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Are you planning to tie the knot this summer? If you already did, then my warmest congratulations to both of you! To make sure that there are no surprises come tax time, I will share with you three summer tax tips that you can do right now.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at LowerMyTaxNow.
So here are the three summer tax tips:
- Report any name change to the Social Security Administration before filing your next year’s tax return. It would cause delayed refund if you changed your name without informing the Social Security office.
- Report any address change to the United States Postal Service, your employers and the IRS to ensure your receive tax-related items.
- Finally, use the withholding calculator by going to https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-withholding-calculator to make sure you adjust your withholding appropriately. This is important for families with more than one wage earner, for taxpayers who have more than one job at a time, or for those with children.
So those are the three summer tax tips that you can do right now if you just got married to avoid any tax issues during tax time. Congratulations!
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2018-07-31 06:48:58 PM
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Did you own a home with your spouse when she was still living? And were you planning to sell your home but you were wondering if you can claim the capital gain exemption?
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at LowerMyTaxNow.
In order to claim the $500,000 capital gain exemption on the sale of your home, the sale needs to happen within two years from your spouse’s date of death. You also need to meet the three requirements below:
- Either you or your deceased spouse must have owned the property for at least two years before your spouse‘s death.
- The couple must have lived in the home for at least two years prior to the death of the spouse.
- The capital gain exemption must not have been claimed by either spouse in the two years before death.
Example: Joe and Jackie are married and have owned and used their home since January 1, 2000. On January 1, 2018, Jackie passed away. If Joe sells the home before January 1, 2020, he will qualify for the $500,000 capital gain exemption.
Here’s one tax trap that you need to be aware of – this rule will not apply if you decide to remarry before the sale of your home within the two-year period. So watch out!
That’s all I have for today. So make sure that you meet all the tax requirements so you can claim the exemption when you sell your home after your spouse’s death.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2018-07-31 06:47:51 PM
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Are you following the most recent tax proposal development? If not, no worries - I will give you the most up-to-date development.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at LowerMyTaxNow.
Both the House bill and the Senate measure calls for the elimination of most itemized deductions (that is Form 1040 Schedule A Itemized deductions). And in case they finalized the tax proposal this month, it won’t take effect until the 2018 tax year. However, we still need to plan since it could affect some of your 2017 year-end tax moves.
Here are six itemized deduction-related moves that you need to do now:
- Pay your state taxes. If you live in a state that tax salary & wage income, you need to pay your state taxes as much as you can this year while they're still deductible. A great way to do this is to make your final state estimated tax payments before the year-end.
- Pay your real estate taxes early. The House bill is allowing up to $10,000 of real estate tax deduction. If your property tax bill is higher than that, then pay it in December instead of early next year, to avoid losing some deductions.
- Prepay your January mortgage. The increased standard deduction amounts could make your mortgage interest deductions irrelevant. So by prepaying your January mortgage in December, it will increase your deductible mortgage interest for 2017.
- Bunch medical expenses. If you had a challenging year as far as your or family members' health, this is the year to make sure you don't waste any expenses. So, in addition to year-end doctor and dental visits, make sure you don't overlook other possible medical deductions. And if you are scheduled for a major surgery next year, I would recommend doing it before year-end.
- Bunch miscellaneous expenses. If you are an employee, make sure you deduct all unreimbursed expenses that you incur while performing your job. Also, don’t forget to deduct such things as job search costs, investment related costs, safety deposit box, accountant fees or tax preparation software costs.
- Donate to your favorite charities. If your other itemized deductions are gone and the standard deduction amount is increased, you might not have enough in donations to file a Schedule A form. So consider increasing or doubling up your donations this year when you can still claim the deductions.
So those are the six itemized deduction-related moves that you need to do now in order to maximize your deductions this year before the tax law changes.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2017-12-06 12:55:13 AM
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I got this tax question from a client recently: “Should I include my kid’s’s name on my home?”
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at LowerMyTaxNow.
You see, you might think it’s a good idea to include your kid’s name on the title of your home in case something happens to you. However, that might be a bad idea. Here are five reasons why:
No gain exemption
You are allowed to exclude up to $250,000 of gain on the sale of your home ($500,000 if you are married). However, the exclusion is only available if you owned and used it for at least two out of the last five years. So if your kid does not live in your home for that time period, the portion of his/her gain will be fully taxable.
Home equity risk
If your kid got title to your home as a full or partial owner, a creditor may file a lien on the property for any of your kid’s debts. Worse, your home could be lost if your kid is involve in an accident or a lawsuit.
No control
If you transfer the full title to your kid, your kid will now have 100% control re: your home. If your kid decides to sell the property or take out a loan against your home, you cannot do anything about it.
Medicaid issues
Under some scenarios, if you gift your home to your kid, it could be considered a gift for Medicaid purposes. That means, if you kid subsequently sells your home, you might not qualify for Medicaid benefits in the event of a major long-term health problems.
Gift tax return requirement
If your kid received more than $14,000 of equity in your home as a gift, you need to file a gift tax return. However, regarding the gift tax payable, you can use up your $5.5 million lifetime exemption in order not to pay any gift taxes.
So the question right now is: “What is the LowerMyTaxNow strategy?” If the purpose of the title transfer is for your kid to easily get the home at your death or so your kid can manage your affairs, then I would recommend setting up a living trust, along with powers of attorney, so your kid can manage your financial affairs.
If the reason is to help your kid buy his or her first home, a better way is to lend your kid the money with an IRS-approved interest rate (low and reasonable), and set up a program to give annual gifts in the form of principal forgiveness.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2017-06-07 06:03:32 PM
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Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at LowerMyTaxNow.
Have you ever wondered why President Trump does not want to release his tax returns. He claims that you, “don’t care at all” even though he is the first president in more than 40 years not to release his returns. So you might be thinking, what gives? That is a great question! And on this blog, I will discuss the top three reasons why he won’t release his returns. Ready?
- Paid “zero” taxes
He reported a billion dollar loss in the 1990s that could have offset all his income for up to 18 years. Being a real estate investor, it gave him the opportunity to apply powerful tax breaks such as depreciation and like-kind exchanges so he can delay, minimize or zero out his taxes. He proudly declared that not paying taxes makes him smart.
- Potential conflict of interest
With more than 500 businesses according to his financial disclosure form, it will be hard to zero in if there is a conflict of interest in regards to his own financial interest versus the nation’s’ interest without reviewing his tax returns and the supporting documentations. Trump’s tax returns might reveal how much he owes to foreign investors like Russia — and how much his connection undermines American national interests.
- Proposed tax plan benefit
In reviewing his proposed tax plan, you would start to wonder, how much will he personally benefit? There are three parts of his tax plan that would be a financial windfall for Trump. Here goes:
- Eliminate alternative minimum tax (AMT) – this prevents rich people from taking advantage of excessive tax breaks. Without the AMT, Trump would have paid just a 3% tax rate in 2005, instead he paid $31 million in AMT taxes.
- Business tax rate will drop from 35% to 15%. This is called the “Trump Loophole” since he will save millions of dollars annually from his 500+ business entities.
- Eliminate estate tax permanently – that means his family and heirs will be billion dollars richer if the estate tax is eliminated.
There you have it. Those are the top three reasons why I think President Trump would not release his tax returns.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2017-05-24 07:22:20 PM
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Did you see the news re: the proposed tax plan? You might be thinking, what does this really mean? And how is this going to affect me?
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at LowerMyTaxNow.
The White House presented the new tax plan last Wednesday. And compared to what I’ve discussed last November, 2016, there were not a lot of surprises. Now, the thing with a proposal is, they have a lot of work to do, before it becomes final. Because as of right now, we don't know if this is going to pass or if it passes when it will be a law. So with that in mind, I would not tell you about the highlights but would tell you instead the winners and losers with the proposed tax plan. Here goes:
Winners
- * Businesses with high tax rates - from 35% corporate income tax to 15%
- * High-income earners – income around $470K then your tax rate will drop from 39.6% to 35%
- * People with creative CPAs – this might open up a tax loophole since taxpayers might want to be structured as an S-corporation
- or LLC instead of employees.
