Posts Archive
Taxes
The Tech Movement from San Francisco to Seattle – Will We Follow in their footsteps?
A recent NY Times article discussed the rapid change tech companies and workers have had on the city and communities of San Francisco. Seattle has often been compared as San Francisco lite or the canon to the Golden city. We have so many similarities. Both west coast cities, both with high tech driving our new…
Read MoreEstate, Gift, and GST Taxation and Trusts
How are trusts treated for federal estate, gift, and GST tax purposes? A trust is created when you (the grantor) transfer property to a trustee for the benefit of a third person (the beneficiary). The act of transferring property to a trust is generally treated no differently than if it were transferred to an individual…
Read MoreIncome Tax Key Numbers
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are…
Read More2015 Year-End Tax Planning Basics
The window of opportunity for many tax-saving moves closes on December 31, so it’s important to evaluate your tax situation now, while there’s still time to affect your bottom line for the 2015 tax year. Timing is everything Consider any opportunities you have to defer income to 2016. For example, you may be able to…
Read MoreCharitable Giving
Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the amount of taxes your estate may owe when you die. There are many ways to give to…
Read More2016 Federal Income Tax Rate Schedules (Individuals, Trusts, and Estates)
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices…
Read MoreKey Numbers Projected for 2016
Exemptions 2015 Projected for 2016 Personal and dependency $4,000 $4,050 Phaseout threshold (applies to itemized deductions as well) Married filing jointly $309,900 $311,300 Head of household $284,050 $285,350 Single $258,250 $259,400 Married filing separately $154,950 $155,650 Standard deduction 2015 Projected for 2016 Married filing jointly $12,600 $12,600 Head of household $9,250 $9,300 Single $6,300 $6,300…
Read MoreTax Planning for the Self-Employed
What is it? According to the IRS, you are self-employed if you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, as an independent contractor, as a member of a partnership, or if you are otherwise in business for yourself. You can be a full-time employee and still have self-employment income from a side…
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