The boom in U.S. real estate caused by foreign investors is about to get bigger as a result of greatly reduced U.S. income taxes for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.

Because of the new 2017 Tax Act, foreign investors could receive a 40% reduction in the U.S. income tax of their gains and income from their real estate investments. For those foreign investors who already were invested in U.S. real estate, their after-tax returns could now be 40% more valuable without their raising a finger. Read More

If you own a small business, you need to keep business records. These can include digital or hard copies. They may contain financial information and licenses. Business record retention is necessary for your annual tax filings. It’s also necessary for potential audits.

What Are Business Records?

You know saving business documents is important. Now, you need to figure out what documents to save. The term “business documents” can refer to many things, including: Read More

It seems that a whole lot of taxpayers are anxious to get their taxes in to the IRS!

I’ve never seen the IRS issue a statement that they have yet to determine the date when they will be accepting tax returns; however, they’ve done just that this year.

Below, I outline various reasons that could be responsible for this sudden frantic rush:

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Barry Fowler

With a major portion of Houston and surrounding areas under water and devastated, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced significant tax relief for victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Those in Texas who have been affected by the storm have until January 31, 2018, to file certain individual and business tax returns and make certain tax payments. This includes an additional filing extension for taxpayers with valid extensions through October 16, and businesses with extensions through September 15. Read More

Practice Ignition is designed to assist accountants manage their engagement letters, client payments and raise invoices. For you as a business owner, another major advantage of the software is also the ability to process your tax engagements (in addition to your normal engagements). There are three key benefits to this:

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Ron Marini

On July 31, 2015, President Obama signed into law P.L. 114-41, the “Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015,” which includes a number of important tax provisions, including revised due dates for partnership, S corporations and C corporation returns and revised extended due dates for some returns.

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Ephraim Moss

We’ve blogged a number of times in the past about the foreign earned income exclusion (“FEIE”), because it is one of the main tax relief measures available to expats filing U.S. tax returns. Expats qualifying for the FEIE may be able to exclude all or part of their foreign salary or wages from their income when filing their return – so its importance can’t be overstated.

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John Richardson

Why do some Canadians wish to have a U.S. Social Security number?

Many Canadians are in the process of coming into U.S. tax compliance. One might ask: Why would a Canadian citizen residing in Canada wish to come into U.S tax compliance?

There are two reasons why Canadian citizen/residents file U.S. tax returns:

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Ron Marini

Tax professionals should alert their clients that a new law requires the IRS to hold refunds until mid-February 2017 for people claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

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John Stancil

Much has been made in the press of late regarding the tax returns of the major Presidential candidates. This article is not focused on promoting either candidate, but an attempt to shed some light on these recent tax revelations.

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John Stancil

As The United States Tax Code gets more complex, one would think that the number of individuals utilizing a paid preparer would be on the increase. However, that is not the case. More and more individuals are filing their own returns. I see at least two reasons for this. The individual tax return market can be viewed as consisting of two segments – very simple returns with no itemized deductions or other complications in the return and more complex returns utilizing multiple tax schedules and tax forms. As the standard deduction increases, more taxpayers are taking the standard deduction, so their tax return is fairly simple to prepare. Adding to the simplicity of the return is the second factor – availability of inexpensive or free preparation software. Since these typically guide the taxpayer in preparation, the task becomes even simpler.

However, taxpayers of all stripes should be aware of certain factors involved in filing their returns. I have provided my “Ten Best Tips for Filing your Return.” These tips can be useful for those preparing their own returns, but they can also guide the taxpayer using a CPA or other professional preparer in assembling their information for the preparer.

• File tax returns on time, even if you cannot pay now. You will be assessed a penalty and interest for failure to pay, but you will avoid the failure to file penalty. This penalty is 5% per month of the amount of taxes owed, up to 25%. If you don’t owe, there shouldn’t be a penalty. Read More

Short Blog Posts In One Location…

◊ Green card holders who are holding cards close to 8 of the last 15 years need to examine their options to avoid becoming covered expatriates if they return to Canada and/or wish to give up the green card. Becoming a covered expatriate can have significant U.S. tax implications to you.

◊ CRA Form 1135 may become easier for 2015 if the aggregate cost of foreign property is not over $250K.

◊ Snowbirds need to watch their days presence in the U.S. to avoid deemed residency rules and related filing obligations! Read More