- * Multimillionaires who want “0” estate tax – this would take care of your taxes, if your estate is more than $5.5 million or $11
- million for couples.
- * People who are subject to AMT – the one who will benefit the most are high-income earners that have deductions subject to
- AMT adjustments (meaning you need to add back your deductions because you are not getting any tax benefits for AMT
- purposes).
- * Donald Trump – surprise, surprise! All the items that I just mentioned just now will have a huge impact on Donald Trump’s
- taxes.
Losers
- * Upper-middle-income people with high state tax rate – because the state tax that you are paying will not be tax deductible.
- * Non-profit and charitable organizations – with the new proposal, the charitable deductions will be limited.
- * Taxpayers – national revenue would decrease by $6.2 trillion over a decade. That means a large increase in the national debt
- or huge decrease in federal spending.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2017-04-28 07:56:24 PM
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Due to recent law change, the due dates for some of the business and information returns have changed.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.
Here’s what you need to know.
For C-corporations, the new due date will be April 15 (three and one-half months after the end of the taxable year). However, C-corporations with tax years ending on June 30 will continue to have a due date of September 15.
For partnership & LLC returns, the new due date will be March 15. Partnership returns will be allowed a six-month extension. So the extension due date will be September 15.
For S-corporations, the due date continues to be March 15. S-corporations may also request a six-month extension with the same extension due date of September 15.
Lastly, for FBAR (Form 114) re: foreign asset reporting, the new due date will be April 15 and you will be allowed to request a six-month extension up to October 15. However, you need to request an extension since it’s not automatic.
I bet you are thinking right now: “Why did they make these changes?” Honestly, the IRS got good intentions why they are changing the due dates. The goal is to line up with the business tax reality. Partnership & LLC returns were changed from April 15 to March 15 to give you time to prepare your personal returns. And that’s the same reason why the S-corporations continue to have a March 15 due date. On the other hand, for C-corporations, which are normally for bigger companies, they moved it forward to April 15 to give them additional time to prepare their returns.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2017-01-25 10:20:00 PM
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Happy New Year! Well, with new year comes with new rules.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.
As you begin preparing your final payroll tax returns for 2016, take into account earlier due dates for two common reporting forms.
Forms W-2 for 2016 are due January 31st. The January 31 deadline applies to forms given to employees, as well as those submitted to the Social Security Administration. IRS late penalties will range from $50 - $530. Ouch! While CA will charge $50 per return. So watch out!
Forms 1099-MISC with non-employee compensation in Box 7 are due January 31st. The January 31 due dates applies to forms given to the recipients, as well as paper and electronic copies filed with the IRS. Please note that this due date applies only to 1099s that report amounts in box 7. The due dates (end of February) remain unchanged for the other boxes. Now, if you don’t have the proper information of the recipients, make sure you provide them a copy of the W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number so they can fill it out and return it to you ASAP.
Why? Well, there is a $260 per return federal penalty for failure to file the 1099s. If filed within 30 days of the due date, the federal penalty is reduced to $50 per return. To make it worse, California conforms to these due dates. And they have their own applicable penalties. For 1099s it’s $100 for failure to file, $30 if filed within 30 days of the due date.
So watch out! Make sure you file the W-2s and 1099-Misc with non-employee compensation by January 31st to avoid incurring penalties.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Last Updated by Tax on 2017-01-04 11:50:18 PM
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Do you know someone that recently passed away? Do you know that after your death, the distribution of retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, and bank and investments accounts are guided by beneficiary designations. If those designations are outdated, unspecific, or wrong, your assets may not be distributed the way you would like.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.
Here are three items to consider:
Be specific and stay current. When you name a beneficiary, your assets can pass directly to that person or entity without going through a legal process called probate. So make sure you update the designations for life events such as divorce, remarriage, births, deaths, job changes, and retirement account conversions. Likewise, keep your beneficiary designation forms in a safe location, and maintain current copies with your financial institution, attorney, or advisor.
Think about unexpected outcomes. You have to be alert for the effect of taxes. For example, if the money in your accounts is distributed directly to your heirs, they may be stuck with a large unexpected tax bill. If you are wealthy, estate tax may also play a role. In 2016, the estate tax exclusion is $5.45 million and the top estate tax rate is 40%. Another concern: If one of your designated beneficiaries is disabled, government benefits may be reduced or eliminated by the transfer of assets. You may want to consult an attorney to establish a special needs trust to ensure your loved one is not adversely affected.
Name contingent beneficiaries. If your primary beneficiary dies, having a backup, or contingent, selection will ensure that your assets are properly distributed. In some cases, a primary beneficiary may choose to disclaim, or waive, the right to the assets. In that case, contingent beneficiaries can step up to primary position.
Beneficiary designations are an important part of estate planning and the items we have discussed will ensure that your wishes and intentions will be followed.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com
Last Updated by Tax on 2016-08-24 05:46:31 PM
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Looking to minimize tax clutter?
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.
Here are 4 recordkeeping guidelines that will help you do just that while retaining what's important.
- Income tax returns. Keep these at least seven years. Hang on to the back-up documents, such as Forms W-2, mortgage interest statements, year-end brokerage statements, and interest and dividend statements, for the same amount of time.
- Supporting paperwork. Keep cancelled checks, receipts, and expense and travel diaries for a minimum of three years.
- Stock, bond, or mutual fund purchase confirmations. Retain these while you own the investment. You can purge them three years after you sell.
- Real property escrow and title statements. Retain these documents as long as you own the property so you can prove your purchase price when you sell. They can be destroyed three years after the date of the sale.
As you purge your financial clutter, be sure to shred or otherwise destroy the discarded paperwork. These documents often reveal your social security number, bank and brokerage account activity, and other personal information that could lead to the theft of your identity.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com
Last Updated by Tax on 2016-05-04 10:48:29 AM
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Have you been a victim of a tax scam? No? Well, that’s great!
Did you know that during tax time, tax scams usually go up.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.
Today, you will learn 3 tax scams that you need to watch out for.
Here goes:
The first one is identity theft.
Scammers will use your social security number and personal information to file your tax return and claim a fraudulent refund.
If you get an IRS notice informing you that more than one return was filed in your name and you received wages from an unknown employer those are the signs that you have been victimized.
If you believe your personal information has been stolen and used for tax purposes, you should immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit. Go to www.irs.gov and visit the special identity theft page on the IRS website.
The second one is phone scams.
Did someone call your home number and pretended to be an IRS agent and threatened you with police arrest, deportation and license revocation if you don’t pay your outstanding IRS bill? Let me tell you, it happened to my associates and my wife. They freaked out!
Just so you know, IRS usually corresponds through mails only. They do not call for any outstanding bills. And they never ask for credit or debit card information over the telephone and they never requests immediate payment over the telephone and will not take enforcement action.
So when you receive this threatening phone call, please hang up or call IRS immediately.
Lastly, phishing. This is the use of unsolicited email about a bill or refund or fake website appearing to be from the IRS. Please do not click on one claiming to be from the IRS. Remember – IRS NEVER initiates a contact by email requesting your personal and financial information. Report such email immediately to phishing@irs.gov.
There you have it. So for this coming tax season, watch out for these top three scams. Be careful when viewing e-mails or receiving telephone calls because scams can take on many sophisticated forms. Keep your personal information secured by protecting your computers and only provide your Social Security number when absolutely necessary.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly video blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow
Last Updated by Tax on 2016-02-24 02:49:31 PM
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Do you know how some high powered people or celebrities file their taxes?
If you say, filing jointly as married couple, then that is an educated guess.
However, for some they choose to file separately. Why? Let’s find out.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Today, you will learn when to file or not to file separately.
Are you ready? Okay.
If you are married, you can elect to file separately at the end of the year.
What are the disadvantages of filing separately?
There’s a lot:
Unfavorable tax rates
You lose various credits
You lose education benefits
Greater chances that your social security will be taxable
IRA’s deductions and contributions phases out at $10,000 of your income
And lastly, your rental losses will be limited to $12,500
So with these disadvantages,
you might be thinking, why do people file separately?
