Informational Videos & Brochures
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It is our opinion an informed taxpayer pays less tax. We are excited to offer these helpful brochures.
For your convenience, we have listed the brochures in sections:
Organizers
Individuals & 1040
Business
Estates & Trust
Retirement
Other Useful Information
Be sure to look in each section. And please, feel free to print extras to give to your friends.
Organizers
2018 Individual Taxpayer Organizer Rental Property This handout provides an easy to use format to gather tax return information from individual clients. The organizer is offered in a fillable pdf format.
2018 Individual Taxpayer Organizer Sole Proprietorship This handout provides an easy to use format to gather tax return information from self-employed clients. The organizer is offered in a fillable PDF format.
2018 Individual Taxpayer Organizer This handout provides an easy to use format to gather tax return information from individual clients. The organizer is offered in a fillable pdf format.
C Corporation Tax Organizer This handout provides an easy to use format to gather key information from C corporation clients. The organizer is offered in a fillable PDF format.
LLC Tax Organizer This handout provides an easy to use format to gather key information from taxpayers who have an LLC. The organizer is offered in a fillable PDF format.
S Corporation Tax Organizer This handout provides an easy to use format to gather key information from S corporation clients. The organizer is offered in a fillable PDF format.
Individuals & 1040
Alternative Minimum Tax This handout gives a definition of what the alternative minimum tax (AMT) is and how it is applied. It also highlights some historical perspective on how the AMT has changed over the years.
Audits This handout provides guidance for taxpayers who are undergoing an IRS audit. It includes an overview of how audits are conducted as well as a strategy for preparing for the audit
Cancellation of Debt-Insolvency This handout defines what it means to be insolvent. Cancellation of Debt - Insolvency It includes a worksheet for a taxpayer to determine if he or she is insolvent and it explains the tax implications of cancelled debt
Capital Gains and Losses This handout defines what assets are considered capital assets. It also discusses holding periods of assets, basis, and capital gain tax rates.
Charitable Cash Donation Tracker This handout discusses recordkeeping requirements for cash donations. It also provides a donation tracker worksheet as well as a charitable mileage log.
Charitable Contributions Guide This guide outlines the types of qualified charities which can receive tax deductible donations. It also discusses contributions of property including the donation of a vehicle.
Charitable Noncash FMV Guide This handout provides a fair market value guide for the donation of goods. There is also a tracker for taxpayers to record donations.
Clergy-Religious Workers This handout provides guidance on how to report income and expenses for ministers. It also provides information on a parsonage or housing allowance received.
Consumer Credit This handout gives individuals a quick checklist of how to protect themselves upon notification of identity theft. It also provides information on credit counseling and debt management plans.
Crowdfunding This handout explores the different aspects of crowdfunding, from the project initiator to the backer/contributor.
Dependent Support Worksheet This worksheet defines what is meant by support and includes a worksheet to help calculate the expenses paid to determine the financial support of an individual.
Divorce and Taxes This handout defines the tax status of taxpayers who are separated or divorcing. It also provides information on property transfers, alimony, and child support.
Education Tax Benefits This handout discusses the education tax benefits. It also provides a comparison of the education credits and discusses the education savings plans.
Estimated Taxes This handout defines the requirement to pay taxes through withholding and/or estimated payments. It includes estimated tax payment due dates.
Families With Chidren This handout provides a listing of various tax credits available for families with children. The rules and limits for each credit are outlined.
Filing Status This handout helps the taxpayer determine his or her tax filing status for the year. The handout includes a chart with the special rules for taxpayers filing Married Filing Separately (MFS).
Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts This handout provides tax filing guidance for taxpayers who have finanical assets in foreign countries. The information contains filing requirements and penalty information for failure to file.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) This handout discusses the provisions of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The rules and limitations are explained.
High-Income Taxpayers This handout provides a listing of deduction limitations for taxpayers who have higher taxable income.
Hobby vs. Business This handout explains the deduction limitation for activities that are considered a hobby. The handout lists the factors that may determine whether an activity is a hobby or a business.
Household Employees This handout identifies who is considered a household employee. It also discusses the tax reporting requirements of employers who employ household workers.
