14 bright tax ideas for 2014

  • October 20, 2014

A sharply divided Congress may be casting clouds of uncertainty over tax law changes, but that shouldn’t deter you from year-end planning.

Add a PIG to your pen

  • September 15, 2014

Taxpayers once were able to use losses from real estate, cattle breeding, oil and gas and equipment leasing deals to offset highly taxed income. Then the government...

Rent a home office to your company

  • August 03, 2014

If you’re a corporate employee, you may not qualify for home office deductions, even though you frequently work from home. Strategy: Have your company rent the...

Dispel ‘phantom income’ on family loans

  • June 17, 2014

Suppose your adult child needs a helping hand to launch a new business or buy a home. Give the child a low- or even no- interest loan. As long as you stay within the...

Polish off tax deductions for mold removal

  • October 03, 2013

Environmental cleanup costs generally must be capitalized, which means that there’s no current write-off. Strategy: Claim a current deduction for the cost of ...

Salvage a partial home-sale gain exclusion

  • September 17, 2013

In the tax world, half a loaf, or at least part of a loaf, is usually better than no loaf at all. This principle applies if you’re selling your principal...