Blog
San Diego Borrowers Be Wary of These Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
Before I dive into those scammers (one of my favorite topics – simply because I love SAVING San Diego people from these criminals), some good news on the “The IRS Might Not Be a Total Dumpster Fire in 2023” front.Maybe.Because a few days ago, the IRS achieved one of...
A Tricky Tax Credit for San Diego Electric Vehicle Owners
I think you probably realize that last Monday was the final deadline for 2021 taxes, and we can now (finally) put those returns to bed.Or can we?Frankly, with a number of our new San Diego clients this past year, we reviewed returns prepared via software and/or other...
Your San Diego Side Hustle & the IRS Crackdown
Now that 2021 tax returns are completely in the rearview (although we can always make amendments!), and only a few months of the 2022 version remain, it’s time to kick your “tax optimization” strategies into full gear. And look – yes, I’m a professional at this...
How San Diego Taxpayers Can Navigate Retirement Contribution Limits
One of the things that my team and I prioritize here at Top Hat Tax & Financial Services is keeping the lines of communication open with our San Diego clients. Especially when difficult times hit (we’re continuing to think about those in Florida and the Carolinas as...
Darryl A. Hale, EA, MBA, MST’s Guide to Senior Discounts
The devastating images and clips from the aftermath of Hurricane Ian rolling through the news feeds are truly heartbreaking. It’s incredibly difficult to watch the crippling effects of situations like these. All of us here at Top Hat Tax & Financial Services send our...
Top Hat Tax & Financial Services’s guide to Avoiding an IRS Scammer
Before I get to today’s topic (some thoughtful guidance on spotting an IRS tax scam) let’s discuss this…It’s that time of year when spending seems to really kick in. Yes, I know we’re still in September, but all of these holidays that seem to mysteriously demand extra...
Darryl A. Hale, EA, MBA, MST’s Strategy for RMD Withdrawals
There’s something about a new work week that gets you thinking about how you want to spend the weekend. The same goes for planning a vacation once you get back from one. Work is fulfilling, but life’s "rest times" are what San Diego people like you and I work so hard...
Darryl A. Hale, EA, MBA, MST’s Credit Score Repair Strategies
I’ve talked to many clients about credit score repair – and I’ve seen how true this is: it’s easy to get yourself deep into credit problems. I’ve even seen that it’s not always the people that you’d expect. I have San Diego clients who have built tight financial...
Student Loan Forgiveness Guidelines for San Diego Grads
There’s a lot of upheaval in Washington (and across the country) over this whole student loan forgiveness decision from the White House. Some San Diego people are exultant, some are… well, less than thrilled.For the extremely-online-all-the-time crowd, it’s likely...
Darryl A. Hale, EA, MBA, MST on How (and Why) to Invest in Savings Bonds
The economy has caused some turmoil as of late. Markets haven’t been kind for the last couple weeks, and it is yet to be seen what impacts the student loan relief will have on the economy at large (if it, indeed, doesn’t get struck down by legal challenge). And...
When Married Filing Separately Makes Sense for San Diego Couples
You likely were invited to one San Diego wedding or another this summer (or perhaps YOU were doing the inviting?) ... 'tis the season. If you were the one saying vows, many congrats! Weddings are the fun part. The part of that whole "two become one" reality...
Darryl A. Hale, EA, MBA, MST’s Tips on Tracking Subscription Services
87,000. All weekend I’ve seen that number flashing through the headlines – and I’ve seen the panic on the part of some of my San Diego clients. A quick recap, if you’re in the non-news-imbibing crowd:The perhaps-Orwellian-named Inflation Reduction Act (or...