Alliance Financial & Income Tax

05/29/2026

According to a Fidelity article, for the ‘25-’26 school year, the average published all-in cost at a 4-year public school for out-of-state students is $45,780, and the average private school costs $60,920.

So, because today is 529 Day (it’s 5/29, get it? 😂), it’s a good time to revisit one of the most flexible tools for tackling those numbers.

What 529 plans actually do:

📚 Tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. State tax treatment will vary, and so will fees and expenses.

📚 Use them for college, trade school, K-12 tuition, and apprenticeships. A 529 can even repay up to $10,000 in student loans.

📚 Whether a 529 qualifies for a state tax deduction will depend on your state of residence, as state tax laws and treatment may vary from federal tax laws.

📚 Superfund up to $95,000 in a single year by using five years of gift tax exclusions at once. But remember if you make nonqualified distributions, earnings will be subject to income tax and a 10 percent federal penalty tax.

📚 Minimal impact on financial aid—parent-owned 529s are assessed at a maximum rate of 5.6 percent.

Grandparents, parents, aunts, or uncles can contribute.

And starting in 2026, the K-12 annual withdrawal limit doubles to $20,000.

The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is now.

05/29/2026

Do you actually know what your car costs you in fuel each year? Enter your driving habits and gas prices to find out what your MPG really means for your wallet.

Calculate your vehicle's fuel efficiency and see what you're spending on gas annually.

05/28/2026

Most parents think the last tuition check means game over for college. The data says it's halftime.

50 percent of parents with adult children still provide regular financial support, spending $1,474 a month to do so. That's more than twice what they're putting toward their own retirement.

Here's what "just helping out a little" actually looks like:

✅ 75 percent of parents aged 45+ are financially supporting at least one adult child, even though over half of those children can meet their own basic needs, according to a 2025 AARP survey.

✅ 42 percent of supporting parents report financial stress. 9 percent have retired early because of it.

✅ 47 percent say they've sacrificed their own financial position for the sake of their kids.

✅ 18 percent say the support could continue indefinitely. They don't see an end in sight.

This isn't about being less generous. It's about being intentional.

Whether your kid just graduated, graduated five years ago, or is still in school, the question is the same: Is your support happening by design or by default?

That's worth a conversation.

05/28/2026

Running a farm already takes everything you’ve got. Keeping your finances in order shouldn’t add to the pressure. With the right support, your income and expenses stay organized, and nothing slips through the cracks.

Send us a message to see how we can help.

🌐 www.AFITonline.com

05/27/2026

Choosing a financial partner is about more than just finding someone to "do your taxes." It’s about finding a team you can trust with your family’s or your business’s future.

Alliance Financial and Income Tax offers a full suite of services designed to simplify your financial life:

✅ Individual & Business Tax Preparation: Accurate, timely, and optimized.
✅ IRS Representation: We stand by you if things get complicated.
✅ Bookkeeping & Accounting: Keeping your business organized and audit-ready.
✅ Financial Consulting: Strategic advice for every stage of your journey.

Professional expertise. Personalized service. That is the Alliance difference.

🔗 Link in bio to see our full list of services and book an appointment.

05/27/2026

You’ve heard Medicare Parts A, B, C, & D referenced, but what do they mean—and what do they cover? Find out more here:

Medicare is broken down into four specific parts—but what do they mean? This article will help you understand each piece.

05/26/2026

Restoring the Great Wall of China is a careful process, and in some places, it is happening one brick at a time.

The Great Wall stretches roughly 13,000 miles, but it is not one continuous structure. Instead, it is composed of many sections built over several dynasties over about 2,000 years.

One restoration effort focuses on the Jiankou section, a steep, rugged section of the wall north of Beijing. The work requires traditional masonry skills, local knowledge, and a deep respect for preserving the structure’s historic character.

For Cheng Yongmao, known as Old Cheng, the work has become a life’s calling. After decades as a bricklayer and restoration specialist, he now helps guide efforts to protect and repair parts of the wall for future generations.

The project is a reminder that preserving history often depends on patience, craftsmanship, and the people willing to protect what came before.

NBC News visits the monumental 13,000-mile fortifications, which are not, in fact, one contiguous structure but many segments built over several dynasties spanning about 2,000 years.

05/26/2026

𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙄 𝙪𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙒-4 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙖𝙭𝙚𝙨?

If any of these things happened in 2026, then you need to update your W-4:
• You got married or divorced
• You started a second job
• Your spouse started or stopped working
• You had a child
• You started a side hustle
• You bought a home

Those changes affect how much federal (and state) tax comes out of your paycheck each pay period.

For example, if your withholding is still set for single status but you recently got married, you may end up giving the Treasury more money than you need to.

If you’re not sure whether your withholding needs updating, DM us, and we can help you review and adapt to your circumstances.

05/25/2026

The rush of the tax deadline might be behind us, but for many, the "tax season stress" lingers. If you found yourself scrambling this year or were surprised by your return, it’s time for a change in strategy. 📉✅

At Alliance Financial and Income Tax, we believe that tax preparation should be a year-round conversation, not a once-a-year headache.

Don’t just file and forget. Let’s build a roadmap that works for you.

DM us to schedule a post-season review!

05/25/2026

Yes, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. But let's not forget what this day is really about.

Today, we remember those who gave everything. The men and women who served and never came home.

Some of us knew them. Some of us are here because of them.

However you spend today, take a moment to pause. Enjoy the long weekend, but hold space for what it actually means.

To the families carrying that loss: we honor them with you.

05/25/2026

Just because you’re under 65 years of age doesn’t mean you don’t qualify for Medicare. There are a few specific scenarios where you are eligible earlier. Learn more:

You might qualify for Medicare if you’re under 65-years-old. This article will explain the conditions where you may qualify for Medicare early.