Will Capital Gains Be Changed?

Currently, capital gains rates for the sale of assets held over one year are taxed at 15% (0% to the extent a taxpayer is in the 15% or lower regular tax bracket), compared with a top tax of 35% for ordinary income. Without Congressional action, these rates will increase to 20% (18% for assets held over 5 years) in 2013. Although there has been some discussion related to extending the 15% rates for another year (2013), to date, Congress has not provided any indication one way or the other. Even without providing guidance for 2013, the House Ways...

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Saver’s Credit Can Help You Save for Retirement

Low- and moderate-income workers can take steps to save for retirement and at the same time earn a special tax credit. The saver’s credit helps offset part of the first $2,000 that workers voluntarily contribute to traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), SIMPLE-IRAs, SEPs, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans for employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations, 457 plans for state or local government employees, and the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees. Also known as the retirement savings contributions credit,...

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Keep Track of Meal & Entertainment Expenses

When looking for deductions to add to your taxes, don’t overlook your meal and entertainment expenses. These types of expenses must be “ordinary” and “necessary” to your business or trade and must be “directly related to” or “associated with” the active conduct of business. In order for the IRS to allow these deductions, documentation is required and should include the following items: The amount Date, time and place Business purpose Names of guests and business relationship In addition, the surroundings must be conducive for a business meeting,...

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Eldercare Can Be a Medical Deduction

With people living longer, many individuals find themselves becoming the care provider for elderly parents, spouses and others who can no longer live independently. When this happens, questions always come up regarding the tax ramifications associated with the cost of nursing homes or in-home care. Generally, the entire cost of nursing homes, homes for the aged, and assisted living facilities are deductible as a medical expense if the primary reason for the individual being there is for medical care or the individual is incapable of self-care....

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Are You Required to File 1099s?

If you use independent contractors to perform services for your business and you pay them $600 or more for the year, you are required to issue them a Form 1099-MISC after the end of the year to avoid facing the loss of the deduction for their labor and expenses. The 1099s for 2012 must be provided to the independent contractor no later than January 31 of 2013. It is not uncommon to, say, have a repairman out early in the year, pay him less than $600, and then use his services again later and have the total for the year exceed the $600 limit....

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Are We Headed for a Fiscal Cliff?

For several years now, Congress has left the taxpaying public hanging to the last minute with tax changes and extensions. And each year, the political gridlock seems to get worse, leaving taxpayers pondering how to plan their finances and businesses undecided about capital investments and hiring new employees, not knowing what the tax laws will bring in the next year. This year is even worse: It seems that our politicians have put on the back burner a whole host of tax issues that have expired or are going to expire in the near future, once again...

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December 2012 Due Dates

December 2012 Individual Due Dates December - Time for Year-End Tax Planning December is the month to take final actions that can affect your tax result for 2012. Taxpayers with substantial increases or decreases in income, changes in marital status or dependent status, and those who sold property during 2012 should call for a tax planning consultation appointment. December 10 - Report Tips to Employer If you are an employee who works for tips and received more than $20 in tips during November, you are required to report them to your employer...

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