Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Section 199A Deduction Updates One of the most scrutinized and technically challenging elements of the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) is the Section 199A deduction, effective from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2025. Created as a means for businesses other
Estate Planning and Unmarried Couples When married couples neglect to prepare an estate plan, state intestacy laws step in to help provide financial security for the surviving spouse. It may not be the plan they would have designed, but at least it offers some measure of financial security. Unmarried couples,
There’s no law that says you can’t prepare your own estate plan. And with an abundance of online services that automate the creation of wills and other documents, it’s easy to do. But unless your estate is small and your plan is exceedingly simple, the pitfalls of do-it-yourself (DIY) estate
Many employers mistakenly believe that the misclassification of employees as independent contractors doesn’t really matter, so long as the contractors satisfy all of their tax obligations. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Improper classification of workers comes at a high cost, and both federal and state authorities have been
Tax returns are a prime target for identity thieves. After all, the IRS processes billions of dollars in tax refunds every year, and criminals follow the money. A thief needs little more than your name and Social Security number (SSN) in order to file a fraudulent tax return and pocket
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law this past December, affects more than just income taxes. It’s brought great changes to estate planning and, in doing so, bolstered the potential value of dynasty trusts. Exemption changes Let’s start with the TCJA. It doesn’t repeal the estate tax,
Do you own a closely held company? Are you approaching retirement age? If so, you may be struggling to balance conflicting goals for your business. An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) may help. A look at the problem Business owners often need to tap at least some of the value
Cost Segregation Study - Accelerate Depreciation Deductions Businesses that acquire, construct or substantially improve a building — or did so in previous years — should consider a cost segregation study. These studies combine accounting and engineering techniques to identify building costs that are properly allocable to tangible personal property rather
Handle Buy-Sell Agreements with Care If you own an interest in a family-owned or other closely held business, a buy-sell agreement is a valuable document to have in place. These agreements specify whether — and under what circumstances — owners’ interests may be transferred. Buy-sell agreements should be planned and
Vacation Home Rentals and Taxes Do you own a vacation home? If you both rent it out and use it personally, you might save tax by taking steps to ensure it qualifies as a rental property this year. Vacation home expenses that qualify as rental property expenses aren’t subject to
