The 2018 gift tax return deadline is almost here
Did you make large gifts to your heirs in 2018? If so, it’s important to determine whether you’re required to file a gift tax return by April 15 (Oct. 15 if you file for an extension). Generally, you’ll need to file one if you made 2018 gifts that exceeded the $15,000-per-recipient gift tax annual exclusion (unless to your U.S. citizen spouse) and in certain other situations. But sometimes it’s desirable to file a gift tax return even if you aren’t required to. If you’re not sure whether you must (or should) file a 2018 gift tax return, contact us.
Will leasing equipment or buying it be more tax efficient for your business?
Recent changes to tax law and accounting rules may affect whether you decide to lease or buy equipment or other fixed assets. Many businesses that have typically leased assets are now buying them instead. Lease payments generally are deductible, but buying allows you to take advantage of expanded Section 179 and bonus depreciation deductions to potentially write off the full cost of equipment in the year it’s purchased. Also, the accounting advantages of leases generally are disappearing. We can help you determine whether leasing or buying is better for you.
Vehicle-expense deduction ins and outs for individual taxpayers
It’s not just businesses that can deduct vehicle-related expenses. Individuals also can deduct them in certain circumstances. But the TCJA might reduce your deduction compared to your 2017 return. For 2017, miles driven for business, moving, medical and charitable purposes were potentially deductible. For 2018 through 2025, business and moving miles are deductible only in much more limited circumstances. The near-doubling of the standard deduction may also affect the tax benefit. Questions? Contact us. We can help you with your 2018 return and 2019 tax planning.
Are your employees ignoring their 401(k)s?
Employees often grow so accustomed to having a 401(k) that they don’t pay much attention to it. Keeping your employees engaged will help them value this benefit more, which can pay dividends for you in productivity and retention. Remind them that a 401(k) remains one of the most tax-efficient ways to save for retirement. Explain that, if they’re invested appropriately, their accounts will likely rebound from any market volatility. Consider providing outside financial advisors to help employees devise appropriate investment strategies. Contact us for more info.
Careful tax planning required for incentive stock options
Incentive stock options (ISOs) allow you to buy your employer’s stock in the future at a fixed price equal to or greater than the stock’s fair market value on the ISO grant date. If the stock appreciates, you can buy shares at a price below what they’re then trading for. But complex tax rules apply. If you were granted ISOs in 2018, there likely isn’t any impact on your 2018 income tax return. But if in 2018 you exercised ISOs or sold stock you acquired via exercising ISOs, then it could affect your 2018 tax liability. Need help tax planning for ISOs? Contact us.
Beware the Ides of March — if you own a pass-through entity
Pass-through entity owners: Beware the Ides of March. Shakespeare’s words don’t apply just to Julius Caesar; they also apply to calendar-year partnerships, S corporations and limited liability companies treated as partnerships or S corporations for tax purposes. Why? The Ides of March, better known as March 15, is the federal income tax filing deadline for these entities. If you haven’t filed your return and are worried about having sufficient time to complete it, you can avoid the tragedy of a late return by filing for an extension. Contact us with questions.
Financial statements tell your business’s story, inside and out
As a business evolves, it will encounter the need to build credibility with outside parties, such as investors and lenders, and to make well-informed strategic decisions. In short, financial statements are a necessity. Typical components are an income statement, a balance sheet, and a cash flow statement. Also frequently included: a retained earnings/equity statement and a notes section. Financial statements tell an important, ongoing narrative of your company. We can help you generate these reports to the highest standards and use them to your best advantage.
When are LLC members subject to self-employment tax?
Limited liability company (LLC) members commonly claim that their distributive shares of LLC income (after deducting compensation for services in the form of guaranteed payments) aren’t subject to self-employment (SE) tax. But the IRS has been seeking back taxes and penalties from LLC members it claims have underreported SE income, with some success in court. At the greatest risk are LLC members who are comparable to general partners in a partnership. We can help you assess whether the IRS might successfully claim that you’ve underpaid SE taxes.
3 big TCJA changes affecting 2018 individual tax returns and beyond
When you file your 2018 income tax return, you’ll likely find that some big tax law changes affect you, besides the much-discussed tax rate cuts and reduced itemize deductions. For 2018 through 2025, the TCJA: 1) eliminates personal exemptions, 2) increases the standard deduction and 3) expands the child credit. The degree to which these changes will affect you depends on whether you have dependents and, if so, how many. It also depends on whether you typically itemize deductions. We can help ensure you claim all of the breaks available to you on your 2018 return.
Best practices when filing a business interruption claim
Business interruption insurance generally provides cash flow to cover revenues lost and expenses incurred while normal operations are suspended because of an applicable event. But submitting a claim can be time-consuming and requires preparation. First, notify your insurer of an interruption immediately and review your policy. Then reorganize your bookkeeping to segregate costs related to the business interruption and carefully maintain supporting documents. The loss calculation is often a contentious issue in making a claim. We can help you through the process.