SK Financial CPA

Google I/O 2010 - SEO site advice from the experts

2010-10-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

TAX SECRET #2 - Writing off family medical expenses

2010-07-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

This strategy is a little more complicated but is well worth the extra effort. To use this strategy, first you must hire a spouse or other trusted family member to work for your business; either full-time or part-time status will work. Next, you need to set up and sign a medical reimbursement plan. You may need the advice of an accountant to help you with this. This plan allows any sole proprietor to convert all family out-of-pocket medical expenses into legitimate health practice deductions. Finally, your spouse or family member pays all out-of-pocket medical expenses for the family, keeping receipts and documenting miles driven for medical purposes. At a specified time, your business reimburses your spouse or family member for these expenses and deducts them as a practice expense.

TAX SECRET # I - Full home office write off

2010-07-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

The rules allowing a taxpayer to claim the home office deduction have been loosened, beginning January 1,1999. No longer does the home office need to be the ”principal place of business” for the taxpayer. The home office test can now be satisfied if the taxpayer uses the home office for “administration or management activities” and there is no other fixed location in which the taxpayer performs such activities for his or her practice. The home office still must be used exclusively for business purposes to qualify. This will allow more taxpayers, including small business owners who conduct business outside of their office, but use their home to perform administrative tasks, to qualify for the home office deduction.

360 Tax Tips - Making Work Pay Credit

2010-04-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

George Carlin - Modern Man

2010-04-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Appeals: The Appeals Collection Process

2010-04-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

Recovery: Education Credits - Parents -

2010-03-25T08:15:00.001-07:00

Tax Tips: Haven't Filed a Tax Return in Years? - Feb 10

2010-03-03T05:54:00.001-08:00

How to Track Your Tax Refund

2010-02-28T13:58:00.001-08:00

Recovery: New Homebuyer Credit - November 2009

2010-02-27T09:15:00.001-08:00

2010 Rules for Roth IRAs

2010-01-27T08:18:00.000-08:00

Beginning January 1, 2010, the income and filing status requirements for rollovers (including conversions) to a Roth IRA was eliminated. Additionally, for rollovers to a Roth IRA in 2010 only, a special 2-year option for reporting taxable portions of your rollover apply.

Under the new rules, regardless of your income or filing status, you can roll over (convert) the following to a Roth IRA:

Your traditional individual retirement arrangement (IRA), SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA;
an Eligible rollover distribution (ERD)- For example, a 401(k) or a 403(b) plan; or
an ER from a retirement plan for which you are a beneficiary.

For rollovers and conversions to a Roth IRA in 2010 only, you have the option of reporting the taxable portion of your rollover in your gross income for 2010, or reporting half in 2011 and half in 2012.

Previously, to roll over to a Roth IRA, both of these requirements needed to be met; your modified AGI was less than $100,000 and your filing status was not married filing separate.

For additional information on the effect of the 2010 changes on your retirement accounts, please contact us.

Events Requiring An Estate Plan Update

2010-01-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

Generally speaking, your estate plan should be reviewed every two years to determine whether it needs to be changed or updated.

Additionally, if any of the following events occur, you'll probably need to update your estate plan (i.e., your will, health care documents, powers of attorney, life insurance coverage, and post-mortem letters).

Divorce
Marriage or remarriage
Birth/adoption of child
Death of spouse or child
Sale of residence or purchase of new residence
Retirement
Enactment of new tax laws

Tip: We suggest that you consult with the professional who prepared your estate plan should any of these events occur.

Here are some of the steps you may need to take:

Change an executor,
Revise a will to account for an increase in assets,
Reassess your life insurance needs,
Add or change a power of attorney,
Change legal documents to comport with state laws if you move to a different state,
Change wills or trust instruments to account for changes in beneficiaries, or
Change your post-mortem letter to reflect new assets, changes in executors, or other changes.

Tip: Because of the recent changes to the estate tax laws, many estate plans may need to be revised.

Lower Your Taxes and Heating Bills

2009-12-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

You can weatherize your home and be rewarded for the effort. Homeowners making energy-saving improvements can cut their winter heating bills and lower their 2009 tax bill as well.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), enacted earlier this year, expanded two home energy tax credits: the nonbusiness energy property credit and the residential energy efficient property credit.

Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit

This credit equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on eligible energy-saving improvements, up to a maximum tax credit of $1,500 for the combined 2009 and 2010 tax years. The cost of certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass all qualify, along with labor costs for installing these items. In addition, the cost of energy-efficient windows and skylights, energy-efficient doors, qualifying insulation and certain roofs also qualify for the credit, though the cost of installing these items does not count.

