Despite the fact that more than 44 million Americans have student loans and their debt now totals $1.4 trillion, many people remain unclear as to how, exactly, those loans work. On today’s show, Ralph outlines federal student loans as an option for those in need of tuition assistance. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com f...
Jun 18, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Paying for education can be quite the journey, one that offers various paths that can be taken. However, if one chooses the wrong path, the destination can easily become one of great financial burden. Let Ralph be your guide as he discusses in today's show, the ins and outs of federal versus private loans, shedding light on all they offer, obstacles you may face, and aspects you should avoid. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askr...
Jun 15, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 70
While tuition costs are high and increases seem inevitable, there are ways to alleviate the financial burden. The IRS currently offers a number of incentives that can help you recoup some cash at tax time. Tax credits, as previously discussed, are directly reduce the amount of tax you owe, while a deduction reduces the amount of income on which your tax is calculated. On today’s show, Ralph talks about education expenses like tuition, student loan interest, supplies and others that you can use a...
Jun 13, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 69
It is graduation season for many young Americans across the country. Once the diplomas have been handed out, the next step is higher education. For many of those wishing to attend college, high tuition expenses are a tough consideration. Many graduates leave with thousands of dollars in student loan debt, burdening them right out of school. It is for that reason, that many are hesitant to take the leap. On today’s show, Ralph outlines the tax credit side of education expenses for those just star...
Jun 11, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Our radio broadcast on June 2nd, 2018 featured a full length interview with Jason Bochniak, a Business Development Officer at Keystone Funding to talk about the changes happening in mortgage financing. This discussion included rich insight for first-time and veteran home buyers outlining the steps to purchasing the home of your dreams and the regulatory changes taking place in the field. On this week's feature show, we wanted to release the entire interview for our listeners to enjoy. For more i...
Jun 06, 2018•26 min•Season 2Ep. 67
What do you actually gain from outsourcing payroll? Is it worth all the time and effort just to investigate and identify appropriate outsourced service providers? Then there is the work involved to transition the function outside to the third party service. Do the benefits of outsourcing outweigh that effort? On today’s show, Ralph examines the prospect of outsourcing payroll by reviewing the gains and losses for businesses owners. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @as...
Jun 01, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 66
On today’s show, Ralph review why it is very important to process payroll taxes properly and submit tax payments in a timely manner. A must for all small business owner! Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Ralph, contact him at 302-659-6560 or go to www.askralph.com fo...
May 31, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 65
On today’s show, Ralph talks review common troublesome areas in payroll tax filings and payments to be sure to avoid when doing yourself. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Ralph, contact him at 302-659-6560 or go to www.askralph.com for more information!...
May 29, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Compiling payroll can be a headache, regardless of how big your business. Constant changes in state and federal tax and employment law make paying employees and filing taxes complicated and time-consuming. On today’s show, Ralph talks about common payroll problems, easy-to-miss errors and costly issues arising from payroll processing. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitte...
May 25, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 63
A big issue for many new business owners when hiring their first employee is what exactly is required to process payroll and get their people paid. On today’s show, Ralph outlines the basics of setting up in-house payroll for your business. From pay period scheduling and withholding calculations, to garnishments and deductions, we help simplify the complex. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook ...
May 23, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Cryptocurrency week comes to a close on Ask Ralph with a final discussion in part four of our series. Very few countries have gone as far as to declare any virtual currency illegal. That does not; however, mean that many of the well know virtual currencies are in fact "legal tender". On today’s show, Ralph talks about the legal issues surrounding virtual currencies like Bitcoin and the like. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askra...
May 21, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Cryptocurrency week continues on Ask Ralph with a discussion on the crypto-marketplace and part three of our series. On today’s show, Ralph discusses the tax liabilities and growing regulatory concerning on this new digital currency. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with...
May 21, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Cryptocurrency week continues on Ask Ralph with a discussion on the crypto-marketplace and part two of our series. Many of digital assets have reached own record high rates. On today’s show, Ralph reviews hows to access, secure, buy, sell and capitalize on the digital currency marketplace. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia....
May 16, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 59
It is Cryptocurrency Week at Ask Ralph! Each show will feature an aspect of the mysterious beast that is digital money by diving into where it came from, how it is used and why exactly do we all keep hearing about it. On today’s show, Ralph reviews the history of cryptocurrencies and defines key terms to help better understand this new phenomenon. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow...