Two reasons: Number one: you might pay less tax by filing separately.
For example, if your spouse has medical expenses or employee unreimbursed expenses,
you might pay less, since these deductions will be limited by the income of your spouse.
Number two: And this is a big one! No joint liability!
If you sign a joint return, you and your spouse is responsible for the payment of the tax.
If you file separately, then you are not responsible for reporting or paying taxes on items related to your spouse.
There you have it.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com
Last Updated by Tax on 2016-02-19 03:02:53 PM
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Guess what? It’s that time of the year again. Nope, I’m not talking about Christmas. I’m talking about one of your favorite things to do: filing your taxes.
Hello, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com.
Today, you will learn three tips to start your tax filing season. Are you ready?
Number 1. Check whether your kids need to file a 2015 tax return. They'll need to file if wages exceeded $6,300, net business income was over $400, and if interest or dividend exceeded $1,050. However, when income includes both wages and investment income, other thresholds apply.
Number 2. Consider whether you'll contribute to a Roth or traditional IRA. Since you have until April 18 to make a 2015 contribution, you can schedule an amount to set aside from each paycheck for the next few months. The maximum contribution for 2015 is the lesser of your earned income or $5,500 ($6,500 when you're age 50 or older). When funding the IRAs make sure you indicate that this is for the 2015 tax year.
Number 3. Do you need to file a gift tax return?
For 2015, you may need to file a return if you gave gifts totaling $14,000 to someone other than your spouse. Some gifts, such as direct payments of medical bills or tuition, are not subject to gift tax. They are due at the same time as your federal income tax return. There you have it. So just make sure you keep in mind these three tips once you start filing your taxes.
If you like to learn more, click the link lowermytaxnow.com and sign-in to receive my weekly blog.
Until then, this is Noel Dalmacio, your ultimate CPA at lowermytaxnow.com
Last Updated by Tax on 2016-02-03 04:33:23 PM
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A tax-deferred exchange is a tax planning technique which should be considered by any taxpayer that is relocating or disposing of property. Often referred to as a "tax-free exchange," the tax-deferred exchange allows you to exchange certain business or investment property for other "like-kind" business or investment property and pay no income taxes currently. Your tax liability is deferred until you later dispose of the property for which you traded. Exchanges require careful planning and professional assistance.
Last Updated by Tax on 2015-08-05 12:13:47 PM
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The IRS website contains useful information on how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, plus steps to take if you do become a victim.
Here are the warning signs that you may have had your identity stolen:
-
The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed using your social security number.
-
You're notified that you owe additional tax or you've had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
-
IRS records indicate you received wages from an employer unknown to you.
If you become a victim, the IRS recommends that you take the following steps:
-
File a police report.
-
File a complaint with the FTC.
-
Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your account.
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Close any financial accounts opened without your permission.
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Respond immediately to any IRS notice, according to the instructions given.
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Complete IRS Form 14039 "Identity Theft Affidavit."
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Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if by paper.
Last Updated by Tax on 2015-07-01 01:21:12 PM
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Are mutual funds part of your portfolio? As you begin your mid-summer investment review in preparation for year-end, think about how your funds can affect your federal income taxes.
Here are two things to consider.
Dividend income. The dividends you receive from mutual funds held in nonretirement accounts are included in the calculation of net investment income. When your 2015 modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 ($200,000 when you're single), a portion of your net investment income will be taxed at a rate of 3.8% over and above your ordinary tax liability.
Planning tip. The tax form the mutual fund company sends you at the beginning of 2016 may classify some dividends as "qualified" – meaning they meet the requirements for a lower tax rate. However, you have to own the mutual fund shares for more than 60 days to get the lower rate on your federal return.
Capital gains. Mutual funds generally distribute short-term and long-term capital gains from in-fund sales to shareholders. Even if you reinvest the distributions in additional shares instead of opting for cash, the gain remains taxable to you.
Short-term distributions, for sales of fund investments held one year or less, are taxable at your ordinary income tax rate. The tax rate for long-term capital gains may be as high as 20%, depending on your adjusted gross income.
You might also have a capital gain or loss when you sell shares of a mutual fund. That's true even if you "exchange" one fund for another and receive no proceeds.
Planning tip. You have options for calculating the cost of mutual fund shares you sell during the year. Remember to include reinvested distributions in your basis.
Please call for more information. We're happy to help you manage your investments with an eye toward tax savings.
Last Updated by Tax on 2015-06-24 10:34:01 AM
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Don't ignore your opportunity to save on taxes just because it's summertime. Here are some summertime tips to keep your tax plans going.
If you are a sole proprietor with children, you might consider putting them on the payroll during the summer months. Wages paid to your children under age 18 are not subject to social security and Medicare taxes. What's more, their earnings are not subject to federal unemployment tax until they turn 21.
If employing your children is not an option, you might still be able to score a deduction by sending them to summer camp. Day camp expenses for kids under 13 can provide a tax credit of up to 35%. Just remember, overnight camps do not qualify, and child-care must be necessary to allow the parents to work.
Summer is also a common time for home selling and moving, so be on the lookout for deductions related to these activities. Carefully file away all home sale or purchase papers for next year's tax filing. If your move is job-related, there is the potential for additional deductions if you meet the 50 miles or more test.
Perhaps your sights are set instead on some leisure travel. Tacking on a few fun days before or after a business trip might be a tax (and cost) efficient way to pay for a vacation – if you follow all the rules. Travel that is primarily for charitable work might also qualify you for a tax deduction.
And finally, no matter what your summer plans are, this is always a good time for a general tax check-up to ensure your withholdings and estimated tax payments are on target. For assistance with any of these issues, contact our office.
Last Updated by Tax on 2015-06-17 10:40:14 AM
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Are you considering withdrawing funds from your traditional IRA to pay unexpected medical costs?
You may be hesitating because of the 10% penalty imposed on withdrawals made when you're under age 59½. Since the 10% is calculated on the total you withdraw, the tax hit could be substantial. Worse, the penalty typically is not withheld from the cash you receive, so you'll need to come up with the money when you file your tax return.
Fortunately, in some situations you can take penalty-free withdrawals from your IRA for medical expenses.
One example is the medical insurance exception, which applies if you lost your job and have received unemployment compensation for 12 consecutive weeks. IRA withdrawals used to pay medical insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents aren't subject to the 10% penalty, as long as you take the distributions in the year you receive unemployment (or the year after).
This exception may also be available if you were self-employed and are unable to collect unemployment benefits.
Another exception: You can take penalty-free withdrawals when you incur unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 10% of your gross income. For instance, say your 2014 gross income is $40,000 and your total unreimbursed deductible medical expenses are $5,000. To determine the penalty-free withdrawal amount of $1,000, multiply $40,000 by 10%, then subtract the result ($4,000) from $5,000.
You don't have to itemize your deductions to qualify for this exception.
In addition, the penalty does not apply when early IRA withdrawals are due to a permanent, total disability.
For more information about the requirements for these and other exceptions to the 10% early withdrawal penalty, please contact us.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-02-26 10:33:00 AM
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Every week reporters publish stories about companies that have lost thousands, even millions of dollars because of fraud. They recount the dreadful details of business owners who learned – too late – that a lack of basic controls left their companies vulnerable to pilferage, embezzlement, and other types of misappropriation.
How do these lessons apply to small businesses? After all, small firms generally can't afford to hire internal auditors or set up separate divisions to break up incompatible duties. While it's true that a small company can't always protect itself in ways larger firms might, management can establish controls in certain high-risk areas, such as the following:
Cash disbursements. If at all possible, the owner/manager should sign checks. This control has a dual purpose: management sees how the company is spending its money, and the cash disbursement function is kept separate from bookkeeping or accounting. If the same person signs checks and enters disbursement transactions in the accounting records, embezzlement is harder to prevent. Requiring two signatures on checks above a certain amount also provides greater control.
