Dennis McNamara

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The right professional will help you more than just once a year. As April 15 draws closer and closer, the need to file your taxes on time grows even more urgent. While there are self-filing services and software available, many people still look for the personalized guidance and care a tax professional can provide. But are all tax professionals the same? With so many to choose from, narrowing down the perfect planner or adviser for you can be a complex challenge. To help make the search a little easier, the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective offer their guidance. Below, they outline some of the most important factors you should consider when looking for a tax pro and discuss why making the effort to find the best help now can save you both time and money well into the future.

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Proper preparation throughout the year will keep you from getting caught off guard when payments are due. It’s the one time of year that causes particular financial anxiety for any income-earning individual: tax time. Whether it’s the often confusing, tedious chore of gathering information for your tax preparer or the dread of not knowing whether you will earn a return or have to pay in that year, preparing for tax time can be stressful for many — even business owners. Unlike for individual taxpayers, tax time for business owners doesn’t necessarily occur just once a year. This means business owners need to be organized and meticulous with their finances throughout the year if they want to ensure they’re ready when taxes come due. But what exactly does that entail? What steps do they need to take to prepare? The financial and tax experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective weigh in with their answers below. Here, they discuss the six steps you’ll need to take if you want to be properly prepared for tax time, reduce your anxiety around taxes and ensure your business thrives throughout the year.

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Choosing the right account for your needs is a great first step to kick-starting your retirement savings. Saving for retirement is an important step for anyone who hopes to stop working after a certain age. However, while many people understand the importance of retirement savings as part of their financial journey, they may not always understand the best way to go about it. Though putting your retirement savings into a standard savings account may seem like an easy option, several other, more advantageous accounts exist that can help you reach your retirement goals faster — and may help you avoid more taxes down the line. But which account is right for you? When offering advice and discussing options with their own clients, the financial leaders of Kiplinger Advisor Collective have a few favorites in mind. Below, they go over seven different accounts you can choose from to kick-start your retirement savings, and why they recommend these solutions to anyone looking into their ideal retirement plan.

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It’s important to deal with the emotional aspect first before tackling the financial one. Inheritance can often feel like a double-edged sword. While a large influx of money can be a welcome blessing to those who may be in debt, are looking to purchase a home or a business or are wanting to start investing toward retirement, inheritance also often means the passing of a loved one and a period of emotional turmoil and grief. When paired together, these two major life changes can cause even the most financially savvy person to make a few mistakes. While emotions are high, it’s unwise to make any major financial moves. Instead, allow time for grief and healing before moving forward. Once you feel ready to take action, consider the following advice from the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective. Below, they discuss the next steps you should take after inheriting money from a loved one and some of the mistakes they’ve witnessed others make along the way.

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There’s more to this decision than simply when you want to retire. An important player in your overall retirement plan, Social Security can help fund your living expenses when you’re no longer able to work or are working reduced hours. However, as the payments you receive while drawing from Social Security only replace a partial percentage of the income you received while working, Social Security benefits should be considered supplemental rather than your only source of income. And while you can apply for your benefits at any time between the ages of 62 and 70, there may be reasons why you would want to delay receiving your benefits until a later date. So when should you plan to start collecting these benefits? While the answer can vary based on each individual person’s situation, the financial experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective recommend considering these factors first before determining your goal age to begin collecting Social Security.

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Maximize your efforts by following these expert-recommended tips. The holidays are, naturally, a time of giving — a time when people look to show gratitude for and to others by giving gifts or donating their money or time. It’s often when individuals look to donate funds to their favorite charities or special causes that are important to them. But is it as simple as writing a check?  Unfortunately, it may not always be that easy, as scammers can be especially active during this season, looking to take advantage of those with the best intentions. Further, there may be certain tax benefits or strategies you may not have considered that can maximize your giving efforts. Below, eight financial leaders from Kiplinger Advisor Collective share their insights on charitable giving during the holiday season as well as the best tips you should know to ensure you’re doing it the right way.