New Roth IRA Opportunities

2010 is the first year in which taxpayers—including married taxpayers filing separately—are able to convert funds in regular IRAs (including SEP and Simple IRAs) to Roth IRAs, regardless of income level.  This can provide a significant opportunity for certain taxpayers. There are several advantages to a Roth IRA – All future earnings and distributions at […]

Tax Rumors Abound

There are two false tax rumors that have been circulating around and troubling clients.  To set the record straight, a brief explanation of both rumors is provided below. False Rumor #1 – “Employer-paid health insurance benefits will be taxable in 2011.” Not true! Starting in 2011, the amount of employer-paid healthcare benefits was to be […]

Does the IRS Owe You Money?

If you have not filed a prior year tax return and are due a refund, you should consider filing the return to claim that refund. If you are missing a refund for a previously filed tax return, you should check the status of your refund and confirm your current address. Unclaimed Refunds Some people may […]

Flipping Homes – A Reviving Trend in Real Estate

Prior to the recent economic downturn, flipping real estate was popular. With mortgage interest rates low and home prices at historical lows, flipping appears to be on the rise again. House flipping is, essentially, purchasing a house or property, improving it, and then selling it (presumably for a profit) in a short period of time. The key is to find a suitable fixer-upper that is priced under market for its location, fix it up, and resell it for more than it cost to buy, hold, fix up and resell it.

If you are contemplating trying your hand at flipping, keep in mind that you will have a silent partner, Uncle Sam, who will be waiting to take his share of any profits in taxes. (And most likely Sam’s cousin in your state capitol will also expect a share, too.) Taxes play a significant role in the overall transaction, and tax treatment can be quite different depending upon whether you are a dealer, an investor or a homeowner. The following is the tax treatment for each.

Haven’t Filed an Income Tax Return? Watch Out!

If you have been procrastinating about filing your 2009 tax return or have other prior year returns that have not been filed, you should consider the consequences. Taxpayers should file all tax returns that are due, regardless of whether or not full payment can be made with the return.  Depending on an individual’s circumstances, a […]

Tax Credits for Small Employers Offering Health Coverage

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides a tax credit for an eligible small employer (ESE) for nonelective contributions to purchase health insurance for its employees. The term “nonelective contribution” means an employer contribution other than an employer contribution pursuant to a salary reduction arrangement. o 2010 through 2013 – For tax years 2010 […]

Employer Tax-Free Medical Benefits Available to Children Under Age 27

As a result of changes made by the recently enacted Affordable Care Act, health coverage provided for an employee’s children under 27 years of age is now generally tax-free to the employee, effective March 30, 2010.  Generally, under pre-Act law, to be a qualifying child of a taxpayer for this purpose the child must have […]

It’s Tax Time! Are you Ready?

If you’re like most taxpayers, you find yourself with an ominous stack of “homework” around TAX TIME! Unfortunately, the job of pulling together the records for your tax appointment is never easy, but the effort usually pays off when it comes to the extra tax you save! When you arrive at your appointment fully prepared, […]

Business Provisions – 2009 Economic Stimulus Act

On February 17, President Obama signed into law the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” (the 2009 Economic Stimulus Act).  This new legislation was passed to aid our ailing economy and includes a wide variety of tax provisions, many of which will affect small businesses.  Included below are highlights of the more prominent provisions.  […]

UPDATE! Tax Credit to Aid First-Time Homebuyers

To stimulate home sales, Congress established the first-time homebuyer credit in 2008 and then modified it for 2009, resulting in two significantly different sets of rules for each.  Besides increasing the credit to $8,000 for 2009 ($7,500 for 2008), the most significant change is that the credit in 2008 was actually an interest-free 15-year loan, […]