Customer collections. Consider having the owner/manager open the mail, especially if customer collections are a regular part of your business. Alternatively, you might ask someone separate from the accounting function to open the mail and prepare the deposit slip. Of course, the practice of making daily deposits is also a good control.
Personnel practices. By taking care to perform background checks before hiring key employees, especially those who will be handling cash or other high-risk assets, you can prevent problems later on. Of course, financial pressures, addictions, and other factors can corrupt even good employees. That's why managers might consider discreetly monitoring employee lifestyles (without invading anyone's privacy, of course). An observant manager might note that certain lower-level employees are living well beyond their means, or that warehouse staff are carrying off company materials to remodel personal residences.
Perhaps a small business's greatest control is the "tone at the top." If management sets a high standard, employees generally follow. However, if a manager is perceived as lax – for example, he or she doesn't respond quickly when evidence of misappropriation surfaces – employees might conclude that theft isn't such a big deal.
Remember this: A company that fails to establish minimum controls is providing a golden opportunity for fraud. If you'd like help reviewing your firm's controls, give us a call.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-02-19 01:00:09 PM
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Small businesses may be missing out on an important new tax perk related to health insurance. And the stakes are even higher in 2014.
The Affordable Care Act provides a tax incentive for small business owners who pay at least a portion of their employees' health insurance. This year as much as 50% (up from 35% in 2013) of the employer's cost for worker health care premiums can be deducted as a tax credit. That's a dollar-for-dollar reduction in your 2014 tax bill. But as with most tax deals, you must meet certain requirements to qualify.
First, you must employ fewer than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. A half-time employee would count as a .5 FTE, so you must consider all workers in your calculation. The fewer FTE employees you have, the higher the tax credit percentage.
Second, the average annual wages of your employees must be less than $50,000. To make the calculation, you would take your total wages and divide by the FTE number you figured above. In most cases the owner's salary is not included in the formula.
Finally, the business owner must contribute at least 50% of the total cost for single coverage. Family coverage is not factored in. The policy must also be purchased through the Small Business Health Options Program, or SHOP to be eligible for the credit.
A few more wrinkles: if a business doesn't owe tax for the current year, they can apply the credit to past or future years. In addition, the excess of the employer's actual cost of health insurance over and above the credit received can still be deducted as a business expense. And the new rules also mean that small nonprofit organizations can receive a tax credit of up to 35% of their health insurance costs if they meet the above requirements.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-02-12 10:22:52 AM
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If you do any of the following, you will need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS:
If you operate your business as a corporation or partnership.
If you file reports for employment taxes, excise tax, or alcohol, tobacco and firearms.
If you have even one employee.
If you have a self-employed retirement plan.
If you operate as any of several other organizations.
Acquiring an EIN is very quick and simple. You do not need to complete the Form SS-4 unless you prefer to. Go to www.irs.gov. Once there, use the search box and type in EIN online. You will be taken to the page that allows you to answer questions online and you will get your EIN upon validation of your answers. You will be able to download and print your confirmation notice.
If you need assistance, please contact our office. We are here to help you.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-02-06 11:44:05 AM
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Your children may need to file a 2013 income tax return. A return is needed if wages exceeded $6,100, the child had self-employment income over $400, or investment income exceeded $1,000. If the child had both wages and investment income, other thresholds apply. Contact us for more information or filing assistance.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-01-15 11:08:43 AM
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Nearly every company, large or small, has to file Form 1099-MISC with the IRS and send a copy to recipients by January 31, 2014.
You use Form 1099-MISC to report miscellaneous payments to nonemployees. This includes fees for services paid to independent contractors, such as consultants, lawyers, cleaning services, and others. Generally, you don't report fees paid to corporations, but there are exceptions (payments to lawyers, for example).
For details or filing assistance, contact our office.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-01-08 12:06:20 PM
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Form 1099-K is a new information return sent to businesses by "payment settlement entities" reporting the amount of credit card and other electronic receipts that were processed for the business. The IRS also receives a copy of Form 1099-K and cross checks the reported amounts with the business's total income reported on its tax return. Where the numbers don't seem to make sense, the IRS sends notices to businesses telling them they "may have underreported gross receipts." Notices go on to say "This is based on your tax return and Form(s) 1099-K, Payment/Merchant Cards and Third Party Network Transactions that show an unusually high portion of receipts from card payments."
The IRS has sent thousands of letters labeled "Notification of Possible Income Underreporting" to small business owners. The notification project is ongoing as part of the IRS's campaign to deal with the "tax gap," the difference between taxes owed and taxes actually collected.
If you receive a notice, contact us immediately so that we can determine what response is required.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-01-02 01:49:30 PM
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Thieves and con artists thrive during the holidays. All that good cheer, all those weary and distracted shoppers, all that money being spent - it's a fraudster's paradise. Here are a few tips to keep the bad guys at bay, whether you're shopping online or at your local mall.
- Stick with reputable merchants. During the holidays, your e-mail in-box may be filled with unsolicited messages urging you to "click here." Don't. Scammers set up websites that mimic legitimate stores. Their sole purpose is to extract personal information from unwary consumers. If you don't know the merchant, either type in the web address yourself or, better yet, shop elsewhere.
- Take care with charities. Of course, many legitimate church groups and nonprofit organizations engage in fund-raising activities during the holidays. If you're confident that the group is above-board, go ahead and donate. But if you catch a whiff that something's not quite right - the solicitor is too pushy or the guy at your front door evades reasonable questions about the organization - hold on to your money.
- Be attentive at the mall. Thieves love to lurk in and around shopping malls. So be aware. Take only the cash and credit cards you need to make purchases. Don't be fooled by someone selling $10 Rolex watches or $50 Armani suits. Some crooks even hang out in store parking lots stalking potential targets. In one scam, a thief will approach a woman in a parked car and inform her that the vehicle is damaged. When she gets out to check, the thief's partner absconds with the lady's purse. If an activity or person seems suspicious, call 911 or mall security.
- Be on guard with gift cards. These little pieces of plastic can be great stocking stuffers, but they're also prime targets for crooks. Scammers have been known to copy numbers from gift cards hanging in store displays. They then call a toll-free number to learn when the card is activated and use the card number to make purchases. One way to avoid this is to buy from retailers who keep gift cards behind the checkout register.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-12-19 09:02:34 AM
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Now
that the holiday season has arrived, you might decide to step up your
charitable donations to boost your deductions for 2013. Here are six timely
strategies.
1.
Audit-proof your claims. The IRS imposes strict substantiation rules for
charitable donations. In fact, you're required to keep records for all monetary
contributions, no matter how small. The best approach is to obtain written
documentation for every donation.
2.
Charge it. The deductible amount for 2013 includes charitable gifts charged by
credit card before the end of the year. This covers online
contributions using a credit card account. So you can claim a current deduction
for donations made as late as December 31.
3.
Give away appreciated stock. Generally, you can deduct the fair market value
(FMV) of capital gain property owned longer than one year. For instance, if you
acquired stock ten years ago for $1,000 and it's now worth $5,000, you can
deduct the full $5,000. The appreciation in value isn't taxed.
4.
Sell depreciated stock. Conversely, it usually doesn't make sense to donate
stock that has declined in value, because you won't receive any tax benefit for
the loss. Instead, you might sell the stock and donate the proceeds. This
entitles you to a capital loss on your 2013 return plus the charitable
deduction.
5.
Clean out the storage space. The tax law permits you to deduct charitable gifts
of used clothing and household goods that are still in "good used
condition or better." Don't be so quick to discard items that can be
donated to charity.
6.
Donate a car. The deduction for a donated vehicle valued above $500 is
generally limited to its resale amount. However, if the charity uses the
vehicle for its tax-exempt purposes, you may be able to deduct its fair market
value.
Call
us for more details on the tax rules governing charitable contributions.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-12-12 02:32:27 PM
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There's
not much time left for you to make beneficial tax moves for 2013. Consider
these possibilities.
*
Maximize retirement plan contributions. For 2013, you can put $17,500 in a
401(k) plan, $12,000 in a SIMPLE, or $5,500 in an IRA. If you're 50 or older,
you can set aside even more as "catch-up" contributions.
