Top Tips to Simplify Tax Filing Every Year!

It is that dreaded income tax filing time of year again and for some, their stress is already mounting.

This year, instead of becoming anxious about it all, these tax help tips can help anyone keep calm and get through the process more easily.

Whether seeking professional tax services […]

It is that dreaded income tax filing time of year again and for some, their stress is already mounting.

This year, instead of becoming anxious about it all, these tax help tips can help anyone keep calm and get through the process more easily.

Whether seeking professional tax services or doing their own taxes, these simple tax help tips can help anyone get their taxes done more easily, without all the stress!

  1. Remember the Due Date - This year, the deadline for filing income taxes for the 2022 tax year is Tuesday, April 18, 2023. That is still a ways off, but for those who feel as though they don’t have enough time to get everything together and their taxes figured out, filing for an extension now might not be a bad idea. There is no penalty for submitting taxes early, but there are definitely penalties for submitting them late without having filed for an extension. 
  2. Decide How to File - Based on the amount of filing experience a person has or their need for tax help, people should first decide how they will file, then prepare accordingly. If seeking assistance from a professional tax service, contact them right away, inquire about the documentation they will need, and set an appointment that leaves enough time for finishing and filing tax forms. 
  3. Gather Tax Documentation Early - The easiest way to get through the process of income tax preparation and submission, whether people do it on their own or go to a professional tax service, is by being prepared with all the required documentation. Avoid having to go searching for things mid-process by gathering them all together ahead of time. Gather all income and interest statements, retirement contributions, property tax records, charitable donation receipts, taxes paid, educational and uncovered medical expenses, personal information, and a copy of last year’s tax forms. 
  4. Electronically Connect With the IRS - It is most recommended to file income taxes electronically, as the IRS can process electronic submissions faster than those submitted on paper. Similarly, whether owing or receiving a refund, it is safest to connect bank accounts with the IRS directly and send owed taxes or receive refunds directly to or from a bank. Electronic direct deposit refunds usually arrive quickly, too.

The main stress that people have about doing their income taxes or even having them done by someone else is caused by a lack of preparation.

Following these 4 simple steps, anyone can get their taxes done quickly and easily be a professional tax service without the headaches of lost paperwork or missed deadlines!

What Are VA Staged Disability Ratings?

VA disability rating navigation can be challenging, especially in instances when a veteran must appeal their rating because they disagree with it.

Part of the overall rating process includes staged ratings or ratings that might go up or down as conditions change over time.

Staged ratings are frequently assigned […]

VA disability rating navigation can be challenging, especially in instances when a veteran must appeal their rating because they disagree with it.

Part of the overall rating process includes staged ratings or ratings that might go up or down as conditions change over time.

Staged ratings are frequently assigned when the VA expects a veteran’s condition to change and though they can be beneficial in some instances, they can also result in a veteran receiving a lower rating and benefit than they are entitled to for a period of time.

Therefore, veterans should understand how staged ratings work and when they might require VA disability rating help if they dispute their current rating.

What Are 3 Kinds of Staged Ratings? 

Staged VA disability ratings are assigned during VA disability rating navigation when a veteran’s condition might change or during an appeal process, a rating that is given until a new rating is assigned.

There are three kinds of staged ratings that might apply when a veteran’s disability is rated by the VA: 

  • Changing Severity - When a condition changes in severity throughout the rating appeal process, making the disability rating made at the time the appeal is finalized, an additional adjustment to reflect this change may be made afterward with the submission of additional evidence to support it. 
  • Temporary Total Evaluations - VA disability ratings can be temporarily made at a higher level when a veteran is undergoing hospitalization or active treatment, then re-evaluated and potentially lowered after a total evaluation later as a possible VA disability rating solution. 
  • Pre-stabilization Ratings - A temporary disability rating issued by the VA when a veteran who has recently ended their military career has a condition that is a) unstable and likely to worsen over time AND b) expected to continue for an unknown amount of time, a pre-stabilization rating may be issued until the time at which the condition is considered stabilized as a VA disability rating solution. 

Staged Ratings Can Be Helpful – or Not

It is understandable that VA disability ratings might vary over time in circumstances where conditions are changing or final ratings are not possible.

In these cases, staged disability ratings can be some what of a VA disability rating solution in that they allow the veteran to at least begin receiving disability benefits while still undergoing rating assessments.

On the other hand, staged disability ratings can also be controversial if they are lower than a veteran believes they should be, even for a short period. 

