Nancy D. Murray, CPA

Nancy D. Murray, CPA Tax and Accounting Solutions Nancy D. We have practiced the principles of professionalism, integrity, responsiveness and quality for over 20 years.

Murray, CPA is an accounting firm dedicated to providing clients with outstanding personalized professional services for a wide range of personal financial and business needs. Our mission is to guide our clients through the understanding of a myriad of complex tax and accounting matters to minimize tax liabilities and increase cash flows using a team approach. Utilizing our timely advice and years

of expertise and energy, we're confident that clients are able to make sensible and informed financial decisions to improve their opportunities for long-term personal and or business financial success. A full Service Tax Preparation and Accounting Practice. Small Business Consulting, Quickbooks Training and Support. IRS Problem Resolution and Representation Business Startup and Dissolution Assistance.

Retirement Plan Distributions Deadline - Did You Know?The IRS recently issued a reminder that many seniors must take man...
12/16/2024

Retirement Plan Distributions Deadline - Did You Know?

The IRS recently issued a reminder that many seniors must take mandatory withdrawals, known as required minimum distributions (RMDs), from their retirement accounts by December 31. In general, people of age 73 or older must take annual RMDs from their traditional IRAs or IRA-based workplace plans, such as SIMPLE IRAs, even if they are still working. Similar RMD rules apply for many other workplace retirement plans like 401(k) and 403(b) accounts. However, people who have not yet retired can defer RMDs for some of these accounts, as long as they do not own more than 5% of the company. Designated Roth accounts within workplace retirement plans are generally not subject to RMD rules.

Your retirement account administrator should inform you of your RMD amount, which is based on your account balance and current age. In general, RMDs count as taxable income. Failure to take an RMD by the deadline may trigger a tax penalty of up to 25% of the required withdrawal amount.

The standard deadline to take RMDs is December 31, but if you turned 73 in 2024, you will typically have until April 1, 2025 to take your first RMD. Just keep in mind that you will then need to take your second RMD by December 31, 2025. A tax professional can help you determine how the various RMD rules apply to your accounts, and plan for any tax impacts of the withdrawals.

Healthcare Open Enrollment Deadline on December 15This week is the last week to register for the HealthCare.gov open enr...
12/10/2024

Healthcare Open Enrollment Deadline on December 15

This week is the last week to register for the HealthCare.gov open enrollment period with the deadline being Sunday, December 15th, 2024. Once the Open Enrollment period is over, you will only be able to enroll if there's a qualifying life event for the Special Enrollment Period.

Enrollment can be done at https://healthcare.gov, and a simple checklist of documents you'll need can be found here: https://marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/marketplace-application-checklist.pdf.

Giving Tuesday and Charitable Donations - Did You Know?Giving Tuesday is an annual event that highlights charitable givi...
12/03/2024

Giving Tuesday and Charitable Donations - Did You Know?

Giving Tuesday is an annual event that highlights charitable giving after Thanksgiving.

If you are considering charitable donations, you may be able to donate to a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) every two or three years instead of every year. This may qualify you to receive tax benefits now, allow the amount to grow tax-free, and the decision on which qualified charity to fund can be made later.

If you are 70.5 years or older, you may also be able to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA this year. QCDs may allow the donation to be deducted from your income. A tax advisor can help you structure your charitable giving.

The IRS has released a tool to make it easier to get information about qualified charitable organizations. The Exempt Organizations Select Check tool can be found at: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search.

Tax Credit for Businesses That Provide Childcare for Employees – Did You Know?Businesses that offer childcare services t...
11/27/2024

Tax Credit for Businesses That Provide Childcare for Employees – Did You Know?

Businesses that offer childcare services to employees may qualify for the Employer-Provided Childcare Tax Credit for some of the expenses involved. Eligible costs may include acquisition or construction of a childcare facility, ongoing expenses to run an in-house daycare center, and/or referral costs like contracting with an outside childcare facility or service.

