17 Nov 2019
0

Beware Tax-Related Scams

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Beware Tax-Related Scams

“Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams,” according to the IRS. Criminals can contact victims through regular mail, telephone calls and email messages. Beware tax-related scams by being aware of these two scams the tax agency has seen in recent months. Fake property liens. A tax bill is sent from a fictional government agency in the mail. The fake agency may have a legitimate sounding name such as the Bureau of Tax Enforcement. The bill is accompanied by a letter threatening an IRS lien or levy based on bogus overdue taxes. (A levy is a legal seizure of property to satisfy a tax debt. A lien is a legal claim against your property to secure payment of...

12 Nov 2019
0

Gift Tax Exclusion Rules are Advantageous

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Gift Tax Exclusion Rules are Advantageous

As we head toward the gift-giving season, you may be considering giving gifts of cash or securities to your loved ones. The gift tax exclusion rules are advantageous as they give taxpayers the ability to  transfer substantial amounts free of gift taxes to their children and others each year. The amount is adjusted for inflation annually. For 2019, the exclusion is $15,000. The exclusion covers gifts that you make to each person, each year. Therefore, if you have three children, you can transfer a total of $45,000 to them this year (and next year) free of federal gift taxes. If the only gifts made during the year are excluded in this way, there’s no need to file a federal gift tax return. If annual gifts exceed...

06 Nov 2019
0

When is Tax Due on Series EE Savings Bonds?

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
When is Tax Due on Series EE Savings Bonds?

You may have Series EE savings bonds that were bought many years ago. Perhaps you store them in a file cabinet or safe deposit box and rarely think about them. You may wonder how the interest you earn on EE bonds is taxed. And if they reach final maturity, you may need to take action to ensure there’s no loss of interest or unanticipated tax consequences. Series EE Savings Bonds: Interest Deferral Series EE Bonds dated May 2005 and after earn a fixed rate of interest. Bonds purchased between May 1997 and April 30, 2005, earn a variable market-based rate of return. Paper Series EE bonds were sold at half their face value. For example, if you own a $50 bond, you paid $25 for it. The...

27 Oct 2019
0

Tax Credits for College Costs

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Tax Credits for College Costs

We all know the cost of college is expensive. The latest figures from the College Board show that the average annual cost of tuition and fees was $10,230 for in-state students at public four-year universities — and $35,830 for students at private not-for-profit four-year institutions. These amounts don’t include room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other expenses that a student may incur.  If only there were tax credits for college costs. Two tax credits Fortunately, the federal government offers two sizable tax credits for college costs that you may be able to claim: The American Opportunity credit. This tax break generally provides the biggest benefit to most taxpayers. The American Opportunity credit provides a maximum benefit of $2,500. That is, you may qualify for a...

27 Oct 2019
0

Tax Issues When Divorcing

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Tax Issues When Divorcing

In addition to the difficult personal issues that divorce entails, several tax concerns need to be addressed to ensure that taxes are kept to a minimum and that important tax-related decisions are properly made. Here are four tax issues when divorcing that you should to understand. (1) Alimony or support payments For alimony under divorce or separation agreements that are executed after 2018, there’s no deduction for alimony and separation support payments for the spouse making them. And the alimony payments aren’t included in the gross income of the spouse receiving them. (The rules are different for divorce or separation agreements executed before 2019.) (2) Child support No matter when the divorce or separation instrument is executed, child support payments aren’t deductible by the paying spouse (or taxable to...

18 Oct 2019
0

Tax Deductible Teacher Expenses

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Tax Deductible Teacher Expenses

With the school year now in full swing, teachers often pay for various expenses for which they don’t receive reimbursement. Fortunately, they may be able to deduct them on their tax returns. However, there are limits on this special deduction, and some expenses can’t be written off.  What are tax deductible teacher expenses? For 2019, qualifying educators can deduct some of their unreimbursed out-of-pocket classroom costs under the educator expense deduction. This is an “above-the-line” deduction, which means you don’t have to itemize your deductions in order to claim it. Tax deductible teacher expenses: eligible deductions Here are some details about the educator expense deduction: For 2019, educators can deduct up to $250 of trade or business expenses that weren’t reimbursed. (The deduction is $500 if both taxpayers...

10 Oct 2019
0

Taking Traditional IRA Distributions

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Taking Traditional IRA Distributions

If you’re like many people, you’ve worked hard to accumulate a large nest egg in your traditional IRA (including a SEP-IRA). It’s even more critical to carefully plan for taking traditional IRA distributions. Knowing the fine points of the IRA distribution rules can make a significant difference in how much you and your family will get to keep after taxes. Here are three IRA areas to understand: Taking early distributions. If you need to take money out of your traditional IRA before age 59½, any distribution to you will be generally taxable (unless nondeductible contributions were made, in which case part of each payout will be tax-free). In addition, distributions before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% penalty tax. However, there are several ways...

06 Oct 2019
0

Innocent Spouses May Get Tax Relief

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Innocent Spouses May Get Tax Relief

When a married couple files a joint tax return, each spouse is “jointly and severally” liable for the full amount of tax on the couple’s combined income. Therefore, the IRS can come after either spouse to collect the entire tax — not just the part that’s attributed to one spouse or the other. This includes any tax deficiency that the IRS assesses after an audit, as well as any penalties and interest. (However, the civil fraud penalty can be imposed only on spouses who’ve actually committed fraud.)  So, if you’re married and file a joint return, what happens if your spouse doesn’t disclose all of his or her income or otherwise doesn’t pay the correct tax owed? You’re generally liable for the full amount, but...

26 Sep 2019
0

“Kiddie Tax” Hurts Families More Than Ever

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Kiddie Tax Hurts Families More Than Ever

Years ago, Congress enacted the “kiddie tax” rules to prevent parents and grandparents in high tax brackets from shifting income (especially from investments) to children in lower tax brackets. And while the tax caused some families pain in the past, it has gotten worse today. That’s because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made changes to the tax rate structure.  These changes may mean the "kiddie tax" hurts families more than ever. History of the tax The kiddie tax used to apply only to children under age 14.  This provided families with plenty of opportunity to enjoy significant tax savings from income shifting. In 2006, the tax was expanded to children under age 18. And since 2008, the kiddie tax has generally applied to children under...

26 Sep 2019
0

Tax Implications of Gambling Winnings

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Tax Implications of Gambling Winnings

If you’re lucky enough to be a winner at gambling or the lottery, congratulations! After you celebrate, be ready to deal with the tax consequences of your good fortune.  So, what are the tax implications of gambling winnings? TAX IMPLICATIONS OF GAMBLING WINNINGS: WINNING AT GAMBLING Whether you win at the casino, a bingo hall, or elsewhere, you must report 100% of your winnings as taxable income. They’re reported on the “Other income” line on Schedule 1 of your 1040 tax return. To measure your winnings on a particular wager, use the net gain. For example, if a $30 bet at the race track turns into a $110 win, you’ve won $80, not $110. You must separately keep track of losses. They’re deductible, but only as itemized deductions....

ROGER ROSSMEISL, CPA

Kho & Patel CPAs
160 E. Arrow Highway
San Dimas, CA 91773

(714) 325-0442
roger@khopatel.com

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