Apr 6

Do you get stock options at work from an employee stock purchase plan? Did you get Form 3922 and wonder what to do with it? The tax implications of the employee’s disposition of stock acquired upon the exercise of a purchase right granted pursuant to a §423 plan will depend on whether the employee disposes of the stock before or after the statutory holding period has been met. The applicable holding period is the later of (1) two years from the date of grant of the purchase right, and (2) one year from the date of exercise of the purchase right. The rules regarding when the transfer of stock is considered a disposition are the same as for ISOs (incentive stock options).

If the employee sells or otherwise disposes of the stock after the expiration of the statutory holding period, or in the event of the employee’s death (whenever occurring), i.e., a qualifying disposition, then in the year of the qualifying disposition, the employee (or the employee’s estate in the event of death) is required to recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of: (1) the excess of the fair market of the stock on the date of grant of the purchase right over the exercise price of the purchase right, and (2) the excess of the amount realized on the disposition of the stock over the exercise price of the purchase right.  Any additional gain or loss recognized on the disposition of the stock will be long-term capital gain or loss.

If the employee sells or otherwise disposes of stock before the expiration of the statutory holding period, i.e., a disqualifying disposition, then in the year of the disqualifying disposition, the employee is required to recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise of the purchase right over the exercise price. Any additional gain or loss recognized on the disposition of the stock will be short- or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on the length of time the employee holds the stock after exercise of the purchase right.

After reading this you still may wonder “Okay, I still don’t know what to do…” If that is the case, or if you do understand but you have related question click here to contact Paul about this topic.

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Mar 24
In light of the enactment of new taxes on the investment income and wages of highly compensated employees to pay for health care reform, you may want to reconsider establishing a qualified retirement plan to reduce this future tax burden.
It is unclear if the current Congress will attempt to undo the Health Care Reform laws, but for now, beginning in 2013, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-148) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (P.L. 111-152) impose a new Medicare tax on individuals equal to the lesser of 3.8% of net investment income or any excess of modified adjusted gross income over $250,000 for taxpayers filing joint returns, $125,000 for married taxpayers filing separately, and $200,000 for all other taxpayers. The legislation also raises the hospital insurance tax on wages and self-employment income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 for a joint return) by 0.9%.
You can shield from additional taxation investment returns based on distributions from retirement plans. For this purpose, net investment income includes gross income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents (other than from a trade or business), income from passive activities or from trading in financial instruments or commodities. Importantly, under the health care legislation, net investment income does not include distributions from qualified retirement plans, including those from tax-qualified pension, profit-sharing, 401(k) and annuity plans, as well as traditional and Roth IRAs.

If you have not yet set up a qualified retirement plan, it may now be more worthwhile to explore doing so. Please click here to contact Paul to discuss this further.

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Feb 10
On December 17, President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Although the primary feature of this legislation is a two-year extension of the Bush-era income tax cuts, the Act also addresses the repeal of the estate tax for 2010 and its reinstatement in 2011. The legislation reenacts the estate tax for 2010 (but grants an option to elect back into the repeal) and provides generous estate and gift tax exemptions and rates for 2011 and 2012. Unfortunately, the Act is only a temporary measure — in 2013, the pre-2001 estate and gift tax provisions will return, with the potential to impose a much greater tax burden on estates and gifts.
Following is a summary of the provisions of the new Act, with a discussion of the opportunities and pitfalls that it presents for your personal estate planning.
Estate and Gift Taxes in 2011 and 2012
For decedents dying in 2011 and 2012, the Act greatly reduces the reach of the estate tax by granting estates a $5.0 million exemption for property subject to the tax. In 2009, the last year in which there was an estate tax, the exemption was $3.5 million, so this is a significant increase. In addition, the Act introduces the concept of exemption “portability” between spouses — if one spouse does not use all of his or her $5.0 million exemption, it may be used by the estate of the surviving spouse, effectively creating a $10.0 million exemption for married couples. The few estates that exceed this $5.0/$10.0 million threshold will be subject to a new 35% tax rate, considerably lower than the 45% rate that prevailed before 2010.
Gift taxes are also lighter. Since 2001, taxpayers have had only a $1.0 million lifetime exemption for gift tax purposes. That exemption is increased to $5.0 million for gifts made in 2011 and 2012, and the tax rate on 2011 and 2012 gifts in excess of that amount is 35%.
Estates of Decedents Dying in 2010
The estates of those who died in 2010 faced considerable uncertainty prior to the passage of this legislation. A 2001 law repealed the estate tax for persons dying in 2010, but also imposed a carryover basis regime that required that heirs use the decedent’s tax basis for inherited property. Before 2010, that property had received a basis step-up at death. For some heirs, this 2010 requirement was a greater tax burden than would have been imposed by the estate tax. In addition, there was a risk that the estate tax would be retroactively reinstated for 2010, so many executors did not know what to do.
Congress has now eliminated that uncertainty for 2010 estates. It has repealed carryover basis and reinstated the estate tax for 2010, but with the $5.0 million exemption and 35% tax rate that are also available in 2011 and 2012. The new law also provides that estates of persons dying in 2010 can elect out of the estate tax, provided that they accept the carryover basis regime.
The estate tax return is normally due nine months after the date of death. In light of the special circumstances in 2010, the Act extends that filing date (as well as the payment date for the tax) for 2010 decedents to September 17, 2011.
Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
The Act makes a number of changes to the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax, which, to simplify things a bit, is an additional tax imposed on gifts and bequests to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The 2001 legislation repealed the GST tax for 2010 only, but there was a lack of clarity as to the effect of that repeal. The recent Act should eliminate that uncertainty, because it provides that the GST tax was in effect in 2010, but with a 0% tax rate. This means that any generation-skipping transfers that occurred in 2010 were tax-free, but that taxpayers could still take advantage of the various GST tax exemptions that could reduce or eliminate the tax in future years.
Going forward, the Act aligns the GST tax with the reformed estate and gift taxes. In 2011 and 2012, the GST exemption is increased to $5.0 million and the tax rate is 35%. In 2013, the GST tax, like the estate and gift taxes, will revert to a $1.0 million exemption and a 55% tax rate.
Planning Opportunities
Despite the large changes made by the Act, planning opportunities are limited. One opportunity has a short lifespan. There is a very narrow window until December 31 in which to make generation-skipping gifts that are free of the GST tax. If you are interested in doing so and can act quickly, please contact us immediately so that we can explore your options.
Estates of decedents who died in 2010 now have certainty as to the tax law, but still must decide whether accept new default regime ($5.0 million exemption, 35% tax rate) or to elect into the prior 2010 law (no estate tax, but with carryover basis). If the estate is less than $5.0 million, in most cases it will be best to accept the application of the estate tax and thereby acquire a basis step-up in the assets. But an analysis should still be done to determine whether the heirs are better off with a stepped-up basis or the carryover regime. It is worth noting that, if the estate of a married decedent accepts the application of the estate tax in 2010, the portability provisions do not apply to the unused portion of the $5.0 million exemption. Portability applies only to decedents dying in 2011 and 2012.
If an individual is likely to die in 2011 or 2012, his or her estate plan must be reviewed to determine whether it takes full advantage of the $5.0 million exemption and, if applicable, the portability of that exemption. But for the great majority of our clients, who intend to live well beyond 2012, the temporary nature of the estate and gift tax changes means that they cannot be relied upon for planning purposes. Congress will revisit the estate, gift and GST taxes in late 2012, and we cannot predict what action it will take at that time. Nevertheless, many of you have been reluctant to do any estate planning in light of the legislative uncertainty and the possibility of estate tax repeal. Now that we know that the estate tax will be with us for at least another two years, the time is ripe to do the planning that you have been putting off. Click here to contact Paul to discuss your estate plan.
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Jan 18
On December 17, 2010, the president signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This Act, in essence, is a two-year extension of the 2001/2003 Bush-era tax cuts. The Act also incorporated many business extensions of the so-called “annual extenders.” The following is a list of the provisions that may affect your 2011, and in some cases, 2010 and 2012 tax liability.
BUSINESS INVESTMENT INCENTIVES
Bonus Depreciation. The Act extends the 50% bonus depreciation provision for qualified property acquired after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2013. In addition, it allows 100% bonus depreciation for property acquired and placed in service after September 8, 2010, and before January 1, 2012. Thus, taxpayers can claim a 100% depreciation deduction for property acquired and placed in service in the latter third of 2010, all of 2011 (and 2012, for certain property). Property placed in service during 2012 (2013 for certain property) would be eligible for 50% bonus depreciation. The Act also extends the provision allowing corporate taxpayers to elect to accelerate the AMT and research credits in lieu of bonus depreciation to the 2011 and 2012 taxable years.
Other special rules apply to this new round of extension property, labeled “round 2 extension property.” If you plan on continuing or increasing your business asset investments, we should sit down to discuss all the procedures to qualify for the maximum depreciation deduction allowable.
Small Business Expensing. Under prior legislation, for taxable years beginning in 2010 and 2011, small businesses may elect to expense up to $500,000 of capital investment, with the phase out beginning at $2,000,000. The limits were scheduled to be lowered to $25,000 with a $200,000 limitation for 2012. Under the new law, for 2012, such amount is raised to $125,000, with a phase out threshold of $500,000 (both figures to be adjusted for inflation). A $25,000 maximum and $200,000 phase out threshold will apply for tax years beginning after 2012 and will not be adjusted for inflation.
In view of the 100% bonus depreciation property acquired and placed in service from September 9, 2010, through December 31, 2011, for any property that you acquired or may acquire in excess of the expensing limitations during that period, you should consider whether it would be advantageous to claim 100% bonus depreciation or to accelerate AMT or research credits, rather than electing to expense the cost. Please contact me with the specific property acquired and its cost so that we can determine which alternative would yield the greatest tax benefit for your particular circumstances.
TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE PAYROLL TAX CUT
For 2011 only, the 2010 TRA reduces the Social Security (OASDI) tax rate on employees to 4.2% (from 6.2%) and reduces the self-employment tax (SECA) rate to 10.4% (from 12.4%). The employer OASDI tax rate stays at 6.2%. Note that the 2010 TRA does not reduce the OASDI contribution base, which is $106,800 for 2011. Thus, the maximum OASDI tax in 2011 for employees is $4,485.60.
This rate reduction is not taken into account in determining the SECA tax deduction allowed for determining net earnings from self employment. As a result, the deduction for 2011 remains 7.65% of self-employment income (determined without regard to the deduction). For federal laws other than the tax Code, the rate of tax in effect under §3101(a) is determined without regard to the reduction in that rate under the 2010 TRA. Also, the income tax deduction allowed under for taxable years beginning in 2011 is determined using 59.6% of the OASDI tax paid, plus one half of the HI tax paid.
EXTENSION OF CERTAIN EXPIRING PROVISIONS

