Posts made in April 2019

About 80% of Americans will receive a tax refund this year. If you’re one of them, you may have questions about “where’s your refund”?

It sounds obvious, but “Where’s My Refund?” is actually the best place to start. Visit www.irs.gov/refunds to find the latest refund information. Here are some common questions about the information that the IRS Where’s My Refund? service can provide:

When will my refund information be available? 

The information will be available 24 hours after you file electronically or 4 weeks after you mail a paper return.

How will I know my tax return is processed?

Where’s My Refund? will report on your tax return, from receipt to completion. You’ll find out whether your return is in received, approved, or sent status.

How often does “Where’s My Refund?” update? 

Once per day, usually in the evening.

Can I get information faster by calling? 

No. IRS phone representatives won’t have access to your refund status until 21 days after you filed electronically or 6 weeks after you mailed your paper return.

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov[8]

[8] www.irs.gov/refunds/tax-season-refund-frequently-asked-questions

The Week on Wall Street

A short and relatively placid trading week wrapped up Thursday, with the major indices turning in mixed performances. The S&P 500 retreated 0.08%, the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.56%. The MSCI EAFE index, tracking foreign stocks in developed countries, added 0.65%.[1][2][3][4]

Nothing really catalytic emerged to drive the market last week, and volumes were low.

Earnings Season Update
More than 78% of S&P 500 firms reporting so far this earnings season have surpassed analyst expectations, according to FactSet. Since guidance tends to be conservative, there is the possibility that more companies will beat forecasts than expected.[5]

The initial public offering market remained strong. Two high-profile technology companies came public on Thursday and were met with enthusiasm from investors. As mentioned in recent weeks, 2019 could be a banner year for IPOs.

Retail Sales Rebound
March’s 1.6% gain was the biggest monthly advance seen since September 2017. Sales of cars and gasoline rose more than 3%.

If the upcoming March consumer spending report is also impressive, concerns about the current business cycle peaking may recede.[6]

Final Thought
Nearly 800 companies will report earnings this week, including some high-profile names. This kicks off five weeks of active daily earnings reports.

Investors will watch corporate profits, guidance, and fundamental indicators with great interest, to try and glean whether the economy is strengthening or softening. Reports on first-quarter economic growth and existing home sales will command particular attention.

[1] quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA

[3] quotes.wsj.com/index/COMP

[4] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[5] www.cnbc.com/2019/04/18/stocks-market-earnings-retail-sales-and-jobless-data-in-focus.html

[6] www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-retail/us-retail-sales-post-biggest-gain-in-one-and-a-half-years-in-march-idUSKCN1RU1GI

It’s that time again. If you need to pay this year, the IRS makes it easy for you to make payments. In some cases, you may be able to make installments if you’re not able to pay the full amount on time. Here are some ways to pay that bill:

Direct Pay: You can pay your tax bill online from a bank account with IRS Direct Pay. You’ll have the ability to schedule payments up to 30 days in advance, and there is an option for you to change or cancel your payment.

Credit or Debit Cards: Using your debit or credit card, you can pay your tax bill online, by phone, or with your smartphone. There may be fees that apply.

Installment Agreement: The IRS may arrange monthly payments if you can’t pay your tax bill in full. In order to use this service, you’ll need to have filed all required tax returns. Visit https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application to learn more.

IRS App: If you’re on the go, then the IRS2Go app may be for you. You can make payments and more. Download the IRS app from your favorite app store.

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov[9]

[9] www.irs.gov/newsroom/easy-ways-to-pay-taxes

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks broke out of a narrow range on Friday following news that two major banks grew their bottom line in the first quarter. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 0.79%; the Nasdaq Composite, 0.91%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average improved 0.50%. Turning to overseas stocks, the MSCI EAFE index declined 0.09%.[1][2][3][4]

The market spent much of the week in a lull as investors waited for earnings season to begin. Wall Street is paying close attention to both guidance and profit margins.

Big Banks Post Solid Results
Friday, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase both reported Q1 profit growth, and JPMorgan Chase announced record revenue.[5]

This was welcome news. Analysts have tempered some of their expectations entering this earnings season, recognizing that slowing global growth, tariffs, and dollar strength may be affecting corporate profits. The dollar rallied 6.2% in Q1.[6]

Inflation Picks Up
The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in March, the most in 14 months. This matched the consensus forecast of economists polled by MarketWatch, who believed rising gas prices would affect the number.

Even with this March jump, annual inflation remained relatively tame at 1.9%.[7]

What’s Ahead
Note that U.S. stock and bond markets will be closed on Good Friday (April 19).

