Deceased spousal unused exclusion in your estate

When taxpayers die, their deceased spousal unused exclusion (DSUE) can be transferred to their surviving spouses. This is usually referred to as “portability.” However, the executor of an estate is required to file an estate tax return within nine months of the decedent’s death that elects portability and describes how the DSUE amount was calculated. […]

IRS suspends processing of ERTC claims

In the face of a flood of illegitimate claims for the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), the IRS has imposed an immediate moratorium through at least the end of 2023 on processing new claims for the credit. The reason the IRS cites for the move is the risk of honest small business owners being scammed […]

IRS provides guidance on amortization of research expenditures

Prior to 2022, companies could deduct qualified research and experimentation expenses immediately. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, such expenses are subject to a five-year amortization period (15 years for foreign research). New IRS guidance details how businesses should handle specified research or experimentation (SRE) expenditures for tax years ending after Sept. 8, 2023. […]

Do you have a foreign bank account?

Certain taxpayers must annually report their foreign financial accounts to the U.S. Treasury by filing a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) on Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Form 114. Specifically, U.S. taxpayers must file an FBAR to report a financial interest in an account located outside the U.S. if the aggregate value […]

Investment swings: What’s the tax impact?

If your investments have fluctuated wildly this year, you may have already recognized some significant gains and losses. But nothing is decided tax-wise until year end when the final results of your trades will reveal your 2023 tax situation. Here’s what you need to know to avoid tax surprises. Tax-favored retirement accounts and taxable accounts […]

The IRS’s High Wealth, High Balance Due Taxpayer Field Initiative

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stated in a news release that the IRS is ensuring that wealthy taxpayers are being held accountable to pay the full amount they owe. He added that the agency is doing so by enforcing already existing laws. Specifically, the High Wealth, High Balance Due Taxpayer Field Initiative focuses on taxpayers with […]

What’s your emergency plan?

Is there an emergency plan in place for your business? As Americans deal with hurricanes and other disasters, the IRS is reminding them to prepare. Update, secure and duplicate essential tax and financial documents. You may need them to support insurance claims or apply for tax benefits. Compile lists of business equipment and belongings. IRS.gov […]

Spouse-run businesses face special tax issues

Do you and your spouse together operate a profitable unincorporated small business? If so, you face some challenging tax issues. The partnership issue An unincorporated business with your spouse is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, unless you can avoid that treatment. Otherwise, you must file an annual partnership return, on Form […]

Starting a business?

Many people dream of being their own bosses. If you’re hoping to launch a business, get off to a strong start by making good decisions. For example, which business structure will you use (such as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation)? This decision will affect the taxes you pay. Another decision is whether to operate […]

Did you pay your payroll taxes?

Recent legal action serves as a reminder to businesses: Take payroll tax administration responsibilities seriously. The Oklahoma- and Virginia-based owners of a mental health counseling services company pleaded guilty to failing to file required quarterly employment tax returns and pay over the full amounts they withheld from employee paychecks. The guilty parties admitted that over […]