Be Aware of Tax Fraud Schemes During Filing Season
By Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Director Tax season is here, and with it are scammers looking for their next victim. Scammers mislead you about tax refunds, credits, and payments, so it’s important to be aware of what their scams can look like. Common schemes Scammers are always changing their tactics in hopes of exploiting you. There are a flurry of deceptive schemes that pop up and this year will be no different. Recently, the IRS has seen scammers do the following: Request gift cards over the phone through a government impersonation scam or by sending a text message, email or social media message. Remember, the IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill. Pose as an IRS agent and call the taxpayer or leave a pre-recorded voicemail stating they are linked to some criminal activity. Threaten or harass the taxpayer by telling them that they must pay a fictitious tax penalty. Instruct the taxpayer to buy gift cards from various stores. Pressure the taxpayer to buy gift cards, then ask the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN. To verify it’s the IRS, go to IRS.gov and verify the form or visit the Let Us Help You page to verify tax information with self-service options. Know who’s calling If the IRS does need to contact you, they will typically contact you the first time through regular U.S. mail delivered by the USPS. The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels
Market Commentary - Tariff Talk
By Chad Roope, CFA ®, Chief Investment Officer U.S. tariffs set to be imposed on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico – ranging from 10% to 25% – and suggestions of forthcoming tariffs on the European Union mark a sharp escalation in trade protectionism. This shows that tariffs will be a key policy tool for the new U.S. administration, as telegraphed during the presidential campaign. The effective rate of U.S. tariffs will be close to 1930s levels if fully implemented. The 10% tariffs could be the new baseline for the U.S. to earn tax revenue, while 25% may prove to be used more as leverage in negotiations – as seen in the decision to delay tariffs on Mexico for a month. But uncertainty is high. What’s key for markets is how long 25% tariffs last: the longer they hold, the more permanent the supply chain shifts. Legal challenges could delay implementation and add to market volatility. How countries retaliate is also important – and could draw further U.S. escalation. These actions – and their ripple effects – could dent corporate and investor confidence. The broader economic implications could be more significant than the direct effects. Prolonged tariffs, as proposed, could hurt growth and add to inflation. We already thought loose fiscal policy and supply constraints – like an aging workforce – would keep inflation above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. That leaves the Fed limited flexibility if gr
‘Don’t scan that QR code!’ Police warn about brushing scam
Have you heard of package scams that come right to your door? West Carrollton Police issued a scam warning on social media. They say a “sneak scam” is making the rounds across the country. “It’s called a ‘brushing’ scam, and it’s like getting an unsolicited surprise gift from your not-so-friendly neighborhood trickster!” the department said. “Picture this: you get a random package from Amazon or some mystery shop, filled with shiny goodies like rings, bracelets, or even a Bluetooth speaker. Exciting, right? But wait, there’s no sender info, just your address on the label. Inside, you’ll find a QR code begging to be scanned to unveil the mystery sender.” Scanning the code could lead people to a phishing site. This is where crooks could try to swipe your personal and financial information, the department explained. “You can toss the gift or keep it as a bizarre conversation starter, but whatever you do, don’t scan that QR code!” they added. The concluded if it is a mysterious package, it’s best to leave that QR code alone. The Better Business Bureau and U.S. Postal Service have more about this scam. This story first appeared on
2024 Review and 2025 Outlook
By Chad Roope, CFA®, Chief Investment Officer 2024 was a great year for the U.S. economy and equity markets. A strong economy, led by strong labor markets and significant investments in Artificial Intelligence, equated to double digit corporate earnings growth and thereby strong equity market performance. The U.S. was the clear economic leader globally and was why we had a strong overweight to quality, U.S. large-cap stocks all year. This overweight and our focus on active asset allocation, fundamental research and timely trade communications led to solid performance in our client portfolios in 2024, with most of our strategies strongly outperforming their benchmarks. Our proven process and seasoned team of Chartered Financial Analysts stand ready to navigate what is likely to be a dynamic environment in 2025. We think 2025 may prove to be a more volatile year given several uncertainties and rich starting valuation levels, but we think the year should prove to be a solid overall. Below are our key views: We expect U.S. outperformance compared to the rest of the world to continue amid solid economic growth, strong labor markets, lower inflation levels, a supportive Federal Reserve, and the potential for tax cuts and deregulatory policies. We continue to prefer large-cap, high quality U.S. equities as we think this is where the strongest overall earnings growth will continue to be. In fixed income, we are prioritizing higher income, shorter duration exposures t