Identity Theft and Your Taxes Taxpayers who are victims of identity theft may find that the thieves have filed a fraudulent income tax return. This handout provides guidance on the steps the taxpayer should take to file their return as well as specific things to do to prevent future problems.
Itemized Deductions Casualty and Theft Losses This handout identifies which losses are deductible and which gains realized are taxable. Disaster relief is also discussed.
Itemized Deductions Homeowners This handout identifies expenses for homeowners which are deductible as itemized deductions. It also includes a chart for home mortgage debt limits.
Itemized Deductions Interest Paid This handout differentiates interest expenses that are deductible from those that are not deductible. Reverse mortgages are also discussed.
Itemized Deductions Medical Expenses This handout discusses which medical expenses are deductible and who can deduct those expenses. It also highlights the deductible expenses for long-term care and nursing home costs.
Itemized Deductions Taxes Paid This handout discusses which taxes paid are deductible as well as any limitations on the deductibility of those taxes.
Kiddie Tax This handout discusses the tax treatment of a child's unearned income. It also compares the reasons to file a separate return for the child versus reporting the income on the parent's tax return.
Moving Expenses This handout provides information on the deductibility of moving expenses. It provides guidance on which expenses are deductible and guidance on handling employer reimbursements.
Multi-State Taxation This handout provides guidance to taxpayers who have state income tax liabilities to more than one state. It also provides state tax information for taxpayers associated with the military.
New Tax Laws This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on changes individual and business clients are likely to be interested in. Individual information includes the new individual tax rates and brackets, capital gain threshold changes, personal exemption, home equity interest, moving expenses, state and local taxes itemized deductions, alimony, AMT, Child Tax Credit, and the kiddie tax. Business information includes the new C corporation tax rate, business pass-through deduction, special depreciation, Section 179 deduction, AMT, and net operating losses.
On-Demand Drivers - This handout contains information for on-demand drivers, such as Uber or Lyft drivers, on tax reporting of income and expenses. Included is guidance on additional expenses that may be tax deductible.
Real Estate Professionals This handout details the requirements of individuals to qualify as a real estate professional. The handout also discusses the special rules for real estate activities.
Referrals Appreciated This handout provides a format for a tax preparer to request referrals from clients. It is designed to give to an existing client to pass on to potential referrals.
Sale of Principal Residence This handout discusses the requirements to exclude gain on the sale of a principal residence. It also discusses the reduced maximum exclusion that is available for certain taxpayers.
Same-Sex Married Couples This handout explains the tax filing requirements for same-sex married couples. It also provides information on amending previously filed returns.
Standard vs. Itemized Deductions This handout compares the use of the standard deduction vs. using itemized deductions. The phaseout of the itemized deductions is also discussed.
Stock Options - Same Day Sales This handout provides guidance on the taxation of exercising stock options. Tax reporting of these transactions is covered in details.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - Individuals This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on changes for individuals. Information includes changes to itemized deductions, adjustments to income, and the Child Tax Credit.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - Corporations - This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on changes corporate clients are likely to be interested in. Corporate information includes the new corporation tax rates, alternative minimum tax, accounting methods, and S corporation conversions to a C corporation.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - Depreciation - This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on depreciation changes clients are likely to be interested in. Information includes the Section 179 deduction, special (bonus) depreciation, luxury automobiles, and qualified improvement property.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - Employers - This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on changes employers are likely to be interested in. Information includes the modification of certain fringe benefits and a new credit for paid family and medical leave.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - Excess Business Loss and net Operating Loss (NOL) - This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on the new 20% deduction for qualified income from a business.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act - New Business Income Deduction - This handout contains an overview of the new tax law that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. This overview focuses on changes for individuals whose business deductions exceed gross income. Information includes the new excess business loss limitation, pass-through entities, and net operating losses.
Tax Facts and Figures This handout provides charts of inflation-adjusted tax provisions.
Tax Scams - Protect Yourself This handout contains information on types of tax scams including IRS impersonation scams. Included is guidance on how a taxpayer can protect himself or herself and specific actions to take.
Taxable Social Security Benefits This handout explains the calculation of income to determine what amount, if any, of Social Security benefits are taxable. It also provides strategies to prevent Social Security benefits from becoming taxable.
