Spring break adventures for the family...May 31, 2019 · Some highlights include a stay at...

Injury proof your body

The nutritional value of eggs: It’s hard to beat!

Painting 101

Key tax return insights that you shouldn’t ignore

What’s the most eggcellent Easter candy?

Spring break adventures for the family

March–April 2019

ax time is here again. Hopefully, you have touched base with our firm to get your tax return in progress. If you are going it alone on your taxes this year, be sure to leave plenty of time to navigate the new tax laws. Once your return is complete, make sure to review it so you know where you might be able to improve your tax situation for next year.

In addition to your taxes, this time of year is popular for travel. Whether you are looking for an adventure or just to break up the last weeks

of the winter months, check out our list of affordable getaways.

There’s plenty of inspiration in this issue to help you tackle springtime improvements for both your home and your body. Get the 411 on painting like a pro and a lesson on injury proofing your body. We’ve also included a couple of eggstra fun Easter activities to help you welcome spring in style.

Enjoy!

Your trusted accounting advisors

Spring is almost here—and so is tax day!

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Features4 • Key tax return insights that you shouldn’t ignore Explore what you’ll learn from reviewing this year’s return and how you can use it to improve your current financial situation.

6 • Tips to injury proof your body Work these tips into your daily routine and reap the injury-proofing benefits for your body.

8 • Spring break adventures for the family Looking for a fun, family-friendly adventure? Check out these fresh spring break trips from TakingTheKids.com.

10 • Painting 101 Try these tips before your next painting project to paint like a pro!

Departments2 • From the f irm | Spring is almost here—and so is tax day! Tax time is here again. Touch base with our firm to get your tax return in progress!

12 • Life and living | The nutritional value of eggs: It’s hard to beat! Discover these little-known facts about eggs, which just might inspire you to add them to your diet.

14 • Mind f lex | What’s the most eggcellent Easter candy? If you haven’t started your Easter shopping yet, hop to it…before all of the good treats are gone!

In The Loop is published by Rootworks LLC, 1516 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47401 (rootworks.com) and distributed as a courtesy by professional services firms nationwide. This publication is intended to provide general information only and is not to be construed as providing financial, legal, or other professional advice or services. The information and points of view presented may not be appropriate for your specific financial position or circumstances. Contact a financial or legal professional before making any decisions or plans regarding your financial management.

In this issueMarch–April 2019


Key tax return insights that you shouldn’t ignore


Identify possible deductions and credits for the current tax year. When you look closely at your tax return, you may see added deductions and credits that you didn’t take advantage of. Consider what you can do in the coming year to qualify for these credits and reduce your tax liability.

Reduce your tax liability from tax-advantaged retirement savings. If your return shows that you set aside very little in your retirement account last year, now is the time to rectify the situation. You could very well be losing out on the tax-sheltering effects of quali-fied retirement accounts on your income.

Get credit for donations. If you make regular charitable donations, but you don’t always maintain records or receipts, make this the year that you do. You may be surprised by what you’ll be able to deduct next year.

Check in on your tax withholding. If you are getting a large refund this year, good for you! However, this can also be an indicator that you are withholding too much, which can

leave you short on cash throughout the year. On the flip side, if you were penalized for underpay-ment of taxes due to insufficient withholding, be sure to calculate the proper amount of tax you should be paying and adjust accordingly.

Leverage your debt expenses more effectively. Did you know that you can deduct some or all of the interest paid on certain debts, such as student loans and your mortgage? If not, be sure to look into what debt expenses you can deduct for the current tax year. While the value of debt deductions varies, a tax professional can guide you on what they are and which ones you qualify for. Another note here—if you have a tax refund this year, you may want to use all or part to pay off some debt, which is always a smart financial move.

Let our tax professionals help. Once your tax return has been fired off to the IRS, you may be tempted to file it and forget it. How-ever, this may cause you to overlook opportunities to mitigate your tax burden in the coming year. Speaking with your tax professional to best plan your tax strategy is a good move. Remember, our team of professionals is here to help!

