Sai Sankar
SIMPLE IRA Early Withdrawals: 25% Penalty in First 2 Years
Retirement withdrawal rules are unchanged for 2024–2025: most distributions before 59½ face a 10% penalty, but SIMPLE IRA…
Self-Employment Tax Essentials: Rates, Deductions, and Filing Basics
Pay self-employment tax if net self-employment earnings reach $400, using Schedule C and Schedule SE; SE tax is…
Avoiding the 6% IRA Excess Tax: Timely Withdrawals and Reporting
Correct excess IRA or HSA contributions before the tax return due date (including extensions) by removing the excess…
Key Exceptions for Distributions from Qualified Plans and IRAs
Early retirement distributions before 59½ may incur a 10% tax, but statutory exceptions—such as medical expenses over 7.5%…
Understanding the 2025 AMT: Exemptions, Phaseouts, and Rates
The 2025 AMT applies to taxpayers with large SALT, ISO adjustments, or depreciation differences; exemptions are inflation-indexed ($137,000…
Canada’s TFWP Under Scrutiny: 2024-25 Reforms Tighten Rules
Canada tightened the TFWP with 10% and 20% caps, a refusal-to-process rule in high-unemployment cities, and one-year low-wage…
214(b) Denied: Chennai Visa Interview Lessons and World Cup Plans
A Chennai B1/B2 interview produced a 214(b) denial for a self-employed traveler despite ₹8 lakh savings and ₹30…
U.S. Talent at Crossroads: International Students Face Slowdown in August 2025
August 2025’s weak payroll growth and 4.3% unemployment are tightening opportunities for international students on OPT. File Form…
Indian IT Firms Slash H-1B Sponsorship by 46% as US Giants Surge
Indian IT firms have significantly cut H-1B sponsorships while US tech giants expanded theirs to meet demand for…
How IRCC Processing Times Have Evolved Since Mid-July 2025
IRCC’s 2025 changes—forward-looking processing times, better digital tracking, and staffing—have made timelines more predictable. Express Entry averages 6–8…
Five Convincing Reasons to Study in the UK in 2025
The UK’s Graduate Route and MRQ recognition keep it attractive in 2025: two years post‑study (three for PhDs),…
US Tightens Nonimmigrant Visas: India Faces Mandatory Interviews, Fees
From early September 2025, third‑country visa interviews are banned and most applicants must attend in‑person interviews in their…
QBI Deduction 2025: When to Use Form 8995 vs 8995-A
For 2025, the Section 199A QBI deduction remains available through Dec 31, 2025. Compute AGI first, then use…
QBI Deduction and W-2 UBIA Limits: Thresholds and Phase-In Basics
The 2025 QBI deduction depends on taxable income, W-2 wages, and UBIA. Singles phase in $197,300–$247,300; joint filers…
Understanding QBI Phase-In: 20% Deduction, Excess, and Thresholds
The 20% QBI deduction is permanent as of September 7, 2025. A widened phase-in range for the W-2…