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Guide to Taxes

Tax papers on a desk.

Embark on your journey towards financial wellness with our "Guide to Taxes." This guide is designed to demystify the complex world of taxes, breaking down important concepts and procedures into digestible parts. Whether you're just starting out or seeking to deepen your understanding, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to manage your taxes confidently and effectively.

Rivermark Account Tax Information

Filing Taxes When You’ve Had a Life Change

Couple entertaining their kids during a move to a new home

Filing income taxes is arguably one of the least fun parts of being an adult. Throw in a major life change – like a move, marriage, divorce, side hustle, or sickness – and the task of filing taxes can rise even higher on the aggravation scale. If you went through anything out of the ordinary last year, here’s a rundown of what to consider as you (or your tax professional) prepare to file.

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Taxes 2023: Deductions You May Not Know About (But Should Be Taking)

man's hand holding money while on computer

It’s a safe bet that no one wants to pay more in taxes than they have to. But often, what we don’t know can hurt us come tax time. Combining certain tax strategies with routine planning and other opportunities, such as charitable gifting, can help to maximize deductions. Here are some tax moves to keep in mind for every year, not just 2023.

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How to Prepare For Next Year’s Tax Season Now

Couple reading a tax document while smiling

Newsflash: Worrying about your taxes won’t make the annual process of gathering all of the necessary paperwork and filing on time any easier. What can actually help, though, is putting a simple plan in place now to make sure you are as prepared as possible for next year’s tax season.

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Effective Ways to Maximize Your Tax Refund

Tax Returns from last year were due in mid-April. So now that you've filed your return, what are some ways to help improve your tax return and refund maximization strategy for next year? In this article, we've outlined several important ways to do exactly that! The tax laws can change over time, but millions of Americans expect to receive a sizable refund check soon after they file their tax returns for the year.

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Child Tax Credit Changes

Family blowing bubbles

Recently, there were changes made to the child tax credit that will benefit many taxpayers. The IRS will pay half the credit in the form of advance monthly payments beginning July 15. Taxpayers will then claim the other half when they file their 2021 income tax return. Please remember to consult your tax advisor to see how these changes may impact your personal financial situation.

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Preparing Taxes

Preparing for Taxes

This month, we focus on preparing for taxes. The tax deadline (May 17th this year) is almost here, and you should have been receiving tax documents from your employers, financial institutions, and vendors. If you haven’t started yet, this is the perfect time to get organized, get going, and get your taxes filed. After all, if you have a refund coming, the sooner you get your refund in, the sooner you will see that money.

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Will Getting Married Change My Tax Situation?

As you and your significant other plan for the big day and your life together, there is a lot to take into consideration. And as fun as planning your wedding may be, don’t forget about your taxes as well – just because you have hearts and flowers on your mind doesn’t mean that taxes will go into retreat!

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Can You Deduct 401K Savings From Your Taxes?

The contributions you make to your 401(k) plan can reduce your tax liability at the end of the year as well as your tax withholding each pay period. However, you don’t actually take a tax deduction on your income tax return for your 401(k) plan contributions.

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Tax Tips for Uber, Lyft and Other Ride Sharing Drivers

When you're a driver for a ride-sharing company such as Uber or Lyft, the most important thing to understand about your taxes is that you are probably not an employee of Uber or Lyft. Drivers for these companies are usually independent contractors, a fact that has tax implications, both at filing time and year-round.

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Summer Camp Deductibility

Ah, good old summertime – what a wonderful relaxing time of the year. Unless you have kids, of course, in which case there’s a whirlwind of activity in your house as soon as school is out. But then comes the blessed time of summer camp, when peace is restored for at least a few days. Although camp can be expensive, keep in mind that some of those expenses may be tax deductible.

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Tax Tips for the Self-Employed

Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, newly self-employed or testing out a side-gig, TurboTax has you covered on tax tips, deductions, and tax forms for your business income. Rivermark Community Credit Union breaks down a few ins and outs.

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