Sources: New Jersey Society of CPAs and Nerdwallet.com

After your tax return is filed with the IRS this year, and before you tuck away your copy, take the time to look it over carefully. Your tax return says a lot about your finances. If you know what to look for, your tax return can help you identify areas where you can strengthen your financial situation. Follow the tips below to help in your review:


Chances are that everyone, at some point in life, will experience an injury related to some level of physical activity. Or maybe you have already experienced an injury and you are still feeling the after effects. Regardless of where you sit—or stand—on the activity scale, strengthening your body and taking injury prevention seriously is important. Work these tips into your daily routine and reap their injury-proofing benefits:

Tips to injury proof your body


Warm up and cool down. This seems so basic, doesn’t it? Yet most people tend to skip these important injury-preventing steps. A good warm up can be as simple as light walking and a few arm circles, half squats and ankle rolls to get your joints moving. Cool down can be just as simple with a few additional stretches to keep your muscles elongated. Learn the right body mechanics. One of the most common causes of injury is improper form—both for fitness and everyday activities. It can pay dividends to learn from a movement professional how to perform exercises and general movements correctly. Research videos online or hire a physical therapist or exercise professional to increase your knowledge of proper body mechanics. Vary your routine. To keep things fresh and your body injury-free, try varying your routine every four to six weeks. You can increase the intensity of each workout to ensure that you are safely and effectively pro-gressing. Once you hit a plateau, mix in some new exercises that are more challenging.

Eat right. There’s a saying that you can’t train out of a bad diet. The bottom line is that if you do not make optimal nutrition a priority, it can hold you back and make you far more prone to injury. Consum-ing complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and sweet potatoes will help to restore your glycogen (energy) stores. Complement them with lean proteins such as chicken and fish as well as plenty of water to restore your fluids.

Keep your muscles loose. Massages are a great way to keep your muscles healthy. But if you can’t afford a regular massage, try using a foam roller—slowly rolling back and forth over tight muscles. This helps increase circu-lation to muscles, decreases your chance of injury, and cuts down on recovery time. Work in relaxation time. If you already practice relaxation, meditation and stretching, then you are helping to reduce your chance of injury. If you are not, it’s time to get into the habit. Yoga is a great way to help your body recover from tough workouts. Seek out a yoga professional to learn proper yoga techniques. Take a rest. Rest and recovery is important for anyone who exercises, because when you are active, you are breaking down your muscles. Allow yourself regular rest days and get plenty of sleep. Chill out. If you are undertaking heavy duty training, one of the top ways to recover is an ice bath. After an intense workout, taking an ice bath for 10 to 20 minutes helps to reduce inflammation in the muscles so you don’t feel as sore and stiff the next day. Being active comes with the risk of injury, but you don’t have to be a marathoner or even regular gym-goer to suffer from one. It’s important to be aware of potential injuries, and then put the tips above into practice to injury proof your body as much as possible. Source: GymJunkies.com


Adventures by Disney— on land and sea Looking for a little magic on your spring break? Adventures by Disney offers Southern California land packages with Disney Cruise Line vacations setting sail from San Diego. Some highlights include a stay at Disneyland Resort plus a Southern California six-day tour with backstage tours; escorted tours

of Walt Disney Studios and Archives, and Disney Imagineering in Burbank; as well as visiting Hollywood’s iconic locations. Atlanta attractions Atlanta has a lot to offer families looking for spring break excitement. For example, the annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival, featuring arts and crafts, performers, midway rides

March and April are popular months for spring break trips. But many of us dread the thought of dragging our family to the same high-volume, high-traffic destinations. Fear not! We’re sharing a list of fresh new spring break adventures from TakingTheKids.com.

Don’t miss these tax deadlinesKeep these dates handy to avoid paying penalties

JANUARY 15 | 2019• Fourth quarter 2018 estimated tax payments due

JANUARY 31| 2019• W-2 and 1099-Misc forms due

MARCH 15 | 2019• S-Corporation tax returns due• Partnership, LLP and multi- member LLC tax returns due

APRIL 15 | 2019• Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) due• First quarter 2019 estimated tax payments due• Personal income tax returns due• C-Corporation tax returns due

JUNE 17 | 2019• Second quarter 2019 estimated tax payments due

SEPTEMBER 16 | 2019• Third quarter 2019 estimated tax payments due• S-Corporation tax returns on extension due• Multi-Member LLC + Partnership tax returns on extension due