[1] quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA

[3] quotes.wsj.com/index/COMP

[4] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[5] www.cnn.com/2019/04/12/investing/wells-fargo-bank-earnings/index.html

[6] finance.yahoo.com/news/5-best-stocks-buy-ahead-122412306.html

[7] www.marketwatch.com/story/higher-gas-prices-boost-cost-of-living-in-march-but-inflation-still-soft-cpi-shows-2019-04-10

Working moms and dads can get a break with the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Child care is expensive, and this credit is designed to offset some of that cost. The credit covers children age 12 or younger, a spouse if they are unable to take care of themself, or any other person claimed as a dependent who can’t take care of themself. More details:

• The total expenses that you may use to calculate the credit may not be more than $3,000 (for one individual) or $6,000 (for two or more individuals).
• You must have paid for the care, so that you could work or look for work.
• If you are married, you must file a joint tax return.
• When filing, you’ll need to provide information on the caregiver, such as name, address, and Taxpayer Identification Number.

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov[11]

[11] www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc602

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks just posted their second straight weekly gain. Investors were encouraged by the latest jobs report and new signs of progress on a U.S.-China trade deal. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.17% in five trading days; the S&P 500, 1.27%; the Nasdaq Composite, 1.72%. The MSCI EAFE index of international stocks improved 1.84%.[1][2][3][4]

The economy generated 196,000 net new jobs in March, according to the Department of Labor. Monthly job growth averaged 180,000 in the first quarter. Both President Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He told the media last week that the U.S. and China were getting closer to a new trade accord.[5][6]

Meanwhile, a week into the second quarter, another earnings season is about to unfold. As we await results, we will take a brief look back at what happened in the first quarter.

Quarterly Update
Stocks staged an impressive comeback in Q1, recovering nearly all of the losses incurred in the last three months of 2018.

Bullish Sentiment Increased
Investors were able to set some of their recent concerns aside, at least temporarily. The Federal Reserve indicated that it would pause interest rate hikes, and while no U.S.-China trade deal was completed during the quarter, the ongoing trade dispute cooled. The economy seemed healthy: the jobless rate was under 4%, hourly pay was rising at more than 3% a year, and inflation was tame.[7]

Add in some upside from corporate earnings, and a recipe for gains emerged.

Stocks Had Their Best Quarter Since 2009
The Dow rose 11.15%; the S&P 500, 13.07%; the Nasdaq Composite, 16.49%. Additionally, this was the best first quarter seen on Wall Street since 1998.[8]

The Fed Held Interest Rates Steady
In March, the Federal Reserve left the benchmark interest rate alone and indicated that it would not make a rate hike this year. As recently as December, the Fed had forecast two hikes for 2019.[9]

What’s Ahead
The first-quarter earnings season kicks off this week with three big banks reporting results. The question is whether stocks in the S&P 500 will post earnings that beat analyst expectations to the degree they have in the past few quarters. Other questions: how will consumer confidence, wage growth, and job creation fare in Q2? Will there be a Brexit or a new U.S.-China trade pact this quarter, and if so, how will global markets react? If you have questions of your own as this quarter unfolds, remember that we are always here to talk.

[1] quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA

[3] quotes.wsj.com/index/COMP

[4] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[5] www.cnn.com/2019/04/05/economy/march-jobs-report/index.html

[6] www.cnbc.com/2019/04/05/stock-market-us-china-trade-nonfarm-payrolls-in-focus.html

[7] www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/29/dow-stocks-pace-best-quarter-decade-good-times-last/3311639002/

[8] www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/29/dow-stocks-pace-best-quarter-decade-good-times-last/3311639002/

[9] www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/03/29/dow-stocks-pace-best-quarter-decade-good-times-last/3311639002/

Military OneSource MilTax is a free service for the military and their families. The service offers an entire suite of tax and financial services, which are exclusively designed for military life. Highlights of MilTax include:

• Tax preparation e-filing that’s secure and free. It’s available from January through October and takes into consideration military tax deductions and credits
• Access to tax consultants who understand the financial needs of the military and can answer any tax-related questions you have
• Free, in-person tax prep is available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offices

MilTax is a benefit earned through military service and considers special tax issues, such as combat pay and multiple moves. The tax help is available to service members, including those in the National Guard and reserves, immediate family members, and eligible survivors. To find out more, visit https://www.militaryonesource.mil/, or call (800) 342-9647.