*
Decide whether to sell investments to offset gains or losses already taken this
year. You can deduct $3,000 of net losses against ordinary income.
*
Estimate your tax liability for 2013, taking the new Medicare tax increases for
higher-income taxpayers into account. If you'll be underpaid, adjust your final
quarterly tax payment or your December withholding.
*
December 31 is the deadline for taking a 2013 required minimum distribution
from your traditional IRA if you're 70½ or older. Miss this requirement and a
50% penalty could apply.
*
Purchase needed business equipment to use the first-year $500,000 expensing
option for new and used equipment and 50% bonus depreciation for new equipment.
*
Make energy-saving home improvements that could qualify for a lifetime tax
credit of up to $500.
*
Finalize annual gifts to use the 2013 exclusion from gift tax on gifts of up to
$14,000 per recipient.
Contact
our office for details on these and other year-end tax moves.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-12-04 12:56:07 PM
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Some tax-cutting strategies make good financial sense. Other
tax strategies are simply bad ideas, often because tax considerations are
allowed to override basic economics.
Here's one example of the tax tail wagging the economic dog.
Let's say that you run an unincorporated consulting business. You want some
additional tax write-offs, so you decide to buy $10,000 of office furniture
that you don't really need. If you're in the 28% tax bracket and you deduct the
entire cost, this purchase will trim your tax bill by $2,800 (28% of $10,000).
But even after the tax break, you'll still be out of pocket $7,200 ($10,000
minus $2,800) - and stuck with furniture that you don't really need.
There are other situations in which people often focus on
tax considerations and ignore the bigger financial picture. For example:
* Someone increases the size of a home mortgage, solely to
get a larger tax deduction for mortgage interest.
* A homeowner hesitates to pay off a mortgage, just to keep
the interest deduction.
* Someone turns down extra income, because it might
"push them into a higher tax bracket."
* An investor holds an appreciated asset indefinitely,
solely to avoid paying the capital gains tax.
Tax-cutting strategies are usually part of a bigger
financial picture. If you are planning any tax-related moves, we can help make
sure that everything stays in focus. For assistance, give us a call.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-11-27 01:00:31 PM
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Are you familiar with PEP and Pease? Though they sound like
a pop duo, the terms refer to tax rules known as phase-outs that can impact how
much federal income tax you owe.
Phase-outs are reductions in the amount of deductions,
credits, and other breaks you can claim on your tax return. Though generally
based on adjusted gross income, phase-outs vary in rate, amount, and how
they're calculated.
Here's an overview of PEP and Pease, two tax breaks that are
once again subject to phase-out this year.
* Personal exemption phase-out (PEP). If you're married
filing jointly for 2013 and your income exceeds $300,000, the PEP will reduce
the amount you claim for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.
The personal exemption for 2013 is $3,900. But when PEP
applies and your income increases, your deduction is reduced accordingly.
* Itemized deduction phase-out. You probably already know
that some itemized deductions are limited. For instance, to claim a deduction
for medical expenses, your out-of-pocket costs for this year have to exceed 10%
of adjusted gross income (AGI). This threshold remains at 7.5% of AGI if you
are 65 or older. Miscellaneous itemized deductions, such as unreimbursed
employee business expenses, are limited to amounts over 2% of AGI.
* There's also an additional phase-out called the Pease
provision that limits the amount of total itemized deductions - after the above
reductions. For 2013, Pease kicks in when your income exceeds $300,000
($150,000 if you're married filing separately).
Other phase-outs limit the amount and deductibility of IRA
contributions; the education, adoption, and childcare credits; and the
alternative minimum tax exemption. Please call for a review of how phase-outs
affect you and what you might be able to do to avoid them.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-11-20 03:57:34 PM
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As the population in the U.S. continues to age, more and
more people will find themselves caring for their parents. Here are some of the
tax breaks that caregivers should consider.
* If you provide more than half of your parent's support,
you may be able to claim your parent as a dependent on your tax return. To be
eligible, your parent can't earn more than $3,900 in 2013, excluding their
nontaxable social security and disability income.
* What if you and your siblings all pitch in to support a
parent? Anyone who contributes at least 10% of the total support can be the one
to claim the $3,900 exemption if all of you sign a multiple support agreement.
* Even if a parent's income exceeds $3,900 this year, you
can still deduct the medical expenses paid on the parent's behalf, as long as
you provide more than half of his or her support.
* If you hire someone to take care of your parent while you
work, you might qualify for the dependent care tax credit. Your parent must be
physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself.
* Unmarried individuals who support a parent can file their
tax returns as "head of household." To qualify, your parent doesn't
need to live with you. Instead, as long as you pay more than half of the cost
of maintaining your parent's main home, including a rest home or nursing
facility, you qualify for this preferential tax treatment.
For more information about the tax issues affecting
caregivers and their parents, please give us a call.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-11-13 10:18:21 AM
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The government closure came during the peak period for
preparing IRS systems for the 2014 filing season. Updating these core systems
is a complex, year-round process with the majority of the work beginning in the
fall of each year.
There are additional training, programming, and testing
demands on the IRS this year as the agency works to prevent refund fraud and
identity theft.
The IRS is exploring options to shorten the delay and will
announce a final decision on the start of the 2014 filing season in December.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-11-07 12:37:38 PM
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Want to lower your 2013 tax bill? The time for action is
running out, so consider these tax-savers now.
* You can choose to deduct sales taxes instead of local and
state income taxes. If you're planning big ticket purchases (like a car or a
boat), buy before year-end to beef up your deductible amount of sales tax.
* If you're a teacher, don't overlook the deduction for up
to $250 for classroom supplies you purchase in 2013.
* Consider prepaying college tuition you'll owe for the
first semester of 2014. This year you can deduct up to $4,000 for higher
education expenses. Income limits apply.
* Max out your retirement plan contributions. You can set
aside $5,500 in an IRA ($6,500 if you're 50 or older), $12,000 in a SIMPLE
($14,500 if you're 50 or older), or $17,500 in a 401(k) plan ($23,000 if you're
50 or older).
* Establish a pension plan for your small business. You may
qualify for a tax credit of up to $500 in each of the plan's first three years.
* Need equipment for your business? Buy and place it in
service by year-end to qualify for up to $500,000 of first-year expensing or
50% bonus depreciation.
* Review your investments and make your year-end sell
decisions, whether to rebalance your portfolio at the lowest tax cost or to
offset gains and losses.
* If you're charity-minded, consider giving appreciated
stock that you've owned for over a year. You can generally deduct the fair
market value and pay no capital gains tax on the appreciation.
* Another charitable possibility for those over 70½: Make a
direct donation of up to $100,000 from your IRA to a charity. The donation
counts as part of your required minimum distribution but isn't included in your
taxable income.
* Install energy-saving improvements (such as insulation,
doors, and windows) in your home, and you might qualify for a tax credit of up
to $500.
These possibilities for cutting your taxes are just the
starting point. Contact us now for a review of your 2013 tax situation and
tax-saving suggestions that will work best in your individual circumstances.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-10-30 10:41:20 AM
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Employees often have too much of their employer's company
stock in their 401(k) or other retirement plan. Employees feel they know their
company best, overlooking the risks of having too much of an investment in any
one company, including their own.
What are some of the risks of loading up on your employer's
stock?
* Tremendous bet in a "safe haven." Overweighting
investment holdings in any company minimizes diversification, exposing your
portfolio to increased risk. The belief that employer shares are less risky is
an illusion.
* Double whammy potential. No company is protected from
economic downturns. If your employer's performance weakens, you may lose your
job, as well as growth in your retirement portfolio from the company's market
value.
* Lock-up periods. Some companies prohibit employees from
converting the employer retirement match contributions in company stock into
other investments until after a number of years. In this case, use your own
contributions to diversify your holdings.
* Tendency to forget. As you move closer to retirement, you
may forget the riskiness of your employer's stock to your portfolio. At the
same time, contributions of company stock may be growing, based on higher
benefit matches - just when portfolio reallocation is becoming more important.
