Author: Aimee

As you’re finishing up your 2023 tax returns, give yourself enough time to make sure you’re claiming all the tax deductions you can. That investment could put a nice chunk of change back into your pocket.

A tax deduction, as defined by the IRS, is “an amount you subtract from your income when you file so you don’t pay tax on it.” Less income means less tax that you owe.

Each year, however, many Americans overpay their income taxes simply by omitting deductions they deserve. According to the IRS, Americans who claimed the standard deduction on recent received more than $747 billion in tax deductions, but many of them missed other deductions they deserved. 

Roanoke CPA Firm Weighs In: 5 Commonly Overlooked Tax Deductions 

Tax deductions are designed to help Americans meet expenses for things like child care and medical care and to support charitable giving. Eligibility for these deductions will vary by household and often from year to year. But there are deductions that are commonly overlooked. Here are five of them:

1. Charitable contributions: Few people forget a large charitable donation during tax time. But smaller donations, especially contributions such as clothing or household goods, can add up as well. You’ll need good documentation of your good deeds, and the IRS will ask for a professional “qualified appraisal of the item or group of items” if your donated items were worth $5,000 or more.

2. Job search expenses: If you searched for new job within your current career field, you can deduct some expenses if they weren’t reimbursed by the prospective employer, such as transportation costs, resume printing, and even agency fees. 

3.  Student loan interest: You can deduct up to $2,500 or the actual amount, whichever is less, of the interest you paid on your qualified student loans in 2023 for yourself, a spouse, or someone who was dependent at the time the loan was made. If you paid more than $600 in qualified interest in 2023, you should have received a Form 1098-E.

4. Medical expenses: You can deduction a portion of your medical expenses — that not covered by insurance that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This includes a wide range of costs such as health insurance premiums, copays, prescription medications, lab fees and even some travel expenses. You can also deduct a portion of the cost of your long-term care insurance if it’s not covered by an employer.

5. Educator expenses: Teachers often pay for needed classroom supplies out of pocket. Through the Education Expense Deduction, teachers can deduct up to $300 worth of those expenses from their income for 2023 and 2024. Qualified expenses include books, supplies, and computer equipment used in the classroom.

Work with a Tax Professional to Find All Your Deductions

Navigating instructions and understanding the different requirements for each tax deduction can be a daunting process – but it’s a necessary one. Tax laws can change from year to year, so don’t guess when it comes to your return, especially if you’ve never itemized before.

Using professional tax services like Neely’s Accounting in Roanoke will take the stress out of the process by finding all the deductions you’re entitled to and ensuring that your return is accurate. 

Contact Neely’s for Tax Preparation in Roanoke, Virginia

When it comes to tax services in Roanoke, Neely’s has been the go-to expert since 2007. We offer a full range of professional products at a fair price, and our friendly advisors are always ready to help. Contact us and let us help you get the deductions you deserve.

U.S. tax code is notoriously complex and ever-changing so it’s no wonder that the term “tax season” can provoke stress and anxiety. It’s difficult to stay on top of the requirements and the more complicated your financial situation, the more challenging the process becomes. 

It’s not impossible to do your own taxes. But when you only work with the tax code once a year, navigating it correctly can be a formidable undertaking. Luckily, there are professionals who work with the tax code every day: professional tax preparers and CPAs. 

What Does a Tax Preparer Do?

A tax preparer helps people and businesses prepare and file their tax returns. These professionals are experts in state and federal tax codes, refund calculations, tax forms and more. They work to file tax return correctly while providing their clients with largest refund possible. 