By spending as little as $5,000 before the end of the year on eligible energy-saving improvements, a homeowner can save as much as $1,500 on his or her 2009 federal income tax return. Due to limits based on tax liability, other credits claimed by a particular taxpayer and other factors, actual tax savings will vary. These tax savings are on top of any energy savings that may result.

Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit

Homeowners going green should also check out a second tax credit designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment. The residential energy efficient property credit, equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property. Generally, labor costs are included when calculating this credit. Also, no cap exists on the amount of credit available except in the case of fuel cell property.

Not all energy-efficient improvements qualify for these tax credits. For that reason, homeowners should check the manufacturer's tax credit certification statement before purchasing or installing any of these improvements. The certification statement can usually be found on the manufacturer's website or with the product packaging. Normally, a homeowner can rely on this certification. The IRS cautions that the manufacturer's certification is different from the Department of Energy's Energy Star label, and not all Energy Star labeled products qualify for the tax credits.

Eligible homeowners can claim both of these credits when they file their 2009 federal income tax return. Because these are credits, not deductions, they increase a taxpayer's refund or reduce the tax he or she owes. An eligible taxpayer can claim these credits, regardless of whether he or she itemizes deductions on Schedule A. Use Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, to figure and claim these credits. A draft version of this form is available now on IRS.gov.

Ron Paul 0wnz the Federal Reserve

2009-12-01T18:56:00.001-08:00

Your Retirement Plan: How To Get Started

2009-11-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

The number of people who are financially unprepared for retirement is staggering. One study revealed that more than half of the adults in the U.S. were planning to depend solely on Social Security for retirement income. Another study indicated that the great majority of Americans do not save nearly enough money. This Financial Guide provides you with the information you need to get started on this important task.

To enjoy your retirement years, you need to begin planning early. With longer life expectancies and the growing senior population, people need to begin planning and saving for retirement in their 30s or even sooner. Adequate planning can help to ensure that you will not outlive your savings and that you will not become financially dependent on others.

It is never too late to start or to improve a retirement plan. This Financial Guide shows you the basics of retirement planning, and will enable you to get started or to revamp an existing plan. Basically, there are three steps to retirement planning:

Estimating your retirement income
Estimating your retirement needs
Deciding on investments

Tip: In making estimates of future income needs and sources of income, be sure to estimate conservatively. This will ensure that you do not shortchange yourself.

Estimating Your Retirement Income

Most people have three possible sources of retirement income: (1) Social Security, (2) pension payments, and (3) savings and investments. The income that will have to be provided through savings and investments (which you can plan for) can be determined only after you have estimated the income you can expect from Social Security and from any pension plans (over which you have little control).

Social Security

Estimate how much you can expect in the way of Social Security retirement income. To do this, you should file a "Request for Earnings and Benefits Estimate" with the Social Security Administration. This form can be obtained from SSA by calling their toll-free number: 800-772-1213. You can also request a benefits statement online through the Social Security Administrations Web Site.

Planning Aid: You can also request a benefits statement online through the Social Security Administration's Web site.

Note: Many people are being sent estimates of their future Social Security benefits without having to make a request. You may have received such an estimate in the mail.

The amount of Social Security benefits you will receive depends on how long you worked, the age at which you begin receiving benefits, and your total earnings.

If you wait until your full retirement age (65 to 67, depending on your year of birth) to begin receiving benefits, your monthly retirement benefit will be larger than if you elect to receive benefits beginning at age 62. The full retirement age will increase gradually to age 67 by the year 2027.

Caution: Be aware that Social Security benefits may be subject to income tax. The basic rule is that if your adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest plus half of your Social Security benefits are more than $25,000 for an individual or more than $32,000 for a couple, then some portion of your Social Security benefit will be subject to income tax. The amount that is subject to tax increases as the level of adjusted gross income goes up.

Related Guide: Also, if you earn income while you are receiving Social Security, your benefit may be decreased. For the specific rule, see the Related Financial Guide: SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS: How To Get The Maximum.

Pension Plans

Estimate how much you can expect to receive from a traditional pension plan or other retirement plan. If you are covered by a traditional pension plan and you are vested, ask your employer for a projection of what you can expect to receive if you continue working until retirement age or under other circumstances—e.g., if you terminate before retirement age. You may already have received such an estimate.

If you are covered by a 401(k) plan, a profit-sharing plan, a Keogh plan, or a Simplified Employee Pension, make an estimate of the lump sum that will be available to you at retirement age. You may be able to get help with this estimate from your employer.

Tip: If you are in the military or formerly served in the military, contact the relevant branch of service to find out about retirement benefits.

Establishing Goals For Retirement

Determine how much income you will need (or want) after retirement. Once you have determined this amount, you can figure out how much you will need to put away to have a big enough nest egg to fund your desired income level.

