List of Tax Deductions You Won’t Want to Miss!

 
Tax Season…most of us have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. And while it’s tempting to ignore it until the new year, your taxes and time may benefit from keeping it top-of-mind all year long. Receipts, expenses, purchases, and assets are all prime records that you should be keeping year-round to get ready for the big day. Besides, we think you’ll agree that it’s never too early to plan for deductions.
Deductions take a vast chunk of your time when filling out your tax return, and – we all hope – save you a vast amount of money. Charitable donations, medical expenses, home equity lines of credit, work-related expenses – all of these top the list of tax deductions that are commonly used. But there are many unfamiliar deductions that you may be missing. Here are just a few.
 

Don’t Miss This Uncommon List of Tax Deductions

1. Student Loan Interest

You’re diligently chipping away at your student loans? Great job! You get a deduction. A portion of the interest you pay on the student loans is tax-deductible. The benefit caps out at $2,500, and you will not receive the deduction if you make more than $75,000 per year as an individual or $155,000 per year if married. But if you meet those requirements, you’ll benefit from a great deal of tax savings.
 

2. Child Care Costs

Do you feel like your disposable income is eaten up by childcare costs? Paying for childcare is a hefty expense for many families. Thankfully, you’re able to recover some of that money through the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Tax credits can be worth between 20 and 35 percent of your total childcare costs. Having someone that you trust to watch your littles is priceless, and we know you’d gladly pay any amount for their safety. But a little kickback certainly doesn’t hurt.
 

3. Mortgage Points

Refinancing your mortgage? Pay attention here. You’re probably well aware that the interest you pay on your home loan is tax-deductible. But did you know that if you buy “points” to lower your interest rate, that money is tax-deductible as well? The IRS allows you to deduct the full amount of the points over the life of the loan. For instance, if you bought down your interest rate, paying $3,000 in points on a 15-year mortgage, you can deduct $200 per year. 
 

4. Jury Duty Fees

Did you recently serve Jury Duty and have pass-through income from the jury fee? That may be tax-deductible. Many employers still pay your full-time salary for the time you spend in Jury Duty. However, since you also receive payment from the government for the time you served on the jury, some employers require that money be given back to them. Yet, at the same time, the IRS requires that you pay taxes on the jury money earned. If you simply “passed-through” the jury fee to your employer, you can deduct that income from your total taxable income. 
 

5. State Income or Sales Tax

Did you know you can deduct taxes that you have already paid? While you are only permitted to deduct one or the other, you can choose which one according to what will provide the most benefit for you. For most people, deducting the tax that was paid on state income proves most profitable; however, if you made a large purchase that incurred considerable sales tax, such as a boat or new vehicle, it may be the year to choose the sales tax deduction.
 
This is just a small list of tax deductions that you may be missing without someone to help you navigate the complex and always-changing tax laws! 
Here at Perry & Associates, we would love to help you determine what deductions you can take and how best to track that right now. Our tax professionals are ready to take on even the most uncommon tax deductions. Call us today and get a head-start on tax season!
 
740.373.0056
 

Help! I’m Looking for Good “Accountants Near Me”

 
“Alexa, what are some good accountants near me?” Maybe not the most exciting question you’ve ever asked your virtual assistant, but certainly an important one. However, once you have your list of possibilities, the work really begins. 
How do you know which accountant to choose? Without a plan, it may be hard to distinguish one accountant from another. 
So, how about we reword that question a bit – “Alexa, what are some good questions to ask  potential accountants near me?”

When you’re armed with some key questions to ask your potential financial partner, you’ll know exactly what you’re walking into, which will give you confidence in the decision you make in the end.
Rarely would you hire a new employee to work for your business without conducting an interview. So why would you hire an accountant without doing the same? And most experienced accountants will actually welcome the questions. It shows that you are serious about your finances and your business. That’s the type of client all accountants hope for.

We’ve compiled a short list of eight questions we suggest you ask when looking for the right accounting firm to handle your business finances. 
 

8 Questions to Ask Your Accountant

 
 
1. What are your fees?
Managing expectations is always one of the most important parts of any relationship. It’s no different with your accountant. Make sure you know exactly how they charge and how they bill. Do they charge hourly? Project-based? Do they prefer a monthly retainer fee? How will billing be handled? This isn’t usually a make-or-break deal. It simply aligns your expectations from the beginning so money surprises (and consequent frustrations) don’t occur down the road.
2. Do you represent in the case of an audit?
Did you know that not all accountants are qualified to represent clients in an IRS audit? However, all CPAs are. If you think there’s a chance you may be audited at some point (which you should always plan that there is), having an accountant on your financial team that can knowledgeably and seamlessly represent your case will be invaluable.
3. How many times have you gone through an audit with a client?
On that same note, if you have a particularly complex business structure and tax filing status, you will want the security of knowing that your accountant has been through this before and can handle whatever challenges may arise.
4. Do you have experience in my industry?
This is important. Not all industries are taxed the same. Some industries have extremely complex tax laws, which, if not followed, can make or break a business. On the other hand, some industries have unique (and completely legal) tax breaks that could save your business thousands of dollars. Ask yourself, “Does this accountant near me actually have the experience necessary to navigate my field of business?”
5. What is your tax philosophy?
There exists a wide range of attitudes and actions among accountants when it comes to taking tax deductions. You’ll want to know if your accountant is cautious, forward or aggressive with tax deductions. And more importantly, you’ll want to make sure that aligns with your own goals and philosophy.We feel it necessary to note here, that regardless of the immensity of the deductions, it’s important to make sure your accountant is always legal. Beware of constant statements such as “We can get around that”, “We can hide that here”, etc.
6. What software do you have experience with?
If your small business bookkeeping uses a unique software program, ask if your accountant is familiar with it. That will make the transition for both of you much smoother. At the very least, make sure he or she is comfortable navigating digital platforms if that is what you will be using within your own business.
7. Are you willing to work directly with my other financial partners?
Most accountants are. However, if you find one that appears hesitant about collaboration, you’ll want to steer clear. You need a complete team of financial partners, including an attorney and wealth advisors, to deliver the best plan and outcome for your finances.
8. How often do you meet with your clients?
If the potential candidate says he simply likes to meet once a year right before taxes are due, this should be a red flag. As a business with various expenses and cash flow to track, you’ll want to know where the money is going on a regular basis. Not to mention the quarterly taxes that should be prepared and paid in order to avoid a large tax sum at the end of the year or even penalties from non-payment.
 
If you’re currently looking for an accountant in southeast Ohio and northern West Virginia, we would be happy to answer the questions above for you! Find out more about each of our accounting firm locations near you. 
 
Or call us today at (740) 373-0056.