There’s currently a “stepped-up basis” if you inherit property — but will it last?
If you’re planning your estate, or you’ve recently inherited assets, you may be unsure of the “cost” (or “basis”) for tax purposes.
The current rules
Under the current fair market value basis rules (also known as the “step-up and step-down” rules), an heir receives a basis in inherited property equal to its date-of-death value. So, for example, if your grandmother bought stock in 1935 for $500 and it’s worth $1 million at her death, the basis is stepped up to $1 million in the hands of your grandmother’s heirs — and all of that gain escapes federal income tax.
Read More
PPP forgiveness and repayment: What businesses need to know now
A critical deadline is approaching for many of the businesses that have received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was created in March 2020 by the CARES Act. If these borrowers don’t take action before the deadline expires, their loans will become standard loans, and the borrowers could be responsible for repaying the full amount plus 1% interest before the maturity date. In addition, some borrowers could face audits.
Read More
Are you a nonworking spouse? You may still be able to contribute to an IRA
Married couples may not be able to save as much as they need for retirement when one spouse doesn’t work outside the home — perhaps so that spouse can take care of children or elderly parents. In general, an IRA contribution is allowed only if a taxpayer earns compensation. However, there’s an exception involving a “spousal” IRA. It allows contributions to be made for nonworking spouses.
Read More
Traveling for business again? What can you deduct?
As we continue to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be traveling again for business. Under tax law, there are a number of rules for deducting the cost of your out-of-town business travel within the United States. These rules apply if the business conducted out of town reasonably requires an overnight stay.
Read More
Eligible Businesses: Claim the Employee Retention Tax Credit
The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a valuable tax break that was extended and modified by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enacted in March of 2021. Here’s a rundown of the rules.
Read More
2021 Q3 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers
Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the third quarter of 2021. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements.
Read More
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July!
Wishing everyone a safe and fun holiday weekend.⠀
Our office will be closed Friday, July 2 and Monday, July 5.
Read More
Here come the child tax credit payments: What you need to know
The first advance payments under the temporarily expanded child tax credit (CTC) will begin to arrive for nearly 39 million households in mid-July 2021 — unless, that is, they opt out. Most eligible families won’t need to do anything to receive the payments, but you need to understand the implications and why advance payments might not make sense for your household even if you qualify for them.
Read More
Estate planning in the FAST lane
Traditionally, estate planning has focused on more technical objectives, such as minimizing gift and estate taxes and protecting assets against creditors’ claims or lawsuits. These goals are still important, but affluent families are increasingly turning their attention to “softer,” yet equally critical, aspirations, such as educating the younger generation, preparing them to manage wealth responsibly, promoting shared family values and encouraging charitable giving. To achieve these goals, many are turning to a family advancement sustainability trust (FAST).
Read More
Determining eligibility for HIPAA administrative simplification
A health care plan with fewer than 50 participants that’s administered by a sponsoring employer may have fewer compliance hassles. That’s because it’s excluded from the definition of a “group health plan” under administrative simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These provisions include privacy and security requirements.
Read More
The long and short of succession planning
For many business owners, putting together a succession plan may seem like an overwhelming task. It might even seem unnecessary for those who are relatively young and have no intention of giving up ownership anytime soon.
Read More
The employee classification rule that never really was
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), then under the Trump administration, announced a final rule regarding the employee-versus-independent-contractor standard under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The effective date of the final rule was March 8. However, its future was uncertain at the time given that a new presidential administration was incoming. Now the final rule’s fate has been decided.
Read More
Many parents will receive advance tax credit payments beginning July 15
Eligible parents will soon begin receiving payments from the federal government. The IRS announced that the 2021 advance child tax credit (CTC) payments, which were created in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will begin being made on July 15, 2021.
Read More
An S corporation could cut your self-employment tax
If your business is organized as a sole proprietorship or as a wholly owned limited liability company (LLC), you’re subject to both income tax and self-employment tax. There may be a way to cut your tax bill by conducting business as an S corporation.
Read More
Memorial Day
Our Office will be closed on Memorial Day - Monday, May 31.
Read More
