Friday, 5 December, 2025
The U.S. federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025 after Congress didn’t pass new funding or a stopgap “CR.” Social Security and Medicare continue to pay benefits, but some services slow or pause, agencies furlough staff, and certain nutrition and aid programs face near-term funding stress. Why do […]
Why Phasing Out Paper Checks Makes Sense On August 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that, effective September 30, 2025, the federal government will stop issuing most payments via paper check. U.S. Department of the Treasury The new policy urges those still receiving paper benefit checks (e.g. […]
Investing in a property in a more affordable city to generate rental income, while renting a home in a pricier urban area like New York City or major Californian cities, is a strategy known as “rentvesting.” This approach allows individuals to build wealth through real estate investments without compromising their […]
If you live in California, setting up a living (revocable) trust is wise for estate planning — it can help your heirs avoid the delays, costs, and publicity of probate. But California has its own rules and thresholds, especially around vehicle titling, DMV requirements, estate value limits for simplified transfers, […]
If you’re planning for retirement, one of the biggest questions is where your money will stretch the furthest. For many, Florida rises to the top of the list—not just for its sunshine and beaches, but also for its senior-friendly tax laws. From zero state income tax to generous property tax […]
College isn’t just about choosing majors and dorm life—it’s also about facing some of the steepest bills parents ever encounter. Out-of-state tuition can easily double (or even triple) the cost of a degree. But what if there were a way to turn those dollars into something more lasting than just […]
In Texas, seniors benefit from a range of tax advantages that can significantly reduce their financial obligations during retirement. Here’s an overview of these benefits: 1. No State Income Tax Texas does not impose a state income tax, which means all forms of retirement income—including Social Security benefits, pensions, and […]
The IRS has recently announced updates to contribution limits for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and employer-sponsored retirement plans, effective for the 2025 tax years. Here’s a comprehensive overview: IRA Contribution Limits: 2025: The contribution limits remain the same as in 2024: $7,000 for those under 50 and $8,000 for those […]
If you want to sell a high-value property and roll the proceeds into multiple new homes (one to live in, one or more as rentals), there are two different tax regimes at play: Section 121 (home-sale exclusion) for your principal residence (up to $500,000 of gain excluded if married filing […]
Estate Tax and Inheritance Tax are often confused, but they have distinct differences. The Estate Tax is a tax on the total value of a deceased person’s estate before it is distributed to the heirs. This tax is paid by the estate itself. The Inheritance Tax, on the other hand, […]