Preparing for Tax Season
By Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Services With the Holiday season behind us, it is time to start thinking about the 2025 tax filing season. Most documents that you will need to compile and file your 2024 tax return will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Before you begin working on your personal income tax return, it’s a good idea to collect and organize your tax documents and related records. The tax preparation checklist included below will help you keep track of the information you will need. While this is not a complete list of items that may be required for your tax return, it will cover the documents and other information needed by most people to file their federal income tax return. Personal Information: Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and any dependents. Dates of birth for you, your spouse, and any dependents. Bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposits or tax payments. Driver's license for e-filing. Taxes you may have paid: 2024 estimated taxes for federal state, and local tax agencies. Taxes paid in 2024 for amounts due for 2023 tax returns. Real estate taxes. Sales tax paid for large items purchased. Income: W-2s, 1099s for interest and dividends, brokerage year-end tax summaries for investments. 1099Rs for pension and IRA income. Business and rental income received. Gather all related expenses for these types of income as well. K-1's from S-Corporations and Partnerships. State and local
Financial Planning for Separation and Divorce
Divorce is a complex journey that requires thoughtful attention to legal, financial, and tax aspects, helping to shape a future aligned with your personal aspirations. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind: Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements play a crucial role in shaping the rights and responsibilities of spouses during a divorce. The prenuptial is created before the wedding, while the postnuptial comes into play afterward. They are especially valuable for couples with unique or complex assets, like collectibles or family business interests. These agreements not only help in valuing and dividing those assets fairly but also promote transparency and a sense of security for both partners as they navigate their future together. Cash flow and budgeting You’ll want to gain a clear picture of your personal and shared financial to help ease the transition. It's important to evaluate your spending, personal budget, additional costs, and income. If you foresee a shortfall, consider options such as adjusting investments, cutting expenses, or rethinking living arrangements to make transitions between homes smoother and more manageable. Tax implications During a divorce, you’ll need to consider how to split your existing assets, like in a property settlement, and any ongoing commitments to or from an ex-spouse, such as alimony or spousal support. Each is different and each may have tax implications. It's essen
5 Financial Resolution Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
As the year draws to a close, many of us begin reflecting on our goals for the upcoming year. Not surprisingly, financial resolutions often top the list. According to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center, 61% of those who make resolutions include money or finances among their priorities. With this in mind, setting the right financial goals is key to starting the year on the right foot. To help you avoid common pitfalls, we’ve put together a list of five financial mistakes to steer clear of—ensuring your resolutions set you up to reach your financial goals. Not preparing for the unexpected Having an emergency fund is essential, especially in today’s uncertain economy. According to a 2024 Discover Personal Loans survey, 80% of Americans feel anxious about their finances, with many unprepared for events like job loss, unexpected expenses, or medical emergencies. Beyond an emergency fund, proper insurance is crucial to protect your financial plan. Review your life, disability, property, and casualty insurance to ensure you're covered. For retirees, long-term care is critical. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people aged 65 or older are likely to need long-term care at some point. Lastly, if you own rental or vacation homes, an umbrella policy can provide extra protection. Not planning goals Not planning your financial goals is another mistake to avoid. According to a survey by Schwab, only 36% of Americans h
December Market Commentary
This month we are focusing on the U.S. labor market. While having cooled from its red-hot state, it has settled into a relatively healthy position. Following a month of hiring disruptions due to hurricanes and strikes, businesses added 227,000 jobs in November. However, the uneven nature of recent job growth has led many to question the true health of the labor market. Employment growth in 2024 has been concentrated in a few key sectors, primarily health care and government, which have contributed 41% and 21% of this year’s job gains, respectively. Healthcare’s hiring dominance seems less concerning as the sector is still addressing pandemic-related backlogs. However, employment growth dominated by the public sector, which tends to see increased hiring later in the economic cycle, may be viewed as a warning sign. That said, there are important nuances to consider. Government employment as a sector currently accounts for 14.7% of total payrolls. Of the 21% growth referenced above, 90% has come from state and local levels, which appears less troublesome. Moreover, the sector’s share of payrolls remains below its pre-pandemic (2014 – 2019) average of 15.3%, suggesting its recent outsized growth reflects the continued uneven normalization of the labor market post-pandemic. Outside of these two sectors, sluggish manufacturing activity has been a headwind. Still, some cyclical sectors, including construction, leisure, and transportation, have se