Many people don’t realize that their retirement could last as long as their careers: 35 years or longer. Your nest egg may have to last much longer than you might think. Remember that the earlier you retire, the more you will have to save. If you want to retire at age 55, you’ll have to save a lot more than if you retire at age 65.

A general guideline is that you will want to have at least 70% of whatever income stream you have before retirement. If you have any special needs or desires—e.g., a desire to travel extensively—the percentage should be adjusted upward. The 70% figure is not a substitute for a thorough analysis of your income needs after retirement, but is only a guideline.

Here are some suggestions for estimating how much of an income stream you will want to have coming in after retirement:

Figure Your Current Annual Expenses. The first step in trying to figure out what your annual expenses will be after retirement is to figure what your expenses are now. Take a year’s worth of checkbook, credit card, and savings account records, and add up what you paid for insurance, mortgage, food, household expenses, and so on.

Figure Out How Your Expenses Will Differ After Retirement. After you retire, your expenses will generally be a lot lower than they are while you are working. To help determine how much lower, here are some questions you might ask yourself :

Will your mortgage be paid off?
Will you still be paying for commuting expenses?
How much will you pay for health insurance?

Tip: If you are not among the lucky few that will have post-retirement health insurance coverage from an ex-employer, you will probably pay more for health coverage after you retire and have to take out so-called "Medigap" coverage.

Will you increase or decrease your life insurance coverage?
How much will you pay for travel expenses? (Do you want to travel after you retire, either on vacation or to visit relatives? Will you be commuting between a winter or summer home?)
Will you be spending more on hobbies after retirement?
Will your children be financially independent by the time you retire or will you have to factor in some sort of support for them?
Will your income tax bills be the same, lower, or higher?

Tip: If you are planning to retire to another state, take into account the different state taxes you will be paying.

The answers to these questions will help you determine your estimated annual expenses after retirement. Then subtract from this estimate the anticipated annual income from already-viable sources. (Do not subtract the lump-sum payments you expect to receive—e.g., lump sum payments from 401(k) plans, which will be discussed later). The difference is the annual shortfall that will have to be financed by the nest egg you will need to accumulate.

How do you determine how much you need to save each year to accumulate a nest egg of that size by retirement age? You can do this by using the table below (which, assumes an after-tax return of 5% per year). Just multiply the required nest egg by the Savings Multiplier for the number of years until retirement.

Example: You are 40 years old and want to retire at age 65. You determine that you need a nest egg of $350,000 to fund your annual shortfall. To find out how much you must save each year to have that $350,000 nest egg by the time you are 65, multiply $350,000 by the 25-year savings multiplier (2.1%). You will need to save $7,350 (2.1% times $350,000) a year for 25 years.

Subtract from this nest egg any lump sums that you expect to receive at retirement. To project the value at retirement of a present asset (retirement account, savings, investments, etc.), multiply the current value of this asset by the Growth Multiplier for the number of years until retirement.

Example: You already have $75,000 in a 401(k) plan. To find out what that amount will grow to in 25 years, multiply it by the growth multiplier for 25 years. This $75,000 will grow to $254,250 (339% times $75,000) by the time you retire. Subtract this $254,250 from the $350,000 needed in the previous example. This amount ($95,750) is the amount you must accumulate by age 65 to meet the income shortfall. Multiply this $95,750 by the 25-year savings multiplier (2.1%). You now know that, after taking the projected lump sum into consideration, you will still need to save $2,010.75 per year to accumulate $95,750.

Years Until Retirement	Savings Multiplier	Growth Multiplier

5	18.1%	128%
10	8.0%	163%
15	4.6%	208%
20	3.0%	265%
25	2.1%	339%
30	1.5%	432%

Deciding on Investments

Generally, the longer you have until retirement, the more of your savings should be invested in vehicles with a potential for growth. If you are very close to or at retirement, you may wish to put the bulk of your savings into low-risk investments. However, this formula is subject to your own financial profile: your tolerance for risk, your income level, your other sources of retirement income (e.g., pension payments), and your unique needs.

Related Guide: Please see the Financial Guide: INVESTMENT BASICS: What You Should Know.

Very briefly stated, here are the various retirement-savings investments and their pros and cons. They are discussed in much greater depth in the Related FGs.

Tax-Deferred Retirement Vehicles

Each year, maximize your deposits in a 401(k) plan, an IRA, a Keogh plan, or some other form of tax-deferred savings. Because this money grows tax-deferred, returns will be greater. Further, if the amount you put in is deductible, you are reducing your income tax base.

Lowest Risk Investments

Money market funds, CDs, and Treasury bills are the most conservative investments. However, of the three, only the Treasury bills offer a rate that will keep up with inflation. For the average individual saving for retirement, it is recommended that these vehicles make up only a portion of investments.

