It’s a good idea to have an unbiased source of Steuerberatung whenever you make major financial decisions. Your advisor can help you figure out how those decisions will affect your taxes and how to avoid paying unnecessary amounts in April.
A tax advisor is a specialized financial professional with advanced training and expertise in both accounting and tax law. They are trained to minimize taxes payable while staying within the scope of the laws and regulations.
Tax Planning
Tax planning is the process of reviewing your current financial situation and creating a plan to minimize your tax burden. This can help you reduce your adjusted gross income and make the most of the tax deductions available to you.
It can also help you save on retirement and social security taxes. A tax adviser can help you identify tax-saving opportunities that apply to you and your family.
Effective tax planning requires an understanding of personal needs, economic conditions and trends and the latest tax law changes. It also requires a thorough and flexible plan that is adaptable to changing circumstances.
Tax Deductions
Tax deductions can help reduce your taxable income, which will reduce the amount of taxes you owe. You can choose the standard deduction, a fixed dollar amount, or itemize your deductions, which can include state and local taxes, mortgage interest, charitable contributions, and unreimbursed medical expenses.
However, deductions can also have unintended consequences. For instance, the mortgage interest deduction encourages people to buy more expensive homes, thereby increasing housing prices. The property tax deduction, on the other hand, limits the amount of money that taxpayers can deduct from their taxable income, which can increase the tax burden for some households.
Tax Credits
Tax credits are a great way to lower your tax bill. They directly reduce the amount of money you owe and can even give you a refund.
Unlike tax deductions, which lower your taxable income by the percentage of your highest federal income tax bracket, tax credits directly reduce the total taxes you owe dollar for dollar.
A $1,000 credit, for example, would shave $220 off your tax bill, saving you 22% on your tax liability.
Credits are generally considered more valuable than tax deductions, but the value of each depends on your marginal tax rate. Those in high marginal tax brackets generally get more out of tax credits than those in low or middle income brackets. This is why it is essential to discuss all available credits with a tax advisor who can help you determine your eligibility and take advantage of any possible tax breaks you may qualify for.
Tax Entities
The legal structure of a business plays an important role in defining ownership, limiting personal liability, and managing taxes. It can also help you prepare for future growth.
There are many different types of tax entities, and deciding on the right one will depend on your needs. Choosing the right entity could help you avoid expensive, time-consuming taxes or save you money at tax time.
Flow-through entities, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships (limited, general, and limited liability partnerships), LLCs, and S Corporations, pass their income straight through to the owners or investors and pay no corporate tax. This allows owners to take an extra deduction on their personal income tax return, if necessary.
Tax Liability
Tax liability is the total amount of taxes a business, individual, or entity owes to various authorities. It includes taxes on earnings, assets, sales of a product or service, and other taxable events.
Taxes are imposed by state, local, and federal governments to fund services such as roads, social programs, and maintaining a military. They vary in amount and are calculated based on current tax laws.
To lower tax liabilities, you can claim deductions, exemptions, and tax credits. These reduce your tax bill by reducing the dollar value of your taxable income.