Ken Berry, Esq., is a nationally-known writer and editor specializing in tax and financial planning matters. During a career of more than 35 years, he has served as managing editor of a publisher of content-based marketing tools and vice president of an online continuing education company in the financial services industry. As a freelance writer, Ken has authored thousands of articles for a wide variety of newsletters, magazines and other periodicals, emphasizing a sense of wit and clarity.
November 20, 2014
There’s been much ado about the 55 tax extenders currently being debated by a lame-duck Congress. These tax law provisions, which are generally favorable to taxpayers, technically expired after 2013, but may be revived retroactive to ...
November 19, 2014
Legislative proposals to curtail or eliminate the tax benefits of like-kind exchanges are in the works. With a lame-duck Congress finishing out this year and a brand-new class of lawmakers entering 2015, no one can be sure if this tax break will ...
November 14, 2014
The portability provision can literally save a family millions of federal estate tax dollars if a timely election is made. For some clients who missed the boat, there’s still a little time left to sail off happily into the sunset, thanks to a special IRS
November 12, 2014
Once the Tax Court ruled against a taxpayer in a controversial interpretation of the “once-a-year” rollover rule for IRAs, the IRS was only too willing and eager to jump on the bandwagon. But at least it delayed enforcement of the ruling until January 1, 2015. Now, under new guidance just issued by the IRS, procrastinators...…
November 6, 2014
Do you have clients that began a business out of a spare bedroom, garage or basement? These entrepreneurs may start off as self-employed individuals, selling their wares on e-bay or etsy or at flea markets. In some cases, a humble beginning ...
November 5, 2014
Now that the dust has settled from the mid-term elections – with the Republican party firmly in control of both houses of Congress – what are the prospects for comprehensive tax reform? Not as favorable as you might think. Although the GOP hopes to break
November 4, 2014
Prior to 2014, parents could generally claim one of three sizeable tax breaks for higher education expenses on their personal tax returns: the tuition deduction, the American Opportunity Tax Credit (formerly the Hope scholarship credit) or the Lifetime Le
November 2, 2014
If you haven’t converted a traditional IRA to a Roth by now, you’re probably never going to do it…right? That’s not necessarily true. In fact, some of your clients who have been sitting on the fence for awhile may be convinced to finally take the leap ...
October 29, 2014
Make no mistake about it, the home office deduction rules are filled with potential landmines for the unwary. However, if you give clients the IRS-approved blueprint, they can preserve deductions for 2014.
October 28, 2014
The ultimate fate of the Section 179 deduction remains unclear. As things stand now, the maximum allowance will remain at the lowest level it’s been since the year 2000, a mere $25,000. Of course, Congress may still get its act together to restore...
October 26, 2014
At the end of the year, socially-conscious clients can boost their deductions, and thereby lower their tax bills, by giving a little extra to the charities of their choice. That’s still a sensible tax strategy as 2014 draws to a close. But a recent ...
October 26, 2014
Should retirees take money out of their qualified retirement plans like 401(k)s and IRAs to help pay for their living expenses? Most retirement-savers in their 70s or older have little choice: Under the federal tax law, they are mandated to make ...