Related Guide: Please see the Financial Guide: ASSET ALLOCATION: How To Diversify For Maximum Return.

Bonds

Bonds provide a fixed rate of income for a certain period. The income from bonds is higher than income from Treasury bills.

Bonds fluctuate in value depending on interest rates, and are thus riskier than the lowest risk investments. If bonds are used as a conservative investment, it is a good idea to use those of a shorter term, to minimize the fluctuation in value that might occur.

Stocks

Although common stock is riskier than any other investment yet discussed, it offers greater return potential.

Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are an excellent retirement savings vehicle. By balancing a mutual fund portfolio to minimize risk and maximize growth, a higher return can be achieved than with safer investments.

Related Guide: Please see the Financial Guide: INVESTING IN MUTUAL FUNDS: The Time-Tested Guidelines.

Recommended Books

Larry Burkett, The Complete Guide to Managing Your Money, (Budget Book Service, 1996), ISBN 0884861325.
Jane Bryant Quinn, Making the Most of Your Money, (Simon & Schuster,1997), ISBN 0684811766.
C. Frederic Wiegold, Editor, The Wall Street Journal Lifetime Guide to Money, (Hyperion, 1997), ISBN 0786861320.

Also See...

America Freedom To Fascism (01of11)

2009-11-17T15:25:00.001-08:00

Year End Tax Saving Ideas For Individuals

2009-11-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

There are a number of steps you might take by year-end to cut your 2009 tax bill, such as deferring income, accelerating deductions and capital gain planning.

Caution: If you expect to be subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), you may want to accelerate income and delay deductions. The AMT is expected to impact many more taxpayers in 2009 due to the decrease in the exemption amounts. Please contact us for more information.

Deferring Income

If you are planning on selling an investment on which you have a gain, it may be best to wait until after the end of the year to defer payment of the taxes for another year (subject to estimated tax requirements).
If you are due a bonus at year-end, you may be able to defer receipt of these funds until January. This can defer the payment of taxes (other than the portion withheld) for another year. Deferral of tax generally won't work where the bonus is contractually due in 2009.
If your company grants stock options, it may be wise to wait until next year to exercise the option or sell stock acquired by exercise of an option. Exercise of the option is often but not always a taxable event; sale of the stock is almost always a taxable event.
If you're self employed, and can afford the delay in cash inflow, defer sending invoices or bills to clients or customers until the end of December.

Caution: Keep an eye on the estimated tax requirements.

Accelerating Deductions

Pay a state estimated tax installment in December instead of at the January due date. However, the payment should be based on a reasonable estimate of your state tax.
Pay your entire property tax bill, including installments due in year 2010, by year-end (not applicable to mortgage escrow accounts).
Try to bunch "threshold" expenses, such as medical expenses and miscellaneous itemized deductions. (Threshold expenses are deductible only to the extent they exceed a certain percentage of adjusted gross income.) By bunching these expenses into one year, rather than spreading them out over two years, you have a better chance of exceeding the thresholds, thereby maximizing your deduction. For example, you might pay medical bills and dues and subscriptions in whichever year they would do you the most tax good.

Caution: In most cases, credit cards charges are considered paid in the year of the charge regardless of when you pay on the card. This, however, does not apply to store revolving credit cards. If you charge expenses on a Wal-Mart store credit card, the deduction can not be claimed until the bill is paid.

In the case of tax benefits that are phased out if you have more than a certain level of adjusted gross income (AGI), a strategy of deferring income and accelerating deductions may also allow you to claim larger deductions, credits, and other tax breaks for 2009. The latter benefits include Roth IRA contributions, conversions of regular IRAs to Roth IRAs, child credits, higher education tax credits and deductions for student loan interest.

Tip: Deferring income into 2010 is an especially good idea for taxpayers who anticipate being in a lower tax bracket next year, generally because of much-reduced income or much-increased deductible expenses.

Tip: It may pay to accelerate income into 2009 if your marginal tax rate is much lower this year than it will be next year.

Tip: If you have a sum of income coming in that is not covered by withholding taxes, increasing your withholding before year-end can avoid or reduce any estimated tax penalty that might otherwise be due.

On the other hand, the penalty could be avoided by covering the extra tax in your final estimated tax payment and computing the penalty using the annualized income method. Call us for additional support regarding estimated taxes.

Caution: Alternative Minimum Tax no longer just impacts the wealthy! Do not overlook the effect of any year-end planning moves on the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for 2009.

Due to recent tax policy, the AMT will impact many more taxpayers than ever before due to the reduction in the exemption amounts. The problem is that the tax is not indexed to inflation, and, as a result, growing numbers of middle-income taxpayers have been finding themselves subject to this higher tax.