Tax-Friendly Ways to Give
With the holidays right around the corner, it is a great time to explore tax-friendly ways to give money to loved ones or your favorite charities during the holiday season. The following are some great ways to transfer money to others before the end of the year: Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) If charitable giving is already part of your financial plan, then qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs, are a great way to contribute to your favorite charities throughout the year. If you are 70 1/2, you can donate up to $105,000 to a charity directly from your IRA using a QCD in 2024. In 2025 this amount will expand to $108,000. By utilizing QCDs, the taxable portion of your RMD will be reduced dollar for dollar by the amount given to a charitable organization. This will reduce your federal and state taxes without having to itemize your deductions. Gifting and 529 Plans In 2024, individuals are allowed to gift up to $18,000 to another individual without having to report it to the IRS. By staying under the $18,000 limit, there will be no future tax implications for estate taxes. The $18,000 limitation is per gift to an individual, meaning you can make multiple gifts to different individuals before the end of the year as long as they are under the limitation. In 2025, the limitation per gift will increase to $19,000. Gifting to 529 plans is a great way to plan for future education expenses. Gifts to 529 plans are eligible for a state tax deduction. In 2024, Ohio
Tax-Saving Moves You Can Make Before Year-End
Written by Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Services Director From maximizing tax-advantaged savings accounts to donating to charity, here are strategic tax moves to consider before year-end. Tax Day may still be months away, but there are plenty of tax-planning strategies you can consider before then to help manage your 2024 tax bill. In fact, certain tasks should not—or in some cases cannot—wait until next year, lest you miss out on potentially important tax-saving opportunities. Here are the top strategies to consider before December 31—and those you can ponder until Tax Day. Tax-planning strategies to consider by year-end Be sure to take all your required minimum distributions (RMDs). Generally, taxpayers age 73 or older must take minimum distributions from your tax-deferred retirement accounts by the end of the year. Individuals who reached RMD age in 2024 have until April 1 to take their first distribution. Maximize contributions to your workplace retirement plan First and foremost, if your employer matches contributions, be sure to contribute enough to your tax-deferred workplace retirement plan to get the full amount. consider contributing the maximum allowed—$23,000 ($30,500 if age 50 or older) in 2024 for 401(k)s and similar plans if you have the means. Not only can this help reduce your taxable income for the current year and boost your overall savings, but doing so can also be a great
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Case studies are intended to illustrate the types of financial issues faced by actual clients. They should not be construed as a testimonial for or endorsement of Lineweaver Wealth Advisors. They do not represent the experience of any advisory client. Each client’s situation is different, and their goals may not always be achieved. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors, LLC, is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Tax information provided is general in nature and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Tax rules and regulations are subject to change at any time.
Crain's Cleveland Business is a print and online newspaper delivering local business news and information to Cleveland's business executives, which is published by Crain Communications Inc. The Crain's 2024 list may employ different methodology than described above for similar designations granted in other years. No clients were consulted and no fees were paid to determine the winners; the award is based on assets under management. Neither the participating candidates nor their employees pay a fee in exchange for inclusion on Crain's 2024 List. However, recipients may pay a fee to Crain, an affiliate, or an unaffiliated third party in exchange for plaques or article reprints commemorating the designation. The publication should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if the recipient is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of the recipient by any of its clients. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors was ranked in the Top 25 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. The award is based on assets under management in the years 2024. In 2023, Lineweaver Wealth Advisors was ranked in the Top 15 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. The award is based on assets under management in the years 2023. In 2021 and 2022, Lineweaver Wealth Advisors was ranked in the Top 20 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. The award is based on assets under management in the years 2021 and 2022 respectively.
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