Energy Incentives
Incentives for Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the credits for biodiesel, renewable diesel used as fuel, and biodiesel mixture, and the payments for non-taxable biodiesel mixture, for fuel sold or used through December 31, 2011. The Act also provides that biodiesel mixture credits properly determined during 2010 will be allowed, and any refunds or payments attributable to those credits will be made according to IRS guidance.
Credit for Refined Coal Facilities. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the renewable electricity production credit for facilities producing refined coal that are placed in service before January 1, 2012.
New Energy Efficient Home Credit. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the new energy efficient home credit for qualified homes acquired from an eligible contractor on or before December 31, 2011.
Excise Tax Credits and Outlay Payments for Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Mixtures. The Act allows credits for alternative fuel and alternative fuel mixtures (excepting, in both cases, liquefied hydrogen) and payments for non-taxable alternative fuel and alternative fuel mixtures (excepting, in both cases, liquefied hydrogen) to such fuels sold or used on or before December 31, 2011. The Act also continues to exclude black liquor from credit eligibility. Finally, the Act provides that credits for alternative fuel or alternative fuel mixtures properly determined during 2010 will be allowed, and refunds or payments attributable to those credits will be made according to IRS guidance.
Suspension of Limitation on Percentage Depletion for Oil and Gas from Marginal Wells. The Act extends the temporary suspension of the taxable income limit on percentage depletion for oil and gas from marginal wells to depletion determined for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012.
Extension of Grants for Specified Energy Property in Lieu of Tax Credits. The Act extends the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grants for specified energy property in lieu of tax credits through 2011.
Extension of Provisions Related to Alcohol Used as Fuel. The Act extends the alcohol fuels credit to any sale or use of such fuels for any period on or before December 31, 2011. However, the credit does not apply to any period before January 1, 2012, during which time the Highway Trust Fund gasoline excise tax financing rates are 4.3 cents per gallon. In addition, the Act extends the reduced credit for ethanol blenders through 2011. The Act also provides that the payments for non-taxable alcohol fuel mixtures apply to such fuel sold or used on or before 2011.
Energy Efficient Appliance Credit. The Act extends the energy efficient appliance credit for qualifying dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators manufactured in calendar year 2011. The Act decreases the aggregate credit amount allowed to $25,000,000, less the credit amount allowed in all prior tax years. Also, the Act excludes the most efficient refrigerators and front-loading clothes washers from the aggregate credit amount.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property. The Act extends, from December 31, 2010, the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit to any non-hydrogen related property placed in service on or before December 31, 2011.
Business Tax Relief
Research Credit. Although the research credit expired on December 31, 2009, the Act extends the credit for amounts paid or incurred on or before December 31, 2011. The December 31, 2008 termination date for the alternative incremental credit election remains unchanged.
Indian Employment Credit. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the Indian employment credit to tax years beginning on or before December 31, 2011.
New Markets Tax Credit. The Act sets a new national designated investment limitation for the new markets tax credit of $3.5 billion in 2010 and 2011, and permits unused credits to be carried over to 2016.
Railroad Track Maintenance Credit. The Act extends, from December 31, 2010, the railroad track maintenance credit for 50% of qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures paid or incurred in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012.
Mine Rescue Team Training Credit. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the mine rescue team training credit of 20% of the cost of training rescue team members to tax years beginning before January 1, 2012.
Employer Wage Credit for Employees Who Are Active Duty Members of the Uniformed Services. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the activated military reservist wage payment credit of 20% of differential wage payments made to activated military reservists for payments made before January 1, 2012.
15-Year Straight-Line Cost Recovery for Qualified Leasehold Improvements, Qualified Restaurant Buildings and Improvements, and Qualified Retail Improvements. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the special 15-year cost recovery period for certain leasehold improvements, restaurant buildings and improvements, and retail improvements to qualified property placed in service before 2012.
7-Year Recovery Period for Motorsports Entertainment Complexes. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the 7-year recovery period for motorsports entertainment complexes to property placed in service before 2012.
Accelerated Depreciation for Business Property on an Indian Reservation. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the accelerated depreciation rules for business property located on an Indian reservation to property placed in service before 2012.
Charitable Deduction for Contributions of Food Inventory. The Act extends the special rule for charitable deductions for contributions of food inventory made from the taxpayer’s trade or business that expired on December 31, 2009, to contributions made on or before December 31, 2011.
Charitable Deduction for Contributions of Book Inventories to Public Schools. The Act extends the special rule for charitable deductions for contributions of book inventory to public schools that expired on December 31, 2009, to contributions on or before December 31, 2011.
Charitable Deduction for Corporate Contributions of Computer Inventory for Educational Purposes. The Act extends the special rule for charitable deductions for contributions of computer technology and equipment for educational purposes that expired on December 31, 2009, to contributions made on or before December 31, 2011.
Election to Expense Mine Safety Equipment. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the election to expense mine safety equipment, generally available for 50% of the cost of any qualified advanced mine safety equipment property, to property placed in service before 2012.
Special Expensing Rules for Certain Film and Television Productions. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the special expensing rules for certain film and television producers to qualified television or film production costs beginning before 2012. The deduction is generally applicable to the first $15 million of qualified television or film production costs.
Expensing of Environmental Remedial Costs. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the election to deduct environmental remediation costs in lieu of capitalization through December 31, 2011.
Deduction Allowable with Respect to Income Attributable to Domestic Production Activities of Puerto Rico. The Act extends the special domestic production activities rules for Puerto Rico to apply for the first six taxable years of a taxpayer beginning after December 31, 2005, and before January 1, 2012.
Modification of Tax Treatment of Certain Payments to Controlling Exempt Organizations. Under §512(b)(13)(E), certain payments made to an exempt organization by a controlled organization must be treated as unrelated business income. For payments received or accrued before January 1, 2010, the amount taken into income was limited to “excess payments” as determined under §482. The Act extends the excess payments rule to include payments received or accrued before January 1, 2012.
Treatment of Certain Dividends of Regulated Investment Companies. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the exemption from the 30% withholding tax and for qualified interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends received by a foreign person from a regulated investment company (RIC) through December 31, 2011.
RIC Qualified Investment Entity Treatment Under FIRPTA. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the inclusion of a regulated investment company (RIC) within the definition of a “qualified investment entity” for purposes of determining whether a distribution from a RIC is subject to FIRPTA tax and withholding pursuant to §§897 and 1445 through December 31, 2011. The extension, however, does not apply to the withholding requirement for any payment made before the December 17, 2010 enactment date of the Act. However, a RIC that withheld and remitted tax on post-2009 distributions before the enactment date is not held liable to the distributee for such amounts.
Basis Adjustment to Stock of S Corporations Making Charitable Contributions of Property. Section 1367(a)(2) provides that an S corporation shareholder’s §1367(a)(2)(B) basis reduction resulting from the corporation’s charitable contribution of property equaled the shareholder’s pro rata share of the adjusted basis of the contributed property. The Act extends this special rule from December 31, 2009, to contributions made on or before December 31, 2011.
Empowerment Zone Tax Incentives. The Act extends, from 2009, the designation of certain economically depressed census tracts as Empowerment Zones, within which businesses are eligible for special tax incentives, through 2011.
Tax Incentives for Investment in the District of Columbia. The Act extends for two years (through 2011) the designation of certain economically depressed census tracts within the District of Columbia as the District of Columbia Enterprise Zone, within which businesses are eligible for special tax incentives.
Work Opportunity Credit. Businesses are allowed to claim a work opportunity tax credit equal to 40% of the first $6,000 of wages paid to new hires of one of nine targeted groups. While scheduled to expire August 31, 2011, the Act extends the credit through December 31, 2011, effective for individuals who begin work for an employer after December 17, 2010.
Exclusion of 100 Percent of Gain on Certain Small Business Stock. The Act extends the 100% exclusion of the gain from the sale of qualifying small business stock to stock that is acquired before January 1, 2012, and held for more than five years.
Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. Qualified zone academy bonds (QZABs) are tax credit bonds which offer the holder a tax credit instead of interest. They are used to finance renovations, equipment and course material purchases, and teacher training at a qualified zone academy. A qualified zone academy is generally a public school or academic program within that school located in an enterprise community or empowerment zone). The program is designed to work with the business community to increase graduation and employment rates. The Act extends the QZAB program by providing an additional $400 million for 2011. The Act also repeals the prior law direct subsidy feature of QZABs.
GO Zone Disaster Relief
Increase in Rehabilitation Credit. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the increased rehabilitation credit for qualified rehabilitation buildings and certified historic structures located in the Gulf Opportunity Zone, for amounts paid or incurred on or before December 31, 2011.
Low-Income Housing Credit Rules for Buildings in GO Zones. The Act extends the placed in service date for qualification of additional allocations of low-income housing credits made in 2006, 2007, and 2008 for buildings located in the GO Zone, the Rita GO Zone, or the Wilma GO Zone to buildings placed in service before January 1, 2012.
Bonus Depreciation Deduction Applicable to the GO Zone. The Act extends, from December 31, 2009, the additional depreciation deduction for Gulf Opportunity Zone extension property for property be placed in service by December 31, 2011.

