CFP Board Ambassador offers advice for reducing your tax bill
Livonia, Mich., March 26, 2017 – As tax day quickly approaches, Americans are compiling their W-2s, 1099s and charitable contribution receipts. Though many may be looking forward to receiving a refund, others are likely to discover they owe more.
“Tax season can be a busy time, but it also provides a prime opportunity to review your finances with a professional,” said CFP Board Ambassador to Metro-Detroit Robert Schmansky, CFP®. “I find that many of my prospective clients during tax time have benefited by a review of their returns and financial plans rather than going it alone.”
In the latest contribution to LetsMakeaPlan.org, CFP Board offers six tips to help reduce your tax bill to make this season a little less taxing on your life.
Claim Your Credits: Tax credits offer a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your income tax liability, which is why they’re the best option to reduce your total bill. Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, American Opportunity Tax Credit, and Lifetime Learning Credit are just a few of the options available to reduce your tax burden.
Itemize Your Deductions: The 2016 standard deductions for filing as ‘single’ is limited to $6,300, while the ‘married filing jointly’ (MFJ) limit is $12,600. If your deductible expenses – which can include medical and dental expenses, standard auto mileage rates for business purposes, and other miscellaneous deductions – exceed these limits, you should itemize them to benefit from the write-offs.
Take Advantage of Federal Programs: If you contribute to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA or Roth IRA), the federal government offers tax benefits. Rates and contributions vary, so be sure to understand the contribution rules.
Know How AMT Works: The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) was created to penalize high-income taxpayers who used allowable deductions and credits to essentially wipe out their tax liability. As an alternative computation of your tax, you’ll pay the higher of your regular tax or that which is computed under the AMT.
Defray Costs of Long-Term Care: The IRS allows for a deduction of a portion of your premiums for long-term insurance coverage. If you’re over 70, you can deduct $4,870, but if you’re under 40, you can write off $390.
Understand Tax Breaks for Small Business Owners: Small business owners that meet certain requirements can reduce their tax bill. Employee health care credits, tax preparation services and more are available for small business owners to utilize during tax season.
The tax preparation process is a great time to consult a CERTIFIED FINANICAL PLANNER™ professional, who can help you become more efficient and savvy when filing your taxes.
ABOUT CFP BOARD The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning. The Board of Directors, in furthering CFP Board’s mission, acts on behalf of the public, CFP® professionals and other stakeholders. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board currently authorizes more than 76,000 individuals to use these marks in the U.S.
CONTACT: Jessica Lewis, Communications Specialist P: 202-379-2256 E:jlewis@cfpboard.org Twitter: @cfpboardmedia
ABOUT ROBERT SCHMANSKY, CFP®
Robert Schmansky is the founder of Clear Financial Advisors of Metro-Detroit. Rob has over a decade of experience helping individuals and families meet their financial goals and overcome money concerns. He is frequently quoted in the media on issues regarding personal financial planning, and has been a contributing writer for U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Investopedia, and Yahoo!Finance, and an investment expert for FiLife, a former Dow Jones/IAC joint Internet venture. He has been an adjunct instructor of economics and the required courses for candidates to sit for the CFP® exam. Investment News selected Rob as a 2015 40 Under 40 financial planning professional and he is the 2013 PlanPlus Global Financial Planning Awards North American finalist.
CONTACT: Robert Schmansky, CFP® P: 248-677-1762 E: rob@clearfinancial.net W: www.clear.financial Twitter: @moneyclarity
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