In general, real property and improvements to real property are depreciated over either 27.5 years (residential property) or 39 years (commercial property). In the past, major improvements such as HVAC replacements and roofs were caught by this rule. However, the tax law that went into effect in 2018 expanded the depreciation rules for non [...]
Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, has been redesigned for 2020. Previously, income tax withholding was based on an employee's marital status and withholding allowances or tied to the value of the personal exemption. With the revised Form W-4, however, income tax withholding is generally based on the worker's expected filing status and standard deduction for [...]
A popular estate planning strategy has died a quick death at the hands of Congress. Yes, the stretch IRA is dead. It has been replaced by a 10-year post-death payout rule, but how does that work? Who is subject to it? When does it start, and when does it end? Until 2020, designated IRA [...]
A common question that clients ask us is this: "May my business claim a deduction when a customer fails to pay us?" The answer is, "It depends." Every business must adopt a "method of accounting" in its first tax year. This is the method by which it reports its income and expenses on its [...]
Generally, debt that is forgiven or canceled by a lender is considered taxable income by the IRS and must be included as income on your tax return. When that debt is forgiven, negotiated down (when you pay less than you owe), or canceled you will receive a Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, from your [...]
The IRS has issued 128 pages of proposed regulations clarifying the application of the new 20% pass-through income deduction. The main takeaway is that the regulations are quite pro-taxpayer. For instance, the law states that the 20% deduction is not available to businesses "where the principal asset is the reputation or skill of one [...]
The tax bill has finally cleared Congress. It contains significant changes that will affect our clients. Perhaps the most significant is a new 20% deduction for "pass-through income" from sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. This provision may result in significant tax savings for many clients, but its application is quite complicated. To help [...]