5 Great Reasons to Hire a Professional Tax Preparer

Imagine a year where you didn’t dread April 15. While it can be tempting to buckle down and DIY approach to your taxes, hiring professional tax services from a tax preparer can make that dream a reality. Working with a tax preparer offers a host of benefits, especially when you choose one from a trusted CPA firm. Here’s why hiring a professional tax preparer is a great idea:

1. Saves You More Money: Many people avoid working with a tax preparer because they’re concerned about the cost. But that cost can be more than recovered when you work with someone who can maximize your tax return. One survey of 2,000 taxpayers found that self-filers received an average of $804 less than people who used a tax professional.  
2. Helps You Reclaim Your Time: Between work, life and everything in between in can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Why spend your precious free time doing taxes? According to the IRS, it takes the average person 13 hours to self-file their taxes. That’s over 1.5 work days! A tax preparer can cut that time dramatically, giving you time back in your schedule. 
3. Reduces Your Risk of Audit: While your chances of being audited are slim, the possibility does exist. The US tax code is approximately 2,600 pages long and clocks in at well over 1 million words. When you work with a tax preparer, you’ll have an expert who is familiar with the code and can support you to achieve the best possible outcome.
4. Provides You with a Trusted Advisor: Tax preparers are available to work with you year-round, not just at tax time. If you want help creating a sensible tax plan, or have questions after a major life change, having a relationship with a tax preparer can help. 
5. Gives You Peace of Mind

According to the IRS, 84% of people surveyed said it’s unacceptable to cheat on their income taxes and 93% believe it’s a civic duty to pay their fair share. When you work with a professional tax preparer or CPA, you won’t have doubt or anxiety that your taxes were completed correctly. You’ll rest easy know you’ve paid your part, not more and not less. 

Find Excellent Roanoke Tax Preparation at Neely’s Accounting

Neely’s Accounting Roanoke CPA firm has been serving our community since 2007. We believe that hiring a professional tax preparer is a great investment in your well-being. If you’re ready to gain time, money, peace of mind and so much more contact Neely’s Accounting. 

We get it. Tax season can be one of the most stressful times of the year. For many people, filing income taxes can be a complicated and confusing process that fuels the fear that you’re going to make a mistake.

Don’t let the 2024 tax season overwhelm you. Here are 8 easy-to-follow tax season tips to get you organized and confident.

How to Stay Organized: 8 Tax Season Tips

A little research and forethought go a long way when it comes to prepping for tax season. And the good news is that tax season rolls around every year, so the more you practice these tips, the easier it gets! 

1. Do enough research to understand your tax obligation. Basically: If you are single, under 65 and earned at least $13,850 or married and filing jointly, both under 65 and earned a combined $27,700, you must file taxes. 
2. Don’t wait until the last minute. Tax filing season starts Jan. 29, 2024 — that’s the first day the IRS will accept tax forms for processing. The last day to file without an extension April 15, 2024. The longer you wait, the more stress you’ll generate, and being in a rush could lead to mistakes.
3. Put all your tax documents in one place as they arrive, grouping them by category. Your goal is to have all your critical documents in one central place when you sit down to file. Important documents include but are not limited to: 
   • W-2 forms from a job, 1099 forms from self-employment gigs or a Form 1099-G from unemployment benefits
   • Documents related to debt, such as Form 1098 from a home mortgage or Form 1098-E from student loans
   • 1099-INT form for interest from a savings account or interest-bearing checking account
   • Receipts from daycare expenses
   • Receipts from charitable donations
4. Check www.irs.gov/credits-and-deductions to explore which tax deductions and credits are available to you. A tax deduction is an expense that lowers your taxable income, such as the interest you pay on your home mortgage or the cost of out-of-pocket medical expenses. A tax credit is a lump sum amount that pays off a portion of your owed taxes, such as the cost of child care or improvements that make a home more energy efficient.
5. Decide if you will use an online program or paper forms to file your returns. Online programs are faster but probably charge a fee to efile your returns. Paper forms don’t come with filing expenses, but it can take months for them to be processed by the IRS. 
6. Start with your federal return. If you’re using an online program, you’ll be required to start here. And even if you’re not, you will likely need some information from your federal form to complete your state taxes.
7. If you think you will owe the IRS, make a tax payment plan. If you get organized and fill out your tax forms early, you’ll have extra time to plan for the expense. Ideally, you will be able save up to pay your tax bill in April, but you could also set up a payment plan with the IRS or take out a loan.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you’ve had a major life change in the last year, your finances have grown overly complicated or you’re just overwhelmed. The U.S. tax code is constantly changing and can be difficult to understand. Working with a trusted professional like Neely’s Accounting Service will ease your stress and give you confidence that your taxes are correct.

