are considered non-operating. Instead, they exist solely to purchase private companies, allowing the company that has been acquired to have a connection with a publicly listed stock.

Generally, the process of becoming a publicly-listed is cumbersome. By going the SPAC route, a private company can avoid the challenges associated with an initial public offering (IPO). The SPAC is already public. Plus, by using a reverse merger after the acquisition, the once private company can transition to a public one while maintaining autonomy.

Are SPACs a Good Investment?

Like any part of the investment landscape, there is certainly risk associated with investing in SPACs, even if there doesn’t appear to be any on the surface. While it’s true that if a SPAC doesn’t find a private company to scoop up, investors get their money back after a set amount of time, your money may not be working for you as hard as it could going another route.

Additionally, there’s no guarantee that the private company a SPAC grabs is going to be successful once it is part of the market. As recent history has shown, not all IPOs go well. If the SPAC selects the wrong company, you can certainly experience losses.

Finally, by design, SPACs benefit the SPAC sponsors far more than individual investors. Generally, the sponsors get a significant stock allocation for the SPAC IPO, and the founder shares can dilute common stockholders.

In many cases, a SPAC’s performance can be subpar. When there is a high-valued private company serving as a potential target, it can generate competition among SPACs. When that happens, the price may inflate, causing the SPAC that “wins” to overpay, something that doesn’t work in investors’ favor.

SPAC Overpays

However, the sponsors – due to the nature of the arrangement – can still come out ahead even if the SPAC overpays, creating a level of conflict of interest. The decisions may not be in the best interest of individual investors. Instead, only the sponsors serve to gain.

Ultimately, it’s wise to be cautious about investing in SPACs. You may not know exactly what the SPAC will scoop up when you invest, which isn’t ideal. Additionally, there can be issues with transparency, as well as potential conflicts of interest.

In many ways, a SPAC is riskier than a traditional IPO. If you’re risk-averse, that’s far from ideal. However, even if you are open to some risk, the low historical performance should give you pause. If you do think SPACs are right for you, research is your ally, as it may give you an indication about the SPAC’s ability to choose the right private company. Make sure you really dig in, as that may be your only way to determine if a SPAC has potential.

Do you think investing in SPACs is a smart move? Do you plan on adding them to your portfolio? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Annuities and Taxes: Here’s What You Need to Know

March 1, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Annuities can be a reliable source of income in retirement. Once you begin receiving benefits. You’ll receive a set amount of money each month or year for the rest of your life. Even if you live for decades more. However, annuities can come with tax implications. Both on the front and back ends. If you want to find out more about annuities and taxes. Here’s what you need to know.

Annuities and Taxes – Qualified vs. Non-Qualified Annuities

First, it’s important to understand that how an annuity is taxed does vary depending on the type of annuity involved, especially how it was funded.

Qualified annuities are funded with pre-tax dollars. In most cases, these involve principal payments from a type of tax-deferred retirement account, like a 401(k) or a traditional IRA. However, there may be other approaches available, as well.

When you make withdrawals from a qualified annuity, you pay taxes on the money just as you would other traditional kinds of income. Since none of the money has been taxed, every dollar in the withdrawal is treated the same.

Non-qualified annuities are funded with after-tax money. With those, when you make withdrawals, you’ll only owe taxes on earnings, not the deposited amounts. The money used to fund the annuity has already been taxed, so it won’t be taxed again. However, the earnings haven’t, making them subject to taxation.

Usually, with non-qualified annuities, the taxed amount is determined by the exclusion ratio. This calculation determines how much of an annuity income payment is taxable by separating the portion of the payment funded with the principal from the part funded by interest earnings.

In some cases, annuities purchased with funds from a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA are tax-free. However, very specific conditions have to be met for that to happen.

Tax Rates on Annuities

When you’re receiving income from an annuity, the taxable amount is taxed based on traditional income tax rates. Annuities aren’t eligible for capital gains rates, which are often lower than income tax rates.

If you need to estimate how much you’ll owe, use the traditional tax tables from the IRS. That will give you the most accurate picture, at least on a federal level.

In some cases, you’ll also need to pay taxes on the state level. State income tax rates vary, and some may exclude annuities – as well as other kinds of retirement income – while others do not. Additionally, not all states have an income tax in the first place. As a result, you’ll need to research rules in your area to determine how much you may owe.

