Are you looking for a way to get into Costco for less? Our family has been Executive Costco member for over ten years, so we know a thing or two about Costco. If you are not sure if the $60 or $120 membership fee is worth it (psst…it is!), we have a couple of methods … Read more
Sometimes you just need to stop spending money for a few days. Maybe you are already over budget, or close to it, and the month isn’t over. Perhaps you have savings goals with deadlines and need to kick a little extra towards one of those goals before the deadline comes and goes. Or maybe you … Read more
Do retirees have to file a federal income tax return? You might think that the days spent filing an income tax return each year is behind you once you are retired. However, being retired doesn’t necessarily get you out of filing a return with the IRS. In fact, you may want to file even if … Read more
The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule or the law of the vital few, is an observation that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. I often use the Pareto Principle in my job, primarily when we work on quality or process improvement projects. A beautiful thing about Pareto is … Read more
One of the realities of earning more money is that you also need to report that income to the IRS. When you have a side hustle, you are supposed to report that income — no matter how insignificant it seems to you. Your income is reported on your tax return, usually using Form 1040. Additionally, … Read more
If you sell on eBay or one of the many online marketplaces, you might be wondering if you have to pay taxes on your eBay income? You certainly don’t want to get in hot water with the IRS! So what is the right answer when it comes to taxes and eBay income? The short answer … Read more
When you own rental property, you are essentially running a small business. This means that you can use your business expenses to reduce your business income, thus reduce your overall taxes. It is not uncommon for rental property investors to pay no income tax at all. Here are ten primary tax deductions for rental property … Read more
When the year draws to close, it’s time to take stock of what you are doing to increase your overall tax efficiency. If you are looking to lower your taxes, another way is to sell some of your losing investments to offset capital gains and up to $3,000 of your taxable income. The deduction you … Read more
As a small business owner, you have to make estimated tax payments to the Internal Revenue Service throughout the year (about once a quarter). This makes it easier to afford the taxes you owe rather than have a lump-sum balance due at tax time. As a business owner, I will share with you how I … Read more
For all the freelancers, small business owners and self-employed individuals out there, staying on top of when the estimated tax payments are due is important to help you stay within the IRS tax payment guideline and avoid penalty. Making estimated tax payments also helps you avoid financial shortfall when you file your tax returns. How … Read more