Ken Berry, Esq., is a nationally-known writer and editor specializing in tax and financial planning matters. During a career of more than 35 years, he has served as managing editor of a publisher of content-based marketing tools and vice president of an online continuing education company in the financial services industry. As a freelance writer, Ken has authored thousands of articles for a wide variety of newsletters, magazines and other periodicals, emphasizing a sense of wit and clarity.
October 21, 2014
The end of the year often turns into “harvest time” for tax-savvy investors. By harvesting either capital gains or capital losses from securities transactions, depending on their situation, they can reap tax rewards when they file their returns.
October 16, 2014
[This is part of a special series about year-end tax planning and preparation.] In the usual case, the tried-and-true tax strategy at the end of the year is to pull deductions into the current year and push income into the following year. And, for the most part, it still makes sense. But now there’s a few...…
October 14, 2014
[This is part of a special series of articles designed to maximize tax benefits and minimize tax pitfalls at the end of the year.] The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is often referred to as a “stealth tax” because it sneaks up on unsuspecting taxpayers. But you’re not doing your job well if your clients are caught...…
October 9, 2014
Are you the kind of tax practitioner who waits for business to walk in the door or do you actively pursue it on your own? Usually, the former will result in flat revenue while the latter enables you to better build and grow your practice.
October 9, 2014
Naturally, everyone’s tax situation is different and the landscape changes year to year. However, absent special circumstances such as pending legislation or drastic economic swings, the tried-and-true strategy of accelerating deductions into ...
October 7, 2014
What are the tax and financial issues of the Supreme Court's decision not to overturn gay marriage rulings in several new states? Although certain aspects are still being sorted out, here’s a brief summary of the lay of the land in several key areas.
October 3, 2014
Normally, a taxpayer may deduct travel expenses, including the cost of lodging, only when he or she is “away from home” on business. For this purpose, home means your tax home, usually the area surrounding your principal place of business ...
October 1, 2014
[This is the last in a series of articles on maximizingdeductions for travel and entertainment (T&E) expenses.] In the not-so-distant past, the IRS often suspected that deductions for travel and entertainment (T&E) were being inflated or, even worse, being claimed when no legitimate expenses existed. Eventually, it carved out a strict set of recordkeeping requirements for...…
September 24, 2014
The IRS has decided it won’t appeal a recent court ruling handed down in favor of Ryan, a global tax preparation services firm, that invalidates and permanently enjoins the IRS from prohibiting such arrangements for refund claims and amended returns.
September 23, 2014
The IRS has just announced new federal per diem travel rates for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY 2015), which spans October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015. Unlike many other previous years, when per diem rates were typically bumped up just a dollar or two or not
September 21, 2014
There’s nothing new about taxpayers mixing business with pleasure. For instance, a business executive might paint the town red after he or she signs a six-figure contract with a client or customer. Is the cost of entertaining the client or customer ...
September 18, 2014
Suppose one of your clients receives a postcard or email heralding a business convention at a lush tropical paradise this winter. It’s hard to pass up and your client may jump at the opportunity. After the early presentations and round-table discussions,
