Form 1099-B is one of the most important tax documents for investors, yet it’s also one of the least understood. If you sold stocks, mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, options, or other securities during the year, your broker is required to report those transactions to the IRS using Form 1099-B. A copy is also sent to you, and the information […]
How to File a Joint Return When One Spouse Lives Overseas
If you are married abroad and ask yourself, “Can I file joint taxes?”, you are not alone. Cross-border marriages are increasingly common, yet the U.S. tax rules that apply to them remain complex and widely misunderstood. Many taxpayers assume that living in different countries automatically limits their filing options or eliminates U.S. tax obligations for the foreign spouse. In reality, the answer depends on tax residency, elections […]
Tax Benefits of Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) remain one of the most practical tax benefits available to employees. While Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) tend to receive more attention due to their investment potential and long-term advantages, FSAs continue to play a critical role in helping millions of workers lower their taxable income and manage out-of-pocket healthcare costs more efficiently. […]
Tax Differences Between HSAs and FSAs
Understanding the tax differences between Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) is critical for anyone trying to reduce healthcare costs and lower their tax bill. While both accounts are designed to help pay medical expenses with pre-tax dollars, the rules governing eligibility, taxation, and long-term benefits are significantly different. These differences can impact not just your […]
Ask Phil: What is a CSED?
Today, Optima Tax Relief’s Chief Tax Officer and Lead Tax Attorney, Phil, answers a Reddit question about CSEDs: “If my CSED is 11/15/25, does it expire at the beginning or end of the month?” To get there, he breaks down what a Collection Statute Expiration Date (CSED) actually is and how the IRS calculates it. What the CSED Really Is […]