Category: Financial Planning

In the digital age, the term “artificial intelligence” (AI) has transcended science fiction to become a driving force behind technological advancements. As AI rapidly reshapes society, its potential for investors has become increasingly evident. This blog post delves into the realm of investing in AI, exploring the reasons behind its exponential growth, potential risks, and strategies for maximizing returns. The AI Revolution: Unprecedented Growth and Innovation Artificial intelligence, in simple terms, refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by… Read more ›

Summer isn’t just for barbeques and baseball. It’s also a good time to think about ways to cut your 2023 business tax bill. Here are four planning ideas for small business owners to consider, assuming there won’t be any changes to current federal tax laws at least through 2024. 1. Establish a Tax-Favored Retirement Plan If your business doesn’t already have a retirement plan, now might be the time to take the plunge. Current rules allow for significant annual deductible… Read more ›

The automotive industry has shifted tremendously over the past few years. Between COVID shutdowns driving less foot traffic into dealerships and impacting the supply chain, and new car manufacturers entering the market with a direct-to-consumer approach, auto dealers have had a lot to contend with. Considering all these changes, how can dealerships maintain the profits driven by their Finance and Insurance (F&I) divisions? Finance and Insurance (F&I) has historically been a significant profit center for car dealerships. They can continue… Read more ›

While the value of virtual currency continues to fluctuate, the IRS’s interest in it has only increased. In 2021, for example, the agency launched Operation Hidden Treasure to root out taxpayers who don’t report income from cryptocurrency transactions on their federal income tax returns. Moreover, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, allocated $80 billion to the IRS, most of it designated for enforcement activities. However, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, enacted in May 2023, will claw back $21.39 billion of that amount by the end… Read more ›

Abbie Niehoff, senior divorce financial analyst at Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell, has been named treasurer of Collaborative Dispute Resolution Professionals (CDRP), a Washington, DC-area not-for-profit organization founded upon the principles of collaborative law. Niehoff, a years-long member of CDRP, focuses her practice on helping individuals, couples and their attorneys resolve the financial aspects of their divorce. Her experience in divorce financial planning and analysis includes collaborative, mediated, negotiated, and litigated divorce cases. She also helps couples preparing to get married… Read more ›

Recent reports have raised anew concerns about the impending insolvency of the Social Security program, absent congressional action. Social Security reform has long been considered a “third rail” of American politics and understandably so — the options for heading off insolvency will inevitably cause pain for significant segments of the population. Yet some in Congress have stepped forward with proposals that aim to tackle the problem. The Impending Shortfall Social Security currently provides benefits to more than 66 million recipients. The Congressional… Read more ›

Are you retiring soon? Unsure of if you will have enough money to get by? Social Security is supposed to give you financial support when you are no longer earning an income of your own but its process can be confusing. If you’ve already started your benefits or found you have made a mistake, these solutions may help. Taxes and the age you start collecting Social Security benefits can all change how much you get from the government each month…. Read more ›

This blog discusses content from CBM’s Maximizing Social Security Benefits and Avoiding Mistakes webinar. To watch the webinar click here. Previous webinars can be found here. Like the content? Get alerts about future webinars here. Anyone who gets a paycheck knows that Social Security exists, by the little tax line. But do you know how it works? An important part of financial planning is knowing where your money is going and what you will get in return. This post discusses… Read more ›

This is the second of a two-part blog series on building a strong financial foundation for younger, early-career professionals. The series covers topics such as understanding net worth, financial goal-setting, investing and saving, debt and tax planning. Click here to read the first part of the blog series. Manage Your Debt Not all debt is bad debt, especially if you have a low interest rate that’s helping you finance an asset and thus increasing your net worth. A mortgage is… Read more ›

Debtors typically experience a feeling of relief when a creditor agrees to provide debt forgiveness. But that feeling often is replaced by shock and confusion when they learn they owe taxes on so-called “cancellation of debt” (COD) income. Read on to learn the tax rules for COD income and how they might affect your tax situation. General Rule of Debt Forgiveness Taxes The IRS considers your debt canceled if it’s forgiven or discharged for less than the full amount you owe…. Read more ›