Conquer your financial clutter

Financial records are notorious for being messy. Bills, paycheck stubs, tax returns and bank statements have a way of getting tucked into random places. Luckily, there are a few pretty painless ways to organize your important documents.

Put all your financial records in one dedicated spot
To ensure that bills are paid on time, bank statements are reconciled and important documents are properly filed, set aside a specific location in your home for financial tasks. It may be a place where you keep a computer or filing cabinets. Once that area’s set aside, pick a time each week to pay bills, enter financial information into check registers and organize documents.

Organize in a way that makes sense to you

Many people use a computer program to track everyday spending and bank accounts. Others use a pencil and paper. The key is to use whatever system makes sense to you and helps you maintain your finances with a reasonable amount of effort.

Protect the important stuff

Don’t leave your only copies of wills, tax returns, stock certificates or emergency contacts in a pile on the desk. Such documents should be put in a safe deposit box or home safe. Ask your attorney or financial advisor to store the signed copy of your will in a secure location.

Get rid of the documents you don’t need anymore

Many papers (such as regular household bills) can be shredded soon after receipt. Other documents, such as those supporting the cost of investments and real estate, should be retained longer for tax purposes. A general rule for tax returns (and documents that support the returns) is seven years. When it’s time to discard those old pieces of paper, fire up the shredder.

Not sure about what financial records you need for your taxes? Call us up – we’ll talk you through it.

 Extra content

If your investment portfolio has a few duds in it, consider tax-loss harvesting. Let us help you turn a loss into a tax advantage.

 ITEM #2 –

No change to fourth-quarter interest rates

Fourth-quarter interest rates will stay the same. Those rates include: 4 percent for overpayments (3 percent for corporations), 1.5 percent for the portion of a corporate overpayment over $10,000, 4 percent for underpayments and 6 percent for large corporation underpayments.

 ITEM #3 – Are you withholding enough for taxes?

Don’t leave it up to chance – check your 2017 tax withholdings while you still have some time to make changes. You can use the withholding calculator on the IRS website to see if you are paying too much or not enough. To make a change, fill out a Form W-4 and give it to your employer. You’ll end up filling out another form in early 2018 to adjust your withholding schedule.

ITEM #8 – Considering leasing your business real estate?

If your business is incorporated, it may be a good idea for you to own the business real estate and lease it to your corporation. That’s because there are a number of tax and nontax concerns relating to real estate ownership. Before you acquire new business property or change the ownership of property you already have, give us a call. We can discuss tax considerations.

For More Info : https://www.bas-pc.com/