Seek VA Disability Rating Help

Due to the challenges involved in accurate VA disability rating assignments and the added complexity that these three situations bring, veterans should seek VA disability rating help when given a staged rating that they do not agree with.

A VA disability rating solutions expert can help deserving veterans achieve the most suitable VA disability rating today based on their current or expected prognosis, even if their condition and rating are likely to change in the future.

Wait – Don’t File 2022 Tax Returns Before Reading This!

The tax rules that apply when filing tax returns seem to change constantly, making it a different process every year.

This year is no different, as tax services start to interpret all the new changes in their task of processing returns for all of their clients.

Whether doing tax […]

The tax rules that apply when filing tax returns seem to change constantly, making it a different process every year.

This year is no different, as tax services start to interpret all the new changes in their task of processing returns for all of their clients.

Whether doing tax returns at home or enlisting the aid of a tax help service, these are the changes that Americans should look out for, as their returns may end up different this year.

  1. Income Tax Bracket Adjustments - Starting this year, income tax brackets have been adjusted to account for high inflation. Filers should check online or with a tax help service to confirm theirs, as this shift is positively affecting most people’s taxable income, though there are some who are being negatively affected, too. 
  2. Deduction Changes - While itemized deductions for tax returns have remained the same for 2022, the standard deduction has increased. Tax services recommend reviewing this information before assuming that itemizing is more beneficial. 
  3. Child Tax Credit Reduced - The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which temporarily increased the Child Tax Credit to help families dealing with the financial aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic, has come to an end, returning to the standard $2,000 per child in 2022. 
  4. Retirement and Health Savings Contribution Changes - Tax services advise that although IRA contribution limits have remained the same for 2022, 401(k) limits have been increased as have limits for health savings accounts. Speak to a tax help specialist to decide how to get the most from these accounts by investing last-minute, pre-filing funds in the right places. 
  5. Estate Tax Exemption and Gift Exclusion Raised - Starting in 2022 and lasting until 2025, estate tax exemption has been raised once again, this time to $12.06 million. Similarly, the annual gift tax exclusion has also been raised to $16,000 per person starting with tax returns filed in 2022.
  6. Higher AMT Exemption - The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) exemption is also higher in 2022, affecting mainly households with incomes over $500,000; however, that will change in 2025, so tax help experts suggest planning accordingly.

Tax return filing season for 2022 taxes is here and with these many changes on the books, tax services stress the need to review and understand all the changes and to file carefully.

If the many changes seem confusing or a filer is not sure how they are being affected, contact a respected tax help service for guidance or arrange for a professionally prepared tax return!

Avoid These Home Moving Mistakes for a Smoother Move!

Home moving day can be exciting, but it can also be stressful if things start to go wrong.

The goal for a successful relocation is to find the best home moving company to work with, then plan effectively.

Find some tips below provided by home moving services that can […]

Home moving day can be exciting, but it can also be stressful if things start to go wrong.

The goal for a successful relocation is to find the best home moving company to work with, then plan effectively.

Find some tips below provided by home moving services that can make a person’s move smoother by avoiding some common and frustrating mistakes.

  • Finalize Closings or Lease Signings - Whether moving into a newly purchased home or renting a new space, be sure to arrange a lease signing or closing a minimum of one day before the move to avoid unexpected problems. Once the keys are in hand, check in with the home moving company to report that everything is ready to move forward the next day. 
  • Plan Well - From getting an in-person home moving estimate and choosing the best moving day to working with a home moving company to anticipate challenges and streamline the process, good planning will reduce any potential moving-day issues that can slow the process down and cause frustration. 
  • Organized Packing and Efficient Unpacking - Start packing early and pack well, making sure to label boxes according to what room they need to go in. A box-by-box inventory list or labeling each box with contents can make unpacking easier and more efficient. 
  • Measuring All Doorways - Before the move, measure all entryways into the new dwelling to be sure that large items like furniture and appliances will fit through. If they won’t, consider selling them and replacing them after the move with new ones that will. 
  • Computer Backups - As safely as they are handled, it is not uncommon for computers to suffer damage during a home move. Protect all that data by doing external backups just in case. 
  • Clean the New Home First - Before bringing in even the first box, it is wise to go in the day before and do a thorough cleaning at the new home. There will be no need to do it afterward and once the home moving services leave, the unpacking can begin. 
  • Hire An Experienced Mover - Most importantly, anyone doing home moving should research home moving companies carefully to find a dependable local service within their budget, then involve them in the planning for the big move.

