With spring cleaning in full force, you probably have piles of stuff thats ready to be dropped off at the nearest Goodwill. So -- lets discuss charitable donations. By definition, a charitable donation is a gift made by an individual or an organization to a nonprofit organization, charity or private foundation. Charitable donations are most commonly in the form of cash, but can also be motor vehicles, clothing and other assets (AKA, your old "stuff"). If youve donated to Goodwill befo...

Flip phones, first-generation iPods, tube TVs -- what do these things have in common? Well, for one: theyre old. Obsolete as far as technology is concerned. And, two: you probably have one or more of these things just sitting around, collecting dust and taking up space. So, in the spirit of Earth Day -- and the spring cleaning checklist, of course -- today we are talking about what to do with your old electronic stuff. 1. Recycle You cant just throw old electronics away -- you have to...

Tax season is upon us, and as you sit down to fill out your 2015 return, you may find yourself scrambling to track down all of those receipts, W2s and other important documents. Having an organized filing system is critical -- and easy! Here are 4 ways to stay organized, so you can have everything you need to maximize that return! 1. Toss the ATM receipts and paper statements Once your deposits have been made, youll be able to access your account information electronically. All...

Happy March! While the deadline for filing your 2015 tax return isnt until Monday, April 18, lets all agree to get those taxes done this month. As you begin the process, here are 25 tax deductions you might not be aware of -- but should know about! Health insurance premiums (100% deductible for the self-employed!) Transportation expenses to/from medical appointments and procedures Nursing home expenses Crutches, orthopedics, hearing aids, glasses and other medical...

If youre the type of person who has an app for everything (Starbucks! The Library! Your fave drugstore! Coupons! A fireplace!), then youll love todays post. Today we are talking about apps that make doing your taxes easier. Heres our 5 favorites: 1. ShoeBoxed If you own a small business, or are an independent contractor with lots of miscellaneous expenses, consider ShoeBoxed. Using this app is easy: simply snap photos of your receipts via their app, and ShoeBoxed will upload your re...

This week we are continuing our discussion of all things taxes, and looking at scenarios where you should hire an accountant. Listen -- we are all for DIY, and Turbo Tax is a great resource for lots of people! However, if you fall into any of the 7 scenarios we are about to outline, you may want to consider hiring a pro. Costing anywhere from $270-$400, a tax account will help you find deductions you may not be aware of, be up-to-date on the latest laws and help you avoid an unpleasant audit ...

If youre a business owner, tax time is likely causing you quite a headache. Getting all your expenses/receipts in order, knowing what tax breaks you qualify for and what you can deduct... the list goes on. While were not accountants, we are insurance experts -- so we can help you out with one particular deduction. Namely: Can I deduct my business insurance? Yes. Yes you can. According to IRS.gov, business expenses are the cost of carrying on a trade or business. These expenses are ...