Items that may affect the AMT include the deductions for state property taxes and state income taxes, miscellaneous itemized deductions, and personal exemptions. Please call us for more information.

Note: AMT Exemption Amounts For 2009
$46,700 for single and head of household fliers;

$70,950 for married people filing jointly and for qualifying widows or widowers, and

$35,475 for married people filing separately.

Tax Credit to Aid First Time Homebuyers

First-time homebuyers should know that this tax credit was amended in 2009 to provide further support for the purchase of a new home.

The tax credit was increased:

To a maximum credit of $8,000, from $7,500.
To apply to home purchases before December 1, 2009.
Reduces a taxpayer's tax bill or increases his or her refund, dollar for dollar. Is fully refundable, meaning that the credit will be paid out to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax that they owe.
The 2009 legislation eliminated the repayment requirements for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009. Homeowners, however, who sell the house within three years of purchase must repay credit back in full.

Eligible taxpayers will claim the credit on new IRS Form 5405. This form, along with further instructions on claiming the first-time homebuyer credit, will be included in 2009 tax forms and instructions and be available later this year on IRS.gov, the IRS Web site.

Make Charitable Contributions

You can donate property as well as money to a charity. A deduction is usually available for the fair market value of the property. However, for certain property, the deduction is limited to your cost basis. While you can also donate your services to charity, you may not deduct the value of these services. You may also be able to deduct charity-related travel expenses and some out-of-pocket expenses.

Note: A written record of charitable contribution is required in 2009. A donor may not claim a deduction for any contribution of cash, a check or other monetary gift made on or after January 1, 2007, unless the donor maintains a record of the contribution in the form of either a bank record (such as a cancelled check) or a written communication from the charity (such as a receipt or a letter) showing the name of the charity, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution.

Tip: Contributions of appreciated property (i.e. stock) provide an additional benefit in that you avoid paying capital gains on any profit.

Investment Gains And Losses

Minimize taxes on investments by judicious matching of gains and losses. Where appropriate, try to avoid short-term gains, which are usually taxed at a much higher tax rate (up to 35%) than long-term gains (15%). You might consider, where feasible, trying to reduce all capital gains and generate short-term capital losses up to $3,000.

Tip: If you have a large capital gain this year, consider selling an investment on which you have an accumulated loss. Capital losses are deductible up to the amount of your capital gains plus $3,000.

Tip: After selling securities investment to generate a capital loss, you can repurchase it after 30 days. (If you buy it back within 30 days, the loss will be disallowed.) Or you can immediately repurchase a similar (but not the same) investment, e.g., another mutual fund with the same objectives as the one you sold.

Tip: If you have losses, you might consider selling securities at a gain and then immediately repurchasing them, since the 30-day rule does not apply to gains. That way, your gain will be tax-free, your original investment is restored and you have a higher cost basis for your new investment (i.e., any future gain will be lower).

Note: The maximum long term capital gains tax rate is currently 15%. This is set to rise to 20% in 2011. This potential change in rate in something to think about in your long term investment planning.

Mutual Fund Investors

Before investing in a mutual fund, determine whether there will be a dividend at the end of the year or a dividend that will occur early in the next year but be deemed paid this year. The year-end dividend could make a substantial difference in the tax you pay.

Example: You invest $20,000 in a mutual fund at the end of 2009. You opt for automatic reinvestment of dividends. In late December of 2009, the fund pays a $1,000 dividend on the shares you bought. The $1,000 is automatically reinvested.

Result: You must pay tax on the $1,000 dividend. You will have to take funds from another source to pay that tax because of the automatic reinvestment feature. The mutual fund's long-term capital gains pass through to you as capital gains dividends taxed at long-term rates, however long or short your holding period.

The mutual fund's distributions to you of dividends it receives generally qualify for the same tax relief as long-term capital gains. If the mutual fund passes through its short-term capital gains, these will be reported to you as "ordinary dividends" that don't qualify for relief.

Tip: Wait until after the dividend to buy the shares. (The share net asset value will drop after the dividend is paid.) Alternatively, buy the shares in 2009, but opt to take the dividend in cash instead of having it reinvested.

In spite of these tax consequences, it may be a good idea to buy shares right before the fund goes ex-dividend. For instance, the distribution could be relatively small, with only minor tax consequences. Or the market could be moving up, with share prices expected to be higher after the ex-dividend date.

Tip: To find out a fund's ex-dividend date, call the fund directly.

Year-End Giving To Reduce Your Potential Estate Tax

For many, sound estate planning begins with lifetime gifts to family members, gifts which reduce the donor's assets subject to future estate tax. Such gifts are often made at year-end, in the holiday season, in ways that qualify for exemption from federal gift tax.