Contact Neely’s Accounting for Tax Season Support

For over 30 years Neely’s has been Roanoke’s trusted source for tax services and tax preparation. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you avoid tax season stress.

Financial goals make excellent new year’s resolutions. And now, before the new year actually arrives, is the ideal time to think about your financial goals for 2024 and how those goals can contribute to a more effective tax strategy.

Maximize Tax Deductions and Credits

When you combine tax planning with a comprehensive financial plan, you can protect your money from unnecessary tax burdens. That means there’s more money available for your short-term and long-term needs and wants.

A good place to start is understanding the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction.

A tax deduction is an expense that lowers your taxable income, such as the interest you pay on your home mortgage or student loans, out-of-pocket medical expenses and moving expenses from a job. 

A tax credit is a lump sum amount that pays off a portion of your owed taxes. These include the Earned Income Tax Credit for lower-income working families, the Child and Dependent Care Credit that offsets the cost of child care and credits for improvements such as solar panels that make a home more energy efficient.

Neely’s Accounting Service can help you research which tax deductions and tax credits you may qualify for now or after a major life event, like getting married or having a baby. Then you’ll have the 2024 calendar year to save records and receipts needed for the next tax year.

Optimize Retirement Contributions

Setting aside savings for your retirement years should be at the top of your financial planning list.

Contribute to your workplace retirement account up to the employer match or to a traditional IRA. Money invested in either can be deducted from your taxable income for the year you made the contribution. In 2023, the IRS allowed a maximum $6,500 in IRA contributions, or $,7500 for people 50 and older.

Strongly also consider contributions to a health savings account, which allows you to set aside money to pay for future qualified medical expenses. Your HSA has three tax advantages: 

• Contributions to these accounts can be deducted from your taxable income.
• Money in your account is invested and grows tax free. 
• You won’t owe any taxes on money withdrawn and used for qualified medical expenses.

In 2024, the maximum HSA contribution allowed by the IRS will be $4,150 for an individual and $8,300 for a family. 

Plan for Major Life Events

Another important piece of financial planning is to be prepared for major life events and any tax implications that come with them, such as getting married, having a child, or planning for educational expenses.

This is where a trusted financial partner, like Neely’s Accounting Service, can help you think through your options and create a financial blueprint that meets your unique needs.

Strategy Matters

Having clear financial goals and aligning them with tax planning strategies can have a significant impact on your financial resources in 2024. Our advisors are always ready to help you with personalized solutions that meet your needs and help you get the most of your financial resources in 2024. Contact us to get started on your tax strategy today.

An end-of-year charitable donation to a nonprofit or church is a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays and support the causes that are important to you. 

To be able to deduct your donation from your 2023 taxes, you’ll need to do a little planning ahead.

• You must give to a qualified charitable organization – meaning the organization must be registered as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This information can usually be found on the nonprofit’s website. 

• You must keep good documentation for the IRS. This includes the date you made your donation, the name and address of the nonprofit, and a description of your donation. For monetary donations, that means a receipt or a canceled check. If you donated goods or services, you need a detailed list of each item and its estimated fair market value. (If you donated anything worth more than $5,000, you’ll need an actual appraisal of the item instead of the estimate.)

• You will need to itemize all your deductions on your 2023 tax return using Schedule A. Ultimately, you will need enough deductible expenses to exceed the standard deduction amount: $13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for married couples filing jointly. 

Here are a few ways to maximize your tax deductions in 2023.

• Bundled donations, or making two year’s worth of gifts in one calendar year, can be useful if you expect to be just shy of meeting the standard deduction amount on your 2023 tax returns. By bundling your 2023 and 2024 donations this year, you can maximize the tax benefit for this year.

