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If you’re looking for things to do to get ready for the upcoming filing season or want to check your list against another, I have one for you. Please see “Preparing for the 2016 Filing Season,” AICPA Tax Insider, 12/17/15.

The article was written before passage of the extenders and appropriations tax package. Here is a list of links to that legislation you may find useful along with a list of some items for immediate consideration.

P.L. 114-113 (12/18/15) – H.R. 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2016 – includes appropriations and other changes along with the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH), which is the extenders bill.

NOTE ON EXTENDERS: The bulk of the tax changes are in PATH, although a few, including a two year extension of Read More

Written by Annette Nellen | Posted in Tax Payments • Tax Return • Tax Tips

(1) Section “529” – College Educational Savings Account

Set one up for your children or grandchildren. The earnings on the investments are tax free and the amounts withdrawn by you or the beneficiaries are tax free to the extent the funds are used to pay for college expenses. The contributions are not deductible on the federal return but are on the NY return. You can contribute any amount but the deduction on your NY return is limited to $5,000. Your broker can set up an account or accounts for you.

(2) Donate The IRA Minimum Distribution To Charity

When you reach age 70 2, you are required to take a minimum distribution (fair value at December 31 divided by your life expectancy in IRS tables). from your IRA (N/A to a Roth). Instead of taking it in cash, donate the minimum distribution to charity. This way you do not have to pay taxes on the distribution, but since the distribution was given to charity and was tax free, you cannot take a charitable contribution for the amount donated. If you want to do that, contact your IRA administrator and give him or her the name and address of the charity you want to donate it to.

(3) Donation Of Appreciated Property

The advantage of donating, (rather than sell them and donating the cash) stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other property that has appreciated in value is you get a charitable contribution deduction with no cash outlay for the fair Read More

Written by Harold Goedde | Posted in Federal • State And Local Tax (SALT)