May 14, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Enjoying a comfortable retirement begins with having a strategic plan for saving and investing. Part of that means being sensitive to certain financial pitfalls that can derail your long-term goals and shrink your nest egg in the process. On today’s show, Ralph outlines five tried and true ways to get the retirement you want while managing the life you have currently. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us o...
May 11, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Maybe you filed a tax extension back in April because you were missing some of the paperwork, needed more time due to complications, or simply procrastinated. Regardless of the reason, you filed an extension and now have an additional six months to file. On today’s show, Ralph outlines reasons for finishing up your return filing sooner rather than later for those on extension. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . ...
May 09, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 56
There are dramatic differences between traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts (IRA) and what you do not understand about the particular rules that apply to them can cost you. On today’s show, Ralph discusses the differences between these two very different retirement plan contribution accounts and the applicable tax regulations. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on...
May 08, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Are you wondering why you owed so much in taxes this year? Want to make sure you never owe a big tax bill or any bill at all – when you file your income taxes? On today’s show, Ralph outlines what steps you need to take throughout the year to make sure your tax bill is paid before your file. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedi...
May 05, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 54
The importance of Social Security for retired Americans simply can not be overstated. Further, understanding what you will be paid from Social Security and what factors can effect that payout are equally important. On today’s show, Ralph discuss the various factors that may affect your Social Security payout. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visi...
May 02, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 53
On today’s show, Ralph discusses features and benefits to contributing to 401(k)s for those staring early and those starting late. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Ralph, contact him at 302-659-6560 or go to www.askralph.com for more information!...
May 01, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Retirement is about the alignment of two things: money and values. When deciding if you should retire, that means you have to know if you can afford to - and you have to know what retirement means to you. On today’s show, Ralph talks about retirement and helps answer the questions surrounding the major life change. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) o...
Apr 28, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Many Americans do not know that depending on your income, you could have to pay your federal income tax rate on up to 85% of your Social Security benefits. On today’s show, Ralph reviews the tax regulations regarding Social Security and applicable income limits so that you are not blind sided come filing season. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or v...
Apr 26, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Did your forget to file your taxes? Were you too busy to submit your return? Was tax filing just too confusing? On today’s show, Ralph talks lame excuses for filing late and not filing and whether that excuse holds any weight with the IRS. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com for more information. To schedule a consultatio...
Apr 24, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 49
So you have filed your 2017 tax return, or filed an extension, and may have one nagging question: Am I going to be audited by the IRS?For most people, even the prospect of an IRS tax audit can raise your blood pressure. On today's show, Ralph review 12 of the top IRS red flags that could trigger an audit. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit ww...
Apr 20, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 48
To err is human, but to err on your tax return can be a complete disaster. If you did your own taxes, of course, you may have only yourself to blame. But if you think your tax preparer made a mistake on your return, there are steps to take. On today’s show, Ralph discusses what you can do if your tax preparer botches your tax return filing. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on ...
Apr 19, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Tax day is dreaded by millions of Americans, and some people have such a hard time coming to grips with filing for taxes that they file extensions to prolong the inevitable. April 17th is the deadline for most taxpayers to file an extension and to pay any taxes owed to avoid penalty and interest charges. On today’s show, Ralph discusses how to file an extension before it is too late. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia...
Apr 17, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 46
The discussions surrounding Social Security filing seems to always center around when to file and how best to strategize your claims; however, many do not know the actual process to file when you decide to file. On today’s show, Ralph outlines the entire process for filing for Social Security benefits and gives tips for navigating the filing procedures. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and ...
Apr 13, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Selling an investment can have tax consequences. To figure out whether you need to report a gain or can claim a loss-after selling, you need to know the cost basis for that investment. On today’s show, Ralph outlines everything you need to know when computing your cost basis this tax season. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedi...
Apr 11, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Every direct employee of a company receives a W-2 form in January. The W-2 is the base document that defines your tax obligations, so it is important that you review and understand yours. On today’s show, Ralph reviews how to review your W2 form and update your withholding status each paycheck. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphm...
Apr 10, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 43
On today’s show, Ralph review some of the most common penalties associated with IRS filings as we come closer to the end of filing season on April 17th. Submit your questions or ideas for future shows, tweet us at @askralphmedia or email us at askralph@askralphmedia.com . Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@askralphmedia) or visit www.askralphmedia.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Ralph, contact him at 302-659-6560 or go to www.askralph.com for more informatio...
Apr 07, 2018•11 min•Season 2Ep. 42
