Taxes — Stonehenge Blog — Stonehenge Consulting, PLC

Posts tagged Taxes

It’s not too late to trim your 2024 taxes

It’s not too late to trim your 2024 taxes

As the end of the year draws near, savvy taxpayers look for ways to reduce their tax bills. This year, the sense of urgency is higher for many because of some critical factors.

Indeed, many of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025, absent congressional action. However, with President-Elect Donald Trump set to take power in 2025 and a unified GOP Congress, the chances have greatly improved that many provisions will be extended or made permanent. With these factors in mind, here are tax-related strategies to consider before year end.

Nikki DaleyNovember 15, 2024Taxes, Tax Planning

Now what? Assessing the likely tax impacts of the 2024 election

Now what? Assessing the likely tax impacts of the 2024 election

President-Elect Donald Trump will return to the White House in 2025 — a year that already was expected to see significant activity on the federal tax front. A projected unified GOP Congress is poised to help him notch early legislative tax victories. (Republicans have won back a majority in the U.S. Senate and are projected to retain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.) The most obvious legislative win will likely be the extension and expansion of Trump’s signature 2017 tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

Nikki DaleyNovember 15, 2024Taxes, Tax Planning, Business Planning, Tax Filing Deadline

How the U.S. election changes the outlook for taxes

How the U.S. election changes the outlook for taxes

The outcome of the November 5 election is likely to significantly impact taxes. Many provisions in President-elect Donald Trump’s signature tax legislation from his first time in the White House, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. Now, there’s a better chance that most provisions will be extended.

Nikki DaleyNovember 15, 2024Taxes, Tax Planning, TCJA

Some taxpayers qualify for more favorable “head of household” tax filing status

Some taxpayers qualify for more favorable “head of household” tax filing status

When preparing your tax return, we’ll check one of the following statuses: Single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household or qualifying widow(er). Filing a return as a head of household is more favorable than filing as a single taxpayer.

Nikki DaleyMarch 30, 2023Taxes, Tax Planning

Two important tax deadlines are coming up — and they don’t involve filing your 2022 tax return

Two important tax deadlines are coming up — and they don’t involve filing your 2022 tax return

April 18 is the deadline for filing your 2022 tax return. But a couple of other tax deadlines are coming up in April and they’re important for certain taxpayers:

Saturday, April 1 is the last day to begin receiving required minimum distributions (RMDs) from IRAs, 401(k)s and similar workplace plans for taxpayers who turned 72 during 2022.
Tuesday, April 18 is the deadline for making the first quarterly estimated tax payment for 2023, if you’re required to make one.

Nikki DaleyMarch 30, 2023RMD, Tax Filing Deadline, Taxes

Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances

Awarded money in a lawsuit or settlement? It’s only tax-free in certain circumstances

You generally must pay federal tax on all income you receive but there are some exceptions when you can exclude it. For example, compensatory awards and judgments for “personal physical injuries or physical sickness” are free from federal income tax under the tax code. This includes amounts received in a lawsuit or a settlement and in a lump sum or in installments.

Nikki DaleyMarch 16, 2023Taxes, Tax Planning

U.S. Supreme Court rules against the IRS on critical FBAR issue

U.S. Supreme Court rules against the IRS on critical FBAR issue

The U.S. Supreme Court recently weighed in on an issue regarding a provision of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) that has split two federal courts of appeal. Its 5-4 ruling in Bittner v. U.S. is welcome news for U.S. residents who “non-willfully” violate the law’s requirements for the reporting of certain foreign bank and financial accounts on what’s generally known as an FBAR. The full name of an FBAR is the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.

Nikki DaleyMarch 16, 2023Taxes, FBAR

Buying a new business vehicle? A heavy SUV is a tax-smart choice

Buying a new business vehicle? A heavy SUV is a tax-smart choice

If you’re buying or replacing a vehicle that you’ll use in your business, be aware that a heavy SUV may provide a more generous tax break this year than you’d get from a smaller vehicle. The reason has to do with how smaller business cars are depreciated for tax purposes.

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Business Planning, Taxes, Tax Planning

Do you run a business from home? You may be able to deduct home office expenses

Do you run a business from home? You may be able to deduct home office expenses

Many people began working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic — and many still work from their home offices either all the time or on a hybrid basis. If you’re self-employed and run your business from home or perform certain functions there, you might be able to claim deductions for home office expenses against your business income. There are two methods for claiming this tax break: the actual expense method and the simplified method.

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Tax Planning, Taxes

Key tax issues in M&A transactions

Key tax issues in M&A transactions

Merger and acquisition activity dropped dramatically last year due to rising interest rates and a slowing economy. The total value of M&A transactions in North America in 2022 was down 41.4% from 2021, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Business Planning, Tax Planning, Taxes

Have employees who receive tips? Here are the tax implications

Have employees who receive tips? Here are the tax implications

Many businesses in certain industries employ individuals who receive tips as part of their compensation. These businesses include restaurants, hotels and salons.

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Taxes, Tax Planning

Many tax limits affecting businesses have increased for 2023

Many tax limits affecting businesses have increased for 2023

An array of tax-related limits that affect businesses are indexed annually, and due to high inflation, many have increased more than usual for 2023. Here are some that may be important to you and your business.

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Business Planning, Taxes

Child tax credit: The rules keep changing but it’s still valuable

Child tax credit: The rules keep changing but it’s still valuable

If you’re a parent, you may be confused about the rules for claiming the Child Tax Credit (CTC). The rules and credit amounts have changed significantly over the last six years. This tax break became more generous in 2018 than it was under prior law — and it became even better in 2021 for eligible parents. Even though the enhancements that were available for 2021 have expired, the CTC is still valuable for parents. Here are the current rules.

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023CTC, Tax Planning, Taxes

There still may be time to make an IRA contribution for last year

There still may be time to make an IRA contribution for last year

If you’re getting ready to file your 2022 tax return, and your tax bill is higher than you’d like, there may still be an opportunity to lower it. If you’re eligible, you can make a deductible contribution to a traditional IRA right up until this year’s April 18 filing deadline and benefit from the tax savings on your 2022 return.

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Tax Planning, Taxes, SEP IRA

Answers to your questions about 2023 limits on individual taxes

Answers to your questions about 2023 limits on individual taxes

Many people are more concerned about their 2022 tax bills right now than they are about their 2023 tax situations. That’s understandable because your 2022 individual tax return is due to be filed in 10 weeks (unless you file an extension).

Nikki DaleyFebruary 25, 2023Tax Planning, Taxes