 The new year brings many new and exciting things, it is also the start of tax season. There have been many changes to business and federal taxes, but with all of these changes, personal taxes will also be seeing many changes for the 2019 and 2020 tax season. Are you familiar and up to date on these changes? If not, you've come to the right place!
2020 is officially here! Some people might be spending a little extra time at the gym and meal prepping, while all of us at Hood's are spending more time getting our clients and future client's in the Goose Creek area ready for April 15th with no surprises or stress. Every year, something changes with tax law. These changes might be small and easy to deal with, while other years prove to be rather difficult. It takes time and dedication to stay up to date on these changes, so why not take advantage of our services to make sure your taxes are prepared efficiently, on time, and with no worry about being charged any late fees? While you are starting to gather your tax documents, there is quite a list of things you will need to keep in mind. Please take the time to read through every one of these changes before you start filling out any paperwork for 2019 and 2020. We talked a lot about changes for forms and filing in our last blog. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the benefits that will hopefully make paying your taxes a little easier.
Use these new changes in your personal taxes to prepare for this tax season and the next. They may not benefit or affect you this year, but they could have a significant effect on you in the years to come and for the better. Are you planning on retiring next year? How about getting married? Are you starting a new job that offers you a 401(k) for the very first time? Are you dealing with an HSA account for the first time or wanting to expand one? The changes we have mentioned above will help you decide and understand the best routs to take with these important decisions. Please don't stress when it comes to taxes. Our professionals can help you with all of these changes, and answer any questions you might have. Please take into account that this list is just an overview of some of the changes happening, it doesn't cover all of the changes that could be affecting your personal taxes in the years to come. Come visit us and depend on Hood's to get everything taken care of, and to understand what changes are heading your way for this tax season and the many seasons to follow!
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 There are many loose ends you need to tie up at the end of any year for your personal taxes and those of your small business. You also need to be staying on top of the many changes coming your way in 2020 taxes. You might have more work ahead of you, so it's better to be prepared now for what is quickly heading your way.
You've made it through the holidays and all the celebrations that go along with them, both in your job and with your families. As tax season approaches for the 2019 fiscal year, you need to start thinking about a few new changes that you'll be seeing sooner rather than later, along with tying up a few loose ends.
In this blog, we won't be discussing all of the changes that are heading your way. We will just be touching on some of the most important. You will see changes in the W-4 form in 2020, in State withholding, Federal W-2s and State Deadlines, ACA Compliance from the State, and in Gig Economy and worker classification. Changes with W-4 Forms In 2020 you're going to see changes with the IRS W-4 tax form. They have changed the form and given it a bit of a facelift. The changes include calculations for income tax withholding. There is a new form that has been added for the head of the household as well. The new form eliminates withholding allowance. As an employee, you will just adjust your withholdings by putting your tax information on your W-4 forms. This will include non-wage income, full-year deductions, and any child or any other dependent tax credits. If you own a small business or are getting a new job in the year to come, filling out tax papers will be much different than previous years. Since you probably don't know all of your tax information off the top of your head, and you probably won't be carrying around copies of last year's tax refund, take more time filling out the paperwork. If you are a business owner, allow your employee to take it home. Ask your new employer for a private space to call home or your tax professional to fill out all the information. If you are happy with your current withholdings at your job now, you will not need to fill out the w-4 form again. If you need to change anything for your future taxes, you will have to fill out the new paperwork. State Withholdings The new W-4 paperwork could affect state tax withholdings. Many states are still trying to figure out how to work with these new changes, so you or your small business won't be the only one trying to follow along. You will need to prepare for these changes by the end of next year, as their decisions on how to deal with these new changes will also affect how you file your taxes. The main issue many states are dealing with right now is the fact that there is no longer a box for allowances on the federal tax forms. Different states are picking different ways to handle the situation. One option that might become the norm is taking the focus away from income tax and shifting to pay-roll taxes. This might not be a very fun solution for many of us, but be prepared. When it's time to do taxes and paperwork for 2020, make sure to pay attention to the choices your state has made to deal with the W-4 changes. Federal W2s and State Deadlines In 2020 the tax rate will remain the same for employees and employers, at 6.2%. Medicare tax rates will also stay the same as they were in 2019. The IRS has now moved up the W-2 submission deadline to January 31st. They have done this to continue the fight against tax fraud and identity theft. Most states will now require electronic W-2 filing from your employers. Many states have also increased the penalties for late filings of W-2 forms. Be very aware of these due dates. These fees can add up very quickly and become very costly. The good news for you, if you're feeling overwhelmed for next year's tax season, is that we are here to help you keep up to date on these changes. We are here to help you understand them, help guide you through them, and prepare for them. These charges vary from small differences to ones that will affect you on a state and federal level. Just like any tax law changes, the new ones we will be seeing in 2020 will evolve into others. So don't get too comfortable. Stay connected, educated, and ready for the unexpected.  This season is meant for celebrating, and no matter how you celebrate it can be overshadowed by the fear that tax season is getting closer. But fear not, we have the perfect gift you can give yourself to make this tax year and the years to come pain-free with more celebration in store for you!
