In many African-American families, when we have an important issue to discuss, we gather in the kitchen and bring it to the table. That’s especially true of financial discussions, whether about how to pay the bills, how to send Junior to college or where to start looking for a new job.
For the next two weeks, The Root Live: Bring It to the Table, hosted by Harriette Cole, will dig deep with expert guests for solutions to some of your family’s most vexing financial concerns. Sponsored by Prudential, The Root Live: Bring It to the Table has already addressed such topics as caring for elderly relatives, being a financially successful parent, retiring young, and marriage and money.
In the ninth episode, which starts at 11 a.m. EDT today at The Root, we’re discussing “Learning to Love Tax Season.” We will speak with experts who will tell you that tax time doesn’t have to be stressful and that there are ways to improve your outcome.
James D. Brown is a certified public accountant and a member of the National Association of Black Accountants who shares some tax do’s and don’ts. He recommends hiring a tax professional to spare yourself the stress of handling your own filing.
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox is a personal-finance expert and author of 10 books on money. She gives us the ABCs of the audit, advises on how to handle the IRS and how not to fear the agency’s scrutiny. She says the risk of an audit is low: Out of 150 million taxpayers nationwide, only 1 percent are audited.
Georgette Miller is an attorney and money specialist, and she has tips on tax filing for small businesses. She’ll also tell us the benefits and misconceptions of a small business being used as a tax shelter.
The Root Live: Bring It to the Table can be seen here at The Root every Wednesday at 11 a.m. EDT.
To watch earlier episodes of The Root Live, click here.