Your gifts to any donee are excludable (exempt) from gift tax up to $13,000 a year per donee.

Caution: An unused annual exemption doesn't carry over to later years. To make use of the exemption for 2009, you must make your gift by December 31.

Husband-wife joint gifts to any third person are exempt from gift tax up to $26,000 ($13,000 each). Though what's given may come from either you or your spouse or from both of you, both of you must consent to such "split gifts".

Gifts of "future interests" assets which the donee can only enjoy at some future time (certain gifts in trust, for example) generally don't qualify for exemption. But gifts for the benefit of a minor child can be made to qualify.

Tip: Consider adopting a plan of lifetime giving to reduce future estate tax.

Cash or publicly traded securities raise the fewest problems. You may choose to give property you expect to increase substantially in value later. Shifting future appreciation to your heirs keeps that value out of your estate. But this can trigger IRS questions about the gift's true value when given.

You may choose to give property that has already appreciated. The idea here is that the donee, not you, will realize and pay income tax on future earnings, and built-in gain on sale.

Gift tax returns for 2009 are due the same date, April 15, 2010, as your income tax return. Returns are required for gifts over $13,000 (including husband-wife split gifts totaling more than $13,000) and gifts of future interests. Though you are not required to file if your gifts do not exceed $13,000, you might consider filing anyway as a tactical move to block a future IRS challenge about gifts not "adequately disclosed".

Tip: Call us if you're considering making a gift of property whose value isn't unquestionably less than $13,000.

Income earned on investments you give to children or other family members is generally taxed to them, not to you. In the case of dividends paid on stock given to your children, they may qualify for the reduced 5% dividend rate.

Caution: In 2009, investment income of a child under age 19 (or full-time students through age 23) is taxed at the parent's top rate, where in excess of $1,800.

Other Year-End Moves

Retirement Plan Contributions. Maximize your retirement plan contributions. If you own an incorporated or unincorporated business, consider setting up a retirement plan if you don't already have one. (It need not be actually funded until you pay your taxes, but allowable contributions will be deductible on this year's return.)

If you are an employee and your employer has a 401(k), contribute the maximum amount ($16,500 for 2009 and 2010, plus an additional $5,000 if age 50 or over, assuming the plan allows this much and income restrictions don't apply).

If you are employed or self-employed with no retirement plan, you can make a deductible contribution of up to $5,000 a year to a traditional IRA (deduction is sometimes allowed even if you have a plan). Further, there is also an additional catch up contribution of $1,000 if age 50 or over.

Health Savings Accounts. Consider setting up a health savings account (HSA). You can deduct contributions to the account, investment earnings are tax-deferred until withdrawn, and amounts you withdraw are tax-free when used to pay medical bills.

In effect, medical expenses paid from the account are deductible from the first dollar (unlike the usual rule limiting such deductions to the excess over 7.5% of AGI). For amounts withdrawn at age 65 or later, and not used for medical bills, the HSA functions much like an IRA.

To be eligible, you must have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and only such insurance, subject to numerous exceptions, and must not be enrolled in Medicare. For 2009, to qualify for the HSA, your minimum deductible in your HDHP must be at least $1,150 (single coverage) or $2,300 (family). For 2010, the minimum deductible for an HDHP increases to $1,200 for self-only coverage and $2,400 for family coverage.

Summary

These are just a few of the steps you might take. Please contact us for help in implementing these or other year-end planning strategies that might be suitable to your particular situation.

FIAT EMPIRE

2009-11-13T06:39:00.001-08:00

Money, Banking and the Federal Reserve

2009-11-12T07:30:00.001-08:00

18 Financial Tips for Business Owners

2009-11-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

18 Financial Tips for Business Owners

1. Employee Stock Plans
2. Succession Plan
3. LLC and LLP Ownerships
4. Avoid Nondeductible Compensation
5. Purchase Corp. COLI
6. SIMPLE Retirement Plan
7. Keogh Retirement Plan
8. Section 179 Expensing
9. Deduction Health Insurance Premiums

10. Review Compensations
11. Don't Overlook Min. Distributions
12. Don't Double Up
13. Filing Requirements
14. Roth IRAs
15. Jointly or Separately?
16. Hobby Loss Rules
17. Post-Death Planning
18. Child Tax Credit

1. Consider establishing an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
If you own a business and need to diversify your investment portfolio, consider establishing an ESOP. A properly funded ESOP provides you with a mechanism for selling your shares with no current tax liability. Consult a specialist in this area to learn about additional benefits.

