Episodes

  • 15. Medicare & Social Security
    Sep 27 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss Social Security and Medicare with our special guest, Peter Huynh who is the VP of Operations for Trusted Benefits Group.

    Important Points:

    Is Social Security taxable?

    At what age do I not need to file a tax return?

    Do costs for Medicare increase as you make more money?

    IRMAA - Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount

    Can you appeal to reduce the amount you pay for Medicare?

    What are common questions and misnomers with Medicare?

    How do late enrollment penalties work with Medicare?

    What are the 4 D's of Medicare? Dollars, Drugs, Doctors, Deadlines

    Comfort Zone:

    What are the different types of Medicare? Type A, B, C and D

    What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

    How do you contact Peter Huynh? (346) 704-5840 or peter@trustedbenefitsgroup.com

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

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    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    44 mins
  • 14. Building Wealth & Keeping It with Centric Advisors
    Aug 3 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss how to build wealth and keep it with a special guest – Zac Majors with Centric Advisors.

    Important Points:

    Thoughts on the current market and tax changes

    Early career investing – best tips and common mistakes

    Later stage investing – trying to catch up

    Comfort Zone:

    • What is better – Roth or traditional?
    • Should I contribute to a 401(k) or Brokerage account?
    • What makes a good financial advisor?
    • How do I avoid taxes on highly appreciated stock?
    • Insights into how the 2021 Biden changes will change the market

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 13. Business Entity Elections
    Jul 22 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss the different types of business entities.

    Important Points:

    Different Types of Entities

    Three Options as a Sole Proprietor:

    1. Do Nothing
    2. DBA
    3. LLC

    Pass Through Entities:

    1. Partnership
    2. S Corporation

    C Corporation

    Why do you set up an LLC?

    Pros and Cons of an LLC

    Tax vs Legal structures

    What is a pass through entity?

    Why are partnership agreements important?

    When is it beneficial to become an S-Corp?

    Comfort Zone:

    1. I Inherited a home and am now selling it. How is this treated for tax purposes?
    2. Why is my tax refund being delayed?

    Videos referenced:

    Stimulus Checks Round 3 - https://molentax.com/stimulus-checks-round-3/

    Child Tax Credit Changes - https://molentax.com/american-rescue-plan-changes-to-child-tax-credit/

    Texas Federal Disaster - https://molentax.com/texas-declared-federal-disaster-what-does-this-mean-for-my-taxes/

    Unemployment Taxation - https://molentax.com/american-rescue-plan-unemployment-taxation/

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 12. Side Job Taxation
    Jul 22 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss self-employment, side jobs and how they are taxed.

    Important Points:

    Side jobs, Self-employment, MLM, temporary or contract workers

    Real estate agents, Law enforcement extra jobs and truck drivers often times fall into these categories

    Do you have to report small side job cash on your tax return?

    What is a 1099-K and what is it used for?

    When do you need to begin claiming your income?

    How do I correctly track my income and expenses?

    1099-NEC vs 1099-MISC

    When do you need to issue a 1099 to a worker?

    How do business expenses work for side gigs?

    What do ordinary and necessary mean for business expenses?

    Security extra job and law enforcement deductions

    Why are tax deductions like Web MD?

    Facts and circumstances determine what is tax deductible?

    Can I deduct expenses as a W2 employee?

    What happened to the form 2106? Unreimbursed employee expenses

    How is side income taxed?

    What are estimated tax payments? Are they the same as quarterly payments?

    How do underpayment penalties work?

    Do I have to file taxes quarterly on self-employment income?

    Comfort Zone:

    Is Social Security taxed?

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • 11. Timing the Market or Time in the Market
    Apr 24 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss financial planning & other investing strategies.

    Important Points:

    Don't try to time the market as an investor

    Age based investing

    Target retirement funds

    Risk tolerance

    Fact vs emotion-based investing

    Why putting more money under your mattress doesn't work

    Wealth accumulation vs. Wealth protection phases

    How do taxes play a role in investing?