OCTOBER 15 | 2019• Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) on extension due • C-Corporation tax returns on extension due• Personal income tax returns on extension due


and a “Backyard Bites & Brews” food fest. Of course, there are also the city’s national treasures such as Coca-Cola World, the CNN Center, Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta Botanical Garden and much more! Baseball spring training If your family loves baseball, a tour of small stadiums in Florida that host the Grapefruit League or Arizona’s Cactus League parks may be for you. You can even collect a few player autographs while there! Keystone, Colorado One of America’s top family resort destinations, Keystone Resort, is located in Summit County, Colorado—just 75 miles from Denver. Spring is a perfect time for a family trip to Keystone with more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain…signature Kidtopia activities. The resort also provides free designated family parking and complimentary red wagons for parents to use to haul their gear (and excited kiddos) to and from the slopes. Philadelphia freedom Philadelphia offers a variety of sights, tastes and experiences that are easy on the wallet. A few examples include:

• Independence National Park—Visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross’ home, the U.S. Mint, and the National Liberty Museum.

• The Museum of the American Revolution—Features the contributions of women and African Americans in the devel-opment of the United States.

• The Benjamin Franklin Museum—Offers hands-on activities and learning opportu-nities for the entire family.

• Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse—Offers an indoor/outdoor venue in the city’s beautiful Fairmount Park. San Diego sightseeing While it may be too chilly for a dip in the ocean during spring, San Diego still has plenty to offer. You can visit the world- famous San Diego Zoo, take a tour of The Rock (the famous prison on Alcatraz Island) as well as many other family-friendly attractions to suit your clan’s interests and activity level. These are just a few great desti-nations to consider for a family spring break getaway. Be sure to check peak visitor traffic times at each destination and adjust your itinerary as needed. Here’s to a perfect spring break trip for you and the family!


One of the quickest and easiest ways to liven up your home or office is to add a fresh coat of paint. Whether it’s one room or the whole house or office building, apply these tips for a smoother painting project.

Create a painting plan As with most projects, it helps to start by keeping the end in mind. Think about how you want the finished project to look, including the ceiling and any trim you plan to paint.

Contemplate your color With so many paint hues available, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. Start by figuring out the basics. Do you want:

A warm or cool shade?A neutral or saturated shade?A shade to complement specific pieces of furniture or artwork in the room you are painting?

Once you know what you want, select a few samples to test. And be sure to pay attention to how they look at different times of day.

Gather the right tools Every project is unique, so you may need different tools depending on the paint you choose and the condition of your walls. The basic set of tools for most jobs include: • Paint• Paint roller• Paint roller extension pole• Drop cloths• Paintbrushes• Paint tray• Sandpaper• Painter’s tape• Rags• Putty knife • Wall spackle

When it comes to cleaning your tools, when using latex- and water-based paints, clean with soap and water. If you use oil-based paints, you will need mineral spirits for cleaning. You can use a painter’s brush to clean and reshape bristles. If you want to reuse roller covers, use the curved edge of a 5-in-1 tool to remove the paint under running water.

Prep the walls and the room While you might be eager to start getting color on your walls, time spent preparing your room will result in a much higher quality end product. Use painter’s tape to protect base and crown moldings and door and window casings. Also, remove outlet and light switch covers and apply painter’s tape to protect from paint drips.

Paint with a strategy Once your room is prepped, it’s time to start painting—but do so with a planned approach in mind. Experts advise working from the top of the room down, starting with the ceilings.

Take your project one wall at a time. If you are painting the walls different colors, paint any adjoining light-color walls first. Once a wall is dry to the touch, it’s ready for a second coat. Keep in mind you may need up to four coats of paint for darker colors.

Paint the trim and doorways last after all the walls have dried. This allows you to tape again for these specific areas.

Allow for extra time The time you need for each painting project will vary, depending on the size of your room, what type of paint you are using, and your skill level. Some spaces can be done in a few hours while others may take several days. Be sure to budget more time than you think the job will need and don’t forget to take prep and cleanup into account.

Painting can be painless and less expensive when you take the time to plan. Once you tackle one room, you may just be inspired to paint additional spaces in your home or office. Source: architecturaldigest.com



The nutritional value of eggs: It’s hard to beat!

Life and living

Here are some little-known facts about eggs

from WebMD.com. Some may surprise you, so

be prepared to be inspired to add eggs to your

diet. Eggs have fallen in and out of favor among

nutritionists over the years…mostly due to their

high cholesterol content. To be on the safe side,

you can just consume the whites, which contain

the majority of the protein anyway. Before you

make a move on eggs, consider all the facts:

• The American Heart Association (AHA) revised

its dietary guidelines to allow an egg a day for

healthy adults while still advising a total daily

cholesterol limit of 300 mg. One large egg

contains 213 mg of cholesterol, accounting for

two-thirds of the recommended daily limit.

