(Author’s Note: The bill passed in the House and Senate on December 21, 2020, after this piece originally appeared.) Congress has finally agreed on a COVID relief package. It is the first significant stimulus action from Congress since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act was signed into law in…
2020 is nearly done. Whether you’re an individual concerned about how a new president and recovering economy will impact you, or you need to find some last-minute tax deductions, there’s plenty to be thinking about as the new year ticks over. Preparing for end-of-year taxes, estate planning, and maximizing tax deductions On this week’s episode,…
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is reminding taxpayers about a temporary tax break that will allow more people to deduct up to $300 in donations to qualifying charities this year. Taxpayers who make cash donations of up to $300 before December 31, 2020, are now eligible for a charitable deduction when they file in 2021…
To keep the economy afloat, Congress introduced the Paycheck Protection Program, also known as PPP. PPP consists of potentially forgivable loans to keep employees on the payroll. The long-term purpose is to help the overall economy. Several issues and questions about PPP are still up in the air for both taxpayers and business owners. What…
In May of this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) attempted to retroactively impose rules on stimulus checks being paid out under the CARES Act to incarcerated persons. They did so by posting an FAQ on the IRS website, claiming that, “A Payment made to someone who is incarcerated should be returned to the IRS…
It looks like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may bring a vote on the Senate “skinny” bill – the latest coronavirus relief bill. Why is it skinny? It has a slimmer price tag – and fewer benefits – than before. Some Quick History In May, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced a $3 trillion…
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act into law. Most of us know that the CARES Act offered economic relief through stimulus checks and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). But there’s more relief available, including options that allow workers to tap into retirement accounts without a penalty, and take out loans. Here’s what you…
Didn’t get a stimulus check this year? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is beginning an outreach program to Americans who typically don’t file federal income tax returns and may be eligible for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP, more commonly known as a stimulus check) but have not yet registered to receive one. As part of…
Did you take out a required minimum distribution (RMD) this year and want to put it back? As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), RMDs are waived for 2020, including for inherited IRAs. The CARES waiver includes RMDs for individuals who turned age 70 ½ in 2019 and took…
In March of 2020, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act. It was bigger than the original Senate proposal but smaller than the subsequent House proposal. Eventually, the two reconciled and the CARES Act became law. In May of 2020, the House introduced and passed a new COVID-19 economic relief…