Your goal should be to create a well-balanced portfolio that
suits your age (investment horizon) and your risk tolerance. Call us for
assistance in reviewing your retirement situation.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-10-23 12:06:37 PM
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For federal tax purposes, the determination of
"business" or "hobby" is a matter of deduction. If your new
venture is considered a business, you can deduct losses against other income.
However, when the activity is classified as a hobby, the
"hobby loss" rules limit the amount you can write off. Expenses you
incur might be deductible only if you itemize - or they might even be nondeductible.
The distinction affects the amount of tax you owe. So how
can you prove you're trying to run a money-making business despite several
years of losses?
One test you're probably familiar with is the general rule
of earning a profit in three of the past five years. If your business has more
income than deductions in three of five consecutive taxable years, the IRS
generally accepts that you have a profit motive. (The time frame is two years
in seven for certain horse-related activities.)
Unable to meet that test? Additional factors play a role as
well. For instance, the Tax Court agreed that a volleyball consulting service
with multiple loss years qualified as a business, in part because of a
businesslike manner of operation. Among other items, the Court mentioned the
maintenance of a separate bank account and accurate records as support for a
profit motive.
Positive indicators of your profit-making intentions also
include your expertise in the activity, the time and effort you put into your
new business, and your success in other ventures.
If you'd like a complete list of the IRS "business vs.
hobby" criteria, please contact us. We'll be happy to review the
guidelines with you.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-10-17 03:22:14 PM
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It's massive, and it's complicated. At more than 2,400 pages, the Affordable Care Act (ACA for short) has
left businesses and individuals confused about what the law contains and how it
affects them.
The aim of the law is to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans. To reach that goal, the law requires large companies to provide health insurance for their employees starting in 2015, and uninsured individuals must get their own health insurance starting in 2014. Those who
fail to do so face penalties.
Insurance companies must also deal with new requirements. For example, they cannot refuse coverage due to pre-existing conditions, preventive services must be covered with no out-of-pocket costs, young adults can stay on parents' policies through age 26, and lifetime dollar limits on health benefits are not permitted.
The law mandates health insurance coverage, but not every business or individual will be affected by this requirement. Here's an overview of who will be affected.
FOR BUSINESSES - It's all in the numbers
Fewer than 50 employees
* Companies with fewer than 50 employees are encouraged to provide insurance for their employees, but there are no penalties for failing to do so. A special marketplace will be available for businesses with 50 or fewer employees, allowing them to buy health insurance through the Small Business
Health Options Program (SHOP).
Fewer than 25 employees
* Small companies that pay at least 50% of the health insurance premiums for their employees may be eligible for a tax credit for as much as 35% of the cost of the premiums. To qualify, the business must employ fewer than 25 full-time people with average wages of less than $50,000. For 2014, the maximum
credit increases to 50% of the premiums the company pays, though to qualify for the credit, the insurance must be purchased through SHOP.
50 or more employees
For companies with 50 or more full-time employees, the requirement to provide "affordable, minimum essential coverage" to employees has been delayed for one year and is not required until 2015. Originally, employers had been required to file information returns that reported details about the health
insurance they provided, with penalties to apply if the insurance did not meet standards. Companies complained that they needed more time to meet the reporting obligations, and in response the IRS made the reporting requirement optional for 2014. Without the reporting, the IRS could not determine
penalties, so the penalties also were postponed for a year.
Bottom line: the IRS is encouraging companies to comply in 2014 even though there are no penalties for
failure to do so.
The business play or pay penalty
Starting in 2015, companies with 50 or more employees that don't offer minimum essential health insurance face an annual penalty of $2,000 times the number of full-time employees over a 30-employee threshold. If the insurance that is offered is considered unaffordable (it exceeds 9.5% of family income), the company may be assessed a $3,000 per-employee penalty. These penalties apply only if one or more of the company's employees buy insurance from an exchange and qualify for a federal credit to offset the cost of the premiums.
FOR INDIVIDUALS - It's all about coverage
Currently,attention is focused on the health insurance exchanges or (Marketplace) that opened for business on October 1. Confusion about the Affordable Care Act has left many people thinking everyone has to deal with the exchanges. The fact is that if you are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or an employer-provided plan, you don't need to do anything.
Also, if you buy your health insurance on your own and are happy with your plan, you can keep your coverage. However, the only way to get any premium-lowering tax credits based on your income is to buy a plan through the Marketplace.
The exchanges(Marketplace
Each state will either develop an insurance exchange (Marketplace) or use one provided by the federal government. The Marketplace will allow those seeking coverage to comparison shop for health plans from private insurance companies.
There will be four types of insurance plans to choose from: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The more expensive the plan, the greater the portion of medical costs that will be covered. The price of each plan will depend on several factors including your age, whether you smoke, and where you live.
Many individuals will qualify for federal tax credits which will reduce the premiums they actually pay. Each states Marketplace will have a calculator to assist individuals in determining the amount, if any, of their federal tax credit.
The individual play or pay penalty
If you're one of the 45 million or so Americans without health insurance, you will need to get coverage for 2014 or pay a penalty of $95 or 1% of your income, whichever is greater. Low-income individuals may qualify for subsidies and/or tax credits to help pay the cost of insurance.
The penalty increases to $325 or 2% of income for 2015 and to $695 or 2.5% of income for 2016. For 2017 and later years, the penalty is inflation-adjusted. Those who choose not to be insured and to pay the penalty instead will still be liable for 100% of their medical bills.
NOTE: If you will be shopping for health insurance on the Marketplace, be aware that there's no need to rush to enroll; the enrollment period runs from October 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014. Take the time
you need to review your options and select what's best for you and your family.
MORE ABOUT THE LAW AND YOUR TAXES
In addition to the penalties required by the Affordable
Care Act, the law made other tax changes that could affect you. Among them are the following:
Annual contributions to flexible spending accounts are limited to $2,500 (indexed for inflation).
The 7.5% adjusted gross income threshold for deducting unreimbursed medical expenses increases to 10% for those under age 65. Those 65 and older can use the 7.5% threshold through 2016.
The additional tax on nonqualified distributions from health savings accounts (HSAs) is 20%, an increase from the previous 10% penalty.
The payroll Medicare tax increases from 1.45% of wages and self-employment income to 2.35% on amounts above $200,000 earned by individuals and above $250,000 earned by married couples filing joint returns. This rate increase applies only to the employee portion, not to the employer portion.
A 3.8% Medicare surtax is imposed on unearned income (examples: interest, dividends, capital gains) for
single taxpayers with income over $200,000 and married couples with income over $250,000.
The Affordable Care Act may be one of the most complicated and confusing laws ever passed, but one thing is very clear: the law will affect the taxes of most Americans. In order to manage your tax
bill, you will have to factor the new health care rules into your overall personal and business tax planning. For guidance, contact our office.
To begin checking out your state's exchange (Marketplace), start at www.healthcare.gov - the federal government�???�??�?�¢??s website on the Affordable
Care Act.
NOTE: This Memo is intended to provide you with an informative summary of the tax issues connected with the Affordable Care Act. This massive package of legislation contains varying effective dates, definitions,limitations, and exceptions that cannot be summarized easily. For details and guidance in applying the tax provisions of this law to your situation, seek
professional assistance.
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Last Updated by Tax on 2013-10-09 11:57:56 AM
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·
You should continue to file and pay taxes as normal. Individuals who
filed a personal tax return extension should file their returns by Oct. 15,
2013.
·
All other tax deadlines including the payroll tax deadlines remain
in effect, including those covering individuals and businesses.
·
You can electronically or paper file your tax return. However,
paper filing will be delayed until they resume operations. Enclosed payments with
paper tax returns will still be accepted by the IRS.
·
Tax refunds will NOT be issued until government operations
resume.
·
Only automated toll-free telephone applications will remain
operational.
·
Taxpayer can obtain a tax transcript via mail during the shutdown by
using the automated tools at irs.gov.
·
Taxpayers with audits, collection, Appeals or Taxpayer Advocate cases
should assume their meetings are cancelled. IRS assigned to the case will
reschedule those meetings after normal operations resume.
