Although digital transactions are growing exponentially, check fraud remains a persistent threat to you and your business. The Federal Reserve processed just over 19 billion paper checks in 1993, compared to 3.4 billion in 2022. While fraudsters may target paper checks sent and received by individuals, business checks are likely to be more valuable because business accounts are often well-funded. Plus, businesses may take longer than individuals to detect check fraud.

Your business may soon have to comply with new reporting requirements that take effect on January 1, 2024. Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted in 2021, certain companies will be required to provide information related to their "beneficial owners" — the individuals who ultimately own or control the company — to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Failure to do so may result in civil or criminal penalties, or both.

To alleviate some of the challenges that arise when funds are left unspent in qualified tuition plans, typically called Sec. 529 plans, once the beneficiary has completed their education, a new rule allows limited rollovers from 529 plans to Roth IRAs. This has also created new wrinkles for families with multiple children who have already started or even completed their educations.

Many retirees have seen their Social Security benefits increase in 2023 due to a cost-of-living adjustment that was higher than in past years. Further increases are expected for 2024. While more benefits are welcome, they could mean more income taxes on those benefits for some recipients.

 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that more than half of recipient families owe federal income taxes on their benefits. Recipients who have significant income from other sources are particularly at risk. Here's what you need to know about the taxation of Social Security benefits.

If you or a loved one needs long-term care (LTC) services, there are insurance products that can help cover the cost. As an additional incentive, qualified LTC policies deliver some tax advantages. For LTC policies, "qualified" means that a policy is offered by an insurance company licensed in your state and includes certain federal tax benefits. Here are some common questions about LTC insurance and its federal income tax effects.