What CPAs must do at the first financial planning meeting
Experienced CPA financial planners share best practices to help you establish yourself as a trusted adviser and ensure a successful and productive engagement.
Personal Financial Planning
A professional athlete’s frugal approach to what’s next
A professional soccer player says his teammates ribbed him for being “cheap.” He took that as a compliment. Find out why in this conversation with an ENGAGE 2021 panel speaker.
Tax returns are underrated financial planning tools
Tax time provides an excellent opportunity to create or update a financial strategy. By examining your tax returns, you can glean information that can help you build a financial plan.
Financial fears spike for young adults amid pandemic
More than half of Americans said their financial situation caused them stress during the pandemic, according to an AICPA survey. Younger Americans were particularly affected, with three-quarters of 18- to 24-year-olds reporting financial anxiety.
2021 child tax credit, EITC, and premium tax credit limits updated
The IRS issued guidance on the amount of and limitations on the child tax credit, earned income tax credit, and premium tax credit available for taxpayers for the 2021 tax year as a result of changes to those provisions enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
How to counter clients’ cognitive biases
This article discusses a few cognitive biases financial planners are likely to encounter and ways to help clients move past them.
How CPAs can help clients combining households during the pandemic
CPAs share their thoughts on how to help clients through changes in households.
Buyer beware: Celebrity-endorsed SPACs
Investors shouldn’t base investing decisions on celebrity involvement in a special-purpose acquisition company, the SEC warned.
IRS provides cafeteria plan relief for the pandemic
The IRS issued guidance on how employers can amend their health flexible spending arrangements and dependent care assistance programs to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pursuing quality in relationships — and audits
A link exists between communication about money and relationship stress. Learn more about that tie-in in this express version of the Journal of Accountancy podcast.
Senate shows bipartisan support for mobile workforce tax legislation
The Senate voted to make room in the FY 2021 budget resolution for mobile workforce legislation. Details of the budget still must be negotiated, but the vote creates the possibility that mobile workforce legislation, which the AICPA strongly supports, will be enacted this year.
Why it’s romantic to talk about money
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of US adults living with a spouse or partner said financial decisions have caused tension in their relationship, an AICPA survey found.
How CPAs bill for financial planning services
Four CPA financial planners discuss how they chose to structure their billing, why they chose the method they did, and why it works for their firm.
Identity theft a risk to consumers as online purchases increase
Amid a pandemic-related surge in online shopping, identity theft poses a more significant risk to consumers. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans experienced identity theft attempts, according to a new AICPA survey.
Help clients make the most of 2020 charitable giving
Mike Landsberg, CPA/PFS, discusses what he’s seeing in terms of charitable giving this year, how the CARES Act has affected giving, and how clients can use giving to save on taxes while contributing to causes that matter to them.
New Form W-4 slow to gain traction with taxpayers
Only 26% of taxpayers have changed their withholding since Form W-4 was revised in 2019, an AICPA survey found.
Answering clients’ estate planning questions this December
This article offers answers to questions from clients who are concerned about protecting their estate from tax changes that might happen in 2021.
The COVID-19 era: Planning for the year end and beyond
Tax-savvy and risk-averse strategies come to the fore.
Ask the expert: Tax planning
Karla D’Alleva Valas leads Fidelity Charitable’s adviser success strategy focused on CPAs who prioritize charitable planning as integral to their practice. Previously, she led the Complex Asset Group, a team of attorneys working with CPAs to facilitate charitable donations of appreciated private company stock and other nonpublic assets.
It’s a tough year for year-end tax planning
Advisers face the difficult task of helping clients plan for next year without knowing for certain which party will control the Senate.
