Although the major majority (92 percent) of tax returns are filed electronically, the IRS is seeking full conversion to e-filing. Two sections of The Taxpayer First Act of 2019 (TFA) extend that mandate by requiring more businesses, partnerships and nonprofit organizations to e-file.
Research & Development Tax Credits: What You Need to Know
Businesses across industries continue to struggle during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure they can maintain adequate cash flow, meet financial obligations and keep their operations afloat. Fortunately, the federal research and development tax credit may provide refund opportunities and provide some relief during uncertain times.
Payroll Tax Compliance: What Employers Need to Know
When thinking about tax obligations, companies and individuals often focus their attention on federal and state income taxes. However, it is important that companies not overlook their payroll tax obligations, as these can often be a trap for the unwary.
Tim Oberst Joins Thought Leaders to Discuss Strategies to Implement during Uncertain Times
The Rawls Group recently hosted a webinar featuring experts from Bennett Thrasher, Burr Forman, People 1 and NLP Center of Atlanta who weighed in on effective strategies companies should implement to navigate the current uncertainty related to the coronavirus. Tim Oberst, a Tax Partner at Bennett Thrasher who has been instrumental in navigating the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, shared his insight and advice for small businesses to consider in the current environment.
Do You Need to File Gift Tax Returns? Avoid These Common Mistakes
For 2020, the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption has reached a whopping $11.58 million ($23.16 million for married couples). As a result, few people will be subject to federal gift taxes. If your wealth is well within the exemption amount, does that mean there’s no need to file gift tax returns? Not necessarily.
Applying an Old Statute During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Previous alerts and communications from Bennett Thrasher have been focused on the legislative measures currently being taken by the government to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, but businesses may possibly turn to a preexisting tax provision to help support their employees facing health and financial challenges during this emergency. In general, an employer cannot make a “gift” to an employee because any payment made is treated as taxable compensation.
Employee Retention Credits Under the CARES Act
As a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) enacted on March 27th, Congress created a new employee retention credit (ERC) for businesses adversely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This provision was one of several measures included in the Act which are designed to help employers retain employees during the health crisis.
IRS LBI Division – Recent Developments and Trends
To address the loss of over 40% of its Revenue Agents over the past decade, in 2017 the IRS Large Business and International Division (LBI) embarked on an issue-focused approach to identify and address tax compliance problems. LBI Revenue Agents still conduct the traditional broad-based examinations in which many tax issues are examined but are moving toward focusing on certain tax issues, in which taxpayers having one or more of these issues on their tax return are selected for what the IRS calls “campaign treatment streams.”
Excess Business Loss Rules May be Unfavorable
Sole proprietorships and pass-through entity structures, which include partnerships, S corporations and certain limited liability companies (LLCs), provide owners with valuable tax benefits, such as avoidance of double taxation and the potential ability to deduct losses from the business on their individual tax returns. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 placed new limitations on deducting business losses. Here’s a look at the changes in the rules and how they might affect you.
A Closer Look at Recent Updates to §179D and §45L
In late December 2019, a long-awaited tax extenders package was signed, which includes the §179D Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction and the §45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit. This extends and provides retroactive application of the §179D Tax Deduction and the §45L Tax Credit for projects placed in service from 1/1/2018 through 12/31/2020. For more details on the changes to these programs, please see below.
The SECURE Act Modifies Several Retirement Plan Requirements
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) was passed as a part of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act makes important changes to the requirements for retirement plan funding and distributions, as well as modifying other tax provisions including the kiddie tax rules. While most of the SECURE Act’s provisions expand opportunities for individuals to increase their savings, the legislation includes one change that will require some taxpayers to update their estate plans.
2019 Tax Law Change Update: Highlights of Spending Package’s Tax Law Changes
The federal government spending package titled the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 and signed into law on December 20, 2019, averted a government shutdown that would have begun on December 19 and funds the government through September 30, 2020. The Act also includes various tax provisions. The tax legislation, which was the product of intense negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House, extends through 2020 some of the tax incentives for individuals and businesses, known as extenders, that had already expired or that were due to expire at the end of 2019.
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