Question: Is there anything I can do now to lessen my previous year’s tax burden?

Robert Lepson: This is an important question this time of year. Your options are somewhat limited but if you are eligible for a deduction for an IRA contribution, that would be one way. If you are a business owner, you could open a SEP and make a contribution to that plan.

Question: I just inherited a few million dollars and would like to pass $300,000-$400,000 to my kids as sort of an advance inheritance. Is there a way to do this without a big tax hit?

Lepson: Wow... a few million dollars. That can certainly be life changing both for you and your kids. There would be no income tax burden to making a gift to your kids, but potentially you would be subject to gift tax.

Fortunately, the gift tax rules are fairly liberal at this point. Each person is permitted to gift up to $5.25 million during their lifetime with no tax. This is in addition to the annual gift exclusion amount of $14,000. Depending on your kids and who they are and how old they are, you may want to set up a trust instead of gifting outright.

Question: I had to cash my 401(k) because I was unemployed last year. I have a good job now, is there any way to retroactively pay it back?

Lepson: I am sorry to hear that you were unemployed and had to use your 401(k) to handle expenses. But the good news is that you have found a new job and seem able to pay things back.

Unfortunately, you can not pay back a 401(k). You will be subject to the income tax and a 10 percent penalty unless you were able to put the money into an IRA within 60 days of cashing in the 401(k).

Question: Can I deduct my cellphone bill if I the phone use it for work?

Lepson: Yes, you can — as long as you are a business owner or your employer does not reimburse for the costs.

Question: Is there any way to write off paying for college for my grandchild?

Lepson: Your grandkids (and your kids) are fortunate that you are able to help pay the cost of college. There are tax deductions and credits that can be claimed, but the child must be a dependent of yours and not their parents. There are also income limitations that phase out at higher income levels. You can look into the American Opportunity Tax Credit, Life Learning Credits as well as a couple of limited tuition deduction options.

Question: Why are Roth 401(k)’s important?

Lepson: Roth 401(k)s can be terrific options for folks who are in lower tax brackets and don’t mind forgoing the tax deduction that one gets with a regular 401(k) contribution. The great thing about Roth 401(k)s or Roth IRAs is that all future growth is not just tax deferred, but also tax free. They work out great for people who think they will be in a higher tax bracket when they withdraw the money than they are when they contribute the money.

Question: What are the IRA contributions limits for people over 50?

Lepson: 2013 limits are $5,500 + $1,000 over age 50 catch up.

Question: I’ve use a tax prepaper that I think does a good job. He’s reasonable in price. I can call him year round for advice. However I’m concerned that he’s not a CPA. How much more does a CPA cost and where can I get a list of them?

Lepson: First and foremost, working with someone you can trust is important. If the person is not a CPA, he/she might be an enrolled agent and that would be good. CPAs can be helpful for complex issues. You can find a list of them from the Mass. Society of CPAs. You can also check the Massachusetts State Board of Public Accountancy website for further details such as licenses, etc. www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pa/

Question: If I own a business that loses money, should I file taxes for it separately?

Lepson: Assuming you are a sole proprietor or a single member LLC, you can include it on your individual return (Schedule C) and not have to file a separate return.

Question: Can you explain Roth vs. traditional IRA?