Jesus S Romero, CPA, PC

Charitable giving strategies, including qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), may provide tax benefits for eligible retirees.

Mortgage rates recently climbed to their highest level since August 2025, creating another challenge for homebuyers.

The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a conforming loan balance rose to 6.65%, up from 6.58% the previous week.

Higher rates can affect affordability, as even a small increase can change a buyer’s monthly payment.

That pressure showed up in mortgage demand. Applications to purchase a home fell 7% from the previous week and were 2% lower than the same week one year ago.

Buyers are also still facing high home prices and a limited supply of affordable homes for sale.

Refinance applications rose this week, though refinancing remains less attractive for many borrowers because rates are not much lower than they were a year ago.

For households, mortgage rates are a reminder that borrowing costs can play a major role in affordability, timing, and monthly cash flow.

Mortgage rates rise to highest level in nearly a year, causing homebuyers to pause Mortgage rates moved higher last week, causing buyers to pull back, but refinancing did see small gains.

What's driving the recent market volatility? In this week's , CIO Gene Goldman discusses the factors behind recent market weakness and explains why pullbacks can remain opportunities for long-term investors.

The Week Ahead | Cetera “Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

Life Changes Can Affect Your Taxes: Major events like marriage, having a child, buying a home, changing jobs, or retiring may affect your tax situation. It's a good idea to review your tax strategy after significant life changes.

Don't Overlook Tax Credits: Tax credits can directly reduce the amount of tax you owe. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for education, child, energy-efficiency, or other valuable credits.

Your adjusted gross income (AGI) is your taxable income minus certain deductions. It’s a key number because the IRS uses your AGI to determine whether you qualify for other tax credits or deductions.

Your choice of entity—such as sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or S corporation—can affect how you pay taxes. As your business grows, it may be worth reviewing whether your current structure is still the most tax-efficient.

"Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow."

Starting a Business 101: Track startup costs carefully. Many expenses incurred before you officially “open” can still be deducted—things like website development, legal setup, branding, and early marketing. In many cases, you can deduct up to $5,000 of startup costs in the first year (with the rest amortized), so good recordkeeping early on matters.