Skip to main content

Ken Berry, JD

CPA Practice Advisor Tax Correspondent

Ken Berry, Esq., is a nationally-known writer and editor specializing in tax and financial planning matters. During a career of more than 35 years, he has served as managing editor of a publisher of content-based marketing tools and vice president of an online continuing education company in the financial services industry. As a freelance writer, Ken has authored thousands of articles for a wide variety of newsletters, magazines and other periodicals, emphasizing a sense of wit and clarity.

Read more

Lavoratori1_1_.545930c8827d6

Sales Tax

Even the Self-Employed Can Face Sales Tax Issues

Do you have clients that began a business out of a spare bedroom, garage or basement? These entrepreneurs may start off as self-employed individuals, selling their wares on e-bay or etsy or at flea markets. In some cases, a humble beginning ...

a_4x_horizontal_1_.545a8f554b4ae

Benefits

What the 2014 Elections Mean for Business Tax Legislation

Now that the dust has settled from the mid-term elections – with the Republican party firmly in control of both houses of Congress – what are the prospects for comprehensive tax reform? Not as favorable as you might think. Although the GOP hopes to break

Accounting

Higher Education Tax Breaks Aren’t as Easy As 1-2-3

Prior to 2014, parents could generally claim one of three sizeable tax breaks for higher education expenses on their personal tax returns: the tuition deduction, the American Opportunity Tax Credit (formerly the Hope scholarship credit) or the Lifetime Le

Roth_IRA_1_.545266d8bf182

Benefits

4 Tax Reasons that Now is the Time to Convert to a Roth IRA

If you haven’t converted a traditional IRA to a Roth by now, you’re probably never going to do it…right? That’s not necessarily true. In fact, some of your clients who have been sitting on the fence for awhile may be convinced to finally take the leap ...

e1c2390456e4b85cb0cd984d8c9a94d2_1_.544fdd86525bf

Income Tax

How to Lock Down Home Office Tax Deductions

Make no mistake about it, the home office deduction rules are filled with potential landmines for the unwary. However, if you give clients the IRS-approved blueprint, they can preserve deductions for 2014.

tax_deductions_and_credits_2014.fw__1_.544fdaccb6823

Accounting

Will Congress Restore Sec. 179 Tax Deduction Limits?

The ultimate fate of the Section 179 deduction remains unclear. As things stand now, the maximum allowance will remain at the lowest level it’s been since the year 2000, a mere $25,000. Of course, Congress may still get its act together to restore...

Income Tax

How to Get the Biggest Tax Deductions from Charitable Donations

At the end of the year, socially-conscious clients can boost their deductions, and thereby lower their tax bills, by giving a little extra to the charities of their choice. That’s still a sensible tax strategy as 2014 draws to a close. But a recent ...

required_minimum_distribution_thumb_1_.544d6138604e9

Benefits

The End of the Year is Near: Take Your Required Minimum Distributions or Face Big Penalties

Should retirees take money out of their qualified retirement plans like 401(k)s and IRAs to help pay for their living expenses? Most retirement-savers in their 70s or older have little choice: Under the federal tax law, they are mandated to make ...

IRS_Target_TeaParty_1_.544a730e88a8d

Auditing

Federal Judge Dismisses IRS Lawsuit, Moves Tea Party Scandal to Back Burner

The ongoing “Tea Party” scandal has appeared to loose some steam after a federal judge in the nation’s capital tossed out a lawsuit aimed by conservative nonprofit groups against the IRS (True the Vote, Inc. v. IRS, DC- Dist. Of Columbia, Civil Action No.

capital_gains_losses_filing_us_taxes_abroad_840x440_1_.5445257fe2c4e

How to Get the Best Tax Results from Capital Gains and Losses

The end of the year often turns into “harvest time” for tax-savvy investors. By harvesting either capital gains or capital losses from securities transactions, depending on their situation, they can reap tax rewards when they file their returns.

tax_deductions_2014.fw__2_.543d32779af9a

Income Tax

How to Max Out On Itemized Income Tax Deductions in 2014

Income Tax

How to Avoid or Even Take Advantage of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)