This nonrefundable credit may cover up to 25% of qualifying workplace childcare facility costs, or 10% of costs for an outside service, up to a maximum of $150,000. Eligible businesses may claim the credit as part of the General Business Credit, meaning that any excess credit amount may be carried back one year or forward up to 20 years. A business tax professional can help you determine whether your enterprise qualifies for the Employer-Provided Childcare Tax Credit, and if so, help you get the maximum benefit from the credit.

Use Savings Bonds to Pay for College and Get a Tax Advantage – Did You Know?Ordinarily, interest earned on U.S. savings ...
11/18/2024

Use Savings Bonds to Pay for College and Get a Tax Advantage – Did You Know?

Ordinarily, interest earned on U.S. savings bonds is taxable income. However, if you pay higher education costs, then you may qualify to cash in federal series EE or I bonds tax-free. The IRS Education Savings Bond program allows eligible people to exclude some or all of their U.S. bond interest from their gross income, provided that they use the bonds to pay tuition and certain required fees at a qualifying higher education institution.

To be eligible for this program, you must pay the education expenses for yourself, your spouse or a dependent. The program is subject to income limits, which the IRS adjusts annually for inflation. Other eligibility restrictions may apply, such as limitations on the expenses you may pay using the bonds if the student also receives tax-free scholarship funds. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for the Education Savings Bond program, and if so, how much of the interest on your bonds could be exempt from tax.

Helpful Resources to Replace Records Lost in a DisasterDisasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires may de...
11/13/2024

Helpful Resources to Replace Records Lost in a Disaster

Disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires may destroy people's tax and financial records, making it difficult for them to apply for the assistance they deserve. Fortunately, a number of resources exist to help reconstruct lost records and begin the rebuilding process.

Those affected by federally declared disasters can request free transcripts of their past tax returns by using the IRS Get Transcript webpage (link below), or calling 800-908-9946. Banks and credit card issuers can provide copies of account statements and other financial documents, either online or on paper forms. Meanwhile, records documenting the value of a home and surrounding property can typically be obtained from a title company, mortgage lender or county assessor's office.

People who completed home improvements that affected their home's value or qualified for tax credits can usually get needed records from the contractors who performed the work. In some cases, the IRS will also accept written statements from friends or relatives who saw the home before and after improvements were made. For lost or damaged vehicles, a variety of sources can provide information on their fair market value. You can find these sources online, or seek assistance at a public library.

Get a Tax Return Transcript: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript

New Requirements for Energy Efficiency Credits Take Effect in 2025 – Did You Know?The IRS offers a variety of tax credit...
11/06/2024

New Requirements for Energy Efficiency Credits Take Effect in 2025 – Did You Know?

The IRS offers a variety of tax credits to people who invest in home improvements that significantly reduce energy usage. These nonrefundable credits may total up to $3,200 for a particular year. A maximum credit of $2,000 is available for water heaters, heat pumps, boilers or biomass stoves that meet specific design and efficiency requirements. Meanwhile, qualifying homeowners may claim up to $1,200 in credits for other energy improvements like installing highly efficient exterior doors, windows or skylights.

Beginning January 1, 2025, only officially certified products will be eligible for these tax credits. The products must come from an IRS-approved manufacturer, and the manufacturer must label each product with a unique product identification number (PIN). Save these labels, because in order to claim a home efficiency credit, you will need to include the PIN of each eligible product on your 2025 tax return. If a contractor or retailer cannot show you a clearly displayed PIN on a particular product, then the product likely will not qualify for tax credits for energy efficiency.

2025 Healthcare Open Enrollment - Did You Know?The 2025 open enrollment period for Marketplace health insurance starts o...
10/28/2024

2025 Healthcare Open Enrollment - Did You Know?

The 2025 open enrollment period for Marketplace health insurance starts on November 1, 2024, and ends December 15, 2024. Plans will start January 1, 2025. During this period, you will be able to enroll in, renew, or change health plans for the coming year.