The holidays are here, and with a rush of mistletoe and delicious treats, in comes the last fiscal quarter of 2019. We've made it, and that in itself is a reason to celebrate. While we sit here enjoying a mug of holiday cheer, we can't help but start to think of tax season. We are about to put this year to sleep and tuck it in to the IRS come April. But come January 21st, the IRS will start taking e-file returns, which means getting your tax return back even sooner! There is one more step you can go about doing to make your tax holiday season even better. That is to gift yourself with hiring a Tax Professional! Perhaps you've done your taxes for the last handful of years. That's amazing, ambitious, and very time-consuming. We understand your hesitation in hiring someone to help you with your taxes. It does cost money. But in the spirit of giving, we want to pass along five of the top reasons why you should consider hiring a tax professional to do your 2019 taxes!
In five easy steps, this can be the best holiday yet. Fill your mug up with holiday cheer and settle into the last few weeks of the holiday. Don't fear tax season. 2020 is going to be an excellent year, just you wait! From all of us at Hoods, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year! The holidays can be an exciting or terrifying time for any size business. It is up to you to make the most of the holiday season and make it the most wonderful time of the year for you and your employees.
No matter the size of your small business, what your seasonal goals are, or if the holidays overwhelm you, don't let anything stop you from achieving all of your goals and enjoying the holidays as a business owner! At this point - many of you have already been planning or have already put into motion your sales and strategies for the holidays. But if you haven't yet, or you're having a hard time of it this year, don't panic. Breathe. Remember, you've got this! Kick-off this week with a strong cup of coffee, determination, and these tips to help get you through. Don't Be A Scrooge!
Holly Jolly!
You love what you do, that's why your company exists in the first place. No matter what holiday it is, don't let anything get in your way of enjoying a season that is good for your company. Take these tips and walk into the holidays ready to take on whatever comes your way.  It's so easy to splurge during the holidays, but don't forget that Thanksgiving is just one of many festive activities on your list over the next few weeks and months. You also might want to still have a few dollars left in the bank once the new years begins. So enjoy these tips on how to save a few dollars as you approach the holiday season.
I'm not sure about you, but Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays! Sitting around with your loved ones, celebrating the things you have to be thankful for, all topped off with an amazing plate (or two) stuffed full of amazing food, all ending with a nap? That sounds pretty perfect to me. It's so easy to want to buy the best foods, the best decorations, and the best little extra things to make these days special. But remember, you can still make Thanksgiving and every holiday special without breaking the bank. Just in time to start buying all of your favorite items to kick off the holiday season, here are a few tips on how to take care of your bank account while still celebrating the holidays in style!
The holidays can be overwhelming and expensive. But if you take the time to do a little extra research and planning, they certainly don't have to be. Use this list to help enjoy your holiday, let it be a little less stressful, and save some money while you're at it!  What happens if you are unable to pay your taxes on time? Are there other options for you? Don't panic, that is what we will be discussing!
Tax Day will be here on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, if we are ready or not. You can file your taxes as soon as you get all of your W2s, 1099s, and other tax forms from your employers. One of the perks of filing early is getting that prized tax return early. You should receive it within three weeks of filing. If you file your taxes sooner than most, you won't be fighting against the crush of everyone else who waited until the last moment to get everything filed. But what happens if you've filled out all your tax paperwork and you can't pay what you owe the IRS? What happens if you don't fill out your paperwork and file on time? Take a breath and let's review some options out there for you.
Not being able to pay your taxes can cause huge amounts of stress and panic, but try and not let it. Just make sure you are using the options and resources available to you. You will make it through this tax season, and many more to come! For more information and help from the IRS follow the link below! https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/what-if-i-cant-pay-my-taxes  Preparing and paying your taxes for the very first time is a terrifying rite of passage into adulthood. But for a first-time taxpayer, it's easy to scare yourself into making very simple and easy mistakes. Take the time to take a deep breath, check your work, and understand what you're doing!