Taxpayers Who Receive an IRS Notice This handout explains how taxpayers should handle affairs once they have received a notice from the IRS. It also discusses how to avoid future notices and explains what rights the taxpayer has.
Tipped Employees This handout provides information on how to report tip income. Recordkeeping requirements are also explained.
What Should You Do if You Can't Pay Your Taxes This handout explains the options a taxpayer has when he or she cannot pay the taxes due by the due date. Information on requesting an installment agreement is provided.
Withholding - Filing Out Form W-4 This handout provides an explanation of what Form W-4 is and how it is used by employers. Guidance on filling out the form is provided.
Business
Business Entity Comparison Chart The charts on this handout compare and contrast accounting and recordkeeping, fringe benefits, and liabilities of the various business entity types.
Business Entity Pros and Cons This handout gives a listing of pros and cons for the various types of business structures. It also provides examples of the types of businesses that are good fits for each entity type.
Business Expense Worksheet This handout provides a simple worksheet for business owners to track expenses. It can be used as a ledger or as a summary for business owners to complete and provide to their tax preparer.
Business Financing - Don't Intermingle Funds This handout explains the problems that occur when business owners intermingle business funds with their personal funds. Court case summaries provide a warning to business owners as to the problems that can occur.
Business Management Tips This handout explores business procedures, plans, budgets, and other resources all designed to help businesses survive.
Business Owners - Taking Money Out of a Business This handout discusses the tax consequences of removing money from a business. The tax implications of wages, guaranteed payments, and dividends are explained.
Business Use of Home This handout outlines the expenses that are deductible for the business use of the home. The use of the home as a day care facility is also highlighted.
Buy-Sell Agreements This handout explains how a buy-sell agreement works and the different ways to structure a buy-sell agreement.
Corporate Meeting Requirements This handout provides guidance on what to do to maintain corporate tax filing status. It lists the requirements of all corporations and provides an outline of how to comply with those requirements.
Day Care Providers Income and Expenses This handout provides guidance on recordkeeping of income and expenses for day care providers. It also provides information for calculating the business use of the home for day care providers.
Employee or Independent Contractor This handout discusses the factors used in determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor. It also provides information on how to report the incorrect treatment of an employee as an independent contractor.
Expense Reimbursements for Employees This handout describes the requirements for an expense reimbursement plan to qualify as an accountable plan and the reporting requirements for employer reimbursement plans.
Farm Expense Worksheet This worksheet provides a way for farmers to keep track of farm expenses. This handout can be used as a ledger to enter daily information or be used as a summary of expenses to provide to the tax preparer.
Farm Inventory and Accounting Methods Most businesses use either the cash method or the accrual method of accounting. Most small farming businesses use the cash method of accounting. This handout covers other accounting methods and inventory valuation issues unique to the farming business.
Farm Vehicles and Fuels This handout provides a method for farmers to keep track of fuel expenses. It also explains the requirements for claiming fuel tax credit and refund.
Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, Reporting This handout describes the filing requirements for Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, including payments made to attorneys and penalties for failure to file correct returns or furnish correct payee statements.
Fringe Benefits This handout highlights the benefits and uses of fringe benefits.
Health Care Reform Cost Sharing Subsidy for Individuals with High-Deductible Plans This handout provides information on the subsidy for individuals with high-deductible health insurance plans. Information on how to apply for the subsidy is also provided.
Health Care Reform Employer Insurance Requirement This handout describes the employer requirement to provide health insurance including the penalty for employers who do not offer coverage. Information on how to apply for coverage is also provided.
Health Care Reform Premium Assistance Credit This handout explains the premium assistance credit and who is eligible for the credit. The definition of minimum essential coverage is provided.
Health Care Reform State Health Insurance Exchanges This handout explains how the state health insurance exchanges operate and how to apply for coverage.
Inventory Cost of Goods Sold This handout describes when inventory accounting is required, expenses included in the cost of goods sold and inventory valuation methods.
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) This handout explains how an LLC operates and how to form an LLC. Information is also provided on the classification of an LLC which will determine the proper tax filing for the LLC.
Marketing Your Business This handout provides some tips on marketing a business and promoting the products and services of the business.
Mileage and Expense Log The log provides a worksheet for taxpayers to track mileage and expenses for tax deductibility of those miles and expenses. The log provides the entries needed to be compliant with IRS regulations.