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from Military OneSource[11]

[11] www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/tax-services/miltax-free-tax-services/miltax-free-tax-services-from-military-onesource

The Week on Wall Street
Stocks ended last week higher as volatility slowed, completing their best quarter since 2009. A Friday tweet from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin encouraged investors, referring to “constructive” discussions in the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.[1]

The S&P 500 gained 1.27% for the week. The Dow Industrials and Nasdaq Composite both exceeded that advance: the Dow rose 1.60%; the Nasdaq, 1.42%.[2][3][4]  

Foreign shares went the other way. The MSCI EAFE index following international stocks retreated 0.91%.[5] 

2019 Could Be a Big Year for IPOs
One of the ride-share pioneers, Lyft, closed on its initial public offering (IPO) on Friday, and a glance at the IPO calendar shows that as many as 226 companies could soon go public, with Uber and Airbnb possibly among them.[6]

This IPO wave may be a signal of a market top, or it may point to a comeback for risk appetite, which could be healthy for the overall market.

Should some big-name IPOs stumble, it may deter others from moving ahead, which may influence the market psychology. Conversely, an enthusiastic reception may help support further market advances.

Good News for the Housing Market
The Fed’s dovish tone has also influenced home loan rates. Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows an average interest rate of just 4.06% on a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage, compared with 4.28% a week earlier and 4.95% in December.[7] 

This news is especially significant given the recent pickup in existing home sales. They jumped 11.8% in February, the biggest monthly gain in more than three years.[8]

Tax Tip
The federal income tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15, 2019. However, residents of Maine and Massachusetts have until Wednesday, April 17 to file their 2018 tax return. April 15 is Patriots’ Day, and April 16 is Emancipation Day.[9]

[1] www.marketwatch.com/story/stocks-end-higher-sp-records-strongest-quarter-in-a-decade-2019-03-29

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX

[3] quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA

[4] quotes.wsj.com/index/COMP

[5] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[6] www.cnbc.com/2019/02/04/a-giant-ipo-wave-is-coming-as-unicorns-whet-investor-appetite.html

[7] www.startribune.com/us-mortgage-rates-post-biggest-drop-in-decade-to-4-06-pct/507781302/

[8] www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-surge-11-8-percent-in-february

[9] www.efile.com/tax-day-deadlines/

Each year, the IRS issues standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating vehicles for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.

As of January 1, 2019, the rates for vehicles used for the above purposes are:

• 58 cents per mile driven for business use
• 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The IRS determines the standard mileage rate for business use based on an annual study of fixed and variable costs of operating a vehicle. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.

Taxpayers have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific, individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.

Tip adapted from IRS.gov[11]

[11] www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-standard-mileage-rates-for-2019

The Week on Wall Street
Friday, the yield of the 3-month Treasury bill exceeded the yield of the 10-year Treasury note for the first time in 12 years. For some analysts, this “inverted yield curve” may imply a short-term lessening of confidence. (Treasury yields move inversely to Treasury prices.)[1]

As a result, the S&P 500 ended the week 0.94% lower. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.80%, and the Dow Industrials lost 1.19%.[2][3][4] 

In contrast, the MSCI EAFE index following international stocks rose, gaining 0.52% for the week.[5]

Fed Sees No Hikes in 2019
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, but lowered its estimate of 2019 economic growth to 2.1%.

Last December, the central bank forecast two rate hikes in 2019. It now expects to leave rates unchanged this year, with one quarter-point hike projected for 2020.

This pivot may acknowledge a slight change in economic conditions. The Fed’s latest policy statement noted that the “growth of economic activity has slowed from its solid rate in the fourth quarter.”[6]

Oil Hovers Near $60
At Friday’s closing bell, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was valued at $58.85 on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Its value briefly climbed to $60 earlier in the week.

Month-over-month, the price of WTI crude has risen nearly 5%. Historically, higher oil prices can have a significant impact on retail gasoline prices.[7]

What’s Next
A U.S. delegation is scheduled to accompany Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to China this week for further trade negotiations. Finally, Brexit will not occur this Friday, as the European Union has extended the United Kingdom’s deadline in response to Prime Minister Theresa May’s request.[8][9]

[1] www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-22/u-s-treasury-yield-curve-inverts-for-first-time-since-2007

[2] quotes.wsj.com/index/SPX

[3] quotes.wsj.com/index/NASDAQ

[4] quotes.wsj.com/index/DJIA

[5] quotes.wsj.com/index/XX/990300/historical-prices

[6] www.cbsnews.com/news/fed-rate-hikes-none-in-2019-federal-reserve-projects-no-rate-hikes-slower-growth-this-year

[7] money.cnn.com/data/commodities

[8] www.cnbc.com/2019/03/20/trump-says-china-tariffs-could-stay-in-place-amid-trade-deal-talks.html

[9] www.nytimes.com/2019/03/21/world/europe/brexit-extension-eu-uk.html