·
Tax software companies, tax practitioners and Free File will
remain available to assist with taxes
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-10-08 12:49:39 PM
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The health care reform law passed in 2010 included a
provision that would require employers of 50 or more full-time employees to
provide affordable health insurance to their workers or face steep penalties.
That provision was scheduled to take effect January 1, 2014.
The Treasury Department has announced that the effective
date of this provision will be postponed for one year. The mandatory employer
and insurer reporting requirements and any penalties connected with them will
be delayed in order to allow more time for companies to adapt to meet the
requirements.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-10-02 12:31:09 PM
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In a "2013 Summertime Tax Tip," the IRS reminded
taxpayers about the current rules on home sales. Here's a quick review of those
rules.
Tax Free Home Sale
The tax law allows the majority of taxpayers who sell their
homes to enjoy 100% tax-free profit from the sale.
If you have owned and used your home as your principal
residence for at least two of the five years preceding the sale, you may
exclude from income tax up to $250,000 of profit if you're single or up to
$500,000 if you're married filing jointly. Generally, the exclusion may be used
only once every two years.
The law provides that married individuals may exclude up to
$500,000 of profits if:
* either spouse owned the home for at least two of the five
years before the sale,
* both spouses used the home as a principal residence for at
least two of the five years before the sale, and
* neither spouse is ineligible for the exclusion because of
the once-every-two-year limit. If one spouse cannot use the exclusion because
of the once-every-two-year rule, the other spouse may still claim the exclusion
if he or she qualifies. However, the exclusion then cannot exceed $250,000.
Meet the Requirements
The law does contain some relief for those taxpayers who
cannot meet the ownership and use rules or who have already excluded gain on a
home sale within the two-year limit. If the failure to meet either rule is due
to a job change, health problems, or certain other unforeseen circumstances, a
partial exclusion may be available. The partial exclusion is calculated based
on the fraction of the two years that the requirements were met.
The IRS reminds homeowners that if all the gain in their
home sale is excludable under the rules above, they probably don't need to
report the sale on their tax return. Only one home sale per two-year period can
be excluded, and only a taxpayer's main home qualifies for an exclusion. If a
taxpayer has two homes and lives in both of them, the main home is usually the
one lived in most of the time.
If you have questions about the tax consequences of your
home sale, contact our office.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-09-25 12:16:28 PM
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For instance, though you probably know the initial borrowing
has no federal income tax effect, you might be wondering whether the interest
you pay will be deductible. In general, the answer is no. That's true even when
you use 401(k) loan proceeds for your home.
Ordinary loan repayments are not taxable events either. That
is, you don't have to pick up the interest you repay into your account as
taxable income. And, though you're increasing your 401(k) account with the
principal portion of each payment, that amount is not considered a
contribution. You can still make pre-tax contributions up to the annual limit
($17,500 for a traditional 401(k) during 2013, plus an additional $5,500 when
you're age 50 or older).
What if you default on the 401(k) loan? The balance of your
loan is considered a distribution to you, and you'll have to report it as
ordinary income on your federal tax return. In addition, when you're under age
59½, a 10% early-withdrawal penalty typically applies.
Being both a 401(k) borrower and a lender can lead to tax
surprises. Give us a call to make sure you have the whole story before you
arrange a 401(k) loan.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-09-18 12:26:43 PM
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It turns out you can go back after all - at least when it
comes to last year's decision to convert your traditional IRA to a Roth. The
question is, do you want to?
You might, if your circumstances have changed. For example,
say the value of the assets in your new Roth account is currently less than
when you made the conversion. Changing your mind could save tax dollars.
Recharacterizing your Roth conversion lets you go back in
time, as if the conversion never happened. You'll have to act soon, though,
because the window for undoing a 2012 Roth conversion closes October 15, 2013.
Before that date, you have the opportunity to undo all or
part of last year's conversion. After October 15, you can change your mind once
more and put the money back in a Roth. That might be a good choice when you're
recharacterizing because of a reduction in the value of the account. Just
remember you'll have to wait at least 30 days to convert again.
Give us a call for information on Roth recharacterization
rules. We'll help you figure out if going back is a good idea.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-09-12 10:05:02 AM
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Review your tax deductions for 2013 while there's still time
to manage them for a lower tax bill this year. The standard deduction for 2013
is $12,200 for married couples filing a joint return and $6,100 for single
taxpayers. If your deductions are close to the threshold, consider accelerating
deductible expenses. For example, you can add sales tax paid on a new vehicle
to the IRS standard amount when claiming the itemized deduction for state and
local sales tax.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-09-04 02:59:36 PM
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If you're one of the millions of taxpayers who've moved
recently, don't forget to notify the IRS of your address change. Use "Form
8822, Change of Address," or send written notification to the IRS center
where you file your return. Include your full name, old and new addresses,
social security number, and signature. If you filed a joint return, include
this information for both taxpayers. Keeping the IRS informed of your current
address will ensure that you receive notices and refunds without delay.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-08-28 12:21:18 PM
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Last Updated by Tax on 2013-08-21 12:10:25 PM
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Three important birthdays affect your retirement plan:
* At age 50, you can make extra "catch-up"
contributions to your IRA and 401(k) savings. For 2013, these are $1,000 and
$5,500, respectively.
* After age 59½, you're eligible to make penalty-free
withdrawals from your IRAs.
* Beginning no later than the year after you reach age 70½,
you're required to take minimum distributions from your traditional IRAs each
year.
Need more details? Contact our office.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-08-14 12:05:39 PM
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If you lost the benefit of a tax credit or other tax break
on your 2012 tax return, start now to review how your 2013 income could affect
tax credits this year. If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is too high to use
certain tax breaks, consider switching investments to reduce your AGI. Consider
replacing accounts earning taxable interest with tax-free investments. Invest
in tax-efficient mutual funds instead of funds that usually distribute large
capital gains.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-08-07 12:25:24 PM
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Whether you're a stock market bull or bear, you have
investment expenses - and you may be wondering if they're deductible on your
federal income tax return.
Here's a quick review.
* What are investment expenses? Investment expenses
are amounts you pay to produce or collect taxable income, or to manage,
conserve, or maintain your investments.
Professional investment advice or financial newspaper
subscriptions are examples of deductible items, as is safe deposit box rent
when you use the box to store investment papers. You can also claim fees you
incur for replacing stock certificates.
* How much is deductible? Investment expenses are
miscellaneous itemized deductions, meaning your total costs generally have to
be greater than 2% of your adjusted gross income before you benefit. Other
limits may also apply.
* What isn't deductible? Some investment costs, such
as broker's commissions for buying and selling stocks, are considered part of
your basis and affect your gain or loss when you sell the investment instead of
being currently deductible.
Travel and fees you pay to attend seminars,
conventions, or other meetings - including stockholder meetings - are not
deductible, nor are expenses related to tax-exempt income.
Other rules govern certain costs related to your
investments, such as interest paid on money you borrow to buy stocks.
Please give us a call to discuss investment-related
expenses. We'll be happy to help you get the greatest benefit.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-07-31 12:12:20 PM
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Planning to change employers this year? As you look forward
to starting your new job, you're probably not thinking about taxes. But actions
you take now can have an impact next April - and beyond.
Here are three tax-smart tips:
* Roll your retirement plan. You may be tempted to cash out
the balance in your employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k). But remember
that distributions from these plans are generally taxable.
Instead, ask your plan administrator to make a direct
rollover to your IRA or another qualified plan. If you're under age 59½, this
decision also avoids the additional 10% penalty on early distributions. Bonus:
Your retirement money will continue to grow tax-deferred.
* Adjust your withholding. Assess your overall tax situation
before you complete Form W-4 for your new employer. Did you receive severance
pay, unemployment compensation, or other taxable income? You might need to
increase your withholding to avoid an unexpected tax bill when you file your
return.
* Keep track of your job-related expenses. Unreimbursed
employment agency fees, résumé preparation costs, and certain travel expenses
can be claimed as itemized deductions.
