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The income tax credit for certain energy-efficient home improvements and equipment purchases was extended through 2016 by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act). So, you still have time to save both energy and taxes by making these eco-friendly...

The Section 199 tax deduction was first introduced with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. It was intended to primarily benefit America’s manufacturing industry. Indeed, sometimes the tax break is called the “manufacturers’ deduction” or the “domestic production activities...

One of the great things about setting up a home office is that you can make it as comfy as possible. Assuming you’ve done that, another good idea is getting comfortable with the home office deduction. To qualify for the deduction, you generally must maintain a specific area in...

2016 Tax Calendar July 15 — If the monthly deposit rule applies, employers must deposit the tax for payments in June for Social Security, Medicare, withheld income tax, and non-payroll withholding. August 1 — If you have employees, a federal unemployment tax (FUTA) deposit is due...

Does your employer offer a 401(k), 403(b) or governmental 457 plan? If so, you may be able to set up a designated Roth account through your company’s plan. Then your Roth account will be allowed to receive designated Roth contributions that are taken out of your salary...

Investing in mutual funds is an easy way to diversify a portfolio, which is one reason why they’re commonly found in retirement plans such as IRAs and 401(k)s. But if you hold such funds in taxable accounts, or are considering such investments, beware of these three tax hazards:...

Love and marriage — according to the song, they go together like a horse and carriage. But matrimony can leave some couples singing a sad tune when they encounter the ominously named “marriage penalty.” However, for other couples, marriage brings tax-saving opportunities. In a...

For family business owners, estate planning can be a challenge. Often, most if not all of their wealth is tied up in their companies, which creates a conflict between the desire to transfer ownership to the next generation and the desire to stay in control. One potential solution...

Non-compete agreements have long been a staple of executive employment contracts. Today, however, they’re becoming increasingly common even in lower-level jobs. According to the Wall Street Journal, a steady rise in litigation over non-competes “largely reflects the...

Courts generally give employers significant latitude in establishing dress code policies. The key is to not implement a policy that would have a disparate impact on “protected class” employees — that is, based on race, gender, religion, age, national origin or...