Planning is everything when a home move is coming up.

To make the event easier from start to finish, hire an experienced local home moving service that can provide helpful advice, then plan out the details together.

By heeding these seemingly simple tips, residents can avoid common mistakes that will frustrate them, instead opting for a smooth move into that new home!

Why Hire Local Movers for Your Move?

When planning a short distance move across town or even into the next one, it is a great idea to hire local moving services to facilitate the event.

Local movers provide many important services that can make a tiresome move easier to get through.

Rather than attempting a DIY […]

When planning a short distance move across town or even into the next one, it is a great idea to hire local moving services to facilitate the event.

Local movers provide many important services that can make a tiresome move easier to get through.

Rather than attempting a DIY move, consider these reasons why hiring local moving services can be the best choice for a trouble-free move!

  • Experienced, Equipped Movers - Hiring local movers provides customers with trained, experienced workers who know packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and how to get all those items out of one house and into another. They also bring all their own equipment, so there is never an issue doing it.  
  • Great Service - Local moving services promote their businesses by building and preserving a great reputation within the community. It practically guarantees their customers will receive top-notch service every time, as local movers strive to provide their customers with the outstanding service they will want to tell others about. 
  • Affordable and Cost-Effective - In comparison to the overall costs of renting the equipment for a DIY move including packing materials, dollies, moving blankets, and more, hiring local movers can be more cost-effective. Many times, DIY moving ends up requiring a bigger effort than people anticipate, with unexpected extra costs involved and the frustration of dealing with broken equipment. 
  • No Lifting Involved - The best part about hiring a community service to handle local moves is they do all the lifting, loading, and unloading. If desired, they can do the packing, too! 
  • Fast Convenient Moving - DIY moving takes a long time, from going to pick up the truck to gathering enough people to help load it, then driving to the new location and unloading it. A local move can end up being a multiple-day affair, especially if it involves more than one trip or a rushed stressful event when trying to return a truck on time. Using the right size equipment to make a move in a single trip, experienced professional local movers make moving faster and less stressful with customers needing only to direct and oversee the process while their possessions are carefully relocated.

So before thinking that a DIY move with rented equipment is the best or most inexpensive solution for a local move, contact a local moving service for an estimate first.

When it comes to moving, saving time, avoiding frustration, and staying safe are all valuable things that local movers can provide at an affordable cost!

What Details Factor Into Moving Cost Calculations?

The first thing that anyone hiring movers to relocate their belongings from one place to another typically wants to know is how much it will cost them.

After all, moving services can be expensive and customers must budget accordingly. 

Typically, the cost of both local and long-distance moves is […]

The first thing that anyone hiring movers to relocate their belongings from one place to another typically wants to know is how much it will cost them.

After all, moving services can be expensive and customers must budget accordingly. 

Typically, the cost of both local and long-distance moves is calculated based on a number of details about the move and the services being contracted:

  • Moving Dates - For most movers, weekday services can usually be booked less expensively than weekend services. Off-season moves in the winter and other slow times also tend to be less expensive than moves made during the busiest times of summer and other busy periods. 
  • Distance - How far will the move be? One of the calculations that factor into moving fees are the distance the load must be shipped. 
  • Services - Will the move be a full-service move with the movers doing the packing or will the customer self-pack? Are there any extra-large or fragile items that must be maneuvered? Is there furniture that must be disassembled? All of these factors can affect the cost of moving services. Basic moving services typically include two or three workers, loading and unloading the truck, and delivery to the new location with anything else added on at additional cost. 
  • Labor - How many movers will be required to pack, load, move, and unload the truck? Moving estimates typically include an hourly rate for each of the movers required to do the move. 
  • Insurance - Most moves include a minimal amount of insurance to protect personal property while it is being handled and moved. Additional insurance must be purchased at an extra cost. 
  • Amount of Belongings - How much personal property will the movers be loading and moving? The size, weight, and number of items in the load will affect the size and type of vehicle the moving service must use to perform the move.  

Since every mover has its own rates and specifications for these services, customers must always start out by requesting an in-person, fully documented moving estimate.

From there, they can discuss their budget with their moving representative who should be able to suggest a few ways to get the bill a little bit lower if necessary.

That might involve delaying a move for a slower week or waiting for a chance to fill up a partial load to cut the mover’s expenses or some other compromise; however, many services will at least offer these opportunities if they are available.

