Houlihan, LLP

Houlihan, LLP Houlihan, LLP is a full-service accounting firm. We can provide you with assistance that will improve your total financial well-being.

Our firm specializes in providing quality accounting services. We offer business valuation, tax planning, and financial planning for individuals and small businesses, as well as small business accounting. Please call or visit our website for more details.

Retirement is far from most teenagers’ minds when they get their first jobs. But those early earnings create a significa...
10/06/2026

Retirement is far from most teenagers’ minds when they get their first jobs. But those early earnings create a significant tax-advantaged savings opportunity. Even modest IRA contributions now can substantially multiply over time. For example, just $2,000 contributed to an IRA earning 5% annually will grow to nearly $23,000 50 years later. A Roth IRA can be especially powerful because qualified distributions will be tax-free. For 2026, the annual contribution limit for IRAs is the lesser of taxable compensation or $7,500. 2026 contributions can be made until April 15, 2027, but the income to support them must be earned by Dec. 31, 2026. Contact us to discuss tax-smart planning for your teen.

Watch out for the growing reach of the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT). The income thresholds haven’t changed sinc...
09/30/2026

Watch out for the growing reach of the 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT). The income thresholds haven’t changed since the tax took effect in 2013, so it’s hitting more taxpayers. If you have net investment income (NII) and your 2026 modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 if you’re married and file jointly, half that if you file separately), you’ll be subject to the NIIT on the lesser of your NII or the amount by which your MAGI exceeds the applicable threshold. Some NII examples are taxable interest, dividends, and gains from stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Year-end planning may help reduce your MAGI or NII — and the NIIT’s impact. Contact us to learn more.

Tax law changes taking effect this year will increase alternative minimum tax (AMT) risk for some higher-income taxpayer...
09/22/2026

Tax law changes taking effect this year will increase alternative minimum tax (AMT) risk for some higher-income taxpayers. For 2026, the AMT exemption phaseout thresholds are reduced and the exemption phases out twice as fast as for 2025. If you may be affected, consider the AMT before implementing income and deduction timing strategies. A move that would reduce your 2026 regular tax might provide little or no benefit under the AMT — or could trigger it. Before acting, determine whether you may owe the AMT for 2026 or 2027 and how the move would affect both calculations. We can help project your regular tax and AMT liability for both years and the potential impact of timing strategies.

If you work remotely and split your time between two states during the year, it can create state tax issues. A state wit...
09/08/2026

If you work remotely and split your time between two states during the year, it can create state tax issues. A state with an income tax generally can tax all income of its residents and income earned within its borders by nonresidents. Residency rules vary but may consider your domicile, days spent in the state and whether you maintain a home there. Your domicile is generally your true, fixed, permanent home — the place you intend to return to. Some states may treat you as a resident for income tax purposes if you maintain a home and spend a specified number of days there. Contact us to review your situation and help determine whether you may have tax obligations in more than one state.

Many individuals invest in real estate to help diversify their portfolio, create an income stream for themselves from re...
09/01/2026

Many individuals invest in real estate to help diversify their portfolio, create an income stream for themselves from rental income and build net worth over time. Income and losses from investment real estate are considered passive by definition — unless you’re a real estate professional. Even then, you generally must “materially participate” in a rental activity for it to be treated as nonpassive. Why is this important? Passive income may be subject to the 3.8% net investment income tax on top of any income tax otherwise due, and passive losses are deductible only against passive income, with the excess carried forward. Contact us to discuss tax planning for your investment real estate.

Could your traditional 401(k) or IRA balance be too large? Maybe! Contributing as much as you can to tax-deferred retire...
08/18/2026

Could your traditional 401(k) or IRA balance be too large? Maybe!
Contributing as much as you can to tax-deferred retirement accounts can be a good idea. Contributions are pretax or deductible, and tax-deferred compounding can turbocharge growth.

But sometimes maximizing tax deferral is counterproductive. This may be true if tax rates increase by the time you pay tax on distributions. Also, retirement plan distributions are taxed at your ordinary-income rate, not your long-term capital gains rate. So you may pay a higher tax rate on dividends and growth than you would if you held the investments in a taxable account.

Fortunately, there are strategies that can help. Contact us to learn more.

Disability insurance is a valuable benefit provided by many employers. It replaces a portion of the insured person’s inc...
08/11/2026

Disability insurance is a valuable benefit provided by many employers. It replaces a portion of the insured person’s income — typically 45% to 65% of pre-disability earnings. But in some cases, income taxes can take a bite out of disability benefits.

Taxability usually hinges on who paid the premiums. If your employer paid them, the payouts from the policy generally will be taxed to you just as if the income were paid directly to you by your employer. If you paid the premiums, the payments you receive generally won’t be taxable. State tax treatment of disability benefits varies.

We can help you assess how much disability coverage you need depending on the tax consequences and other factors.

If your child is heading to college this fall, tax breaks may be available. For example, you might be eligible for the A...
08/04/2026

If your child is heading to college this fall, tax breaks may be available. For example, you might be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) of up to $2,500 per student for the first four years of college. But the AOTC is phased out for married joint filers with modified adjusted gross income between $160,000 and $180,000 (between $80,000 and $90,000 for heads of households).

If your child has a tax-advantaged education account, such as a 529 plan, tax-free withdrawals can be taken to pay qualified expenses. But expenses paid with tax-free withdrawals can’t be used to claim the AOTC.

Contact us to discuss these and other tax tips for your situation.

Mutual funds offer an easy way to invest in a diversified portfolio. But the tax treatment isn’t so simple.One challenge...
07/28/2026

Mutual funds offer an easy way to invest in a diversified portfolio. But the tax treatment isn’t so simple.

One challenge is that certain mutual fund transactions are treated as sales even though they might not seem like it. Another is that determining your tax basis for shares sold can be complicated, especially if you dispose of only part of your interest in the fund and the shares were acquired at different times for different prices. Also, mutual fund capital gains distributions are generally taxable, even when reinvested in the fund.

If you have questions about the tax treatment of mutual funds, contact us. We can help you be a tax-smart mutual fund investor.

It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a big win. But before you spend lottery, gambling or other winnings, be sure you...
07/14/2026

It’s easy to focus on the excitement of a big win. But before you spend lottery, gambling or other winnings, be sure you understand the tax impact.

Federal tax law generally treats such winnings as taxable income. Knowing the basic rules can help you avoid surprises when you file your 2026 return next year. For example, if you win more than $5,000, generally the payer (lottery agency, casino, etc.) will withhold 24% for federal tax purposes — which may or may not be enough to cover your tax liability — and send you and the IRS a Form W-2G showing the winnings paid and tax withheld.

There also might be state tax consequences. Contact us to learn more.

Address

421 E Cook Road, Ste 300
Fort Wayne, IN
46825

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Houlihan, LLP posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Houlihan, LLP:

Shortcuts

Share

Category