As you can see, the Act covers many, but not all, of the various proposed tax provisions important to the business community. Please contact me so that I can review your particular circumstances in order to maximize your tax benefits for 2010, as well as plan for 2011, and beyond.

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Dec 13

There is no estate tax in 2010, but IRS still wants estates with assets over $1.3 million to file an information tax return.  The IRS released a draft of what the return will look like. It is called IRS Form 8939 – Allocation of Increase in Basis for Property Received from a Decedent. The purpose of the form in this year of estate tax repeal to allocate the modified carryover basis of a person who dies in 2010. The return is a very short three page form and will be due on April 15, 2011, which is the same date as a 2010 decedent’s final income tax return (Form 1041). A draft of the Form 8839 can be found by clicking here.

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Nov 27

Click here to download your free income tax organizer for the tax year 2010.

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Oct 21
As 2010 draws to a close, there is still time to reduce your 2010 tax bill and plan ahead for 2011. This post highlights several potential tax-saving opportunities for you to consider, new reporting requirements, and some 2011 changes. Paul would be happy to meet with you to discuss specific strategies and issues. Click here to contact Paul.
Deferring Income into 2011
If you expect your AGI to be higher in 2010 than in 2011, or if you anticipate being in the same or a higher tax bracket in 2010 than in 2011, you may benefit by deferring income into 2011. Deferring income will be advantageous so long as the deferral does not bump your income to the next bracket. Deferring income could be disadvantageous, however, if your deferred income is subject to §409A, thus making the income includible in gross income and subject to additional tax. Some ways to defer income include:
Use of Cash Method of Accounting: By using the cash method of accounting instead of the accrual method of accounting, you can generally put yourself in the best position for accelerating deductions and deferring income. There is still time to accomplish this strategy, because an automatic change to the cash method can be made by the due date of the return including extensions. The following three types of businesses can make an automatic change to the cash method: (1) small businesses with average annual gross receipts of $1 million or less (even those with inventories that are a material income producing factor); (2) certain C corporations with average annual gross receipts of $5 million or less in which inventories are not a material income producing factor; and (3) certain taxpayers with average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less. Provided inventories are not a material income producing factor, sole proprietors, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and S corporations can change to the cash method of accounting without regard to their average annual gross receipts.
Delay Billing: Delay year-end billing to clients so that payments are not received until 2011.
Interest and Dividends: Interest income earned on Treasury securities and bank certificates of deposit with maturities of one year or less is not includible in income until received. To defer interest income, consider buying short-term bonds or certificates that will not mature until next year. If you have control as to when dividends are paid, arrange to have them paid to you after the end of the year.
Deferral of Income in Certain Debt Restructurings: Section 108(i) provides an election to defer cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income. Ordinarily, COD income is includible in gross income for the year in which the debt is canceled or reduced. However, under §108(i), COD income arising from a reacquisition of a debt instrument can be deferred and included in the taxpayer’s gross income ratably over the five taxable years beginning with the fourth taxable year for reacquisitions occurring in 2010 (if the reacquisition occurred in 2009, the pro-rata inclusion begins with the fifth taxable year after the reacquisition).
The provision applies whether the canceled debt is acquired for cash or is acquired in the form of a new debt instrument. Recent regulations have identified what types of transactions may accelerate recognition of the deferred COD income; it is important that we discuss the triggering transactions so that you can avoid them. The regulations also address the unique application of the acceleration rules to consolidated groups.
The window for undertaking transactions to which the §108(i) election can apply is rapidly closing.
Accelerating Income into 2010
In limited circumstances, you may benefit from accelerating income into 2010. For example, you may anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in 2011, or perhaps you will need additional income in order to take advantage of an offsetting deduction or credit that will not be available to you in future tax years. Note, however, that accelerating income into 2010 will be disadvantageous if you expect to be in the same or lower tax bracket for 2011.
If you report income and expenses on a cash basis, issue bills and attempt collection before the end of 2010. Also see if some of your clients or customers are willing to pay for January 2011 goods or services in advance. Any income received using these steps will shift income from 2011 to 2010.
Business Deductions
Self-Employed Health Insurance Premiums: Self-employed individuals are allowed to claim 100% of the amount paid during the taxable year for insurance that constitutes medical care for themselves, their spouses, and their dependents as an above-the-line deduction, without regard to the 7.5% of AGI floor. New for 2010, the deduction can be taken into account in computing self-employment taxes.
Equipment Purchases: If you purchase equipment, you may make a “§179 election,” which allows you to expense (i.e., currently deduct) otherwise depreciable business property. For 2010, under a new law just enacted, you may elect to expense up to $500,000 of equipment costs (with a phase-out for purchases in excess of $2,000,000) if the asset was placed in service during 2010. The new law also extends these amounts into 2011. Former law had the numbers at $250,000 for 2010 and $25,000 for 2011. Therefore, between now and the end of the year, if you previously maxed out the old $250,000 amount for 2010, you now have an additional $250,000 you can invest in your business and deduct. Also, new for 2010 and 2011, certain real property can qualify for the expense deduction, but the qualifying property cannot exceed $250,000 of the allowed deduction. In 2012, these dollar amounts will be reduced to $25,000 and $200,000 (subject to inflation adjustments).
In addition, careful timing of equipment purchases can result in favorable depreciation deductions in 2010. In general, under the “half-year convention,” you may deduct six months’ worth of depreciation for equipment that is placed in service on or before the last day of the tax year. (If more than 40% of the cost of all personal property placed in service occurs during the last quarter of the year, however, a “mid-quarter convention” applies, which lowers your depreciation deduction.) A popular strategy in recent years is to purchase a vehicle for business purposes that exceeds the depreciation limits set by statute (i.e., a vehicle rated over 6,000 pounds). Doing so would not subject the purchase to the statutory dollar limit, $3,060 for 2010 ($3,160 in the case of vans and trucks). (If the vehicle qualifies for the 50% bonus depreciation in effect in 2010, these dollar amounts are increased by $8,000.) Therefore, the vehicle would qualify for the full equipment expensing dollar amount. However, for SUVs (rated between 6,000 and 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight) the expensing amount is limited to $25,000.
NOL Carryback Period: If your business suffers net operating losses for 2010, you generally apply those losses against taxable income going back two tax years. Thus, for example, the loss could be used to reduce taxable income—and thus generate tax refunds—for tax years as far back as 2008. Certain “eligible losses” can be carried back three years; farming losses and qualified disaster losses (for losses arising in taxable years beginning after 2007 in connection with disasters declared after December 31, 2007) can be carried back five years.
Under a special law enacted in February 2009, and amended in November 2009, businesses can carry back losses incurred in taxable years beginning after 2007 and beginning before 2010 for up to five years instead of the standard two years. One such carryback is available under the provision as originally enacted, and another under the provision as amended in November 2009.
Bonus Depreciation: Although bonus depreciation was originally not in effect for 2010, the 2010 Small Business Jobs Act, enacted in late-September, revived it for 2010. Taxpayers can claim the 50% bonus depreciation allowance if the following requirements are met: (1) the original use of the property must begin with the taxpayer after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2011; (2) the property must be acquired by the taxpayer in 2008, 2009, or 2010, but only if no written binding contract for the acquisition was in effect before January 1, 2008, or acquired by the taxpayer pursuant to a written binding contract entered into in 2008, 2009, or 2010; (3) the property must be placed in service before 2011 (2012 in the case of long production period property (10 years or longer) or specified aircraft). Bonus depreciation is also allowed for machinery and equipment used exclusively to collect, distribute, or recycle qualified reuse and recyclable materials and qualified disaster assistance property. You can take advantage of this bonus depreciation for the remainder of 2010.
A contractor using the percentage-of-completion method of determining taxable income from a long-term contract does not need to take bonus depreciation into account in determining the cost of property otherwise eligible for bonus depreciation that has a MACRS recovery period of seven years or less and is placed in service during 2010 (or 2011 in the case of long production period property).
Increase in Amount of Deductible Start-Up Expenditures: For taxable years beginning in 2010, the Small Business Jobs Act increased the amount of start-up expenditures that a taxpayer can elect to deduct from $5,000 to $10,000. The Act has also increased the deduction phase-out threshold from $50,000 to $60,000, so that the $10,000 amount is reduced (but not below zero) by the amount by which the cumulative cost of start-up expenditures exceeds $60,000.
Bad Debts: You can accelerate deductions to 2010 by analyzing your business accounts receivable and writing off those receivables that are totally or partially worthless. By identifying specific bad debts, you should be entitled to a deduction. You may be able to complete this process after year-end if the write-off is reflected in the 2010 year-end financial statements.
Home Office Deduction: Expenses attributable to using the home office as a business office are deductible under §280A if the home office is used regularly and exclusively: (1) as a taxpayer’s principal place of business for any trade or business; (2) as a place where patients, clients, or customers regularly meet or deal with the taxpayer in the normal course of business; or (3) in the case of a separate structure not attached to the residence, in connection with a trade or business.
Business Credits
Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Cost Credit: For 2010, certain small business employers that did not have a pension plan for the preceding three years may claim a nonrefundable income tax credit for expenses of establishing and administering a new retirement plan for employees. The credit applies to 50% of the first $1,000 in qualified administrative and retirement-education expenses for each of the first three plan years.