• Use a donor-advised fund — basically an account that allows you to manage assets for future charitable giving. Your contribution to a donor-advised fund is immediately tax-deductible and you can distribute the funds to the charities of your choice over time. But be mindful of fees associated with these funds.

• Donate appreciated assets such as stocks or mutual funds that have increased in value. This gives you a charitable deduction plus it can shelter you from paying capital gains taxes on the appreciation.

Through year-end charitable giving, you can help make a difference in your community. According to multiple surveys, local nonprofits receive most of their annual budgets through donations given the last quarter of each year, meaning every gift matters.Charitable giving can also reduce your tax liability when you keep up-to-date and detailed records of your donations to qualified charitable organization. If you have questions, Neely’s Accounting Services has answers. You can count on us for strategic tax advice, so get in touch today.

As students head to campuses to begin their fall semesters, now is the time to educate the whole family on tax planning strategies for the next four-plus years. Whether you need education-related tax credits or tips to maximize your students’ financial aid eligibility, Neely’s Accounting Services can help both students and families ace this financial test.

Getting Started: The FAFSA

You’ll hear a lot about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — commonly called the FAFSA. This is what colleges and universities use to determine if a student qualifies for federal financial aid or any of the school’s scholarships and aid programs. Families must fill out the FAFSA each year, but it’s the first year that really sets the foundation for a student’s financial aid package.

Here are a few tips to maximize your eligibility for financial aid:

• Even if you think your family won’t qualify, file a FAFSA. In reality, most families do qualify for some financial aid, and you’ll be eligible for school-specific, need- and merit-based scholarships and grants as well. Plus, you’ll be prepared in the event your financial situation unexpectedly changes before the start of the academic year.
• Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after it’s available Oct. 1 to give your student the best shot at federal aid and grant programs that are award funds on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Keep your family’s taxable income as low as possible the first year you file without doing the family financial harm. Small, thoughtful tweaks can make a difference, such as delaying the sale of stocks or bonds, avoiding early withdrawals from retirement savings and asking employers to defer a bonus to another tax year.

Is Your Student Still a Dependent?

Families should figure out whether their student will be considered a dependent during college. Parents can claim a full-time college student as a dependent until age 24 if they are proving more than half of the student’s support. Most college students fall into this category. If a parent does claim a student as a dependent, the student likewise will need to answer “yes” when asked on tax documents if someone else can claim him or her as a dependent. 

Take Advantage of Tax Credits

Several federal tax credits are available to help offset the cost of education. Pick the best one that fits your circumstances because they cannot be used in combination.

• The American Opportunity Credit: Qualifying students or their parents may claim up to $2,500 of college expenses — including tuition, fees, books and other requirements — for the first four years of schooling while working toward a degree or certificate. 
• The Lifetime Learning Credit: Qualifying students or their parents may claim up $2,000 in education expenses for an unlimited number of years. This would be helpful to a non-degree-seeking student or a graduate student.
• Tuition and Fees Deduction: Qualifying students or their parents can deduct up to $4,000 in education expenses paid directly to the student’s school. Expenses include tuition and related expenses required to be enrolled.
• Student Loan Interest Deduction: After graduation, a student can deduct the interest paid on student loans in the past year. The lender will provide the required interest statement each January.

Military Students and Veterans

Military students or students using a military benefit to pay for schooling should understand that their tax planning will look a little different. 

• For students received ROTC stipends for education and living expenses, these payments are not taxable and do not need to be included on your federal tax return.
• Cadets at the federal service academies, however, are considered on “active duty” while at school, so any payments made generally are taxable and should be reported as income on your federal return.
• Funds received from the VA for education, training, or subsistence are not taxable. 

Contact Neely’s Accounting for Expert Help

Neely’s Accounting Services can offer some time-tested lessons in tax planning. We’ve supported Roanoke-area individuals and business since 2007 with our big-city services and a hometown feel. Contact us today and let us set yourself up for tax success for your students’ college years.