Posts by Mark Kutzke
A Starter Guide to Selling Your House
From the moment you decide to sell to the day you hand over the keys, selling a home is often unpredictable and time consuming. By being as prepared as possible, you can keep the process moving and achieve the optimal price in the current market. 1) Decide when to sell. You may not have flexibility…
Read MoreBuyer Beware: Tips for Safe Online Shopping
Looking for power tools? A vintage Chanel purse? A living-room sofa? Millions of shoppers are bypassing brick-and-mortar stores, as well as their respective websites, in favor of purchasing such items from individual online sellers. For many people, sites like Craigslist and eBay offer a chance to save on everyday items and luxury products, both new…
Read MoreTax Season Scam Alert
With tax season upon us, many of us are busy gathering the appropriate documents, meeting with CPAs, and ensuring that relevant tax deadlines are met. But in all the hustle and bustle, taxpayers also need to keep an eye on the risks, especially tax season scams. Each year, scammers get more savvy with strategies they…
Read MoreProtecting Your Information in an Increasingly Connected World
Nearly every transaction you make (online or offline) involves handing over some form of personal information. Whether you’re making an in-store purchase, using a rideshare service like Uber, or exchanging your email address for a promotional code, you take risks with your data privacy every day. Everyone should understand the basics of data privacy and…
Read MoreYour Guide To Medicare Planning
Did you know that the total projected lifetime health care costs (excluding long-term care) for the average 65-year-old couple retiring this year are expected to be $295,000 in today’s dollars? This figure highlights how important it is for you to start planning to manage your health care expenses in retirement. For many people, Medicare becomes…
Read More2021 Outlook
Welcome clients and friends! As a continuing commitment to give timely information, I want to give you an Outlook for 2021 with a summation of thoughts of the advisors at our firm. But first, what happened in 2020? Everyone knows about the pandemic, shutdowns, masks and the election. But if you look just at stock…
Read MoreNew Changes to PPP and EIDL Loan Programs
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created to provide loans to support small businesses and save jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. New legislation seeks to offer opportunities for qualifying businesses to receive a first or second forgivable PPP loan. On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, was signed into law. It offers qualified…
Read MoreCharitable Giving Incentives Under the CARES Act
With many individuals and families facing catastrophic hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic, charitable giving to those most adversely affected has become increasingly important. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted in March 2020, included tax provisions designed to incentivize individuals and companies to make charitable contributions in 2020. The Consolidated Appropriations…
Read MoreHas Washington Gone Blue?
Wednesday, January 6, 2021, will be remembered in the history books—for a couple of reasons. First, while Congress met to count the inaugural votes, we anticipated that members from both houses would be objecting to electors from some states. What we didn’t anticipate was that the Capitol would be besieged by an angry mob that…
Read MoreFAQs: What You Need to Know About the Second Round of Stimulus Checks
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, into law. In addition to funding the U.S. government through September 2021, the Act provides additional relief for Americans who have been struggling since the first COVID-19 stimulus package was passed in March. The new law provides $900 billion in assistance to individuals…
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