2. Make a succession plan.
Have you provided for a succession plan for both management and ownership of your business in the event of your death or incapacity? Many business owners wait too long to recognize all the benefits from making a succession plan. These benefits include ensuring an orderly transition and ensuring the lowest possible tax cost. Waiting too long can be expensive from a financial perspective (covering gift and income taxes, life insurance premiums, appraiser fees, and legal and accounting fees) and a non-financial perspective (intra-family and intra-company squabbles).

3. Consider the limited liability company (LLC) and limited liability partnership (LLP) forms of ownership.
These entity forms should be considered for both tax and non-tax reasons.

4. Avoid nondeductible compensation.
Compensation can only be deducted if it is reasonable. Recent court-decisions have allowed business owners to deduct compensation when (1) the corporation’s success was due to the shareholder–employee, (2) the bonus policy was consistent, and (3) the corporation did not provide unusual corporate prerequisites and fringe benefits.

5. Purchase Corporate Owned Life Insurance (COLI).
COLI can be a tax-effective tool for funding deferred executive compensation, funding company redemption of stock as part of a succession plan, and providing many employees with life insurance in a highly leveraged program. Consult your insurance and tax advisers when considering this technique.

6. Consider establishing a SIMPLE retirement plan.
If you have no more than 100 employees and no other qualified plan, you may set up a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) into which an employee may contribute up to $10,000 per year if you're under 50 years old and $12,500 a year if you're over 50. You, as employer, are required to make matching contributions. Talk with a benefits specialist to fully understand the rules and advantages and disadvantages of these accounts.

7. Establish a Keogh retirement plan before December 31st.
If you are self-employed and want to deduct contributions to a new Keogh retirement plan for this tax year, you must establish the plan by December 31st. You don’t actually have to put the money into your Keogh(s) until the due date of your tax return. Consult with a specialist in this area to ensure that you establish the Keogh or Keoghs that maximize your flexibility and your annual contributions.

8. Take advantage of section 179 expensing.
If you meet certain requirements, you may be able to expense up to $108,000 in purchases of qualifying property placed in service during the filing year, instead of depreciating the expenditures over a longer time period.

9. Don’t forget deductions for health insurance premiums.
If you are self-employed (or are a partner or a 2-percent S corporation shareholder–employee), you may deduct 100% of your medical insurance premiums for yourself and your family as an adjustment to gross income. The adjustment does not reduce net earnings subject to self-employment taxes, and it cannot exceed the earned income from the business under which the plan was established. You may not deduct premiums paid during a calendar month in which you or your spouse is eligible for employer-paid health benefits.

10. Review whether compensation may be subject to self-employment taxes.
If you are a sole proprietor, an active partner in a partnership, or a manager in a limited liability company, the net earned income you receive from the entity may be subject to self-employment taxes.

11. Don’t overlook minimum distributions at age 70½ and rack up a 50 percent penalty.
Minimum distributions from qualified retirement plans and IRAs must begin by April 1 of the year after the year in which you reach age 70½. The amount of the minimum distribution is calculated based on your life expectancy or the joint and last survivor life expectancy of you and your designated beneficiary. If the amount distributed is less than the minimum required amount, an excise tax equal to 50 percent of the amount of the shortfall is imposed.

12. Don’t double up your first minimum distributions and pay unnecessary income and excise taxes.
Minimum distributions are generally required at age seventy and one-half, but you are allowed to delay the first distribution until April 1 of the year following the year you reach age seventy and one-half. In subsequent years, the required distribution must be made by the end of the calendar year. This creates the potential to double up in distributions in the year after you reach age 70½. This double-up may push you into higher tax rates than normal. In many cases, this pitfall can be avoided by simply taking the first distribution in the year in which you reach age 70½.

13. Don’t forget filing requirements for household employees.
Employers of household employees must withhold and pay social security taxes annually if they paid a domestic employee more than $1,400 a year. Federal employment taxes for household employees are reported on your individual income tax return (Form 1040, Schedule H). To avoid underpayment of estimated tax penalties, employers will be required to pay these taxes for domestic employees by increasing their own wage withholding or quarterly estimated tax payments. Although the federal filing is now required annually, many states still have quarterly filing requirements.

14. Consider funding a nondeductible regular or Roth IRA.
Although nondeductible IRAs are not as advantageous as deductible IRAs, you still receive the benefits of tax-deferred income. Note, the income thresholds to qualify for making deductible IRA contributions, even if you or your spouse is an active participant in a employer plan, are increasing.

15. Calculate your tax liability as if filing jointly and separately.
In certain situations, filing separately may save money for a married couple. If you or your spouse is in a lower tax bracket or if one of you has large itemized deductions, filing separately may lower your total taxes. Filing separately may also lower the phaseout of itemized deductions and personal exemptions, which are based on adjusted gross income. When choosing your filing status, you should also factor in the state tax implications.