Depending on where you purchase your annuity, you may also owe a state premium tax. Some states tax insurance premiums, including during the sale of annuities. If you live in one of those states, you may see a 1 to 3.5 percent tax. However, some states waive the fee under certain circumstances, such as if you make the purchase using funds from a qualified retirement plan.

When Withdrawal Timing Impacts Taxes on Annuities

Another factor in how money from an annuity is taxed is when withdrawals are made. Usually, if you take any money out before you reach the age of 59 ½, you’ll owe a penalty of up to 10 percent to the IRS. However, by waiting until you’re at least 59 ½, you can avoid this entirely.

Additionally, if you take a lump sum instead of annuity income payments, at a minimum, all of your earnings are taxed right away. If you funded the annuity with pre-tax dollars, then the entire lump sum, including both the principal and earnings, are taxed immediately.

Inherited Annuities and Taxes

If you inherit an annuity from another person, the same tax rules apply to you as would to the deceased. As a result, if the annuity was qualified because it was funded with pre-tax dollars, you’ll owe taxes on the entire value of any withdrawals. If it was non-qualified, then you’ll only owe taxes on the earnings.

Ultimately, annuities are fairly simple to understand from a tax perspective. Earnings are typically taxed as income, and withdrawals from principal only are if the annuity was funded pre-tax. While your income tax rates may vary depending on your total income level, how your annuity factors in is reasonably straightforward.

Is there anything else people should know about annuities and taxes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Don’t File Bankruptcy Due to Medical Debt-Do This Instead!

February 22, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Medical debt can create a serious financial hardship. Many health-related bills are surprisingly high, and you may not be presented with a lot of options for handling it in a manner that feels manageable. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to turn to bankruptcy to address these debts. There are other approaches that can work. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here’s a look at what you can do instead of filing for bankruptcy due to medical debt.

Review Your Medical Bills for Accuracy

First, before you do anything, you should review all of your medical bills to make sure the charges are accurate. If the healthcare facility didn’t send an itemized bill automatically, request one. Then, review every single line item and charge to make sure you are only billed for services you actually received.

If you find an inaccuracy, reach out to the facility and dispute it. That way, you can ensure that any medical debt you have is genuine.

Ask About Cost-Reduction Programs

If you are part of a low-income household, you may be eligible for financial assistance programs through the healthcare facility that are designed to eliminate your medical debt burden. Some will reduce the amount you owe by a specific percentage based on your income level and the amount owed.

With those programs, you usually need to complete some paperwork to prove eligibility. Additionally, if you don’t have health insurance, you may be required to apply for Medicaid to qualify. However, once that is done, all or a portion of your debt is essentially eliminated.

Negotiate for a Lower Rate

In some cases, you can actually negotiate your medical debt down. This is especially true if you are able to make a substantial lump sum payment but can’t cover the full amount. Some facilities may accept what you can offer in exchange for closing out the bill. They’ll consider it paid-in-full, even though you paid less.

At times, you may be able to use other approaches as well. For example, if you can prove that other nearby healthcare facilities charge less for an item or service, you may be able to leverage that into a discount if the difference was significant.

If you aren’t comfortable negotiating yourself, you can opt to hire a medical bill advocate. These professionals can assist with the process, ensuring you get the best deal possible.

Work Out a Payment Plan

Most large healthcare facilities have payment plan options. Some are income-driven, while others are purely time-based. With the former, how much you pay each month is derived from your income, ensuring that you don’t have to pay more than a specific percentage of your income each month. With the latter, the amount you owe determines how long you can repay. Then, the debt is divided by that set number of monthly payments.

Usually, you can find out about these programs by contacting the provider directly. In some cases, simply requesting to be placed on a plan is enough. In others, you may need to complete paperwork and provide supporting documentation, though the process tends to be straightforward.

Now, even if there is a set payment plan formula, that doesn’t mean you can request something outside of the norm. This is especially true if what you owe is close to crossing the threshold for a better deal.

For example, if the facility offers an 18-month payment plan for debts of $5,000 or more and a 12-month plan for debts under that amount, if you owe $4,925, they might honor your request for the 18-month plan. However, not all facilities will, though that doesn’t mean you should ask.

Do you have any other tips that can help someone avoid bankruptcy and deal with medical debt? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

How Do I Get a Mortgage as a Solopreneur?

February 15, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Buying a house can be exciting, but the process is also incredibly complex, particularly if you are a solopreneur. When a traditionally employed person needs to secure financing for a home purchase, they typically have little difficulty demonstrating the stability of their income. For solopreneurs, that’s much more challenging. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage as a solopreneur. If you want to buy a home, here’s what you need to know.