Partnerships This handout provides a description of how partnerships work and explains the tax reporting requirements of the partnership and its partners. Advantages and disadvantages of a partnership are also discussed.
Recordkeeping for Tax Purposes This handout explains the type of records which should be kept and the retention period of those records. The information is beneficial for recordkeeping of individual tax records and also for recordkeeping of business tax records.
Rental Income and Expense Worksheet This worksheet provides a taxpayer with a means to track income and expenses for a rental property. The worksheet also provides a place to keep track of depreciation items.
Repairs vs. Improvements This handout provides information which will help determine whether a current business deduction can be taken for expenses incurred on business assets, or whether the expense must be capitalized and depreciated.
S Corporations This handout explains what a taxpayer needs to know about S corporations, including the business formalities and tax filing. It includes a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of an S corporation.
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit This handout explains what a tax credit is and provides a worksheet to calculate the premium amount eligible for the credt.
Starting a Business This handout provides guidance on establishing a business and provides and outline for creating a business plan. It is also helpful in creating a personal financial statement.
Vehicles - Business Use This handout explains the circumstances under which an individual can claim a deduction for using their vehicle for business purposes.
Estates & Trusts
Death of a Taxpayer This handout discusses the duties of a personal representative for a taxpayer who has died. It also indicates tax reporting requirements for a deceased taxpayer and how to allocate the income in the year of death.
Estate Tax (Form706) This handout provides information on the estate tax and marital deduction. Estate tax planning and valuation are also discussed.
Gift Tax This handout discusses the gift tax provisions including the annual exclusion and the lifetime gift tax exclusion. It contrasts which transfers are considered gifts and which transfers are not considered gifts.
Retirement
Individual Retirement Accounts: Inherited IRAs This handout discusses the choices a beneficiary has when inheriting a traditional or Roth IRA. It includes information on required minimum distributions.
Individual Retirement Accounts: Kinds of IRAs and Prohibited Transactions This handout discusses the various types of IRAs and the tax benefits and implications of each. It also discusses the effect of the taxpayer's participation in prohibited transactions within these types of accounts.
Individual Retirement Accounts: Roth IRAs This handout discusses the tax advantages of a Roth IRA. It includes information on contribution and conversion rules.
Individual Retirement Accounts: Traditional IRAs This handout discusses the tax advantages and rules of traditional IRAs. It also includes the phaseouts for deducting contributions for taxpayers who are also covered by an employer-sponsored plan.
Retirement Income This handout discusses a taxpayer's various sources of retirement income including Social Security, pension, and IRA distributions. Age-specific requirements and tax implications are highlighted.
Saving for Retirement This handout highlights the various types of retirement accounts along with the contribution limits and rules. The handout also includes information on qualifying for the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit.
Social Security and Medicare This handout highlights the components of Social Security retirement and disability benefits. It also provides an Overview of Medicare eligibility and benefits.
Other Useful Information
College Financial Aid Planning This handout provides valuable information about how assets and income affect the financial aid application process. The handout includes asset and debt strategies to help with the planning process.
Early Retirement Distributions This handout highlights the rules regarding the exception to the 10% penalty for early retirement distributions. The handout also discusses the possible risks involved in implementing this strategy.
Estate Planning, Wills, Probate, and Transfer of Assets This handout discusses the importance of having a will. Issues such as property passing at death and probate are also discussed.
Financial Planning Guide This handout provides a high-level Overview of the financial planning process. Taxpayers can gain valuable information on personal financial planning and income tax planning.
Moving Out Worksheet This worksheet provides a method for calculating the cost of moving out of home. The worksheet includes calculations for one-time as well as periodic costs.
Newlyweds Tax Tips This handout outlines some of the steps taxpayers should take once they become married. It explains how to handle tax filing requirements as well as personal things such as notifying financial institutions.
Pension Income Planning This handout outlines some of the considerations for an employee who is selecting a pension option. The handout provides a description of a potential financial limitation of choosing the wrong type of pension payout and a strategy to consider to alleviate drawbacks of the various choices.
Saving for College This handout discusses the various methods of saving for college. It includes information on contribution limits as well as tax benefits associated with each method of saving.