    Long term capital gains tax rates

    Municipal bonds vs. corporate bonds and taxation

    Why would it be great to pay $1 million in income taxes?

    Sector investing and diversification

    How does portfolio rebalancing work?

    Investing is both an art and a science

    Why is it so bad to have your money in cash?

    Inflation explained

    What is hedging

    Comfort Zone:

    As a school teacher, can I deduct my classroom expenses?

    At what point can I take my money out of my Roth IRA without paying a penalty?

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    52 mins
  • 10. Help! I'm Starting a Business
    Apr 5 2021

    Help! I'm Starting a Business

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get your real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your host Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help education you on how to manage your money and save taxes. In this episode, we will discuss tax and financial considerations when starting a business.

    Important Points:

    Intro

    Sole proprietor vs. multi member business differences

    Why are you starting a business?

    Most business owners are skilled service providers

    Are you good at "business" or just the product or service you provide?

    How are businesses like dishes?

    Why you need to know your financial numbers

    Do you have to do everything in your business? No!

    Work your strengths and hire out your weaknesses

    Do you need an LLC? When should you set on up?

    Why do people set up an LLC? 1. My friend told me to 2. To get a tax ID number 3. Legitimacy 4. Liability protection

    Does an LLC truly give me legal liability protection?

    What are the major types of businesses?

    • Schedule C or Sole Proprietor
    • Partnership
    • S Corp
    • Corporation

    How are different businesses taxed?

    How do self employment taxes work?

    What is a pass through entity?

    Partnership have more flexibility but there are still self employment taxes

    S Corps normally have preferential tax treatment, but more hoops to jump through

    What is double taxation for C-Corporations?

    When is it worth it to set up an S-Corp?

    How do I pay employees?

    What is the difference between an independent contractor and an employee?

    New 2020 1099 form for independent contractors 1099 NEC

    Why you shouldn't mix personal and business expenses

    Why is a good paper trail needed?

    Is it better to pay more in taxes or be more profitable?

    Comfort Zone:

    Can I still deduct charitable contributions?

    5 types of itemized deductions: 1. Medical expenses 2. Sales tax 3. Property tax 4. Mortgage interest 5. Charitable donations

    Ouro

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 9. When Should You Amend Your Tax Return
    Mar 15 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss when to file an amendment to your tax return.

    Important Points:

    What is an amendment?

    When NOT to amend your tax return?

    When should you file an amendment?

    Correcting an error

    Taking advantage of missed deductions

    Pros and Cons of filing an amendment

    What if you don't file an amendment for a problem?

    Filing an amendment electronically or on paper

    What is the internal revenue manual?

    Comfort Zone:

    What filing status should I choose?

    If I pay for my daughter's college tuition, can I get credit for what I pay?

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    47 mins
  • 8. Tax Season Update
    Mar 2 2021

    Welcome to Questioning Your Cents where you can get real-world, pragmatic tax & financial advice for business owners, entrepreneurs and independent contractors.

    We are your hosts, Kevin Molen and Charles Steinmetz. Our job is to help educate you on how to manage your money and save on taxes. In this episode, we discuss what is new this year for tax season.

    Important Points:

    2020 Tax Season Update

    Late start to tax season with delayed efile opening

    IRS is taking longer than normal to process returns

    Tips to get your return processed faster

    Stimulus check information rounds 1-3

    Recovery rebate credit

    American recovery act

    Child tax credit expansion

    Daycare or dependent care credit expansion

    Unemployment changes

    How will unemployment benefits be taxed?

    How long does it take to get your tax refund back?

    Contact us:

    info@molentax.com

    281-440-6279

    Find us on social media:

    https://www.facebook.com/molentax

    https://www.instagram.com/molen.tax/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHFFst-BRli8M_aTyXhAuw

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/molen-&-associates

    https://twitter.com/molentax

    https://www.molentax.com

    http://questioningyourcents.com

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    1 hr