As the filing season for 2018 tax returns reaches a peak, many people will learn that they’re no longer itemizing deductions. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) placed limits on some deductions and increased the standard deduction significantly, so most taxpayers are taking the standard deduction, rather than itemizing. One result is
-> Continue reading Handling Qualified Charitable Contributions
Many owners of private companies have been leery of operating as a regular C corporation because it exposes them to double-taxation of business income. First, a corporate income tax applies to the company’s profits. Second, any dividends that pass to shareholders are subject to personal income taxes. Making matters even more expensive, C corporations don’t
-> Continue reading New Tax Law Enhances the Appeal of C Corporations
Many owners of private companies have been leery of operating as a regular C corporation because it exposes them to double-taxation of business income. First, a corporate income tax applies to the company’s profits. Second, any dividends that pass to shareholders are subject to personal income taxes. Making matters even more expensive, C corporations don’t
-> Continue reading New Tax Law Enhances the Appeal of C Corporations
Patient investors have generally prospered over the long term. Nevertheless, there are many reasons for selling stocks. Knowing the basics can help improve your tax position. Selling shares held in a taxable account will trigger taxable capital gains or losses, unless the sale proceeds are exactly the same as your basis ― your cost for
-> Continue reading Making Stock Sales Less Taxing
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 generally disallowed all deductions for business entertainment, amusement, and recreation. However, the TCJA did not specifically turn thumbs up or down on the deductibility of business meal expenses. Under the old law, business meals were partially tax deductible, but some questioned whether that was still the
-> Continue reading IRS Says Business Meal Deductions Still Apply
The start of each year might be considered “Double IRA” season. Until mid-April (the 15th, in 2019), you can still make contributions to an IRA for 2018, if you have funds you’d like to save for retirement. Most workers and their spouses may each contribute up to $5,500, or $6,500 for those who were 50
-> Continue reading Double IRA Season is Here
Rewarding employees at the end of the year can brighten up their holidays and set the stage for your company to enjoy a good start to 2019. Some forethought and careful communications can avoid problems. A key first step is to check your company’s financial condition. Year-end bonuses can boost morale, but you shouldn’t pay
-> Continue reading How to Handle Year-End Bonuses
Most people realize the importance of a will to help direct the transfer of assets after death, but during your lifetime, you also may also want to have a power of attorney (POA) for convenience and asset protection. Before we cover the different types of POA that you might consider, it might be useful to
-> Continue reading Powers of Attorney Can Be Vital Documents
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), equipment expensing permitted by Section 179 of the tax code was expanded. In 2018, your business can take a first-year deduction of up to $1 million worth of equipment purchases. You might buy, say, $400,000 worth of equipment and deduct $400,000 from your company’s profits
-> Continue reading Year-End Business Tax Planning
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was passed at the end of last year, and generally took effect in 2018. One feature of this legislation is an almost doubling of the standard deduction for most tax payers. Because of this steep increase, more taxpayers are likely to take the standard deduction for 2018,
-> Continue reading Year-End Tax Planning for Charitable Donations