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Last week, Fed Chair Powell said the U.S. would not tame inflation without economic pain. This week heightened recession fears and sent stocks broadly lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4.00%, while the Standard &...

A hotter-than-expected inflation report sent stocks sharply lower last week as investors faced the prospect of more aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve for perhaps a longer period.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell...

In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...

The overhang of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech the previous week carried over into last week as investors recalibrated stock valuations amid a seemingly more assertive monetary policy stance.The Dow Jones Industrial...

A comprehensive sell-off on Friday following comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove stocks to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 4.22%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 4.04%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Stocks tumbled on Friday, sending stocks to a weekly loss after an otherwise quiet August week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped -0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

School Year Reminder for Educators

Debbie Jessee

Friday, August 12, 2022

New school year reminder to educators; maximum educator expense deduction rises to $300 in 2022

Undaunted by another Fed rate hike and news of a contracting economy, the stock market rallied last week on better-than-expected corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 2.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...

It’s safe to say that everyone was hoping to see the markets settle down in June, but it ended up being another painfully bumpy month. Ongoing volatility meant both stocks and bonds were under pressure amid inflation worries and...

A Note on Inflation

Mike Martin, EA, RFC

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic over the past year, you may have noticed the term ‘inflation’ coming up in the news. But don’t let it scare you! The fact is, some inflation is good...

Welcoming New Tax Professionals

Laurie Martin, JD

Friday, February 4, 2022

We're excited to announce that several new tax professionals have recently joined our firm.  Mary Ellen Wallace - Mary Ellen has several years of experience preparing taxes with another firm and on her own. She's looking...

Normal Market Pull Back - Not a Bear Market

Laurie Martin, JD

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Recent market correction merely a pull-back, not a bear market.

Year End Giving Reminder: Special 2021 Tax Deduction Helps Most Taxpayers

Debbie Jessee

Friday, November 5, 2021

Year End Giving Reminder: Special 2021 Tax Deduction Helps Most Taxpayers Get a Charitable Deduction Even If They Don't Itemize The Internal Revenue Services today reminded taxpayers that a special tax provision will allow more...

A Message From Mike - Now Open in Our New Location

Mike Martin, EA, RFC

Monday, September 27, 2021

Now, after many years in one location we are making a change ourselves. It is long past the time that we have needed to upgrade and enlarge our office space. Now it is done. We have moved all our staff and operations to a new location...

IRS Encourages Taxpayers to Protect Themselves from Identity Theft by Obtaining IP PINs

Mike Martin, EA, RFC

Friday, July 30, 2021

On July 27th, the IRS released a notice requesting tax professionals to encourage their clients to voluntarily obtain IRS IP PIN numbers to protect against tax-related identity theft. This is a program offered by the IRS that helps...

The Advanced Child Tax Credit Payments have started going out. When it comes time to do your 2021 tax return, your tax professional is going to need to know how much you received. Use this Child Tax Credit Payment Tracker form...

It’s the Perfect Time…

Grant Messner

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Summer brings the perfect time for BBQs with friends, fun in the sun, and making memories at the beach or pool. With the first half of the year in the rearview mirror, summer also gives us a chance to perform a mid-year assessment on...

Avoid Becoming the Bank of Mom and Dad

Brett Brennan, CFP®

Saturday, May 29, 2021

You spend your whole life raising your children to be self-sufficient. You give them your time, your love, and your money to set them up for success. So, what do you do when your now-adult-child asks for financial aid?As more baby...

Have Kids? What You Need to Know About the Advanced Child Tax Credit

Laurie Martin, JD

Friday, April 30, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 expands the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) rules. These changes are temporary and only apply to the 2021 tax year. This new law is intended to help out parents; but there are some important...

How to pay your tax bill

Mike Martin, EA, RFC

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Did you know you can pay your tax obligations online? Paying the IRS - There are five ways to pay your taxes to the IRS, including an option for paying your taxes in installments. Read about your options here. One option is to pay...

Important 2020 Tax Updates

Laurie Martin, JD

Friday, March 19, 2021

Over the past several days, there have been some major changes that impact 2020 tax returns. Here is what you need to know: Federal Tax Filing & Payment Deadline Extended for Individuals On March 17, 2021, the IRS announced that it...

2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More

Laurie Martin, JD

Thursday, March 18, 2021

On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note.401(k)sThe salary deferral...

IRA vs. 401(k): How to Choose

Grant Messner

Monday, March 1, 2021

We know, at times, that retirement decisions can be confusing and there is substantial information surrounding the investment vehicles that can be utilized to reach your retirement goals. We thought we’d send along some...

Income Tax Checklist to Stay on Track

Debbie Jessee

Monday, January 4, 2021

Tax time is upon us and that means gathering all of your documents needed and getting them in one place to make filing your taxes as easy as possible. We thought it would be helpful to send along this handy checklist to help with that...

I Can Help Lower Your Tax Burden

Brett Brennan, CFP®

Sunday, January 3, 2021

We all know that feeling when April rolls around each year: “I NEED to lower my taxes!”The good news is that there are some strategic planning strategies that can help. As part of our planning process, we work with our...

Financial Resolutions for 2021

Laurie Martin, JD

Monday, December 28, 2020

We wish you a happy new year! Despite a crazy year or perhaps because of it, many Americans will be making financial resolutions for 2021. If you’d like to put some of this year’s focus on financial goals but haven’t...

COVID-19 Stimulus Package - What's Included?

Mike Martin, EA, ATA, RFC

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides greater unemployment benefits and additional stimulus payments to individuals and families, as well as more...

Welcome!

Laurie Martin, JD

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Hello! Welcome to our brand new website and blog! We're excited to share with you our newly re-designed website. Please take a look around! We've got lots of new tools and resources for you to use. You can find multiple ways to contact...