An estate plan is a map that explains how you want your personal and financial affairs to be handled in the event of your incapacity or death. Due to its importance and because circumstances change over time, you should periodically review your estate plan and update it as needed. When should you review your estate…
Make absolutely no mistake about it: Not only is employee burnout very real, it’s probably costing your business a lot more money than you realize. It’s also not a problem that you’re necessarily going to be able to buy your way out of, either. According to one recent study, a massive 70% of the workforce…
What’s the severance package? Most early retirement offers include a severance package that is based on your annual salary and years of service at the company. For example, your employer might offer you one or two weeks’ salary (or even a month’s salary) for each year of service. Make sure that the severance package will…
How does one account for market return when building a portfolio? Bil Lako, CFP® says ask yourself, “What is your overall tolerance for risk?” and then build the portfolio from there.
By: Tim O’Pry | Chief Security Officer In an October 2018 speech, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke on what he believes are the wonders and dangers of technology. A summary of that speech was detailed in this INC online article and the one statement they identified as among the more significant was: “Our own information,…
Unlike a C corporation, which itself pays the tax on its taxable income, an S corporation does not directly pay taxes on its income; instead, its income, losses, deductions, and credits are distributed across its shareholders’ individual tax returns on a pro rata basis. These distributions are not subject to self-employment (Social Security and Medicare)…
Typically, lenders require a down payment of 20% of the home’s purchase price. However, some special mortgage programs allow you to purchase a home with no down payment, such as Veterans Administration (VA) mortgages (if you are a qualified veteran) and no-down-payment or 100% financing mortgage programs. VA mortgage terms are generally favorable when compared…
The most recent data from the IRS on individual tax returns indicates that of 131 million returns filed, about 5 million were expected to be amended. This comes to less than 4 percent, but that projection still affects a significant number of taxpayers. Filing an amended tax return can be a hassle that you definitely…
Review Your Game Plan You haven’t saved enough for retirement…or college. Your credit card debt is spiraling. You’ve been blindsided by unexpected expenses. When your finances hit a rough patch, call a time out and review your game plan. Rethink your strategy to account for changes in your personal life, the economy, or market conditions.…
Bil Lako, CFP®, explains that when people care about a cause, they donate regardless of the potential tax benefit. But, people still ask about charitable tax deductions because they want to know how to make the most of their finances.