Employer-Provided Child Care Credit: For 2010, employers may claim a credit of up to $150,000 for supporting employee child care or child care resource and referral services. The credit is allowed for a percentage of “qualified child care expenditures” including for property to be used as part of a qualified child care facility, for operating costs of a qualified child care facility and for resource and referral expenditures. Unless extended by Congress, this credit is unavailable for 2011.
Work Opportunity Credit: The work opportunity credit is an incentive provided to employers who hire individuals in groups whose members historically have had difficulty obtaining employment. Unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired in 2010 qualify as a targeted group in addition to the existing targeted groups. This gives your business an expanded opportunity to employ new workers and be eligible for a tax credit against the wages paid.
Wages do not include amounts paid to certain individuals hired in 2010 during the one-year period beginning on the hiring date that qualify for payroll forgiveness under §3111(d).
Credit for Employee Health Insurance Expenses of Small Employers: For tax years beginning after 2009, eligible small employers are allowed a credit for certain expenditures to provide health insurance coverage for their employees. Generally, employers with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and an average annual per-employee wage of $25,000 or less are eligible for the full credit. The credit amount begins to phase out for employers with either 11 FTEs or an average annual per-employee wage of more than $25,000. The credit is phased out completely for employers with 25 or more FTEs or an average annual per-employee wage of $50,000 or more. The credit amount is 35% of certain contributions made to purchase health insurance.
Business Credit for Retention of Certain Newly-Hired Individuals in 2010: For qualified employers in tax years ending after March 18, 2010, the current-year general business credit is increased for each retained worker by the lesser of: (a) $1,000, or (b) 6.2% of the wages paid to the retained worker during the 52 consecutive week period for a “retained worker.”
Carryback of Business Credits: Pursuant to the 2010 Small Business Jobs Act, the credit carryback period for eligible small business credits is extended from one to five years. Eligible small business credits are defined as the sum of the general business credits determined for the taxable year with respect to an eligible small business. An eligible small business is, with respect to any taxable year, a corporation the stock of which is not publicly traded, or a partnership, that meets the gross receipts test of §448(c) (substituting $50 million for $5 million each place it appears). In the case of a sole proprietorship, the gross receipts test is applied as if it were a corporation. Credits determined with respect to a partnership or S corporation are not treated as eligible small business credits by a partner or shareholder unless the partner or shareholder meets the gross receipts test for the taxable year in which the credits are treated as current-year business credits.
Alternative Minimum Tax
AMT Suspension for Eligible Small Businesses’ General Business Credits: Effective for eligible small business credits (the sum of an eligible small business’s general business credits) determined in a taxpayer’s first taxable year beginning after 2009, the tentative minimum tax is treated as zero. Thus, an eligible small business credit may offset both regular tax and AMT liability.
Inventories
Subnormal Goods: You should check for subnormal goods in your inventory. Subnormal goods are goods that are unsalable at normal prices or unusable in the normal way due to damage, imperfections, shop wear, changes of style, odd or broken lots, or other similar causes, including second-hand goods taken in exchange. If your business has subnormal inventory as of the end of 2010, you can take a deduction for any write-downs associated with that inventory provided you offer it for sale within 30 days of your inventory date. The inventory does not have to be sold within the 30-day timeframe.
Retirement Plans
In-Plan Roth Rollovers: A much anticipated provision of the 2010 Small Business Jobs Act allows §401(k) plan participants in elective deferral plans to rollover their pre-tax account balances to Roth-designated accounts within the plan. This will allow the Roth rollover funds to stay within the employer-sponsored plan, instead of migrating to Roth IRAs with brokers, mutual fund companies, banks, etc. The rule is effective on September 27, 2010.
However, to take advantage of this change, the plan must contain a qualified designated Roth contribution program that allows rollovers from eligible distributions. This would involve not only amending the plan but the administrative aspects of setting up new plan features and participant communications as well. The IRS is expected to provide employers with a remedial amendment period that allows the employer to offer this option to employees (and surviving spouses) for distributions during 2010 and then have sufficient time to amend the plan to reflect this feature. Thus, employers can permit conversions in 2010 and still have time to amend their plans.
Other 2010 Opportunities
S Corporation Built-In Gains Tax: An S corporation generally is not subject to tax; instead, it passes through its income or loss items to its shareholders, who are taxed on their pro-rata shares of the S corporation’s income. However, if a business that was formed as a C corporation elects to become an S corporation, the S corporation is taxed at the highest corporate rate on all gains that were built in at the time of the election if the gains are recognized during a special holding period. For tax years beginning in 2009 and 2010, the special holding period is shortened to seven years. (As discussed below, it is shortened even more for tax years beginning in 2011.)
100% Exclusion of Gain Attributable to Certain Small Business Stock: The incentive for individuals to acquire qualified small business stock is higher between now and December 31, 2010. An individual ordinarily may exclude 50% of the gain from qualified small business stock that is held for at least five years (subject to a cap). “Qualified small business stock” is stock of a corporation the assets of which do not exceed $50 million when the stock is issued. The 50% exclusion of gain is increased to 75% for qualified small business stock acquired after February 17, 2009, and before September 28, 2010. The Small Business Jobs Act excludes 100% of the gain for qualified small business stock acquired or issued after September 27, 2010, and before January 1, 2011.
Qualifying Dividends: Qualifying dividends received in 2010 are subject to rates similar to the capital gains rates. Therefore, qualifying dividends are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Qualifying dividends include dividends that domestic and certain foreign corporations pay to their shareholders. Note that if Congress does not act to extend the reduced dividend rates, beginning in 2011 the rates will revert back to pre-2001 levels (i.e., will be taxed at the taxpayer’s ordinary income rate, up to a maximum of 39.6%). The President has proposed to keep qualifying dividend income taxed at the same rate as capital gains, which could increase to 20% in 2011.
Attribute-Carryover-Limitation Relief: Section 382(n) provides that the §382 limitation does not apply to certain ownership changes occurring after February 17, 2009, as part of taxpayers’ restructuring plans that are required under loan agreements or commitments for lines of credit entered into with Treasury under TARP.
Reporting
Uncertain Tax Positions: Starting with the 2010 tax year, new Schedule UTP, Uncertain Tax Position Statement, will require certain corporate taxpayers under the jurisdiction of the Large Business and International Division (LB&I)—the new name of the LMSB—to disclose their “uncertain tax positions” (UTPs) annually. A corporation will need to file Schedule UTP with its income tax return if it: (1) files Form 1120, Form 1120-F, Form 1120-L, or Form 1120-PC; (2) has assets of at least $100 million; (3) issued (or a related party issued) audited financial statements reporting all or a portion of the corporation’s operations for all or a portion of the corporation’s tax year; and (4) has one or more UTPs. A UTP is a tax position that will result in an adjustment to a line item on a return if the position is not sustained, provided the corporation has taken the position for the current or a prior tax year and the corporation (or a related party) either recorded a reserve for the position or did not record a reserve because it expects to litigate the position.
Planning Ahead for 2011
S Corporation Built-In Gains Tax: An S corporation generally is not subject to tax; instead, it passes through its income or loss items to its shareholders, who are taxed on their pro-rata shares of the S corporation’s income. However, if a business that was formed as a C corporation elects to become an S corporation, the S corporation is taxed at the highest corporate rate on all gains that were built in at the time of the election if the gains are recognized during a special holding period. For tax years beginning in 2009 and 2010, the special holding period is shortened to seven years, and—since enactment of the Small Business Jobs Act—the special holding period is shortened to five years for tax years beginning in 2011.
Information Reporting Requirements for Transfers of Securities: The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 added three provisions to the Code that impose reporting requirements related to the transfer of securities. Every broker required to report the gross proceeds from the sale of a “covered security” must also report the customer’s adjusted basis in the security and whether any gain or loss with respect to the security is long-term or short-term. “Covered securities” include most stock acquired beginning in 2011. Also beginning in 2011, a broker transferring covered securities to another account must furnish the receiving broker with a written statement that allows the receiving broker to satisfy the new basis reporting requirements. (The IRS, however, has decided not to assert penalties for failure to furnish the transfer statement for certain types of transfers occurring in 2011.) Moreover, if an issuer of stock takes a major corporate action (such as a stock split, merger, or acquisition) that affects basis, then—beginning in 2011—the issuer must report to the IRS and to each stockholder a description of the action and the effect the action has on basis.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. I would be happy to meet with you at your convenience to discuss the strategies and requirements outlined above. There is still time to implement these strategies to minimize your 2010 tax liability, as well as plan ahead to reduce your 2011 tax liability. Click here to contact Paul.
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Oct 6
As 2010 draws to a close, there is still time to reduce your 2010 tax bill and plan ahead for 2011. This letter highlights several potential tax-saving opportunities for you to consider. Paul would be happy to meet with you to discuss any of these specific strategies. Click here to contact Paul.
Basic Numbers You Need To Know
Because many tax benefits are tied to or limited by adjusted gross income (AGI)—IRA deductions, for example—a key aspect of tax planning is to estimate both your 2010 and 2011 AGI. Also, when considering whether to accelerate or defer income or deductions, you should be aware of the impact this action may have on your AGI and your ability to maximize itemized deductions that are tied to AGI. Your 2009 tax return and your 2010 pay stubs and other income- and deduction-related materials are a good starting point for estimating your AGI.