The very first time you pay your taxes is scary. It's scarier than this Halloween season. For most of us, our first tax experience comes with our first job while we are still in high school and living under our parent's roof. But once the safety blanket of Mom and Dad helping you file your taxes or taking you to their tax accountant goes away, things can get pretty dicey. You're out in the world for the very first time worrying about some huge adult things. Where are you going to live, how are you going to get around, how will you pay your bills, can you feed yourself, what will your job be? Those are huge learning curves, and we all go through them. And just like those learning curves, taxes have their curve too. Most first-time taxpayers are just afraid they'll do it wrong. Afraid they'll miss a signature, not understand the paperwork, or not provide the correct paperwork to prove write-offs or prove their source of income. Sadly, this will happen for most first-time taxpayers. These mistakes can cause your return to be delayed or you can receive a terrifying official letter from the IRS. The letter will point out the mistakes you made, and you will have to correct them all before seeing your tax return. Take a deep breath, we are here to help you solve those issues. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the most common mistakes made by first-time taxpayers and how to prevent them from happening!
Tax season might still be a few months off, but we wanted to put any worried first-time taxpayers at ease. If you're a parent, family member or friend of a first-time taxpayer, share this with them! We are sure you remember how hard it was the first time you paid your taxes. Remember, we also offer the best Quickbooks training and Quickbooks services in Goose Creek, and are happy to help you and your family whenever you need it. Please don't hesitate to reach out!  Tired of reading self-help books to learn how to be a smart first time home buyer or how to do a DIY project? Why not step it up to the next level and discover some of the most helpful and hilarious podcasts to reach your goals?
The end of September brought not only cooler temperatures but it also brought National Podcast Day on the 30th! Are you tired of researching ways to be a better homeowner? Are your Pinterest Boards so big that you don't even know where to begin? One of the best ways to stay up to date on the latest home trends, getting tips on how to buy a home, and how to handle your first DIY project is to listen to a podcast or two. And don't worry, when it comes to the topic of being a homeowner or working on your home, the number of podcasts out there for you to enjoy is pretty long. All you'll need to do is a little research to find exactly what you want to listen to! In honor of National Podcast Day, let's explore some of the top Podcasts for Homeowners in 2019! Young House Love
The Money Pit
Home: On
It can be stressful to be a homeowner! But use your free resources to make the journey a fun and stress-free experience. Plug in your headphones and get started!  You've made the runs to the grocery store for the bottles of water, bread, and PB&J. But when it comes to natural disasters, you need to consider your financial preparedness as well.
It's not new news that hurricane season is here. The weather channel, our weather apps, and friends up North have made sure we don't forget. But hurricane season isn't just about being prepared by storing up on non-perishable foods, batteries, bottles of water, and having an evacuation plan. You financially need to be prepared and ready for a hurricane, especially here in the Lowcountry. Now that we have had a taste of our first hurricane of 2019, we need to remember that one could be on its heels. Hurricane season isn't over until November. So, you still have time to get prepared. It goes without saying that yes, you need to make sure that your home and family are safe and prepared for anything. Make sure your home is stocked with what you'll need to get through a storm if you're going to stay. Follow all of the safety precautions laid out by local officials and police, and make sure you make informed and safe decisions. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones and pets are the first things that need your attention. But these precautions need to be taken care of even before the hint of the first hurricane appears. Taking care of your financial needs ahead of time will help eliminate stress, worry, and truly help you when a storm does arrive. Here in the Lowcountry, it's not a question of if, it's when.
Last but very not least, keep cash handy! ATMs might be down or unavailable after a storm. You might not be able to get cashback at a store or even get to the inside of your bank. Make sure to have a safe stash with you or ready to go when you evacuate. Most plan for at least 72 hours worth of lodging, food, and travel expense. So start with that amount, and go from there. We hope this information is helpful for this year's storms and for many storms to come. Now that we've had the taste of our first one you have time to get prepared for the next hurricane. But as you do so, don't panic. If do just a few of these main points, you will be ahead of the game. Please stay smart, safe, and prepared this hurricane season!  The Holidays will be here before you know it. Don't wait until they're here to be financially prepared for them!
We know, we know. It's only September. But the holidays WILL be here before we know it. The holidays are a famous time to spend outrageous amounts of money, max out those credit cards, use up any extra savings, and break the bank. It's easy! You want to give back, prepare tons of delicious meals, travel to see friends and family, and spoil your friends, family, and yourself. These are all lovely and wonderful ways to celebrate. But getting an early start on your holiday spending plan and budgeting can allow you to do what you want to enjoy the holiday season and not destroy your bank account and credit while doing so. Here are some tips on how to save your money and your sanity.
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