Archive for David Ellis

Start 2015 Tax Planning Now! Part 2

Tax Code Changes Create Challenges

What should partners who married under California’s Equal Marriage Law be concerned about or plan for in terms of taxes?

Same sex marriage is now recognized in California. This means, from a tax perspective, same sex married couples face the same issues as opposite sex couples. They are also eligible to take advantage of what we call the “biggest tax loophole of all time” – the double step-up in basis on community property.

This is a section of the tax code that stipulates when property is held as community property and one spouse dies, the appreciation on the property is not taxed to the Read More

Written by | Posted in Same Sex Couples • Tax Planning

Start 2015 Tax Planning Now! Part 1

Tax Code Changes Create Challenges

What should small business owners focus on for 2015 tax planning?

An  important,  yet  often  overlooked,  issue  for small business owners is the choice of the form of entity under which they operate. For 2015, this will become critical as Congress contemplates major changes to  the  tax  code.  Currently, the maximum   corporate federal tax  rate  is  generally  less  than the maximum individual tax rate. This has led many business owners to consider converting their sole proprietorships and pass through entities (such as S corporations and LLCs) into C corporations, which are taxed at the lower corporate rate. Caution must be exercised before making this change, Read More

Written by | Posted in Small Business • Tax Planning
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