Dollars & Sense Blog

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Tax Time Scams to Look Out For

Tax time can be stressful enough without having to worry about scams. Unfortunately, tax season scams have been on the rise in recent years, particularly via phone and email.

Hunter Nauman Earns Chartered Financial Analyst Designation

Heartland Bank and Trust Company announces Hunter Nauman has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation joining an elite group of financial professionals specializing in portfolio management and wealth planning.

Fiorella Krushnowski promoted to Retail Manager

Heartland Bank and Trust Company proudly announces the promotion of Fiorella Krushnowski as retail manager. Krushnowski, who has 10 years of experience in retail banking as a teller banker and assistant manager, is located at Heartland Bank’s Farmer City branch at 333 South Main St.

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Estate planning is important for everyone, and the issues for blended families can be especially knotty. How can one be confident that one’s wishes for everyone will be implemented?

Tax Reform and Charitable Giving

When the tax system was reformed in 2017 in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, there was much concern about the effect the changes would have on charitable giving. First, the rough doubling of the standard deduction meant that far fewer taxpayers would be itemizing, and without itemizing there is no tax benefit at all for the charitable gift. Second, the top marginal tax rate was reduced slightly, which meant that the net tax benefit for the wealthiest taxpayers would go down.