Tax Tidbits

Posted August 22, 2018 / No comments

The IRS recently released highly anticipated regulations addressing the deduction for up to 20% of qualified business income (QBI) from pass-through entities. The deduction was a major component of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which became law late last year. It has also been referred to as the pass-through deduction, the QBI deduction or

Posted August 21, 2018 / No comments

If you have a child or other family member with a disabling condition that requires long-term care or prevents (or will prevent) him or her from being able to support him- or herself, consider establishing a special needs trust (SNT). Also known as a supplemental needs trust, an SNT allows you to enhance a family

Posted July 10, 2018 / No comments

State legislatures have been busy formulating responses to changes brought by the TCJA. Many have already passed conformity statutes. Others have issued preliminary reports to clarify for the public how the TCJA impacts their state income taxes, including changes to standard and itemized deductions, personal exemptions and more. Still, other states have enacted laws to

Posted June 27, 2018 / No comments

House Republicans’ newly unveiled budget plan would allow lawmakers to use the reconciliation process to implement a second tax cut (or “Phase 2”) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Under reconciliation, the bill would require only a simple Senate majority for passage instead of the usual 60-vote threshold. The House Ways and Means

Posted June 26, 2018 / No comments

In a much-anticipated ruling that confounded the expectations of many court watchers, the U.S. Supreme Court has given state and local governments the green light to impose sales taxes on out-of-state online sales. The 5-4 decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. was met by cheers from brick-and-mortar retailers, who have long believed that the

Posted June 19, 2018 / No comments

If you and your spouse are both employed or you’re single and work more than one job, the IRS is urging you to check your withholding amounts. Due to changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that affect 2018 taxes, the IRS is advising two-income families and taxpayers who work multiple jobs to

Posted June 13, 2018 / No comments

The Social Security “wage base” could increase to $132,300 for 2019. The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary (OCA) is projecting that the wage base will increase from $128,400 for 2018 to $132,300 for 2019. The wage base is the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax. Although the OCA has

Posted June 7, 2018 / No comments

Is the date an IRS notice is mailed the relevant date? The IRS can’t seize property unless it gives a person notice in writing of a right to, and the opportunity for, a hearing. Notice can be made by certified/registered mail or hand delivery at least 30 days before the first levy. In one case, the

Posted May 22, 2018 / No comments

Business owners: Don’t forget about these tax breaks. The IRS is encouraging small business owners and self-employed individuals who work from a home office to explore the guidelines surrounding home office deductions. See IRS Publication 587 at https://bit.ly/2r5JfH8 The agency also is reminding employers that they can take advantage of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Posted May 16, 2018 / No comments

The IRS issues inflation-adjusted Health Savings Account (HSA) figures for 2019. For calendar year 2019, the annual contribution limit for an HSA for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) will be $3,500 (up from $3,450 for 2018). For family coverage, the contribution limit will be $7,000 (up from $6,900