Another important number is your “tax bracket,” i.e., the rate at which your last dollar of income is taxed. The tax rates for 2010 are 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 31%, and 35%. Although tax brackets are indexed for inflation, if your income increases faster than the inflation adjustment, you may be pushed into a higher bracket. If so, your potential benefit from any tax-saving opportunity is increased (as is the cost of overlooking that opportunity). Note that for 2011, without legislative action, the brackets will revert back to pre-2001 levels (15%, 28%, 31%, 36% and 39.6%.) If this happens, the so-called “marriage penalty” comes back into play as the spread in the 15% bracket for married couples will no longer be twice the amount for single taxpayers. The President’s proposals would only raise the highest two brackets for those earning more than $250,000 ($200,000 for single taxpayers). Given the real possibility of higher income tax brackets in 2011, tax planning takes on a great importance before the 2010 tax year ends.
IRA, Retirement Savings Rules for 2010
Tax-saving opportunities continue for retirement planning due to the availability of Roth IRAs, changes that make regular IRAs more attractive, and other retirement savings incentives. As discussed herein, a few more changes began in 2010.
Traditional IRAs: Individuals who are not active participants in an employer pension plan may make deductible contributions to an IRA. The annual deductible contribution limit for an IRA for 2010 is $5,000. For 2010, a $1,000 “catch-up” contribution is allowed for taxpayers age 50 or older by the close of the taxable year, making the total limit $6,000 for these individuals. Individuals who are active participants in an employer pension plan also may make deductible contributions to an IRA, but their contributions are limited in amount depending on their AGI. For 2010, the AGI phase-out range for deductibility of IRA contributions is between $56,000 and $66,000 of modified AGI for single persons (including heads of households), and between $89,000 and $109,000 of modified AGI for married filing jointly. Above these ranges, no deduction is allowed.
In addition, an individual will not be considered an “active participant” in an employer plan simply because the individual’s spouse is an active participant for part of a plan year. Thus, you may be able to take the full deduction for an IRA contribution regardless of whether your spouse is covered by a plan at work, subject to a phase-out if your joint modified AGI is $167,000 to $177,000 for 2010. Above this range, no deduction is allowed.
Spousal IRA: If an individual files a joint return and has less compensation than his or her spouse, the IRA contribution is limited to the lesser of $5,000 for 2010 plus age 50 catch-up contributions, or the total compensation of both spouses reduced by the other spouse’s IRA contributions (traditional and Roth).
Roth IRA: This type of IRA permits nondeductible contributions of up to $5,000 a year. Earnings grow tax-free, and distributions are tax-free provided no distributions are made until more than five years after the first contribution and the individual has reached age 591/2. Distributions may be made earlier on account of the individual’s disability or death. The maximum contribution is phased out in 2010 for persons with an AGI above certain amounts: $167,000 to $177,000 for married filing jointly, and $105,000 to $120,000 for single taxpayers (including heads of households); and between $0 and $10,000 for married filing separately who lived with the spouse during the year.
Roth IRA Conversion Rule: Funds in a traditional IRA (including SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs), §401(a) qualified retirement plan, §403(b) tax-sheltered annuity or §457 government plan may be rolled over into a Roth IRA. Such a rollover, however, is treated as a taxable event, and you will pay tax on the amount converted. No penalties will apply if all the requirements for such a transfer are satisfied.
In past years, a taxpayer’s AGI (whether married filing jointly or single) was limited to $100,000 to make such a conversion and the taxpayer must not be a married individual filing a separate return. The AGI limitation does not apply to conversions from a Roth designated account in a §401 or §403(b) plan. Beginning in 2010, the $100,000 income limit on Roth IRA conversions is repealed, and taxpayers will be able to make Roth IRA conversions without regard to their AGI. If you convert to a Roth IRA in 2010, you will have the option of spreading the income ratably over two taxable years (2011 and 2012). This opportunity is available only for conversions in 2010. For conversions in 2011, the tax will have to be paid in the year of conversion. Also, if you already made a conversion earlier this year, you have the option of undoing the conversion. This is a useful strategy if the investments have gone down in value so that if you were to do the conversion now, your taxes would be lower. This is a complicated calculation and we should meet to determine what your best options are.
In addition, for 2010, if your §401(k) plan, §403(b) plan, or governmental §457(b) plan has a qualified designated Roth contribution program, a distribution to an employee (or a surviving spouse) from such account under the plan that is not a designated Roth account is permitted to be rolled over into a designated Roth account under the plan for the individual. If this is done in 2010, you can elect to include the amount distributed as income in 2011 and 2012, rather than 2010.
401(k) Contribution: The §401(k) elective deferral limit is $16,500 for 2010. If your §401(k) plan has been amended to allow for catch-up contributions for 2010 and you will be 50 years old by December 31, 2010, you may contribute an additional $5,500 to your §401(k) account, for a total maximum contribution of $22,000 ($16,500 in regular contributions plus $5,500 in catch-up contributions).
SIMPLE Plan Contribution: The SIMPLE plan deferral limit is $11,500 for 2010. If your SIMPLE plan has been amended to allow for catch-up contributions for 2010 and you will be 50 years old by December 31, 2010, you may contribute an additional $2,500.
Catch-Up Contributions for Other Plans: If you will be 50 years old by December 31, 2010, you may contribute an additional $5,500 to your §403(b) plan, SEP or eligible §457 government plan.
Saver’s Credit: A nonrefundable tax credit is available based on the qualified retirement savings contributions to an employer plan made by an eligible individual. For 2010, only taxpayers filing joint returns with AGI of $55,500 or less, head of household returns with AGI of $41,625 or less, or single returns (or separate returns filed by married taxpayers) with AGI of $27,750 or less, are eligible for the credit. The amount of the credit is equal to the applicable percentage (10% to 50%, based on filing status and AGI) of qualified retirement savings contributions up to $2,000.
Required Minimum Distributions: Unlike 2009, when taxpayers were allowed to waive their required minimum distribution, for 2010, taxpayers must take their required minimum distribution from IRAs or defined contribution plans (§401(k) plans, §403(a) and (b) annuity plans, and §457(b) plans that are maintained by a governmental employer).
Maximize Retirement Savings: In many cases, employers will require you to set your 2011 retirement contribution levels before January 2011. You may want to increase your contribution to lower your AGI in order to take advantage of some of the tax breaks described above or to avoid future tax rate increases. In addition, maximizing your contribution is generally a good tax-saving move.
Deferring Income to 2011
If you expect your AGI to be higher in 2010 than in 2011, or if you anticipate being in the same or a higher tax bracket in 2010, you may benefit by deferring income into 2011. Deferring income will be advantageous so long as the deferral does not bump your income to the next bracket. Deferring income could be disadvantageous, however, if your deferred income is subject to §409A, thus making the income includible in gross income and subject to additional tax. Some ways to defer income include:
Delay Billing: If you are self-employed and on the cash-basis, delay year-end billing to clients so that payments will not be received until 2011.
Interest and Dividends: Interest income earned on Treasury securities and bank certificates of deposit with maturities of one year or less is not includible in income until received. To defer interest income, consider buying short-term bonds or certificates that will not mature until next year. If you have control as to when dividends are paid, arrange to have them paid to you after the end of the year.
Accelerating Income into 2010
In limited circumstances, you may benefit by accelerating income into 2010. For example, you may anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in 2011, or perhaps you will need additional income in order to take advantage of an offsetting deduction or credit that will not be available to you in future tax years. Note, however, that accelerating income into 2010 will be disadvantageous if you expect to be in the same or lower tax bracket for 2011. In any event, before you decide to implement this strategy, we should “crunch the numbers.”
If accelerating income will be beneficial, here are some ways to accomplish this:
Accelerate Collection of Accounts Receivable: If you are self-employed and report income and expenses on a cash basis, issue bills and attempt collection before the end of 2010. Also see if some of your clients or customers might be willing to pay for January 2011 goods or services in advance. Any income received using these steps will shift income from 2011 to 2010.
Year-End Bonuses: If your employer generally pays year-end bonuses after the end of the current year, ask to have your bonus paid to you before the beginning of 2011.
Retirement Plan Distributions: If you are over age 591/2 and you participate in an employer retirement plan or have an IRA, consider making any taxable withdrawals before 2011.
You may also want to consider making a Roth IRA rollover distribution, as discussed above.
Deduction Planning
Individual Deductions:
Deduction timing is also an important element of year-end tax planning. Deduction planning is complex, however, due to factors such as AGI levels and filing status. If you are a cash-method taxpayer, remember to keep the following in mind:
Deduction in Year Paid: An expense is only deductible in the year in which it is actually paid. Under this rule, if your tax rate is going to increase in 2011, it is a smart strategy to postpone deductions until 2011.
Payment by Check: Date checks before the end of the year and mail them before January 1, 2011.
Promise to Pay: A promise to pay or providing a note does not permit you to deduct the expense. But you can take a deduction if you pay with money borrowed from a third party. Hence, if you pay by credit card in 2010, you can take the deduction even though you won’t pay your credit card bill until 2011.
AGI Limits: For 2010, the overall limitation on itemized deductions is terminated. However, without legislative action, for 2011, the reduction is reinstated with no reduction in the phaseout amount similar to what was in place in years 2006-2009. In addition, certain deductions may be claimed only if they exceed a percentage of AGI: 7.5% for medical expenses, 2% for miscellaneous itemized deductions, and 10% for casualty losses.
