Taxes Make Ya Wanna Go #$%&!

Yup, it is tax season. This year as clients and friends were completing their 2021 tax returns* the cries of, “Are you kidding me?” and “This is by far the most taxes I have ever paid in my life!” were louder than ever. There were valid reasons for wealthier taxpayers paying more taxes for tax year 2021 – far more than for tax year 2020. A few reasons were somewhat UN-related to the coronavirus pandemic, and a number of reasons were directly pandemic-related.

The majority of my clients and friends simply made more money in 2021 than 2020. (Is that a bad thing? Most likely not.) The pandemic, in a delayed fashion, led to promotions and opportunities in 2021 for lots of individuals in corporate America and at companies that “dug in” amidst epic challenges in 2020. Retention and performance bonuses wound up being paid in 2021 (continuing in 2022), following a time in late 2020 when it seemed basic compensation and jobs were at serious risk. This turnaround was a huge irony and welcome relief to a number of people – and the “flip side” became higher taxes for tax year 2021.

Pandemic-related factors were to blame for higher 2021 taxes in several “hidden” ways.

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Money, Therapy & 20 Years Later

From the Archives of 2016 with excerpts and updates to “The Coronavirus Life Experience” version of this edition (February 2021) plus a closing message.

Money and Therapy. Two things that people may love or hate. However, among other things, both money and therapy can help. 

From the must-read book for people of all ages The Number* was written by Lee Eisenberg, long time editor-in-chief of Esquire magazine.

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Pickleball, Anyone?

Pickleball is quite the rage – and has been for several years. In talking with clients and friends from the cities and suburbs, in both the North and South, they all say Pickleball ROCKS! Especially now with dynamic, successful people having worked from home for nearly eleven months – missing competition, sports, and socialization – pickleball seems to “check a number of boxes”.

For those who have spent a lifetime skiing, playing golf or tennis – or who are simply looking for a new leisure pursuit – pickleball has become a legit sport.

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