How Some High-Income Taxpayers Can Maximize the New 20% Pass-through Business Deduction

Article Highlights: 20% Sec. 199A Pass-through Deduction Specified Service Business Limitations Taxable Income Limitations Wage Limitations Benefits of Being Organized as an S Corporation Taxpayers with higher 1040 taxable incomes who are self-employed but are not “specified service businesses” may find it beneficial to structure new businesses, or restructure an existing business, as an S…

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A Mid-Year Tax Checkup May Be Appropriate

Article Highlights: Concerns About Proper Withholding Late IRS W-4 and Withholding Tables New W-4 Complications Self-employed Estimated Payments Events That Can Impact Taxes Taxes are similar to vehicles, in that they sometimes need a check-up to make sure they are performing as expected. That is especially true for 2018, with all of the changes brought…

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How Long Should You Hold On To Old Tax Records?

Article Highlights: The general statute: 3 years Longer durations in some states Fraud, failure to file and other issues that extend the statute’s duration Keeping the actual return Ordering copies of previously filed returns This is a common question: How long must taxpayers keep copies of their tax returns and supporting documents? Generally, taxpayers should…

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Hobby or Business? It Makes a Difference for Taxes – Now More than Ever

Article Highlights: For-Profit Businesses Not-for-Profit Businesses Nine Determining Factors Profit Presumption Taxpayers are often confused by the differences in tax treatment between businesses that are entered into for profit and those that are not, commonly referred to as hobbies. Recent tax law changes have added to the confusion. The differences are: For businesses entered into…

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June Estimated Tax Payments Are Just Around the Corner

Article Highlights: Employees Self-Employed Individuals Individuals with Sources of Income Without Withholding Quarterly Payments Underpayment Penalty Safe Harbor Payments June 15th falls on the weekend this year, so the due date for the second installment of estimated taxes is the next business day, June 17, which is just around the corner. So, it is time…

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School’s Out – Who Is Going to Take Care of the Kids?

Article Highlights: Child Age Limits Employment-Related Expense Married Taxpayer Earnings Limits Disabled or Full-Time-Student Spouse Expense Limits Summer has just arrived, and there is a tax break that working parents should know about. Many working parents must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age (or any age if disabled) during the…

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Gift Tax Treatment of Tuition Plans

Article Highlights: Purpose of Qualified Tuition Plans Gift Tax Implications Special Five-Year Election Change of Beneficiary Eligible Expenses Direct Payment of Tuition Qualified tuition plans (QTPs) provide a means for family members and others to save for the future educational needs of children. Investment earnings within a QTP account are tax deferred and not taxable…

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