 As many tax payers discovered from the last tax season, it was better to take the standard deduction and not itemize deductions. Will your expenses exceed standard deduction amounts for your 2019 taxes? As a taxpayer, you will have to take a good look at your expenses each year to see whether you itemize or take the standard deduction.
Here's information you need to consider when filing your 2019 taxes: * Medical and dental expenses —If they are more than 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, you get a deduction. * State and local taxes — You will not be able to deduct state and local income, sales and property taxes if your deductions exceed $10,000. It's $5,000 for married taxpayers filing separate returns. * Miscellaneous deductions — These job-related expenses cannot exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income. * Home equity loan interest — You won't be able to deduct interest that you paid on home equity loans except if you took out the loan to buy, build or substantially improve your main home or second home. * Charitable contributions limit modified — The limit has increased from 50 percent to 60 percent of your adjusted gross income. You may be able to deduct more of your cash contributions. * Casualty and theft losses deduction has been modified — Net amounts are deductible only to the extent that they're attributable to a federally declared disaster. * The deduction for moving expenses is suspended — There are exceptions if you are a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty and don't get reimbursed by the government for the expense, you can deduct it from your taxes. * Repeal of deduction for alimony payments — These payments are no longer deductible. Note that alimony and separation maintenance payments are no longer included as income, so you won't need to report these payments on your tax return. Many taxpayers will opt to not itemize deduction because the standard deduction is nearly doubled. Good News - You may be able to deduct more of your total itemized deductions if they were limited in the past due to the amount of your adjusted gross income. We recommend that you consult qualified professionals and/or IRS regulations as you approach the tax filing date...April 15! Source...
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Oh, no…arthritis pain! Sooner or later, according to statistics, those Over 50 will be dealing with some sort of arthritis pain in their bodies. Did you know? By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis unless the trend is reversed. This is reported by the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). However, there are ways to combat it: “Arthritis affects approximately 50 million people in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is the second most frequently reported chronic condition in the United States. It costs the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. Gain insight on natural ways to help ease the pain of one of the nation’s leading and most costly health ailments.”  Did you know? Arthritis strikes 1 in every 5 American adults. It is the nation’s leading cause of disability. But, be encouraged! You can use natural remedies to help ease the pain of arthritis! Dr. Jones-Born provides tips on how to help ease arthritis pain using natural remedies. Remember to consult your health care provider to determine the right exercise plan and diet for specific health conditions. Natural ways to help ease arthritis pain: 1 Weight Loss 2 Chiropractic Care 3 Fish, Green Tea and Ginger 4 Acupuncture 5 Physical Therapy 6 Regular Exercise 7 Vitamin C and Flavonoids 8 Glucosamine and Chondroitin 9 Proanthocyanidins 10 Capsaicin (Chili Pepper) Cream The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following tips to help baby boomers avoid injuries:
Remember, variety is a virtue. Include in your fitness program several different kinds of exercises. Aerobic activity and strength training will help you keep your joints strong and flexible. This will help you reduce the risk of injury, especially from overuse. Source… Listen to your body. Your joints will let you know when you’ve gone too far. Living with arthritis can sometimes lead to extreme anxiety and depression. Professional counseling or an arthritis-specific support group will give you an outlet to talk about your emotions. They will also provide you with coping mechanisms. Be Encouraged – There are Ways to Combat Arthritis Pain! Yes, you can Prevent a Stroke. It starts with some simple things to do and don’t do. 80% of strokes can be prevented. Age, family history, and ethnicity factors cannot be controlled. You can reduce your chances of a stroke by taking simple steps – Monitor your blood pressure, see your health care provider for evaluation and possibly medications to get to a healthy number. Other ways to prevent a stroke: 1) Don’t smoke 2) Get tested for diabetes 3) Get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked 4) Maintain a healthy weight 5) Limit alcohol to one drink per day 6) Lower your stress levels  Did you know that certain risk factors can increase your chances of having a stroke? Here are guidelines to follow to help you prevent a stroke: Identify – Review your risk factors and identify your personal risk. Reduce your risk factors – Work to reduce your stroke risk by lifestyle changes and possibly necessary medication. Recognize and Respond – Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke. Memorize the four points of the “FAST” symptoms shown below. F – FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? A – ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S – SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? T – TIME: If you observe any of these signs, Call 9-1-1 Immediately. You may have identified personal risk factors. If so, work with your healthcare provider to reduce your personal risk. Some risk factors for stroke are simply not controllable. Learn more about the age, gender, ethnicity, and other factors that are most at risk for stroke. |
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