• High blood cholesterol is associated with heart

disease, but science has proven that cholesterol

is not the culprit. Saturated fat has a much

bigger effect on blood cholesterol.

• Along with milk, eggs contain the highest

biological value (or gold standard) for protein.

One egg has only 75 calories, but packs 7 grams

of high-quality protein, 5 grams of fat, and 1.6

grams of saturated fat. Eggs also provide iron,

vitamins, minerals and carotenoids.

• Eggs are powerhouses of disease-fighting

nutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin. These

carotenoids may reduce the risk of age-related

macular degeneration, which is the leading

cause of blindness in older adults.

• You may have noticed that manufacturers and

chicken farmers are marketing products that

enhance eggs’ nutritional properties. These

“designer” eggs may come from chickens that

are allowed to roam freely (free range) or whose

feed is supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids.

• Some chicken feed is now being enriched with

canola oil, bran, kelp, flaxseed, marine algae,

fish oil or vitamin E to increase healthy omega-3

fatty acid content. Special chicken feed mixes

also reduce the saturated and total fat content

of the egg yolk. These “good” eggs do come

with a hefty price tag, however.

Want to keep satisfied? Eat eggs! In addition to their nutritional benefits, the protein

and fat in eggs help to keep your appetite in check.

An egg, whole-grain toast and fruit offers a low-

calorie breakfast that will keep hunger at bay. If you

aren’t a big breakfast eater, hard boiling a couple of

eggs to eat as snacks throughout the day can help

keep your healthy eating goals on track. You could

also whip up an omelet for dinner.

Spring is a great time of year to give yourself an

eggstra nutritional boost by eating a few eggs per

week. Their satisfying taste may also help you avoid

devouring eggs of the chocolate variety as well!


Easter is on its way. And that means it’s the time of year when eggs crack into our consciousness one way or another. Now that you have eggs on the brain, why not consider how they can help your body stay healthy from head to toe?

Mind f lex

What’s the most eggcellent Easter candy?



First, the worst…

Pastel candy corn Candy corn is an iconic fall candy—and, according to WideOpenEats.com, it should not bunny hop over to Easter. It’s just not that tasty—unless you really love a full-on sugar rush.

Jordan almonds This treat may just be the most overused wedding favor and Easter basket treat ever. Jordan almonds may look festive, but they are no match in taste for chocolate Easter treats.

Peeps Similar to candy corn’s pure-sugar assault, Peeps are better left on the store shelf if you care about the taste and quality of your candy.

SweetTARTS chicks, ducks and bunnies While younger kids may like these cute little tart and sweet treats they do have a chalk-like texture. This may cause discerning candy connoisseurs to deny entry into their Easter basket.

Whoppers mini robin eggs Most people either love them or hate this Whop-pers tradition. While festive looking, the taste is far less attractive.

Second, premium picks… Starburst jelly beans

There’s nothing worse than the assault of a bad tasting jelly bean. And, let’s face it, some flavors are the worst! With Starburst jelly beans back in season, you don’t have to worry because all flavors are delish!

Cadbury Easter creme eggs Super sweet with a filling that you can’t help but look forward to each year, Cadbury eggs are a guilty pleasure for many people.

Russell Stover milk chocolate bunny Whether you start with the ears or the tail, this traditional hollow chocolate treat is a favorite all over the world.

Reese’s peanut butter eggs The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a fan favorite all year round. Reese’s seasonal peanut butter eggs are welcomed by most Easter lovers. Of course, be sure to check on potential peanut allergies!

There you have it! The best and the worst of Easter candy…according to WideOpenEats.com. How do you rate these traditional treats?

According to recent market research, Easter is second only to Halloween for candy sales with about 87 percent of American parents surveyed saying that Easter baskets are a house-hold tradition. In addition, research indicates that 80 percent of the total U.S. population buys Easter candy to eat with friends, family or colleagues on a regular basis. Be sure that you are sharing only the most eggscellent candy this year! Check out WideOpenEats.com’s list of the best—and worst—ranked Easter goodies. Do you agree or disagree?

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