LOOKING FOR LEGAL WAYS
TO REDUCE TAX?
New tax reduction strategies carefully explained and exhaustively researched every two weeks. Receive breaking news updates on tax law changes. Members only monthly AMA with TOTTB.tax.
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FEATURED CONTENT
Can I Deduct My Dog?
Question: I’ve had clients ask and, of course, heard at cocktail parties the discussion about claiming a pet’s medical expenses and other costs. But what is the citation that prevents these deductions? Answer: Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get a little tax help from the government by deducting your dog? Aside from the enormous price breeders charge for designer pets, there are vet bills, food (some people even have their pets eat raw or vegan), obedience classes, clothing, exercise, and daycare to name a few! While today’s is a softball question, I thought we could all use a break from the continuation of the never-ending tax season of 2020. It also raises the issue of citations and documentation. Have you tried finding the one that says you cannot deduct pet expenses? What about the one that says you can? Keep reading to learn how.
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CURRENT EDITION
Kwong v. United States: A Pandemic-Era Decision That Could Reshape Tax Deadlines, Penalties, and Refund Opportunities
The 2025 court decision, Kwong v. United States, is quietly gaining traction among tax professionals for exactly these reasons. Its implications could be far-reaching, potentially opening the door to refund claims, penalty abatements, and revived tax deadlines that many assumed were long closed. But there’s a catch: the opportunity to act may be time-sensitive, and the window to preserve claims could begin closing in just a few short weeks. Here’s what the court actually decided and why it matters now.
Untapped State Benefits for Veterans: Planning Opportunities for Advisors and Families
Two veteran clients with seemingly similar financial profiles can end up with very different outcomes, simply based on where they live and how informed they are. Much of that difference comes down to smaller, state-specific benefits that tend to sit just outside the typical planning checklist. But when layered alongside federal veteran benefits, they can reshape major decisions like where to buy a home or settle long-term. For advisors working with military families, recognizing how these state benefits show up in real life can go a long way in helping veteran clients feel seen, understood and better supported in the decisions ahead.
What The Heck Is A Cash Balance Plan?
One of my obsessions is about what we can do for somebody who has high earnings and not much else. When I review multiple collections of year-end tax tips, there is not much for HENRY (high earnings not rich yet) other than a couple of Captain Obvious things like maximizing 401(k) contributions. Henry doesn’t have losses to harvest and is not about to set up a private foundation or a donor advised fund. Charity begins at home. So I got excited when I saw ads about cash balance plans. Was this the great white whale that I have been seeking that is a good answer for Henry? Or is it some sort of scam? As we will see it turns out to be neither, but it is probably something you should consider for some high earners.
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Think Outside the Tax Box provides tax reduction strategies along with practical
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