If you’re a business owner, Congress has already prepared an exciting ‘gift’ for you, as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017: a shiny new business tax deduction. For those who qualify, properly taking advantage of these new tax rules may result in substantial tax savings.
Read MoreHappiness comes more from a grateful heart than it does from having all the things you want, because when you get those things you’ll only want more. It’s one thing to say you should feel thankful, but the amazing thing about gratitude is that you can train yourself to do it. And if you train yourself to be grateful, you’re going to make the world a better place for yourself and everybody around you.
Read MoreBen Yeager and Rusty Eriksen provide a summary view of our investment committee’s latest research, sharing our thoughts on market volatility, interest rates and international markets.
Read MoreAs a young professional, you may think you’re too busy to learn how your tax return works. Whether you’re new to adulting and filing on your own for the first time or you’ve been filing for a few years and want to actually understand it this time, you don’t need to be intimidated by the 1040.
Read MoreWith a long-term view of tax planning, the goal is to reduce tax payments over time, not necessarily this year. It might actually make sense to pay a little extra now if it means you can save more money later. One of the best ways to do this is with a Roth conversion.
Read MoreYou've got your water, bread and flashlights ready to go, but what about the documents you may need in case of an emergency? I never recommend panicking, but a little preparation now can save you headaches later. Avoid the paper chase by using our handy document checklist.
Read MoreThe reason your cash reserve is so important: you can never predict when your car is going to break down, when you might lose your job or when you’ll need to take a trip to Urgent Care. These surprise expenses can be costly, and you don’t want to be forced to withdraw from your retirement accounts or take on credit card debt just to pay the bills.
Read MoreChris Hostetler and David Wise provide a summary view of our investment committee’s latest research.
Read MoreAs financial advisors, we always encourage our clients to complete their estate documents, but it wasn’t until this year that I experienced first-hand just how important it is to follow through after the legal documents are drafted. Executing the documents is just the beginning. Where most people fall short is the implementation, which can be easily overlooked.
Read MoreThe new tax code may mean you need a new strategy for giving. Depending on your personal tax situation, you might want to consider “bunching”: making two years’ worth of gifts in one year. This strategy could work if you make substantial gifts but still land just below your standard deduction threshold.
Read MoreEntering the “real world” can be overwhelming; between starting a new job, navigating a new city and making new friends, dedicating time to think about your financial situation might be low on the priority list. However, the sooner you can take a proactive approach to your personal finance, the better.
Read MoreYou know the income tax code has changed for 2018, and you may have a vague idea of the impact to your situation. Most taxpayers are getting offsetting doses of positive and negative adjustments, and it is time to start thinking about some of the details and the planning implications. To help our clients start thinking about their personal situations, we hosted an educational event a few weeks ago to highlight some of the major changes in the new tax code.
Read MoreBen Yeager and David Wise provide a summary view of our investment committee’s latest research.
Read MoreYou’ve cleaned out the garage and straightened your closet, but when was the last time you organized something that truly mattered? Too many of us accumulate the debris of one-time financial decisions and never clean up: an old 401(k) that you haven’t rebalanced in years, 15-year-old tax documents sitting in your desk drawer, a permanent life insurance policy that hasn’t been properly funded and the list goes on
Read MoreIt’s easy to understand why spring is a favorite season for many North Carolinians. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are temperate, and there’s no shortage of fun events to enjoy with friends and family. To help you fill your spring weekends, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite events going on across the Triangle this season.
Read MoreIf you’re looking to buy a new home or improve your current home, there are some things you should know about the new tax law, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which goes into effect for the 2018 tax year. In fact, the law may affect you as a homeowner, even if you aren’t making any changes to your address or spending money to renovate the place.
Read MoreChris Hostetler and Rusty Eriksen provide a summary view of our investment committee’s latest research.
Read More“Black Wall Street,” a term coined by Booker T. Washington, describes the vast business developments on Parrish Street in the early 1900s. Located north of the Hayti Community, one of Durham’s largest African-American communities, Black Wall Street became a center of black life in Durham.
Read MoreOne important immediate update affects anybody who receives a salary. You may see a change in your net paycheck between now and February 15, because the IRS has just updated tax withholding rules to account for the new brackets and standard deductions. For some, this will mean a larger net paycheck, but others may receive a smaller net paycheck.
Read MoreOK, we’re a week into the new year. Have you already cheated on your resolutions? We aren’t encouraging you to give up, but if you’d like to add some new resolutions – ones that would make your financial advisor proud – we have a few ideas.
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