Insights: Tax Services
Educators can now deduct out-of-pocket expenses for COVID-19 protective items
On February 4, 2021, the IRS announced (Rev. Proc. 2021-15 PDF) that eligible educators can deduct unreimbursed expenses for COVID-19 protective items to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom. Eligible COVID-19 protective items include, but are not limited to: face masks disinfectant for use against COVID-19 hand soap hand sanitizer disposable gloves tape, paint…
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Small Businesses: Cash in on depreciation tax savers
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to think about whether your business needs to buy business equipment and other depreciable property. If so, you may benefit from the Section 179 depreciation tax deduction for business property. The election provides a tax windfall to businesses, enabling them to claim immediate…
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Business website costs: How to handle them for tax purposes
The business use of websites is widespread. But surprisingly, the IRS hasn’t yet issued formal guidance on when Internet website costs can be deducted. Fortunately, established rules that generally apply to the deductibility of business costs, and IRS guidance that applies to software costs, provide business taxpayers launching a website with some guidance as to…
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COVID-19 Tax Implications: Working from Home and Collecting Unemployment
COVID-19 has changed our lives in many ways, and some of the changes have tax implications. Here is basic information about two common situations. Working from Home. Many employees have been told not to come into their workplaces due to the pandemic. If you’re an employee who “telecommutes” — that is, you work at home,…
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What qualifies as “coronavirus-related distributions” from a retirement plan?
As you may have heard, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act allows “qualified” people to take certain “coronavirus-related distributions” from their retirement plans without paying tax. So how do you qualify? In other words, what are coronavirus-related distributions? Early distribution basics In general, if you withdraw money from an IRA or eligible…
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Reasons why married couples might want to file separate tax returns
Married couples often wonder whether they should file joint or separate tax returns. The answer depends on your individual tax situation. It generally depends on which filing status results in the lowest tax. But keep in mind that, if you and your spouse file a joint return, each of you is “jointly and severally” liable for…
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Do you want to go into business for yourself?
Many people who launch small businesses start as sole proprietors. Here are nine tax rules and considerations involved in operating as that entity. 1. You may qualify for the pass-through deduction. To the extent your business generates qualified business income, you are eligible to claim the 20% pass-through deduction, subject to limitations. The deduction is…
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Do your employees receive tips? You may be eligible for a tax credit
Are you an employer who owns a business where tipping is customary for providing food and beverages? You may qualify for a tax credit involving the Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes that you pay on your employees’ tip income. How the credit works The FICA credit applies with respect to tips that your employees…
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Numerous tax limits affecting businesses have increased for 2020
An array of tax-related limits that affect businesses are annually indexed for inflation, and many have increased for 2020. Here are some that may be important to you and your business. Social Security tax The amount of employees’ earnings that are subject to Social Security tax is capped for 2020 at $137,700 (up from $132,900…
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Contingency Funding Plans: What to Expect from Examiners
With liquidity remaining a regulatory hot button, many examiners are taking a harder look at the areas of Contingency Funding Plans (CFPs) and the stress testing of those plans. This article discusses the key elements that go into developing an effective CFP along with some of the more common exam findings in this area. The…
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