Categories for Uncategorized

New Deduction for Pass-Through Income

Under pre-Act law, the net income of these pass-through businesses— sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and S corporations—was not subject to an entity-level tax and was instead reported by the owners or shareholders on their individual income tax returns. Thus, the income was effectively subject to individual income tax rates.New law. Generally for tax years beginning after Dec.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

Ohio 529 Plan Income Tax Deduction

Saving for college in a 529 plan has many benefits; ranging from the power of compound interest, a wide variety of investment options, tax-free earnings, and tax-free withdrawals. For Ohioans saving with Ohio’s 529 Plan, there’s also a deduction from their state taxable income for contributions made to CollegeAdvantage. Since 2000, the yearly deduction has been set at a maximum of $2,000 per account but the New Year brings a big change to this Ohio tax deduction.Beginning on Jan.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

Alimony Deduction by Payor/Inclusion by Payee Suspended

Under pre-Act law, alimony and separate maintenance payments were deductible by the payor spouse under Code Sec. 215(a) and includible in income by the recipient spouse under Code Sec. 71(a) and Code Sec.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

Overall Limitation (“Pease” Limitation) on Itemized Deductions Suspended

Under pre-Act law, higher-income taxpayers who itemized their deductions were subject to a limitation on these deductions (commonly known as the “Pease limitation”). For taxpayers who exceed the threshold, the otherwise allowable amount of itemized deductions was reduced by 3% of the amount of the taxpayers' adjusted gross income exceeding the threshold. The total reduction couldn't be greater than 80% of all itemized deductions, and certain itemized deductions were exempt fr...

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

Reasons to File a Tax Extension

This year, because the filing date is on April 17 instead of the usual April 15, you have one additional weekend to stress and sweat over your taxes. An extension is your way of asking the Internal Revenue Service for additional time to file your tax return. The IRS will automatically grant you an additional six months to file your return.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

AMT Retained, with Higher Exemption Amounts

The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is a tax system separate from the regular tax that is intended to prevent a taxpayer with substantial income from avoiding tax liability by using various exclusions, deductions, and credits. Under it, AMT rates are applied to AMT income determined after the taxpayer “gives back” an assortment of tax benefits. If the tax determined under these calculations exceeds the regular tax, the larger amount is owed.In computing the AMT, only alternative minimu...

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

Personal Exemptions Suspended

Under pre-Act law, taxpayers determined their taxable income by subtracting from their adjusted gross income any personal exemption deductions. Personal exemptions generally were allowed for the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, and any dependents. The amount deductible for each personal exemption was scheduled to be $4,150 for 2018, subject to a phaseout for higher earners.New law.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

New Tax Withholding Tables Are Issued

The IRS on Thursday issued new income tax withholding tables that reflect new tax rates and other changes for individuals implemented by P.L. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted Dec. 22 (Notice 1036).

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

New Limitations on “Excess Business Loss”

In general, the passive loss rules under Code Sec. 469 limit deductions and credits from passive trade or business activities. The passive loss rules apply to individuals, estates and trusts, and closely held corporations.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm

Repeal of Obamacare Individual Mandate

Under pre-Act law, the Affordable Care Act (also called the ACA or Obamacare) required that individuals who were not covered by a health plan that provided at least minimum essential coverage were required to pay a “shared responsibility payment” (also referred to as a penalty) with their federal tax return. Unless an exception applied, the tax was imposed for any month that an individual did not have minimum essential coverage.New law. For months beginning after Dec.

January 26, 2018 12:00 pm