Standard Deduction Planning: Deduction planning is also affected by the standard deduction. For 2010 returns, the standard deduction is $11,400 for married taxpayers filing jointly, $5,700 for single taxpayers, $8,400 for heads of households, and $5,700 for married taxpayers filing separately. As you can see from the numbers, for 2010, the standard deduction for married taxpayers is twice the amount as that for single taxpayers. Unless Congress acts, in 2011, the spread between married and nonmarried taxpayers will change, as the spread will revert back to pre-2001 levels and not be twice as much as that for single taxpayers. This would bring back into play, the “marriage penalty.” If your itemized deductions are relatively constant and are close to the standard deduction amount, you will obtain little or no benefit from itemizing your deductions each year. But simply taking the standard deduction each year means you lose the benefit of your itemized deductions. To maximize the benefits of both the standard deduction and itemized deductions, consider adjusting the timing of your deductible expenses so that they are higher in one year and lower in the following year. You can do this by paying in 2010 deductible expenses, such as mortgage interest due in January 2011. In 2009, taxpayers who did not itemize their deductions were able to deduct up to $1,000 if filing jointly or up to $500 for single taxpayers for real property taxes. This benefit was in the form of an additional standard deduction. Unless extended by Congress into 2010, this added standard deduction does not apply. In 2009, taxpayers who purchased an eligible motor vehicle and had an AGI below a threshold amount, could deduct the sales tax paid on the vehicle (up to a purchase price of $49,500) as part of the standard deduction. Unless extended by Congress into 2010, this added standard deduction does not apply.
Medical Expenses: Medical expenses, including amounts paid as health insurance premiums, are deductible only to the extent that they exceed 7.5% of AGI. Consider bunching medical expenses into years when your AGI is lower.
State Taxes: If you anticipate a state income tax liability for 2010 and plan to make an estimated payment, consider making the payment before the end of 2010. Note that in 2009, taxpayers were able to elect to deduct as an itemized deduction state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes. Unless extended by Congress into 2010, this extra deduction does not apply.
Charitable Contributions: Consider making your charitable contributions at the end of the year. This will give you use of the money during the year and simultaneously permit you to claim a deduction for that year. You can use a credit card to charge donations in 2010 even though you will not pay the bill until 2011. A mere pledge to make a donation is not deductible, however, unless it is paid by the end of the year. Note, however, for claimed donations of cars, boats and airplanes of more than $500, the amount available as a deduction will significantly depend on what the charity does with the donated property, not just the fair market value of the donated property. If the organization sells the property without any significant intervening use or material improvement to the property, the amount of the charitable contribution deduction cannot exceed the gross proceeds received from the sale.
To avoid capital gains, you may want to consider giving appreciated property to charity.
Regarding charitable contributions please remember the following rules: (1) no deduction is allowed for charitable contributions of clothing and household items if such items are not in good used condition or better; (2) the IRS may deny a deduction for any item with minimal monetary value; and (3) the restrictions in (1) and (2) do not apply to the contribution of any single clothing or household item for which a deduction of $500 or more is claimed if the taxpayer includes a qualified appraisal with his or her return. Charitable contributions of money, regardless of the amount, will be denied a deduction, unless the donor maintains a cancelled check, bank record, or receipt from the donee organization showing the name of the donee organization, and the date and amount of the contribution.
A special provision giving taxpayers the ability to distribute tax-free to charity up to $100,000 from a traditional or Roth IRA maintained for an individual whose has reached age 701/2 expired in 2009. If Congress acts on pending legislation, this provision could be extended into 2010.
Business Deductions
Self-Employed Health Insurance Premiums: Self-employed individuals are allowed to claim 100% of the amount paid during the taxable year for insurance that constitutes medical care for themselves, their spouses and dependents as an above-the-line deduction, without regard to the 7.5% of AGI floor. New for 2010, the deduction can be taken into account in computing self-employment taxes.
Equipment Purchases: If you are in business and purchase equipment, you may make a “Section 179 Election,” which allows you to expense (i.e., currently deduct) otherwise depreciable business property. For 2010 and 2011, under a new law just enacted, you may elect to expense up to $500,000 of equipment costs (with a phase-out for purchases in excess of $2,000,000) if the asset was placed in service during 2010. Former law had the numbers at $250,000 for 2010 and $25,000 for 2011. Therefore, between now and the end of the year, if you previously maxed out the old $250,000 amount for 2010, you now have an additional $250,000 you can invest in your business and deduct. Also, new for 2010 and 2011, certain real property can qualify for the expense deduction, but of the $500,000 limitation, only $250,000 can be attributed to qualified real property. In 2012, these dollar amounts will be reduced to $25,000 and $200,000 (subject to inflation adjustments).
In addition, careful timing of equipment purchases can result in favorable depreciation deductions in 2010. In general, under the “half-year convention,” you may deduct six months worth of depreciation for equipment that is placed in service on or before the last day of the tax year. (If more than 40% of the cost of all personal property placed in service occurs during the last quarter of the year, however, a “mid-quarter convention” applies, which lowers your depreciation deduction.) A popular strategy in recent years is to purchase a vehicle for business purposes that exceeds the depreciation limits set by statute (i.e., a vehicle rated over 6,000 pounds). Doing so would not subject the purchase to the statutory dollar limit, $3,060 for 2010; $3,160 in the case of vans and trucks (unless extended by Congress in 2010, the additional $8,000 depreciation amount for qualified 50% bonus depreciation property in effect in 2009 does not apply). Therefore, the vehicle would qualify for the full equipment expensing dollar amount. However, for SUVs (rated between 6,000 and 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight) the expensing amount is limited to $25,000. Note that new legislation enacted in September, revives the additional $8,000 depreciation amount for qualified 50% bonus depreciation property. Such amount is added to the dollar amounts stated above.
NOL Carryback Period: If your business suffers net operating losses for 2010, you generally apply those losses against taxable income going back two tax years. Thus, for example, the loss could be used to reduce taxable income—and thus generate tax refunds—for tax years as far back as 2008. Certain “eligible losses” can be carried back three years; farming losses and qualified disaster losses (for losses arising in taxable years beginning after 2007 in connection with disasters declared after December 31, 2007) can be carried back five years.
Bonus Depreciation: Although originally not in effect for 2010, new legislation enacted in September, for 2010, taxpayers meeting certain criteria can claim a 50% bonus depreciation allowance. In order to claim the additional depreciation, the following criteria must be met: (1) the original use of the property must begin with the taxpayer after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2011; (2) the property must be acquired by the taxpayer in 2008, 2009 or 2010, but only if no written binding contract for the acquisition was in effect before January 1, 2008, or acquired by the taxpayer pursuant to a written binding contract entered into in 2008, 2009 or 2010; (3) the property must be placed in service before 2011 (or, in the case of long production period property (10 years or longer) or specified aircraft, January 1, 2012). Bonus depreciation is also allowed for machinery and equipment used exclusively to collect, distribute, or recycle qualified reuse and recyclable materials and qualified disaster assistance property. Because bonus depreciation was just extended into 2010 by the new September law, you can take advantage of this for the remainder of 2010.
Education and Child Tax Benefits
Child Tax Credit: A tax credit of $1,000 per qualifying child under the age of 17 is available on this year’s return. In order to qualify for 2010, the taxpayer must be allowed a dependency deduction for the qualifying child. Another qualifying determination is that the qualifying child must be younger than you. The credit is phased out at a rate of $50 for each $1,000 (or fraction of $1,000) of modified AGI exceeding the following amounts: $110,000 for married filing jointly; $55,000 for married filing separately; and $75,000 for all other taxpayers. A portion of the credit may be refundable. For 2010, the threshold earned income level to determine refundability is $3,000. It is important to be under the phaseouts for 2010 to maximize the available credit as the credit amount is scheduled to drop to $500 per child in 2011, unless Congress extends the current amounts.
Credit for Adoption Expenses: For 2010, the adoption credit limitation is $13,170 of aggregate expenditures for each child, except that the credit for an adoption of a child with special needs is deemed to be $13,170 regardless of the amount of expenses. The credit ratably phases out for taxpayers whose income is between $182,520 and $222,520. New for 2010, the credit is refundable.
HOPE Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit: Significant changes were put in place for the HOPE credit in 2009, including a name change to the American Opportunity Tax Credit. These changes continue for 2010, but not 2011, unless extended by Congress. The maximum credit for 2010 is $2,500 (100% on the first $2,000, plus 25% of the next $2,000) for qualified tuition and fees paid on behalf of a student (i.e., the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or a dependent) who is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. The credit is available for the first four years (rather than two as in past years) of the student’s post-secondary education. For 2010, the credit is phased out at modified AGI levels between $160,000 and $180,000 for joint filers, and between $80,000 and $90,000 for other taxpayers. Forty percent of the credit is refundable, which means that you can receive up to $1,000 even if you owe no taxes. The term “qualified tuition and related expenses” has been expanded to include expenditures for “course materials” (books, supplies, and equipment needed for a course of study whether or not the materials are purchased from the educational institution as a condition of enrollment or attendance). One way to take advantage of the credit for 2010 is to prepay the spring 2011′s tuition. In addition, if your child’s books for the spring semester are known, those can be bought and the costs qualify for the credit.
The Lifetime Learning credit maximum in 2010 is $2,000 (20% of qualified tuition and fees up to $10,000). A student need not be enrolled on at least a half-time basis so long as he or she is taking post-secondary classes to acquire or improve job skills. As with the HOPE (American Opportunity Tax Credit in 2010) credit, eligible students include the taxpayer, the taxpayer’s spouse, or a dependent. For 2010, the Lifetime Learning credit are phased out at modified AGI levels between $100,000 and $120,000 for joint filers, and between $50,000 and $60,000 for single taxpayers.
