In today’s ever-changing world, organizations of all types are moving to meet and hold events online. There are many companies that provide a platform that is easy to use, quick to setup and allow participation from anywhere. One area all organizations should consider when selecting and using these tools is cybersecurity. Today I will discuss what makes a platform secure, and what you can do to support that security. This information is not intended to support any one specific product, but to empower you to make safe choices on any solution out there.

I am going to start with the most common question I get asked: How do we know if an online solution is safe to use? My response is to ask these basic questions in return:

Once you have chosen an online tool that meets your needs, keeping it secure is ultimately up to you. Many articles recently have been written about online meeting exploits, such as instances where uninvited participants join a private meeting unexpectedly with the intent of either stealing information or simply causing disruptions. These issues are not new, and have been around since before the telephone was invented. Following these best practices will ensure that you do not fall victim, as well. While not all platforms have all these capabilities, the more you use, the safer your interactions will be.

Regardless of the platform, the best way to stay safe is with  knowledge. It is critical to take the time to go through product trainings and read through “best practices guides,” so you can understand the capabilities of the system. This knowledge will empower you to ensure that your online events are secure and successful.

Traditionally, important tax and financial records have been stored as hardcopies in desk drawers, filing cabinets and safe deposit boxes. Nowadays, it’s become increasingly popular and easy to digitize documents and store them electronically. Is this the right move for you?

Pluses of Electronic Storage

Perhaps the biggest advantage of digital documents is a drastic reduction in the amount of paper that you must sort, organize and store. Also, digital documents are generally more protected from damage than paper files—assuming they’re stored properly.

In addition, electronic documents can be digitally date-stamped, which helps ensure that you’re accessing the most recent versions. You can track edits to electronic files, monitor who’s been viewing them and restrict access to sensitive documents, too.

Self-Host or the Cloud

To digitize paper documents, you need only a scanner, which can be rented if you don’t have one and don’t wish to purchase one. You can shred many paper files after digitization, though you may need to retain paper versions of some legal documents. (Consult an attorney about which ones.)

When it comes to storage, you essentially have two options:

Organized and Safe

For many people, the right approach might be “both.” Retain paper files of certain documents for a recommended period and digitize everything else. Our firm can help you find the best way to keep your tax and financial records organized and safe.

One byproduct of the Internal Revenue Code is that the tax liability of married couples who file jointly may be more than their combined tax liabilities would be as single filers. This is “the marriage penalty.”

Unfortunately, this hasn’t gone away under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). For example, through 2025, the TCJA imposes a $10,000 limit on itemized deductions for state and local taxes. The limit is the same for joint filers and single filers. That means unmarried couples can deduct $10,000 each, for a total of $20,000, while married couples can deduct only $10,000. (There have been proposals in Congress to eliminate the limit.)

There’s a similar marriage penalty on mortgage interest deductions. Through 2025, the TCJA reduced the amount of home acquisition debt that’s eligible for interest deductions from $1 million to $750,000 for debt incurred after Dec. 15, 2017. Again, the limit is the same for joint filers and singles filers, so while married couples may be able to deduct interest on only $750,000 in home acquisition debt, unmarried couples may be able to deduct interest on up to a combined $1.5 million.

If you’re getting married, we can help you crunch the numbers and see how your union will affect your tax bill. No one would suggest that a potential marriage penalty should influence your decision to tie the knot, but knowing the impact can help you make informed financial planning decisions.