Verifying Employment

When you’re a solopreneur – as well as a freelancer of a self-employed individual – proving your employment is a bit tricky. While people who work regular jobs have documents like paystubs and can often get a statement of employment from their employer, that isn’t’ the case with solopreneurs.

Usually, solopreneurs will need to go the extra mile to verify their employment. They may need to secure documentation from clients, supply a copy of a business license or insurance bond, or provide other kinds of proof. Past tax returns may also be viable sources of information.

In many cases, the lender can tell you before you apply what type of documentation might be necessary. That way, you can work on gathering it before you submit your application for a mortgage.

Income vs. Profit

Most solopreneurs work diligently to claim every potential deduction available to limit their tax liability. While this can be beneficial financially, it will have an impact on your ability to secure a mortgage.

Solopreneurs and self-employed individuals don’t have traditional paystubs to showcase their income. As a result, lenders typically request copies of two years of tax returns (sometimes more), along with other financial documents, like bank statements.

Depending on whether you operate as a business or sole proprietorship, you might need to provide personal and business tax return records and bank statements. Usually, the lender can outline what’s required before you apply.

When reviewing the information, the lender is concerned about your income, not profitability. If your cunning use of tax deductions significantly lowers your taxable income, that lower figure is what they’ll use to determine how much you can afford to pay.

Interest Rates

Some lenders view solopreneurs and self-employed professionals as riskier borrowers than those who have traditional employment. Often, with an increased risk level comes higher interest rates.

Now, precisely how much your solopreneur status will matter depends on a range of factors. If you have an excellent credit score, intend to put at least 20 percent down on the home, and need a small loan amount in comparison to what you could potentially afford, the impact may be less significant. However, if you’re looking for a large loan, can only put a small amount down, and have only a good or fair credit score, it could make a difference.

Tips for Getting a Mortgage as a Solopreneur

If you’re a solopreneur, there are things you can do to increase your odds of getting a mortgage. First, formalize your business with a license, and pay yourself as a W-2 employee instead of taking an owner draw. This can make it easier to show your employment and income, as well as separate some of your business finances from your personal situation.

Additionally, reduce your debt load, build a solid emergency fund, and make a larger than necessary down payment. You may also want to bypass certain tax deductions, allowing you to increase your income on your tax returns.

It’s also smart to shop around for your mortgage. Some companies are more welcoming to solopreneurs than other lenders. If you can find one that commonly works with self-employed professionals, freelancers, and solopreneurs, you may have an easier time meeting their requirements.

Do you have any other insights that can help someone get a mortgage as a solopreneur? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The Best Way to Do Your Taxes When Running Your Own Business

February 8, 2021 by Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Filing your taxes each year can be a daunting experience. Even if you’re only handling an individual income tax return. When you operate a business. The situation is often significantly more complex. Whether you run a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), or any other kind of corporation. You will need to file forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – and possibly your state, as well – covering that organization’s financial activities. If you are wondering what’s the best way to do your taxes when running your own business. Here’s what you need to know.

Preparing to Do Your Federal Taxes When Running a Business

Start with Record Collection

Generally speaking, your first step any time you need to file your taxes is to gather the various financial documents that you’ll need to complete the forms. In most cases, this is any receipts, statements, financial records, or other kinds of paperwork that demonstrate your business earnings, losses, and expenses.

Without the records, you won’t be able to fill in all of the details that need to be present on your tax forms. As a result, it’s best to handle this in advance. Thus, ensuring that, once you sit down to take care of your filing. You will have everything you need available.

Select the Right Forms

The forms you need to file with the IRS vary depending on the type of business you operate. If you’re a sole proprietorship, then you’ll usually need to attach a Schedule C to your personal income tax return. The same goes if you are operating an LLC, are the sole owner of the business, and want to treat the company like a sole proprietorship, which is an option.

However, if you prefer to treat the LLC as a separate entity, you’ll need to use Form 1120. The same is true for C-Corps.

For S-Corps, a different form is necessary. When you file, you’d need Form 1120S. Partnerships also require a different form, as those use a Form 1065 when they need to file.

If you use software or a tax professional to file, you’ll usually get some assistance when it comes to choosing forms. If you’re doing your taxes by hand on actual paper, then you’ll need to make sure you get printed copies of the correct forms.

Learn the Deadlines

Different filing deadlines may apply depending on the kind of business you run. For sole proprietorships, the deadline is the same as it is for personal income taxes. As a result, you typically need to complete your filing by April 15 to be on time.