Are you moving at least 50 miles to your new job? You may be
able to reduce your income even if you don't itemize. Eligible moving expenses
are an above-the-line deduction.
More tax issues to consider when you change jobs include
stock options, employment-related educational expenses, and the sale of your
home. Give us a call. We'll be happy to help you implement tax-saving
strategies.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-07-17 12:12:17 PM
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Business - Avoid growing pains in your business
One way to kill your business is to grow it too fast. Many
profitable small businesses have expanded at the wrong time and at the wrong
level of increased costs. The result is that they never again make a profit.
How does this happen?
A given amount of building, equipment, employees, and the
associated maintenance, insurance, and taxes will allow your business to
operate at a certain maximum sales volume. If you want to grow, say double or
triple your current sales, you will need more of all the above items. When you
commit to that new larger building with more equipment and employees, you have
increased your "breakeven point" (the level of sales you need at
which you make your first dollar of profit).
Take this example. Assume that you are a local carpet store.
You occupy a 4,000 square foot building. You have a fairly fixed amount of
inventory, equipment, and employees. Let's say you are doing $1 million in
sales, your gross profit is $300,000, and your fixed costs (building, etc.) are
$250,000 with a net profit of $50,000. Since you have an established local
customer base, you are convinced that a shop three times this size would make
you even more money. Here is what to look out for.
Let's assume that your new 12,000 square foot building and
associated higher expenses have raised your fixed costs to $650,000. If you
double your sales to $2 million, your gross profit will be $600,000. That
leaves you $50,000 in the hole for the year. You would need sales of $2.3
million to get back to the same net profit you had before you tripled your
floor space.
Before you go down a permanent road of no return, play a few
games of "what if."
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-07-10 01:04:29 PM
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If you are planning a summer business trip, you and your
spouse may be able to travel for little more than you would have paid on your
own. For example, if a double hotel room costs $250 and a single room costs
$200, you can still deduct $200 as a business expense, even if the two of you
get the double.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-07-03 12:15:00 PM
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Last Updated by Tax on 2013-06-26 11:39:41 AM
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The IRS recently announced the inflation-adjusted contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) for 2014. HSAs allow taxpayers with high-deductible health insurance plans to set aside pretax dollars that can be withdrawn tax-free to pay unreimbursed medical expenses. The 2014 contribution limit for individuals is $3,300; the limit for family coverage is $6,550. A catch-up contribution of an additional $1,000 is permitted for individuals who are 55 or older.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-06-20 10:02:45 AM
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If you have assets in a foreign account and the total value exceeded $10,000 at any time, you must file the "Foreign Bank Account Report" (commonly called FBAR) by June 28, 2013. The FBAR is an annual information form, filed separately from your federal income tax return. The 2012 FBAR must be received by the Treasury Department by the deadline, not just postmarked by that date. No filing extension is available, and penalties for failing to file are steep. You may choose to file electronically. For details or filing assistance, please contact our office.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-06-12 12:00:53 PM
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The IRS will close all of its operations on June 14, July 5, July 22, and August 30, 2013. The current budget situation, including the sequester, has made these closures necessary; IRS employees will be furloughed without pay on these days. Taxpayers should continue to file returns and pay any taxes due as usual, though on these days the IRS will not answer toll-free hotlines or accept or acknowledge receipt of electronically filed returns. Electronic deposits of employment and excise taxes must be made as usual.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-06-05 10:34:03 AM
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Are you looking for a way to help your child with buying a home? Some strategies you might consider include lending your child money, gifting under the annual gift tax exclusion, pledging securities, and equity sharing.
Assuming you have enough liquid assets, you can effectively act as the mortgage lender to your child by lending money to pay for the house.
Another option is to give the child money for a down payment on a house. Making a gift to your child for the down payment is an ideal situation for parents who are primarily concerned with decreasing the size of their estate and the taxes on it after their death. Current tax law lets individuals make annual gifts of up to $14,000 per person. If both parents join in the gift, they can give the child $28,000 without any gift tax liability.
With some planning, even larger gifts can be made. For instance, if the child is married, his or her spouse is also eligible to receive gifts. Collectively, a married couple could receive $56,000 in gift-tax-free cash for a home purchase. If the gift is spread over a new year, it can be increased to double the amount, giving the child and his or her spouse $112,000 toward the cost of the home.
Another possibility is pledging securities to secure a child's home loan at a financial institution. By pledging securities instead of selling them, the parents can be saved from a potentially taxable event.
Finally, another alternative is equity sharing where the ownership of the home is shared. Typically, the parent makes the down payment, and the child pays the mortgage payment, utilities, taxes, and other ongoing expenses. The home is jointly owned, and the family can agree on a split of any appreciation in value if the home is later sold.
For details on these and other options available to parents who want to help their child buy a home, give us a call.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-05-29 01:41:07 PM
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Keep records that directly support income or expense items on your tax return. For income, this includes W-2s, 1099s, and Form K-1s. Also keep records of any other income you might have received from other sources. It's also a good idea to save your bank statements and investment statements from brokers.
For expense items, keep your cancelled checks as well as support for any itemized deductions you claimed. This includes acknowledgments from charitable organizations and backup for taxes paid, mortgage interest, medical deductions, work expenses, and miscellaneous deductions. Even if you don't itemize, keep records of expenses for child care, medical insurance if you're self-employed, and any other expenses that appear on your return.
The IRS can audit you routinely for three years after you file your return. But in cases where income is underreported, they can audit for up to six years. To be safe, keep your records for seven years.
Keep certain other records longer. These include records relating to your house purchase and any improvements you make. Also keep records of investment purchases, dividends reinvested, retirement plan contributions, and any major gifts you make or receive. And finally, keep copies of all your tax returns and W-2s in case you ever need to prove your earnings for social security purposes.
Please call our office if you have specific questions about recordkeeping.
Last Updated by Tax on 2013-05-22 11:54:23 AM
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What should you do if you find that you made a mistake on your 2012 tax return after it's been filed? Perhaps you find that you missed a big deduction. Perhaps you receive a late notice of income you earned. Or perhaps you receive a corrected Form 1099 from your broker. The answer is not to panic. You can correct the mistake with an amended return.
The general rule is that you have three years to amend a personal or business return. Special rules may apply if you paid your taxes late, or are claiming certain business losses or carrybacks. You may have as long as seven years if you are filing to claim a loss on a worthless security or bad debt.
Many amended returns are filed each year. Form 1040X is used to show the items of income or deductions that you want to change or the different elections you want to make. A separate form must be filed for each previous year you want to change. You?ll have to file a paper copy to amend your return, even if you originally filed electronically or by telephone. If you want to change a corporate return, you file a Form 1120X, but the procedures are similar.
If you owe additional tax because of the change, you should send a check at the time you file your amended return. The IRS will let you know if you owe additional interest or penalties.
Please contact our office if you have questions about any return that's already been filed. We can let you know whether you need to file an amended return and help you with any of the necessary paperwork.
Last Updated by Tax on 2014-02-12 11:41:01 AM
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Don?t miss the cash discounts offered by your suppliers. A
2% discount for payment in ten days, versus net payment in 30 days, computes to
an annual rate of return of 36%. If you can get a 10% discount for paying
twelve months of payments in advance, you will earn 23% on your prepayment.
Last Updated by Tax on 2012-06-13 11:23:19 AM
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2012 IRS Inflation Adjusted Amounts
To keep up with inflation, the IRS has revised many tax benefits for 2012. Here are a few of them: The amount of each personal and dependency exemption for most taxpayers will be $3,800 (up $100 from 2011); The standard deduction will be $11,900 for married couples filing a joint return (up $300), $5,950 for singles and married individuals filing separately (up $150), and $8,700 for heads of household (up $200); The tax-bracket thresholds will expand for each filing status; The basis exclusion from estate tax will be $5,120,000; The monthly exclusion amount for qualified parking will be $240; Section 179 limit (unless Congress increases it) will be $139,000 with a phase-out threshold of $560,000. The annual gift tax exclusion will remain unaffected at $13,000. |
Last Updated by Tax on 2012-07-12 12:00:47 PM
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