Tag Archives: Tax Tips

Key Tax Breaks Retroactively Reinstated

December 29, 2014

The clock is ticking … is opportunity knocking?

Provided by Milton Cooley

If you hurry, you might realize some nice tax breaks before 2014 runs out. Once again, Congress has acted at the eleventh hour to bring back some expired tax perks. H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act, was passed and signed into law by President Obama on December 19. Here is a rundown of the key tax provisions it retroactively reinstates for 2014.1

The IRA charitable rollover is back – again. Do you own a large traditional IRA? Are you age 70½ or older? By any chance, have you still not taken your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for 2014? If the answer to all three questions is yes, you could partly or entirely fulfill your RMD by donating up to $100,000 from that IRA to a qualified charity or non-profit organization. The gift may be made tax-free and it could help you hold your 2014 taxable income under thresholds at which you would be subject to higher Medicare premiums and taxes on your Social Security benefits. You also get the satisfaction of helping a charity. (If you have already taken your 2014 IRA RMD, you aren’t allowed a “do-over;” you can’t take back the RMD and make an IRA charitable rollover instead.)2,3

You have the option to deduct state & local sales tax once more. If you live in a state that doesn’t tax its residents, the option to deduct state and local sales tax in lieu of state income tax is a big break. It applies again for the 2014 tax year thanks to the passage of H.R. 5771.1

Two mortgage-related deductions were revived by the new law. H.R. 5771 extends the mortgage insurance premium deduction that went away at the start of the year, and it also retroactively reinstates the tax exclusion for canceled mortgage debt – the perk that gave households a chance to exclude as much as $2 million in such debt from gross income.1

So were some key education deductions. The above-the-line tuition & fees deduction that lets parents (and students) lower taxable income amounts by up to $4,000 is back in place for 2014. So is the $250 classroom teacher expense deduction.1

Home upgrades could still bring you a tax break. If you know a handyman or vendor who wouldn’t mind doing some work for you between now and New Year’s Day, this or that upgrade might make you eligible to claim the reinstated dollar-for-dollar tax credit for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements.1

The enhanced easement incentive applies to land donations. Farmers, ranchers and other landowners have long realized tax breaks by gifting real property to land trusts for conservation. H.R. 5771 makes the recently enhanced incentive for such land gifts applicable to the 2014 tax year (it applies to conservation easements donated anywhere within TYs 2006-14). Under the enhanced incentive, a landowner can take a deduction as large as 50% of his/her income as a result of a conservation easement donation (it would be 30% otherwise). For qualifying ranchers and farmers, the permitted deduction may be as large as 100% of their incomes. The enhanced incentive also allows a donor to carry forward their deductions for 15 years as opposed to 5 years.1,4

Mass transit commuters get the size of an important tax break restored. In 2009, Congress equalized the tax breaks for employer-provided mass transit and parking benefits at $245 per month. That lasted through 2013. This year, the parking benefit was adjusted slightly upward to $250 per month, but the mass transit benefit shrunk to $130 per month. H.R. 5771 puts both the parking and mass transit benefit at $250 for TY 2014. If you put in for 100% of your transit costs via your employer’s payroll deduction program, you are already in line to claim this retroactively restored benefit, which could provide as much as $576 in 2014 federal tax savings.1,5

Milton Cooley may be reached at 803 732-4288 or taxonwheels@att.net

taxonwheels@att.net

 

This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.

 

Citations.

1 – forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2014/12/19/obama-signs-2014-tax-extenders-money-in-your-pocket/ [12/19/14]

2 – chicagotribune.com/business/yourmoney/sc-cons-1225-journey-20141222-column.html [12/22/14]

3 – blogs.marketwatch.com/encore/2014/08/12/will-retirees-get-their-ira-tax-break-back/ [8/12/14]

4 – landtrustalliance.org/policy/tax-matters/campaigns/the-enhanced-easement-incentive [12/22/14]

5 – forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2013/12/10/commuter-tax-break-set-to-plummet-for-2014/ [12/10/13]

 

Make Plans Now for Next Year’s Tax Return

Most people stop thinking about taxes after they file their tax return. But there’s no better time to start tax planning than right now. And it’s never too early to set up a smart recordkeeping system. Here are six IRS tips to help you start to plan for this year’s taxes:

1. Take action when life changes occur.  Some life events, like a change in marital status, the birth of a child or buying a home, can change the amount of taxes you owe. When such events occur during the year, you may need to change the amount of tax taken out of your pay. To do that, you must file a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with your employer. Use the IRS Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov to help you fill out the form. If you receive advance payments of the premium tax credit it is important that you report changes in circumstances, such as changes in your income or family size, to your Health Insurance Marketplace.

