income

What are Dividend Aristocrat stocks?

2023-05-11T14:59:09-04:00August 25th, 2022|Blog, Investments|

What are Dividend Aristocrat stocks? By: Stacey Nickens Income-oriented investors often look for stocks with strong dividend yields and consistent dividend payments. Investing in a stock with those attributes can allow you to maintain a fairly consistent income stream in your investment portfolio, regardless of broader market volatility. In looking for income-paying stocks, you [...]

Is Your Emergency Fund Too Small, Too Big, Or Just Right?

2023-05-11T15:03:12-04:00July 7th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning|

Is Your Emergency Fund Too Small, Too Big, Or Just Right? By: Stacey Nickens Goldilocks didn't have to build an emergency fund. She knew that she could break into any number of bears' homes and have as much porridge as she needed, but the rest of us aren't so lucky. How much porridge do [...]

Many Georgia Taxpayers to Receive Additional Refund

2023-05-11T15:09:10-04:00April 1st, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Taxes|

Many Georgia Taxpayers to Receive Additional Refund By: Stacey Nickens Many Georgia taxpayers will be receiving a bonus refund this spring. Once you file your 2021 state income return, the Georgia Department of Revenue may send you a one-time refund of up to $500 for joint filers, $375 for head of household filers, or [...]

Elm3’s Guide to Roth Contributions and Conversions

2023-07-24T12:41:20-04:00March 7th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Investments|

Roth IRAs are popular savings vehicles because they could reduce your taxable income in retirement. You contribute after-tax dollars to a Roth IRA or 401(k), meaning that eventual distributions likely will not be taxed. There are a number of reasons to contribute to a Roth IRA or 401(k): You can hedge against increased taxes. [...]

Your Cryptocurrency Tax Guide

2023-05-11T15:13:14-04:00February 7th, 2022|Blog, Taxes|

Your Cryptocurrency Tax Guide By: Stacey Nickens Bitcoin investing has become increasingly popular over the past year. In December 2021, Grayscale Investors found that more than half of the current Bitcoin investors had begun investing in Bitcoin during the previous 12 months. Like many others, you may find cryptocurrencies to be an intriguing new [...]

9″Above-the-Line” Deductions for Your 2021 Return

2023-05-11T15:14:54-04:00February 4th, 2022|Blog, Taxes|

9"Above-the-Line" Deductions for Your 2021 Return By: Stacey Nickens Taxpayers often ask me about deducting mortgage interest payments or medical expenses. However, many taxpayers do not claim these popular deductions because it is more beneficial for them to take the standard deduction. On 2021 returns, the standard deduction is $12,550 for single filers and [...]

Your Guide to the Medicare Surtax

2023-05-11T15:17:09-04:00December 10th, 2021|Blog, Financial Planning, Taxes|

Your Guide to the Medicare Surtax By: Stacey Nickens Upper-income taxpayers should be aware of an additional tax that could increase their bill come April 15. Certain taxpayers are subject to a 3.8% "Medicare" surtax on their net investment income. Single filers with modified adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) above $200,000 and joint filers with [...]

Take Advantage of These Tax Breaks Before They Disappear

2023-05-11T15:19:04-04:00November 19th, 2021|Blog, Taxes|

Take Advantage of These Tax Breaks Before They Disappear By: Stacey Nickens Year-end tax and financial planning is always important. However, the third stimulus payments and changes to the 2021 child tax credit make year-end tax planning especially important this year. Tax payers should be aware of the income thresholds for certain tax benefits. [...]

Standard Deduction and Income Thresholds Increasing in 2022

2023-05-11T15:19:27-04:00November 12th, 2021|Blog, Taxes|

Standard Deduction and Income Thresholds Increasing in 2022 By: Stacey Nickens This past week, the IRS announced the 2022 tax brackets. With inflation on the rise, the IRS has raised the income thresholds for each tax bracket as well as the size of the standard deduction. Both tax brackets and the standard deduction will [...]

Social Security Will Increase Significantly in 2022

2023-05-11T15:21:56-04:00October 18th, 2021|Blog, Financial Planning, Inflation|

Social Security Will Increase Significantly in 2022 By: Stacey Nickens Retirees will see a large increase in their Social Security benefits in 2022. Last week, the Social Security Administration announced that the cost-of-living adjustment will be 5.9% in the upcoming year. However, seniors should keep in mind that benefits are increasing because inflation is [...]