Once the Open Enrollment period is over, you will only be able to enroll if there's a qualifying life event for the Special Enrollment Period.

Enrollment can be done at https://healthcare.gov, and a simple checklist of documents you'll need can be found here: https://marketplace.cms.gov/outreach-and-education/marketplace-application-checklist.pdf.

Hurricane Relief Charity ScamsNatural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton bring out the best in American generos...
10/21/2024

Hurricane Relief Charity Scams

Natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton bring out the best in American generosity, as millions of people seek to help those affected by the storms. Unfortunately, these tragedies also attract scammers looking to steal the money and identities of people who wish to donate to relief efforts.

If you get a phone call, text message or email from someone claiming to represent a hurricane relief charity, verify the legitimacy of the organization before providing any personal information. Request the organization's official name, mailing address and website address, and keep in mind that scammers use fake organization names that sound similar to real charities. You can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool (TEOS, link below) to verify that you are dealing with an authentic charity, authorized to receive tax-deductible donations. If you cannot find the organization in the database or the person who contacted you refuses to answer your questions, do not donate or share sensitive information like your Social Security number (SSN) or credit card number. Instead, hang up immediately or delete the message.

TEOS tool: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations

Clean Energy Tax Credit Scams – Did You Know?The Inflation Reduction Act 2022 made it possible for people to sell certai...
10/14/2024

Clean Energy Tax Credit Scams – Did You Know?

The Inflation Reduction Act 2022 made it possible for people to sell certain clean energy tax credits. In these credit transfers, both the seller and purchaser must meet strict eligibility requirements and file required paperwork with the IRS. Unfortunately, dishonest tax return preparers are actively encouraging people to ignore the rules and improperly claim purchased clean energy credits. These scammers lure people in with false claims that the credits may be used to reduce tax on a wide variety of income types.

In reality, purchased credits may generally only be used to offset tax on passive activity income, which most people do not have. Regardless of what a scammer tells them, anyone who attempts to use purchased tax credits inappropriately, or claims credits they did not actually purchase, may face additional tax assessments and IRS penalties. Meanwhile, the scammer disappears with the fees they collected to file an inaccurate return on the person's behalf.

A tax professional can help you determine whether purchasing clean energy credits would actually reduce your tax, and if so, help you complete and file all the required forms.

IRS Online Account – Did You Know?Setting up a free IRS online account (link below) makes it possible to handle many tax...
10/09/2024

IRS Online Account – Did You Know?

Setting up a free IRS online account (link below) makes it possible to handle many tax-related tasks conveniently and securely. With an online account, you can readily check your tax balance, whether your payments have been processed, and the status of your tax return or refund. You can also submit electronic tax payments for fast, safe processing.

In addition, you can use your online account to request transcripts of past returns, or official letters verifying that you were not required to file. These records may come in handy for a variety of purposes, such as securing college financial aid, completing rental applications or claiming the Clean Vehicle Credit when purchasing a car or truck. The IRS may charge a service fee for transcript requests made by phone, mail or email, but with an online account, you can obtain these documents for free.

Link to access or set up your online IRS account:
https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-account-for-individuals.

October 15 is the 6-month Extension DeadlineWith the exception of those eligible for tax deadline relief due to a federa...
10/02/2024

October 15 is the 6-month Extension Deadline

With the exception of those eligible for tax deadline relief due to a federally declared disaster, everyone who requested a 6-month extension to file a 2023 tax return must file by October 15.

If you owe tax, remember that the automatic 6-month extension applies only to filing your return, not to paying tax. Generally, after the standard April filing deadline, unpaid tax balances begin accumulating interest charges that increase daily. Filing and paying as soon as possible will keep those charges to a minimum.

People who cannot pay their full tax balance now should still file as soon as possible. By proactively setting up a payment plan with the IRS, they can minimize late payment penalties.

Disaster Relief Eligibility: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

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