Coverdell Education Savings Account: For 2010, the aggregate annual contribution limit to a Coverdell education savings account is $2,000 per designated beneficiary of the account. This limit is phased out for individual contributors with modified AGI between $95,000 and $110,000 and joint filers with modified AGI between $190,000 and $220,000. The contributions to the account are nondeductible but the earnings grow tax-free. Unless extended, the 2011 contribution limit will drop to $500. In addition, accounts will not be allowed to be used to pay for primary and secondary education.
Student Loan Interest: You may be eligible for an above-the-line deduction for student loan interest paid on any “qualified education loan.” The maximum deduction is $2,500. The deduction for 2010 is phased out at a modified AGI level between $120,000 and $150,000 for joint filers, and between $60,000 and $75,000 for individual taxpayers.
Kiddie Tax: For 2010, the kiddie tax applies to: (1) children under 18; (2) 18-year old children who have unearned income in excess of the threshold amount, do not file a joint return and who have earned income, if any, that does not exceed one-half of the amount of the child’s support; and (3) children between the ages of 19 and 23 and if, in addition to the above rules, they are full-time students. For 2010, the kiddie tax threshold amount is $1,900.
Energy Incentives
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit: For 2010, a credit is available for purchases of motor vehicles powered by certain advanced technology. The dollar amount of the credit depends on fuel savings and weight of the vehicle. The most popular vehicles subject to the credit are hybrids. However, when a particular manufacturer sells in the United States its 60,000th of the particular hybrid, a phaseout period kicks in. The phaseout will reduce the credit from fully available to nothing being available. Due to this limitation, many popular hybrids have been phased out from the credit. In addition, the credit expired at the end of 2009 for hybrids weighing more than 8,500 pounds. Credits are also available for lean-burn technology vehicles (subject to the same phaseout), qualified fuel cell motor vehicles, qualified alternative fuel motor vehicles, and qualified plug-in electric-drive motor vehicles. Unless extended, credits for hybrids, lean-burn technology cars and alternative fuel vehicles expire at the end of 2010, regardless of whether the 60,000 phaseout limit is reached. If you have an interest in purchasing a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle before the end of 2010, please contact me and I can calculate the allowable credit. The amount of the credit could affect your decision on which vehicle to purchase.
Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit: Until 2016, tax incentives are available to taxpayers who install certain energy efficient property, such as photovoltaic panels, solar water heating property, fuel cell property, small wind energy property and geothermal heat pumps. A credit is available for the expenditures incurred for such property up to a specific percentage, except that a cap applies for fuel cell property. The property purchased cannot be used to heat swimming pools or hot tubs. If you have made improvements to your home or plan to by the end of 2010, please contact me to discuss the amount of the credit you may qualify for.
Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit. After expiring in 2007, the nonbusiness energy property credit was re-enacted for 2009 and 2010 only. Property qualifying for the credit includes windows (including skylights), exterior doors, insulation, metal roof, advanced main air circulating fans, natural gas, propane, or oil furnace or hot water boilers, and other energy efficient building property that meets certain energy standards. The credit is 30% of the cost of the improvement(s) up to a maximum credit of $1,500 (therefore, if you took any credit in 2009, your total for both years cannot exceed $1,500). The property must be installed by the end of the year to qualify.
Business Credits
Small Employer Pension Plan Startup Cost Credit: For 2010, certain small business employers that did not have a pension plan for the preceding three years may claim a nonrefundable income tax credit for expenses of establishing and administering a new retirement plan for employees. The credit applies to 50% of the first $1,000 in qualified administrative and retirement-education expenses for each of the first three plan years.
Employer-Provided Child Care Credit: For 2010, employers may claim a credit of up to $150,000 for supporting employee child care or child care resource and referral services. The credit is allowed for a percentage of “qualified child care expenditures” including for property to be used as part of a qualified child care facility, for operating costs of a qualified child care facility and for resource and referral expenditures. Unless extended by Congress, this credit is unavailable for 2011.
Work Opportunity Credit: The work opportunity credit is an incentive provided to employers who hire individuals in groups whose members historically have had difficulty obtaining employment. Unemployed veterans and disconnected youth hired in 2010 qualify as a targeted group in addition to the existing targeted groups. This gives your business an expanded opportunity to employ new workers and be eligible for a tax credit against the wages paid. Wages do not include amounts paid to certain individuals hired in 2010 during the one-year period beginning on the hiring date that qualify for payroll forgiveness under Code §3111(d).
Credit for Employee Health Insurance Expenses of Small Employers: For tax years beginning after 2009, eligible small employers are allowed a credit for certain expenditures to provide health insurance coverage for its employees. Generally, employers with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) and an average annual per-employee wage of $25,000 or less are eligible for the full credit. The credit amount begins to phase out for employers with either 11 FTEs or an average annual per-employee wage of more than $25,000. The credit is phased out completely for employers with 25 or more FTEs or an average annual per-employee wage of $50,000 or more. The credit amount is 35% of certain contributions made to purchase health insurance.
Business Credit for Retention of Certain Newly-Hired Individuals in 2010: For qualified employers in tax years ending after March 18, 2010, the current year general business credit is increased for each retained worker by the lesser of: (a) $1,000, or (b) 6.2% of the wages paid to the retained worker during the 52 consecutive week period for a “retained worker.”
Carryback of Business Credits: Pursuant to a new law enacted in September, the credit carryback period for eligible small business credits is extended from one to five years. Eligible small business credits are defined as the sum of the general business credits determined for the taxable year with respect to an eligible small business. An eligible small business is, with respect to any taxable year, a corporation, the stock of which is not publicly traded, or a partnership which meets the gross receipts test of §448(c) (substituting $50 million for $5 million each place it appears). In the case of a sole proprietorship, the gross receipts test is applied as if it were a corporation. Credits determined with respect to a partnership or S corporation are not treated as eligible small business credits by a partner or shareholder unless the partner or shareholder meets the gross receipts test for the taxable year in which the credits are treated as current year business credits.
Investment Planning
The following rules apply for most capital assets in 2010:
• Capital gains on property held one year or less are taxed at an individual’s ordinary income tax rate.
• Capital gains on property held for more than one year are taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (0% if an individual is in the 10% or 15% marginal tax bracket.
Note that if Congress does not act to extend the reduced capital gains rates, beginning in 2011, the rates will revert back to pre-2001 levels, or up to a maximum of 20% for all taxpayers.
Timing of Sales: You may want to time the sale of assets so as to have offsetting capital losses and gains. Capital losses may be fully deducted against capital gains and also may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500 for married filing separately). In general, when you take losses, you must first match your long-term losses against your long-term gains, and short-term losses against short-term gains. If there are any remaining losses, you may use them to offset any remaining long-term or short-term gains, or up to $3,000 (or $1,500) of ordinary income. When and whether to recognize such losses should be analyzed in light of the possible future changes in the capital gains rates applicable to your specific investments.
Dividends: Qualifying dividends received in 2010 are subject to rates similar to the capital gains rates. Therefore, qualifying dividends are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Qualifying dividends include dividends received from domestic and certain foreign corporations. Note that if Congress does not act to extend the reduced dividend rates, beginning in 2011, the rates will revert back to pre-2001 levels, that is taxed at a taxpayer’s ordinary income rate, up to a maximum of 39.6%. The President has proposed to keep qualifying dividend income taxed at the same rate as capital gains, which could increase to 20% in 2011.
Purchasing a Home: If you purchased a home before April 30, 2010 (and close before September 30), you may be eligible for up to an $8,000 credit ($4,000 if married filing separately) if you are a qualified first-time homebuyer, or for taxpayers who have lived in their home for any five-consecutive year period during the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of the subsequent residence a credit up to $6,500 ($3,250 if married filing separately). One qualification is that your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $145,000 ($245,000 if married filing jointly). Also, no credit is available if the purchase price of the home exceeds $800,000. Even if the qualifying purchase took place in before April 30, 2010, the taxpayer can elect the purchase to be treated as happening on December 31, 2009, to speed up payment of the credit via a tax refund on an amended 2009 return.
Social Security
Depending on the recipient’s modified AGI and the amount of Social Security benefits, a percentage — up to 85% — of Social Security benefits may be taxed. To reduce that percentage, it may be beneficial to defer receipt of other retirement income. One way to do so is to elect to receive a lump sum distribution from a retirement plan and to rollover that distribution into an IRA. Alternatively, it may be beneficial to accelerate income so as to reduce the percentage of your Social Security taxed in 2011 and later years.
Other Tax Planning Opportunities
There are potential benefits to you or your family members of other planning options available for 2010, including §529 qualified tuition programs.
Alternative Minimum Tax
Without another legislative amendment in 2010, the alternative minimum tax exemption amounts will not be high enough to spare millions of taxpayers from the AMT effect. The exemption amounts in place for 2010 are: (1) $45,000 for married individuals filing jointly and for surviving spouses; (2) $33,750 for unmarried individuals other than surviving spouses; and (3) $22,500 for married individuals filing a separate return. Also, for 2010, nonrefundable personal credits cannot offset an individual’s regular and alternative minimum tax.
Some of the standard year-end planning ideas will not reduce tax liability if you are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) because different rules apply. Because of the complexity of the AMT, it would be wise for us to analyze your AMT exposure.
There is still time to implement these strategies to minimize your 2010 tax liability. Click here to contact Paul.
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Sep 24

