Should I invest in individual stocks or mutual funds? Unless you are a seasoned veteran, it’s better to invest in pooled funds than individual stocks.  There’s danger in picking stocks…

MORE than half of Americans have stocks in their portfolio. If you don’t, you are missing out. Actually, you have been missing out big time. Conservative people keep their money…

WHILE nearly all articles relate to change, let’s depart from that norm and discuss a few deductions that won’t change. 1. Student loan interest deduction: The Tax Cuts and Jobs…

THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”) makes changes to the general business credit by adding a new Paid Family And Medical Leave Credit and changing the Rehabilitation Credit and…

OTHER rules for real property depreciation: If placed in service after 2017, qualified improvement property, in addition to no longer qualifying for bonus depreciation and being newly eligible as section…

Part 1 of 2 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act TCJA (“New Law”) effectively lowered the cost of acquiring capital assets by making substantial changes to the income tax rules…

Look-through rule on sale of partnership interest: Under the Act, gain or loss on the sale of a partnership interest is effectively connected with a U.S. business to the extent…

(Part 1 of 2) THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) makes major changes to the taxation of partnerships, S corporations, and pass-through income. Most of these changes are…

THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”) makes changes to the general business credit by adding a new Paid Family And Medical Leave Credit and changing the Rehabilitation Credit and…

Estate and gift tax exemption: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) increased exemptions (nice) for estates and gifts to $11.2 million ($22.4 million for married couples). Before tax…

WHILE nearly all articles relate to change, let’s depart from that norm and discuss a few deductions that won’t change. 1. Student Loan Interest Deduction: The Tax Cuts and Jobs…

GENE3RALLY, you may deduct casualty and theft losses relating to your home, household items, and vehicles on your federal income tax return. What used to be deductible under old law…

THERE are two types of income tax – regular tax that you are familiar with, and an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) that you may not have encountered. If you had…

* * * Victor Santos Sy graduated Cum Laude from UE with a BBA and from Indiana State University with an MBA. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV –…

APRIL 15 is an annual anniversary of sort – tax deadline for some, a date to file extensions for most. It has become a habit for those who procrastinate like…

QUALIFIED tuition plans (referred to as Section 529 plans) are established to help families save for college education in a tax-advantage way. These plans are sponsored by states, state agencies, and…

1. Changes to the kiddie tax: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”) simplifies the old convoluted computations using tax data of other taxpayers – parents and siblings. The kiddie…

1. Personal exemption eliminated: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Act) eliminated personal exemption deductions for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents beginning with your 2018 tax returns (to be…

1. Mortgage Interest: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) limits mortgage interest on loans used to acquire a principal residence and a second home debts up to $750,000 (down…

Old law: Under old rules, you were able deduct interest on $1 million ($500K for married filing separately) of mortgage debt used to acquire your principal residence and a second…

1. Tax rates The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Act) reduces tax rates to seven lower tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The top rate was…

ADJUSTMENTS to income (referred to as “above the line deductions”) are deductions to arrive at Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). These expenses reduce your income directly without going through itemized deductions. The amount after deducting…

What is an ABLE Account?  The word “ABLE” stands f3or Achieving a Better Life Experience Act. An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle that can be established for a…

THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made changes to the tax treatment of divorces and legal separations in 2019 and beyond. Current rules: Under current rules, an individual who…

IF you plan to trade stocks, it helps to get an understanding of basic terms that are mentioned frequently on TV, radio,  and social media. There are three major indices:…

Allow Your Emotions to Drive Your Trades: Remember the internet dot-com bubble in the 1990s? Many of these companies lacked fundamentals. Investors, afraid of missing out, joined the buying frenzy….

(Part 1 of 4) LISTEN to friends and neighbors: Your friend had just hit the big time with a red-hot stock tip. This is big money. Mucho dinero. You follow…

LET’S learn some tips from the greatest investor of all time – Warren Buffet, the Oracle of Omaha. 1. Be greedy when others are fearful and fearful when others are…

(THIS is a continuation of Part 1 from last week’s weekend edition of Asian Journal) Multi-billionaire Warren Buffett lives simply and adheres to basic but savvy investment principles. 6. Buy…

WARREN Buffett became one of the world’s richest people by adhering to simple doctrines.  Let’s learn from his simple living and savvy investing. 1. Be frugal • Multi-billionaire Warren Buffet…