by Blair Butters | Dec 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
With the recent changes to the U.S. tax code, we’ve had several small business owners ask us how this will affect them when they complete their 2018 taxes. They know that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has shaken things up, and they want to make sure they’re maximizing their deductions. In July, we covered the Top 8 Provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the latest revision to United States tax law. The question we’ve received most frequently since then is about Section 199A, which allows small business owners a new deduction. And in October 2018, the IRS made clarifications and updates to the TCJA, changing some of the details from the blog earlier this year. As such, we’ve put together an overview of the basics of Section 199A as well as the IRS’ clarifications regarding work meals and holiday parties. [Related: A Comprehensive Guide to the Top 8 Provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act] How Small Business Owners Can Use Section 199A to Save Money The TCJA contains a new deduction for business owners of entities taxed on a “pass-through” basis. It is called the Qualified Business Income Deduction (QBID), the deduction is included Section 199A of the TCJA. This deduction allows certain business owners to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income (QBI) on their personal tax income tax return. So, for example, if you own a furniture store that qualifies for the deduction with QBI of $10,000 during the year, you will be able to claim up to a 20% of QBI, or $2,000 as a deduction on your...
by Blair Butters | Sep 30, 2018 | Uncategorized
Tax season is slowly approaching, and as a small business owner, you’ve probably spent some time contemplating whether to do your business taxes yourself or hire a professional. It’s also likely you’ve wondered why it would be valuable to work with a professional when there’s plenty of tax software available. To help you decide, we’ve put together 5 questions to consider before choosing to do your taxes yourself or hire a professional. 1. Is your business structure simple or complex? Your business structure plays a big role in the complexity or simplicity of your tax filing. If you have a simple business structure, such as a Sole Proprietorship with one individual running the business, filing your own business taxes would be less problematic because your income and expenses from the business might be included on one schedule on your personal income tax return. However, if you have a more complex business structure, such as a partnership, S corporation, or a multi-member Limited Liability Company, or if you have employees or depreciable equipment, it may be a good idea to hire a professional. Businesses with these characteristics will have more complex tax reporting requirements. It’s also important to understand your state’s tax reporting obligations in relation to your business structure. If your state has more complex reporting requirements, be sure to consider that before filing your own taxes. Ultimately, your business and its needs are unique. It’s best to analyze your abilities, know where your knowledge lies and also know your limitations in terms of knowledge and time. If you’re unsure and want to lessen potential issues with the IRS...
by Blair Butters | Jul 20, 2018 | Uncategorized
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is now in full force and has made significant changes to the U.S. tax code for both individuals and businesses since it was signed by President Trump on December 22, 2017. Though we’ve been living with the major reform for several months, the uncertainty surrounding the changes and their effects are still highly prevalent. We’ve put together a guide comparing the new and old laws of the top 8 provisions to help flesh out the uncertainty of the reform and to help you understand how the TCJA could impact your take-home pay and tax refund this year. [Related Article: New Federal Law Brings Changes to Business Taxes] 1. Individual Tax Rates The TCJA has kept the seven-bracket structure, however, the income tax rates have decreased. Comparable rates are as follows: 2. Individual Alternative Minimum Tax Old: The AMT exemption amount was $54,300 for single filers and $84,500 for married taxpayers filing jointly. New: The AMT exemption amounts increased to $70,300 for single filers and $109,400 for married taxpayers filing jointly. 3. Standard Deduction & Personal Exemptions A standard deduction is the portion of income that is not subject to tax and can be used to reduce a taxpayer’s tax bill. A personal exemption is the amount taxpayers can deduct from their income for every taxpayer and most dependents claimed on their return. Old: Single taxpayers were allowed a standard deduction of $6,350 and $12,700 for married taxpayers filing jointly. Personal exemptions of $4,050 were allowed for each family member. New: Single taxpayers are allowed a standard deduction of $12,000 and $24,000 for...
by Blair Butters | Apr 24, 2018 | Uncategorized
As a nation over a quarter of us procrastinate when it comes to tax season, stalling until the last couple of weeks to prepare taxes before the deadline. For those who missed the April 17 Tax Day deadline altogether, here’s what you can still do. If you requested an extension before Tax Day, it pushes the deadline back six months and allows for you to have additional time to finish your taxes. Since the deadline this year was April 17, 2018, the filing deadline will be pushed back until October 15, 2018. Note that the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. Failure to pay and interest charges will still apply if you filed an extension and have an amount due on your 2017 taxes. If you didn’t file for an extension in time, there is still a chance you will not be penalized. Expecting a refund? You won’t be penalized. If you expecting a refund from the IRS, there is no need to panic, but get your late return in as soon as you possibly can. For taxpayers who are expecting a refund, there isn’t a penalty for not filing your taxes by the deadline and you do not need to ask for an extension! You will have until October 15, 2018 to submit your late return. Owe payment to the IRS? File your return ASAP. Now, if you are filing a late return when you owe tax payments to the IRS, you will receive a late payment penalty plus interest on the amount that was due by Tax Day deadline. Even...
by Blair Butters | Feb 19, 2018 | Uncategorized
There will always be a crowd of taxpayers who wait until the last minute in April to file federal income tax returns. While there are benefits such as receiving your tax refunds faster, there are other helpful perks to submitting your taxes as soon as possible including the following: Preventing tax return identity theft Extra time to pay your taxes Obtaining vital information for financial planning Preventing tax return identity theft When filing early, this may not eliminate the possibility of identity theft but it will protect your refund from falling into the wrong hands. Most cases of tax-related identity theft occur early in the tax season. When an identity thief files a return using your Social Security before you get the chance, the IRS will automatically deny access to your tax return because they assume that you have already filed it. It is important to highlight that once a criminal has access to your Social Security number, that is all they need to file in your name. In this case, you will have to file a paper return and your refund will be delayed several months. Extra time to pay your taxes As a taxpayer, you may be facing a tax bill rather than a refund. Many assume that by putting of filing as long as possible will help you save money in time for the last minute mid-April. If you file your taxes early, you will be at an advantage of knowing exactly how much you owe the IRS, without having to pay in full until April’s filing deadline. Knowing your amount due earlier will...
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