C-Corps have to file by the 15^th day of the fourth month following the closing of the tax year being filed. Typically, that means filing by April 15, as well.

S-Corps have to file Form 1120S by the 15^th day of the third month following the closing of the tax year. As a result, that means having to file by March 15, in most cases.

By knowing the deadlines that impact you, you can make sure that you file in a timely manner. Since filing late can have consequences, this allows you to avoid fees, penalties, or other issues.

However, if you need more time beyond the deadline, it lets you know the cutoff for requesting an extension. If you file for an extension by the initial due date – usually by submitting a Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 7004: Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File Certain Business Income Tax, Information, and Other Returns, depending on your type of business – you can typically get yourself more time to handle your business tax filing.

Research Tax Breaks

Before you move forward with completing your forms, it’s wise to do a little research into business tax breaks. By spending some time looking into what may be available, you increase your odds of securing every deduction or credit that may be available to you, ensuring you can reduce your tax burden while using the correct options.

The number of available IRS business tax credits is extensive, covering anything from hiring workers from specific demographic groups to using alternative energy vehicles as part of your company’s operations. These give you credits and deductions beyond your business expenses, and they can potentially add up quickly.

Depending on the tax break involved, this can also mean needing another tax form. Many require the use of a Form 3800: General Business Credit, so you want to make sure you have this available if you plan on filing a paper return.

Decide How You Want to File

When it comes time to file, you can usually either file electronically or mail your return to the appropriate office. Either approach is allowed, even if paper returns are largely falling out of favor.

Electronic submission is usually the preferred method. With an electronic filing, you can easily track when the information is received. Plus, you don’t really have to worry about your return being lost or damaged along the way.

Even if there’s an issue with an electronic submission, you’ll typically get an alert, allowing you to correct the problem quickly. If a paper return gets lost in the mail or is damaged to the point it becomes unreadable, you likely won’t know that anything has gone wrong. As a result, you could face penalties for a late or missing filing simply because your tax forms weren’t officially received or couldn’t be processed when they arrived.

Preparing to Do Your State Taxes When Running a Business

In many cases, the process of preparing to complete your state taxes when you run a business is similar to the approach you need to handle your federal tax filing. You’ll need to gather documents, research forms, and filing requirements based on your business type, learn about any potential tax breaks, and go over the deadlines in advance.

However, the exact process may vary from one state to the next. As a result, you’ll need to do some additional research regarding your state’s specific requirements. That way, you can follow any required processes, ensuring you handle this obligation correctly as well.

Filing Your Taxes When You Run a Business

When the time arrives for you to actually file your taxes, you have two choices. First, you can tackle the work yourself, completing your own documents and handling the submission.

Usually, if you are going the do-it-yourself route, the best option for small business owners is to take advantage of tax software. This can include downloadable options or web-based services, as both of them typically offer a similar experience.

You can follow the prompts to fill in the needed sections. Typically, you won’t have to worry about doing any math by hand, as the software will complete the calculations for you.

Now, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to review the figures for accuracy. While tax software typically won’t make a math mistake, if you incorrectly enter information, choose the wrong options, or there happens to be an error in the software, it could result in incorrect numbers. You’re ultimately responsible for the accuracy of your returns, which is why you should always look at the details closely before you finalize the filing.

Then, once all of the details are in place, and you’ve reviewed them for accuracy, you can file electronically or print out the forms and mail them. With electronic filing, you can apply a digital signature, sign up for notifications that will let you know when your documents were received, and save a copy of the documents for your records.

You Could Hire A Tax Professional

Alternatively, you can hire a tax professional to handle the paperwork and manage the submission of taxes. This method may be better if your tax situation is particularly complex or you simply don’t have the time, energy, or desire to take care of the filing yourself.

Generally, filing through a tax professional will cost more than doing it yourself. However, it does give you direct access to a tax expert who may be able to help you find credits, deductions, or approaches that may benefit you.

Additionally, just because you use a tax professional, that doesn’t mean filing electronically won’t be an option. Many tax preparers have the ability to submit your taxes electronically. However, some may rely on the paper approach, which means putting your return in the mail.

If you want the benefits of an electronic submission but also wish to use a tax professional, speak with them before you begin the process. That way, you can confirm the preparer can meet that need before you hire them to handle your tax filing.

Do you run your own business? What approach do you use when tax time rolls around? Share your thoughts in the comments below.