2. Keep records safe.  Put your 2013 tax return and supporting records in a safe place. That way if you ever need to refer to your return, you’ll know where to find it. For example, you may need a copy of your return if you apply for a home loan or financial aid. You can also use it as a guide when you do next year’s tax return.

3. Stay organized.  Make sure your family puts tax records in the same place during the year. This will avoid a search for misplaced records come tax time next year.

4. Shop for a tax preparer.  If you want to hire a tax preparer to help you with tax planning, start your search now. Choose a tax preparer wisely. You are responsible for the accuracy of your tax return no matter who prepares it. Find tips for choosing a preparer at IRS.gov.  Tax On Wheels, LLC is currently accepting new clients and we look forward to answering your questions.  Call us today at 803 732-4288.

5. Think about itemizing.  If you usually claim a standard deduction on your tax return, you may be able to lower your taxes if you itemize deductions instead. A donation to charity could mean some tax savings. See the instructions for Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, for a list of deductions.

6. Keep up with changes.  Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips to get emails about tax law changes, how to save money and much more. You can also get Tips on IRS.gov or IRS2Go, the IRS’s mobile app. The IRS issues tips each weekday in the tax filing season and three days a week in summer.

Remember, a little planning now can pay off big at tax time next year.  Tax On Wheels, LLC is here to help call us at 803 732-4288 if we can be of assistance.

Tax Tips if You’re Starting a Business

If you plan to start a new business, or you’ve just opened your doors, it is important for you to know your federal tax responsibilities. Here are five basic tips from the IRS that can help you get started.

1. Type of Business.  Early on, you will need to decide the type of business you are going to establish. The most common types are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation and Limited Liability Company. Each type reports its business activity on a different federal tax form.

2. Types of Taxes.  The type of business you run usually determines the type of taxes you pay. The four general types of business taxes are income tax, self-employment tax, employment tax and excise tax.

3. Employer Identification Number.  A business often needs to get a federal EIN for tax purposes. Check IRS.gov to find out whether you need this number. If you do, you can apply for an EIN online.

4. Recordkeeping.  Keeping good records will help you when it’s time to file your business tax forms at the end of the year. They help track deductible expenses and support all the items you report on your tax return. Good records will also help you monitor your business’ progress and prepare your financial statements. You may choose any record keeping system that clearly shows your income and expenses.

5. Accounting Method.  Each taxpayer must also use a consistent accounting method, which is a set of rules that determine when to report income and expenses. The most common are the cash method and accrual method. Under the cash method, you normally report income in the year you receive it and deduct expenses in the year you pay them. Under the accrual method, you generally report income in the year you earn it and deduct expenses in the year you incur them. This is true even if you receive the income or pay the expenses in a future year.

Tax On Wheels, LLC specializes in helping entrepreneurs get started on the right footing.  Please contact us at 803 732-4288 if we can help you start your business.

Managing your tax records after you have filed

There are many reasons to keep household records, including keeping track of your expenses,maintaining records for insurance purposes or getting a loan. You should have the same approach to managing your tax records.

You should keep all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return. Records you should keep include bills, credit card and other receipts; invoices; mileage logs; canceled, imaged or substitute checks; proof of payments;  and any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return.

Normally, you should keep these tax records for three years. It’s a good idea to keep some documents longer, such as  records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property documentation. Keeping accurate records after you file your taxes will help you with documentation and substantiation if your tax return is selected for an audit.

You should also keep copies of your tax returns as part of your tax records. They can help you prepare future tax returns, and you will need them if you file an amended return. Copies of your returns and records can be helpful to your survivor or the executor, or administrator, of your estate. You may also need tax returns from previous years for loan applications, to estimate tax withholding or because records were destroyed in a natural disaster or fire. If your original tax returns were lost or destroyed, you can obtain copies or transcripts.  There are three options for obtaining your federal tax return information –online, by phone or by mail.

Keeping good records will help you explain any item come tax time and arrive at the correct amount of tax with a minimum amount of effort. If you don’t have records, you may have to spend time getting statements and receipts from various sources. If you cannot produce the correct documents, you may have to pay additional tax and be subject to interest and penalties.