To get the most accurate moving estimate and cost-effective services, plan out moves well in advance whenever possible and discuss budget options with the moving company!

Making A Short-Term Move? These Tips Can Help!

Local moves are ones that are temporary, meaning there will be a return to the original space or another permanent space.

It could mean moving out while home renovations are being done, moving into a rented space between the sale of one home and occupying another, or any other […]

Local moves are ones that are temporary, meaning there will be a return to the original space or another permanent space.

It could mean moving out while home renovations are being done, moving into a rented space between the sale of one home and occupying another, or any other situation that involves staying in one place only temporarily for a short time.

Whatever the circumstances are, local movers can help in numerous ways when the question becomes what to do with all of a person’s belongings when they won’t actually be staying in a new space for long.

  1. Make A Moving Plan - Short-term local moves require careful planning since they are basically two moves wrapped into one. If it involves hiring local moving services, find a reliable company and include them in the process to create a plan of action around leases and other important dates and needs.
  2. Pack What Is Needed First - Before having local movers pack and/or take away anything from the first residence, pack up separately all the items that will go to the temporary residence. Label those boxes and set them aside by themselves so they can be loaded by a local moving service onto the moving truck last, as those will need to be taken off first.
  3. Put Other Things In Storage - Everything else that is being removed from the first residence can be stored in the interim. Some local moving services even offer storage in their own warehouses for short-term situations. The rest of the belongings can be packed up and loaded first onto the moving truck, with the short-term needs going on last. Movers can then bring the first set of boxes to the temporary residence, unload them, and then continue on with the rest to either put them in storage at their own facility or take them to a storage unit of the customer’s choosing.
  4. Repeat the Process In Reverse - When the end of the temporary relocation arrives and it is time to move once again into a permanent residence, the local movers will load stored boxes back onto their truck, then pick up the remainder of a customer’s possessions at the temporary residence, then deliver it all to the final destination.

Short-term local moves can be a little confusing, especially when it leaves someone dealing with all of their personal belongings in multiple places.

The good news is that local movers are used to this kind of thing and have great solutions to help people get from one residence to another, even when that includes a stopover in-between!

What Are Payroll Schedules and How Do They Work?

A decision that every business owner setting up their employee payroll with a payroll company must make is one that pertains to payroll scheduling or how often everyone will get paid.

Payroll scheduling is an important part of every payroll system and a decision that can affect everything from […]

A decision that every business owner setting up their employee payroll with a payroll company must make is one that pertains to payroll scheduling or how often everyone will get paid.

Payroll scheduling is an important part of every payroll system and a decision that can affect everything from talent recruitment to employee satisfaction.

It is a business detail that must also comply with state and local payroll laws and can affect income tax decisions as well.

Before randomly assuming once-weekly or twice-monthly employee payroll is sufficient for any company, business owners should understand the different payroll schedules and how they affect employees, and their companies.

What Is The Difference Between A Pay Date and a Pay Period?

Primarily, it is essential for employers and employees both to understand the difference between a payroll system pay period and a pay date, two terms that frequently get confused.

The pay period is the span of days that the payroll amount includes, which is cut off by a certain date to leave time for the payroll company to configure and issue payroll.

The payroll date is the date on which the payment is issued and available to employees.

What Are The Different Payroll Schedules?

There are four schedules that payroll systems customarily use for configuring pay and deductions, then issuing payments to employees:

  • Weekly Pay - Employee payroll is issued every week on the same day.
  • Bi-Weekly Pay - Payroll is issued every two weeks on the same day bi-weekly day.
  • Monthly Pay - Payroll is issued once monthly on the same day of the month.
  • Semi-Monthly Pay - Payroll is issued twice monthly on the same two days of the month.

How Do You Decide Which Payroll System Is Best?

Deciding which of these options is the best for any business owner’s employee payroll requires consideration of factors such as state laws, as some states require weekly pay and overtime pay calculation, as federal law requires overtime to be calculated weekly.

Payroll system scheduling must also incorporate a system for tracking and paying benefits such as PTO, healthcare payments, and more.

Additionally, more or fewer tasks managed by a payroll company can affect the cost to the business owner.

Adding It All Up – Pardon the Pun!

Between the four schedules, monthly employee payroll is usually preferred for the employer since it reduces payroll company costs and it might be a common way to pay independent contractors; however, it is not a favorite of employees and can make hiring new people a challenge.

Conversely, while employees prefer weekly pay, this involves companies paying more to their payroll system for more frequent services.

