Mechanics of the new Sec. 199A deduction for qualified business income

One of the more important provisions in P.L. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted Dec. 22, 2017, is new Sec. 199A, the deduction for qualified business income (QBI). Sec. 199A allows a deduction for up to 20% of QBI from partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), S corporations, trusts, estates, and soleproprietorships. …

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1 Out of Every 4 Small Businesses with Employees Lacks Workers’ Comp Coverage

Not only can workers’ compensation help protect injured workers from having to pay expensive medical bills, it can potentially prevent them from suing their employer to recoup their medical expenses.A recent poll conducted by Insureon and Manta found that of the more than 900 small business owners surveyed who have employees, 26 percent do not …

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IRS issues first guidance on new business interest limitation

In Notice 2018-28, the IRS answered important questions about the new business interest limit in Sec. 163(j), as amended by P.L. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and asked for general comments on regulations it plans to issue. Under amended Sec. 163(j), the deduction for business interest is limited to the …

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Casualty losses and expenditures under Sec. 162 or 165

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The deduction for an individual's personal casualty loss of property not connected with (1) a trade or business or (2) a transaction entered into for profit arising after Dec. 31, 2017, and before Jan. 1, 2026, has been eliminated, with several exceptions. Business taxpayers may deduct amounts paid for repairs and maintenance to …

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IRA distribution to pay spousal support is taxable

During the pendency of a divorce, a taxpayer was ordered by a family court to transfer funds to an individual retirement account (IRA) in his spouse's name. Where the taxpayer received a distribution of funds from his IRAs and then wrote checks to the spouse, the exclusion from taxation available under Sec. 408(d)(6) was inapplicable, …

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Child tax credit now higher, more widely available

As tax practitioners prepare to counsel clients about the loss of dependency exemptions on 2018 tax returns, there is good news to offer in the form of the enhanced child tax credit. The legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), P.L. 115-97, doubled the credit amount, increased the refundable portion, and expanded …

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Proving a Business Connection for Meals and Entertainment

Entertainment includes any activity generally considered to provide entertainment, amusement, or recreation (Regs. Sec. 1.274-2(b)(1)). Meal and entertainment expenses incurred by a taxpayer to entertain a client, customer, employee, or other business associate are deductible only if the expenses satisfy the following strict requirements imposed by the Code: Ordinary and necessary: Meal or entertainment expenses …

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Standard mileage rates, depreciation amounts updated

The IRS provided information to taxpayers about changes in the use of standard mileage rates and increased depreciation limits for passenger automobiles as a result of P.L. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which made amendments to Secs. 67 and 217. In Notice 2018-42, the IRS modified Notice 2018-03, which provided the …

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