For more information on what kinds of records to keep, see IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals on IRS.gov or feel free to contact Tax On Wheels, LLC at 803 732-4288.

South Carolina is on a tear and they just stepped up their game

If you have been paying attention the past few months you may have noticed that the state of South Carolina has been on a bit of a tear actually locking people up for various tax offenses.  Just scroll back through the posts on this blog this summer and you will find multiple instances of average Janes & Joes suffering the indignity of having their names published in the local paper for being arrested for tax offenses and needing to come up with bail money to get released from the local hoosegow.

In the past the public was normally treated with an annual spectacle of some semi-prominent individual (frequently a lawyer) who got caught on the wrong side of the law and was dragged out into the public square and humiliated as a warning to the rest of us that this is what happens to tax cheats.  A big deal was made of it for a day or two and then everything returned to normal until next year when another public flogging would occur.

This was the pattern until earlier this year.  Suddenly the pace quickened.  The number of announced arrests turned into a torrent.  Rarely did a week go by this summer when at least one and frequently several individual arrests were announced.  I posted many of them here in this blog, but the frequency was just too much to post them all.  It used to be a big deal when one of these arrests were made.  Suddenly, there were so many arrests announced that it was newsworthy only if somebody wasn’t arrested.  Typically these arrests were your garden variety knuckleheads who faked a W-2, failed to file at all or claimed a ridiculously large deduction or some such nonsense.

That was the way it was until today when the South Carolina Department of Revenue announced an arrest for “Conspiracy” (see the immediately preceding post).  This is new and it represents a major new approach to the state’s tax law enforcement efforts.  As Barney Fife might say, “Andy, this is big.”

From my vantage point, the threat of “conspiracy to commit tax fraud” was something I oftentimes used to rebut tax clients who wanted me to help them cook their numbers so that a particular outcome would be guaranteed.  The conversation would go something like this: “I need X amount of dollars in tax refunds this year, tell me what numbers I need to put on my return to make sure that happens.”  I usually could get that kind of conversation shut down simply by explaining how that could constitute “conspiracy” and then asking why I should risk going to jail so you can have a bigger refund.  But in all honesty I never really expected that I would ever see conspiracy cases made.  A conspiracy case requires evidence that is usually quite difficult to produce. Well, apparently, the South Carolina Department of Revenue didn’t get the memo.  I am not sure how the state plans to prove conspiracy in court but they apparently feel confident enough of their evidence to actually make an arrest.

Those of us who try to play this game by the rules welcome the stepped up enforcement by any taxing authority, whether it be state or federal.  But as citizens we all have a stake in making sure the authorities provide fairness and due process to those charged with tax crimes.  It will be interesting to see how this and any similar cases play out in court.  In the mean time, as always, I recommend that you get those back taxes caught up quickly.  If we can help don’t hesitate to give Tax On Wheels, LLC a call at 803 732-4288.

Ten Last-Minute Tips for Individuals Still Working on Their Tax Returns

The tax filing deadline is just around the corner. The IRS has 10 tips to help taxpayers still working on their tax returns:

1. File electronically Most taxpayers file electronically. If you haven’t tried it, now is the time! The IRS has processed more than 1 billion individual tax returns safely and securely since the nationwide debut of electronic filing in 1990. In fact, 112 million people — 77 percent of all individual taxpayers — used IRS e-file last year.

2. Check the identification numbers Carefully check identification numbers — usually Social Security numbers — for each person listed. This includes you, your spouse, dependents and persons listed in relation to claims for the Child and Dependent Care Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit. Missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security numbers can delay or reduce a tax refund.

3. Double-check your figures If you are filing a paper return, double-check that you have correctly figured the refund or balance due.

4. Check the tax tables If you e-file, the software will do this for you. If you are using Free File Fillable Forms or a paper return, double-check that you used the right figure from the tax table for your filing status.

5. Sign your form You must sign and date your return. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even if only one had income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign it and enter their Preparer Tax Identification Number.

6. Send your return to the right address If you are mailing a return, find the correct mailing address at www.irs.gov. Click the Individuals tab and the “Where to File” link under IRS Resources on the left side.

7. Pay electronically Electronic payment options are convenient, safe and secure methods for paying taxes. You can authorize an electronic funds withdrawal, or use a credit or a debit card. For more information on electronic payment options, visit www.irs.gov.

8. Follow instructions when mailing a payment People sending a payment should make the check payable to the “United States Treasury” and should enclose it with, but not attach it to, the tax return or the Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher, if used. The check should include the Social Security number of the person listed first on the return, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed.