Depending on the size of the company, company culture, type of employees, and other accounting details, company owners must find the payroll schedule that works best for everyone.

What Are Some Benefits A Foot Massage Can Bring?

Practically anyone who has ever had a foot massage will agree that they are one of the best massages out there.

Foot massages are so relaxing that they can even put a person to sleep!

They are also an important type of massage therapy that offer many other great […]

Practically anyone who has ever had a foot massage will agree that they are one of the best massages out there.

Foot massages are so relaxing that they can even put a person to sleep!

They are also an important type of massage therapy that offer many other great benefits beyond relaxation.

Learn just how great a foot massage can be and why it is so worth visiting a spa to have one done by a professional massage therapist.

  • Improved Circulation – Massage generally helps to improve blood circulation throughout the body. Foot massage can greatly improve circulation through the legs as there are many blood vessels that end in the feet.
  • Lowered Blood Pressure - Foot massage has a great relaxing effect that has been directly correlated to lower blood pressure and a greater feeling of overall wellbeing.
  • Reduced Anxiety and Depression - It can also reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, in part due to how massage therapy improves circulation but also because of that relaxed state that comes so easily with a massage of the feet.
  • Reduced Pain from Migraines - Reflexology suggests that treating certain areas of the body can reduce pain in others. Based on this understanding, a foot massage is known to alleviate the pain of migraine headaches.
  • Reduced Pain from Foot Problems - Massaging the muscles and tendons of the feet can reduce pain from cramping and plantar fasciitis as well as promote faster injury healing due to improved blood circulation.
  • Reduced Foot Edema - Whether due to medical conditions like diabetes, secondary to an injury, or simply from inactivity, a foot massage two to three times a week can control edema in the feet. It is also a non-medicinal favorite of women experiencing uncomfortable foot swelling during pregnancy.
  • Relief from Symptoms of Menopause - Based on the above benefits, a good foot massage can work wonders for some of the symptoms of menopause, creating better moods, increased feelings of relaxation, and reduced discomfort due to circulatory issues, high blood pressure, and muscle and body tension.

A foot massage by a trained massage therapist is much more than just a foot massage; it is a great improver of overall health and wellbeing when done routinely.

Massage therapy that includes foot massages can reduce or eliminate a multitude of problems by improving body circulation, reducing feelings of stress, and activating the immune system to promote faster healing.

It’s Almost Tax Day! Are Yours Filed Yet?

The 2022 tax deadline is almost here and if you are like many people, that rush last-minute into the various local tax places, you have yet to even look at yours.

You might be quite surprised at the wait when visiting one of the chain quick stop tax help […]

The 2022 tax deadline is almost here and if you are like many people, that rush last-minute into the various local tax places, you have yet to even look at yours.

You might be quite surprised at the wait when visiting one of the chain quick stop tax help places since they are not always so quick at this time of the year.

Not only that, but for those with more than just simple personal returns to get done, these are not always the best tax services to run to as the clock continues to tick away.

A private tax help service with experience in all types of tax returns is your best option for fast, knowledgeable service.

What Are The Reasons For Choosing a Professional Tax Pro?

Why choose a professional tax preparation firm over some of those temporary tax help shops that close up after tax season?

  • Availability - While everyone is waiting in the lobbies of those quick tax places to meet with a preparer, you can schedule an appointment with a tax professional, meet with them at that time, discuss everything, and then leave your paperwork, no waiting involved.
  • Experience - Professional tax preparers have years of experience dealing with not just basic individual tax returns, but also more complex returns for families, those with dependents, people running sole-proprietorship businesses, and general business taxes as well.
  • Licensed CPAs - The professional preparers employed by the best tax services are actual licensed CPAs, not just people trained to do taxes as a part-time job to earn extra money. A large portion of many CPAs' education and careers are devoted to learning taxes, tax preparation, and tax changes every year.
  • Vast knowledge - Special tax circumstances require a vast knowledge of tax laws and how they must be applied. Mistakes made by less knowledgeable, less experienced preparers create a greater potential for the filer to be audited or even end up with penalties.

With tax day only a few weeks away, the best option for anyone looking to have their taxes done quickly and correctly while saving them the most money and hassle is to avoid the quick tax places and choose an accountant tax professional instead.

The best tax services are those that are staffed with CPAs who can provide the best and most experienced service to all clients.

Get Tax Help Now!

The clock is ticking and April 15th will be here sooner than you think.

Make an appointment with a CPA for the skilled tax help you need!