Tag Archive for tax break

Qualified Small Business Stock: One Of The Code’s Most Significant (And Often Overlooked) Tax Breaks

Qualified Small Business Stock: One Of The Code’s Most Significant (And Often Overlooked) Tax Breaks

Section 1202 offers a once little-known exclusion from income for gain on qualified small business stock (“QSB stock”).  The provision has undergone substantial revisions over the years and came back into vogue as a result of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act.  Where applicable, section 1202’s exclusion offers a substantial and legitimate tax shelter: The exclusion of potentially all of the gain on QSB stock held for more than five years.

Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer (other than a corporation) to exclude a percentage of gain from the sale or exchange of qualified small business stock held for more than 5 years.  The exclusion is subject to a number of intricate requirements.  But where applicable, the exclusion provides one of the Code’s most significant tax breaks.

Section 1202 

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Written by | Posted in Qualified Small Business Stock • Tax Breaks

CA Proposal To Convert Vacation Home Subsidy

Annette Nellen

AB 71 introduced in California for the 2016-2017 session, proposes to repeal the deduction for mortgage interest on a second home (usually a vacation home) and use the savings (and apparently other funds) for low-income housing.

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Written by | Posted in State Tax

Responsible Governance – Tax Break Bills Vetoed!

Why are our tax systems so complex?  One key reason is that lawmakers keep adding to them and rarely delete anything.  Also, items added for temporary purposes are often renewed (rather than dropped or made permanent). Also, we often have numerous rules serving similar purposes (such as for higher education spending or savings).

Well, on October 10, 2015, California Governor Brown, said “NO” to nine tax bills presented to him.

His reason was that they might bust the budget given other budget issues.  Each of the nine would have either added or expanded an existing or expired provision or added something new. Read More

Written by | Posted in Tax Policy

Parents Can Get Credit For Sending Kids To Day Camp

With summer just around the corner, there is a tax break that working parents should know about. Many working parents must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age (or any age if handicapped) during the school vacation period. A popular solution – with a tax benefit – is a day camp program. The cost of day camp can count as an expense towards the child and dependent care credit. But be careful; expenses for overnight camps do not qualify.

For an expense to qualify for the credit, it must be an “employment-related” expense; i.e., it must enable you and your spouse, if married, to work, and it must be for the care of your child, stepchild, or foster child, or your brother or sister or stepsibling (or a descendant of any of these) who is under 13, lives in your home for more than half the year and does not Read More

Written by | Posted in Individual • Tax Planning • Tax Tips

The Concept of Being Married, But Considered Unmarried For Tax Purposes

The general rule for married taxpayers filing their tax returns is that they can only file Married Filing Jointly (MFJ) or Married Filing Separately (MFS). There is, however, a very important exception to this rule. If you are married and separated from your spouse, under tax law you may be considered unmarried if certain conditions are met. This means that you could qualify to use the Head Of Household filing status instead of MFS, and will not be subject to the disadvantages associated with the MFS filing status.

Under tax law, you can be considered unmarried if you meet all the following tests:

• Obviously, you must intend to file a separate return from your spouse.
• You must have paid more than half the costs of keeping up a home for the tax year. Read More

Written by | Posted in Income Tax • Individual • TaxConnections

Appeals Court Upholds Clergy Housing Exemption

The 7th U S Circuit Court of Appeals has dismissed a lawsuit by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) that challenged the constitutionality of the clergy housing allowance. The suit was originally brought in the District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin where Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that the tax break for ministers was unconstitutional. Her basis for the ruling was that the law benefited religious people and no one else. The decision, which would potentially eliminate the most important tax break for ministers, was stayed pending appeal.

The law allows ministers of the gospel to exclude income tax on amounts designated by the church as housing allowance. Self-employment taxes are payable on these amounts. In addition, ministers may “double dip,” as they are allowed to deduct mortgage interest Read More

Written by | Posted in Clergy • IRS • Religion • Tax Controversy • Tax Provision/Tax Reporting

Tax Breaks A Factor in Australia’s Burgeoning Private Pension Fund Sector

Australia has had a compulsory superannuation system since the late 80’s. Employers are required to contribute an amount equivalent to 9% of gross pay for each employee earning over $450 a month. Most people can choose (nominate) which fund the contributions are paid into.

The contributions are tax deductible to the employer and investment income of the funds is taxed at the lo rate of 15%. At the moment, pensions and retirement benefits paid out to retirees 60 years old or more are tax free.

Self employed Australians have had their own private funds for around 50 years. However, since compulsory pension arrangements were introduced, many more self employed, Read More

Written by | Posted in Australia/Oceania • Specialty Tax Incentives