February 2018

Get Ready for Filing Taxes 

Although tax season is not exactly one of the most loved times of year, there are ways to make it less painful. Proper organization and early filing can help to make your tax season go by quickly so that you can get on with what you do best.

No matter how much assistance you get from tax accountants and programs, here are some key ways to organize your document gathering:

• Get out your receipts: Large or small, potential deductions like charitable contributions or business expenses can add up. Even if you’ve never itemized deductions in the past, knowing the amount of your potential deductions could determine whether you should begin itemizing this year.
• Write a list of income sources: Make a list of what you should be expecting by identifying all your income sources, from employers to banks to mutual funds, rather than relying on the random arrival of tax forms.
• Consider an IRA contribution: You can make an IRA contribution until the tax filing deadline, and still have it count for last year.
• Revisit your withholding instructions: Conventional wisdom has been to minimize withholding even if it means paying up at tax time because that way you’ll have the money at your disposal throughout the year. With savings account interest rates near zero, it might be worth re-thinking this approach.
• Learn from mistakes: Learn from your missing receipts or trouble calculating gains and losses for next year’s tax return!

Make your filing a smooth process by putting these tips into practice! When looking to save money and ensure the safety of your finances, reviewing your insurance coverages is key! For a quality and personalized insurance policy, contact Abatelli Group, Inc., serving Whitestone and neighboring areas of New York.

What You Need to Know About Self-Employed Insurance 

Flexibility and freedom are just two of the advantages that go along with being your own boss. While being self-employed can give you a newfound sense of work enjoyment after leaving the corporate world, there are a few exposures that you should address in the form of insurance. If you’re planning to start your own business or launch a freelance career, here are a few insurance coverages you’ll need.

Health Insurance

One of the biggest downsides of leaving the 9 to 5 job is losing your employer’s health insurance coverage. If you’re used to having your monthly premiums deducted from your paycheck, having to buy your own policy can be a real eye-opener. It may take some time to find the right policy for you, but doing your research and shopping online will help.

Business Insurance

Business insurance refers to a broad range of insurance types that are designed to fill the gaps in your existing coverage. If you work from home, you can’t rely on your homeowners insurance to cover your business’s equipment and damages. For such protection, you’ll need a home-based business policy, which would cover losses that don’t fall under your regular homeowners insurance, such as damage to your business property or theft.

If you run a small business with employees, you may want to look for a comprehensive policy that combines property and liability coverage. This type of policy protects the business structure itself and any business-related equipment against theft or damage.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance is there to protect you personally against negligence claims. Depending on the type of business you own, there will be different liability policies to protect you. Product liability insurance is designed for those businesses that sell products, protecting the company from claims resulting from injuries and damages caused by the product. Other claims can be covered by a general policy, which provides umbrella protection against negligence and personal injury claims.

Learn more about choosing the right liability insurance for your home-based business.

Whichever you choose is best for your business, it’s important to realize that not even your business is immune to dangers. Make sure that your home business is protected with the right commercial insurance policy. Contact Abatelli Group, Inc. for a proper policy on your insurance needs.