Patten and Company

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EIC: New Law Makes Major Changes

The earned income credit (EIC) has been around for years. But it’s never been worth as much as it will be for 2021 under the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Some favorable changes are only for the 2021 tax year, while others are permanent.

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For the 99.5% act

On March 25th, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the “For the 99.5% Act,” a proposal that could significantly reduce currently available gift and estate tax exemptions. If passed, the act could impact families not previously subject to gift and estate taxes.

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Six Key Tax Breaks for Homeowners

The days of classic “tax shelters”— such as cattle breeding or oil drilling deals — are long gone. But at least one major tax shelter is still standing: Your home. If you own your principal residence, you can cash in on a bevy of tax breaks, saving thousands of tax dollars or even more. Here are six ways your home can provide tax shelter.

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Overview of the American Rescue Plan Act

The President signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, into law on Thursday, March 11th. The new law will provide roughly $1.9 trillion in much-needed financial relief to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and state and local governments during the pandemic.

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When Should You Take Social Security Benefits?

If you’re nearing retirement, you’ve likely paid into the Social Security system for the duration of your career. It’s only fitting that you cash in on the benefits you’ve long been contributing to, but when should you start receiving benefits — at the first available date, at the latest date, or somewhere in between?

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