9. File or request an extension to file on time By the April 17 due date, you should either file a return or request an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.

10. Visit IRS.gov Forms, publications and helpful information on a variety of tax subjects are available at www.irs.gov.

Please contact Tax On Wheels, LLC at 803 732-4288 if you need assistance with these or any other tax issues.

Four Tax Tips Regarding Tip Income

If your pay from work involves compensation through tips, then the IRS would like you to be aware of a few facts about tip income. Here are four key points to keep in mind:

1. Tips are taxable Tips are subject to federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes.  The value of non-cash tips, such as tickets, passes or other items of value, is also considered income and subject to tax.

2. Include tips on your tax return You must include in gross income all cash tips you receive directly from customers, tips added to credit cards, and your share of any tips you receive under a tip-splitting arrangement with fellow employees.

3. Report tips to your employer If you receive $20 or more in tips in any one month, you should report all of your tips to your employer. Your employer is required to withhold federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes.

4. Keep a running daily log of your tip income. You can use IRS Publication 1244, Employee’s Daily Record of Tips and Report to Employer, to record your tip income.

Please give us a call at 803 732-4288 if you have any questions regarding tip income or any other tax issues.

Six Year-End Tips to Reduce 2011 Taxes

The IRS wants to remind all taxpayers that with the New Year fast approaching, there is still time for you to take steps that can lower your 2011 taxes. However, you usually need to take action no later than Dec. 31 in order to claim certain tax benefits.
Here are six tax-saving tips for you to consider before the calendar turns to 2012:

1. Make Charitable Contributions – If you itemize deductions, your donations must be made to qualified charities no later than Dec. 31 to be deductible for 2011. You must have a canceled check, a bank statement, credit card statement or a written statement from the charity, showing the name of the charity and the date and amount of the contribution for all cash donations. Donations charged to a credit card by Dec. 31 are deductible for 2011, even if the bill isn’t paid until 2012. If you donate clothing or household items, they must be in good used condition or better to be deductible.

2. Install Energy-Efficient Home Improvements – You still have time this year to make energy-saving and green-energy home improvements and qualify for either of two home energy credits. Installing energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new windows and water heaters to your main home can provide up to $500 in tax savings. Homeowners going green should also check out the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment. The credit equals 30 percent of the cost of qualifying solar, wind, geothermal, or heat pump property. For details see Special Edition Tax Tip 2011-08, Home Energy Credits Still Available for 2011 on the IRS.gov website.

3. Consider a Portfolio Adjustment – Check your investments for gains and losses and consider sales by Dec. 31. You may normally deduct capital losses up to the amount of capital gains, plus $3,000 from other income. If your net capital losses are more than $3,000, the excess can be carried forward and deducted in future years.

4. Contribute the Maximum to Retirement Accounts – Elective deferrals you make to employer-sponsored 401(k) plans or similar workplace retirement programs for 2011 must be made by Dec. 31. However, you have until April 17, 2012, to set up a new IRA or add money to an existing IRA and still have it count for 2011. You normally can contribute up to $5,000 to a traditional or Roth IRA, and up to $6,000 if age 50 or over. The Saver’s Credit, also known as the Retirement Savings Contribution Credit, is also available to low- and moderate-income workers who voluntarily contribute to an IRA or workplace retirement plan. The maximum Saver’s Credit is $1,000, and $2,000 for married couples, but the amount allowed could be reduced or eliminated for some taxpayers in part because of the impact of other deductions and credits.

5. Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution – If you are age 70½ or over, the qualified charitable distribution (QCD) allows you to make a distribution paid directly from your individual retirement account to a qualified charity, and exclude the amount from gross income. The maximum annual exclusion for QCDs is $100,000. The excluded amount can be used to satisfy any required minimum distributions that the individual must otherwise receive from their IRAs in 2011. This benefit is available even if you do not itemize deductions.

6. Don’t Overlook the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit – If you are a small employer who pays at least half of your employee health insurance premiums, you may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the premiums paid. An employer with fewer than 25 full-time employees who pays an average wage of less than $50,000 a year may qualify. For more information see the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit page on IRS.gov.

And here is one final tip to remember: you should always save receipts and records related to your taxes. Good recordkeeping is a must because you need records to prepare your tax return, and it will help you to file quickly and accurately next year.

For help with these or any other tax related matters please give us a call at 803 732-4288.