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Age (not death!) and Taxes

4/30/2025

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Age does matter, when it comes to tax obligations

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One of the elements that make our Federal Tax Code so hard to follow is that different laws apply to you based on you or your dependents’ age. To help you navigate through some of this maze, here is a chart that outlines key ages and how it applies to your tax obligation.
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Please note: These age triggers outline some of the major tax events that relate to your age. In most cases the impacted year is the year you turn the age on this chart. Example: If your qualified dependent turns 17 any time during the year, they no longer qualify for the Child Tax Credit. This chart is not meant to be all-inclusive and there are exceptions to some of these age qualifications. Use this information to know when to ask for help.​

Action step: When you or anyone in your family approaches any of the ages in this chart, it's a sure sign you need to spend some time understanding the tax implications of the age event. Call if this impacts you!


"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.  
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Mia Verc, CPA;  Janice Papais, CPA
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A Guide to Tax Record Retention

4/24/2025

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Before you close this year's tax file there is still some work to do. If the IRS or state revenue department selects your return for review, you will need to be prepared. Here is what you need to do now:

  1. Keep a copy of your Form 1040 indefinitely. Do not toss or destroy any of your 1040s. You may need them to correct historic Social Security earnings statements or to prove that you filed a tax return.
  2. Supporting documents need to be retained for three years. Records to support your tax return (i.e., W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, receipts, canceled checks, bank statements and mileage logs) should be kept for a minimum of three years from the later of the tax filing due date, the date you filed your taxes, or the date you paid your tax in full. This approach ensures that your records are available for a potential IRS audit.
  3. Property and investment records need to be held longer. To prove your cost basis and taxable gain or loss, all records relating to property that you own (your home, rental properties, stocks, bonds and other investments) need to be kept for at least three years after it's sold or disposed.
  4. Be mindful of other record retention requirements. The three-year period is the federal guidance for standard returns. There are other factors that should be considered, including:
  • State record retention requirements (often six months to one year longer)
  • Requirements for insurance, banking, or estate management
  • Additional federal requirements for tax returns including unreported income (six years), worthless securities (seven years) or bad debt (seven years)
  • No audit time limit for fraudulent returns

A specific filing system is not required, but organization is key. The ability to easily find your documents in the event of an audit will make the process much simpler. Here are some tips:

  • File records by year rather than income or deduction type.
  • Within the file, order your records to match the flow of the Form 1040.
  • Consider scanning your files to create a digital file as a backup.
  • Create 2025 files now to save documents for the current year.
  • Shred old documents; don't just throw them away.

If you are unsure whether to retain or shred something, keep it unless you know the document can be replaced.




"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.  
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Mia Verc, CPA;  Janice Papais, CPA
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First quarter estimated tax payment deadline is April 15

4/10/2025

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WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service reminds self-employed individuals, retirees, investors, businesses and corporations that April 15 is the deadline for first quarter estimated tax payments for tax year 2025.​

Because federal income taxes are pay-as-you-go, the law requires individuals who don’t have taxes withheld to pay taxes as their income is received or earned throughout the year. Most people meet their tax obligations by having their taxes deducted from their paychecks, pension payments, Social Security benefits or certain other government payments including unemployment compensation.

Taxpayers who are self-employed or in the gig economy are generally required to make estimated tax payments. Likewise, retirees, investors and others frequently need to make these payments because a significant portion of their income is not subject to withholding.

When estimating quarterly tax payments, taxpayers should include all forms of earned income, including part-time work, side jobs or the sale of goods or services, commonly reported on Form 1099-K.

Income such as interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony and rental income is normally not subject to withholding. By making quarterly estimated tax payments, taxpayers can avoid penalties and uphold their tax responsibilities.
Certain groups of taxpayers, including farmers and fishers, recent retirees, individuals with disabilities, those receiving irregular income and victims of disasters and terrorist attacks are eligible for exceptions to penalties.

Paying estimated taxes

Taxpayers can rely on Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, for comprehensive instructions on computing their estimated taxes.

IRS Online Account streamlines the payment process for taxpayers making estimated payments. There, they can make and view their payment history, monitor pending payments and access pertinent tax information.

 Taxpayers have several options to make an estimated tax payments, by mail or pay online with IRS Direct Pay, debit card, credit card, digital wallet or the Treasury Department's Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.

To pay electronically and for more information on other payment options, visit Make a payment. If paying by check, be sure to make the check payable to the "United States Treasury".

Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, offers detailed information for individuals navigating dividend or capital gains income, alternative minimum tax or self-employment tax, or who have other special situations.

Tax Withholding Estimator

The IRS recommends taxpayers use the Tax Withholding Estimator tool to accurately determine the appropriate amount of tax to withhold from their paychecks.

Regularly monitoring withheld taxes helps mitigate the risk of underpayment, reducing the likelihood of unexpected tax bills or penalties during tax season. It also allows individuals to adjust withholding upfront, leading to larger paychecks during the year and potentially smaller refunds at tax time.

Online resources

  • Watch IRS YouTube videos on Estimated Tax Payments – English | Spanish | ASL.
  • gov offers tax assistance 24/7. Get answers to common questions and access online tools and information, such as the Interactive Tax Assistant, Tax Topics and Frequently Asked Questions.

"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.  
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Mia Verc, CPA;  Janice Papais, CPA
0 Comments

Tax Bill Payment Options Expand Digitally

4/7/2025

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Understand the options and costs

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As the payment alternatives continue to evolve in the economy, so too are the payment options available to you to pay your tax bill. Here is what's available to you this tax filing season along with each option's related costs.​

Various payment methods to pay taxes

1. Electronic funds withdrawal. This comes out of the checking or savings account noted on your 1040 tax return. There is no charge for this service.
2. Send in a check. Use an IRS voucher for this. Write your check out to the U.S. Treasury and send it via certified mail.
3. Pay with a credit card. The IRS provides two vendors (called merchant banks) for this service: Pay1040 and ACI Payments. There is an interchange rate charged to you ranging from 1.75% to 1.85% with a minimum fee of $2.50.
4. Pay with a debit card. Again there are various services that provide this with a fee of $2.10 to $2.15.
5. Pay by digital wallet or cash. This usually involves a $1.50 fee
6. Drop off cash payment, including to one of 60,000 locations. Yes, you can still bring in your tax payment to designated locations and pay in cash. If this is the option you take, you will need an appointment. Details can be found here.
Available payment suppliers
Debit/Credit: Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Star, Pulse, NCYE, ACCEL, AFFN, Cirrus, Interlink, Jeanie, Shazam, Maestro
Digital Wallet: Click to Pay, PayPal, Venmo
Cash: Vanilla Direct

Interesting notes

  • If you have an online IRS account, you can make payments within this secure setting.
  • IRS offices still allow for walk up payments in cash. Just make sure you have an appointment and follow online instructions.
  • There are limits to the number of credit card transactions you can make in a year. You also need to get approvals if you think payments may exceed $100,000.
  • If you find you cannot pay your taxes, there are also installment payment plans.



"Tax Tips" are published to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, Naperville, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.  
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at [email protected]. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Mia Verc, CPA;  Janice Papais, CPA
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Phone: (630) 320-3720

Monarch Accounting Group Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 10
Burr Ridge, IL 60527-7836
Email: [email protected]


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  • Home
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