The Utah State Tax Commission has a program called an offer in compromise. This offer in compromise may be an alternative for resolving your Utah tax debt. The Tax Commission accepts an offer in compromise for less than the amount owed when there is doubt if (1) you owe the liability, or (2) the liability can be collected in full and your offer is reasonable. This program is available for income tax, sales tax, personal penalty assessment, and basically any type of tax the Utah State Tax Commission collects against. Each situation is unique so it is difficult to know whether an offer in compromise would be a worthwhile option for you. It is not uncommon for the Commission to reject offers, but under the right circumstances offers will be accepted. If you would like Paul to help you evaluate your position click here to contact Paul.

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Sep 2

When you file a joint income tax return, the law makes both you and your spouse responsible for the entire tax liability. This is called joint and several liability. Joint and several liability applies not only to the tax liability you show on the return but also to any additional tax liability the IRS determines to be due, even if the additional tax is due to the income, deductions, or credits of your spouse or former spouse. You remain jointly and severally liable for taxes, and the IRS still can collect from you, even if you later divorce and the divorce decree states that your former spouse will be solely responsible for the tax.

If you believe that only your spouse or former spouse should be held responsible for all or part of the tax, you can request relief from the tax liability, plus related penalties and interest. To request relief, you must file Form 8857. The IRS will use the information you provide on the form and any attachments to determine if you are eligible for relief.  There four types of relief are available. They are:

  • Innocent spouse relief
  • Separation of liability relief
  • Equitable relief
  • Relief from liability arising from community property law

Each type has specific criteria by which the IRS will grant relief. If you need assistance completing Form 8857 or if you have been denied relief contact Paul to discuss your situation by clicking here.

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