16. Avoid the hobby loss rules.
If you choose self-employment over a second job to earn additional income, avoid the hobby loss rules if you incur a loss. The IRS looks at a number of tests, not just the elements of personal pleasure or recreation involved in the activity.

17. Review post-death planning opportunities.
A number of tax planning strategies can be implemented soon after death. Some of these, such as disclaimers, must be implemented within a certain period of time after death. A number of special elections are also available on a decedent’s final individual income tax return.

18. Check to see if you qualify for the Child Tax Credit.
A $1,000 tax credit is available for each dependent child (including stepchildren and eligible foster children) under the age of 17 at the end of the taxable year. The child credit generally is available only to the extent of a taxpayer’s regular income tax liability. However, for a taxpayer with three or more children, this limitation is increased by the excess of Social Security taxes paid over the sum of other nonrefundable credits and any earned income tax credit allowed to the taxpayer.

For more information concerning these financial planning ideas, please call or email us.

SK Financial Services, P.A.

In Tampa

201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 950
Tampa, FL 33602

In Wesley Chapel

2240 Twelve Oaks Way, Suite 101
Wesley Chapel, FL, 33544

Phone: (813)322-3936
Fax: (813)436-4529
info@skfinancial.com

Record Retention Guide

2009-11-06T06:34:00.000-08:00

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Storing tax records: How long is long enough?

April 15 has come and gone and another year of tax forms and shoeboxes full of receipts is behind us. But what should be done with those documents after your check or refund request is in the mail?

Federal law requires you to maintain copies of your tax returns and supporting documents for three years. This is called the "three-year law" and leads many people to believe they're safe provided they retain their documents for this period of time.

However, if the IRS believes you have significantly underreported your income (by 25 percent or more), or believes there may be indication of fraud, it may go back six years in an audit. To be safe, use the following guidelines.

Business Records To Keep...	Personal Records To Keep...
1 Year	1 Year
3 Years	3 Years
6 Years	6 Years
Forever	Forever

Special Circumstances

Caution: Identity theft is a serious threat in today's world, and it is important to take every precaution to avoid it. After it is no longer necessary to retain your tax records, financial statements, or any other documents with your personal information, you must dispose of these records by shredding them and not disposing of them by merely throwing them away in the trash.

Business Document To Keep For One Year

Correspondence with Customers and Vendors
Duplicate Deposit Slips
Purchase Orders (other than Purchasing Department copy)
Receiving Sheets
Requisitions
Stenographer's Notebooks
Stockroom Withdrawal Forms

Business Documents To Keep For Three Years

Bank Statements and Reconciliation's
Employee Personnel Records (after termination)
Employment Applications
Expired Insurance Policies
General Correspondence
Internal Audit Reports
Internal Reports
Petty Cash Vouchers
Physical Inventory Tags
Savings Bond Registration Records of Employees
Time Cards For Hourly Employees

Business Documents To Keep For Six Years

Accident Reports, Claims
Accounts Payable Ledgers and Schedules
Accounts Receivable Ledgers and Schedules
Cancelled Checks
Cancelled Stock and Bond Certificates
Employment Tax Records
Expense Analysis and Expense Distribution Schedules
Expired Contracts, Leases
Expired Option Records
Inventories of Products, Materials, Supplies
Invoices to Customers
Notes Receivable Ledgers, Schedules
Payroll Records and Summaries, including payment to pensioners
Plant Cost Ledgers
Purchasing Department Copies of Purchase Orders
Sales Records
Subsidiary Ledgers
Time Books
Travel and Entertainment Records
Vouchers for Payments to Vendors, Employees, etc.
Voucher Register, Schedules

Business Records To Keep Forever

While federal guidelines do not require you to keep tax records "forever," in many cases there will be other reasons you'll want to retain these documents indefinitely.

Audit Reports from CPAs/Accountants
Cancelled Checks for Important Payments (especially tax payments)
Cash Books, Charts of Accounts
Contracts, Leases Currently in Effect
Corporate Documents (incorporation, charter, by-laws, etc.)
Documents substantiating fixed asset additions
Deeds
Depreciation Schedules
Financial Statements (Year End)
General and Private Ledgers, Year End Trial Balances
Insurance Records, Current Accident Reports, Claims, Policies
Investment Trade Confirmations
IRS Revenue Agents' Reports
Journals
Legal Records, Correspondence and Other Important Matters
Minutes Books of Directors and Stockholders
Mortgages, Bills of Sale
Property Appraisals by Outside Appraisers
Property Records
Retirement and Pension Records
Tax Returns and Worksheets
Trademark and Patent Registrations

Personal Document To Keep For One Year

While it's important to keep year-end mutual fund and IRA contribution statements forever, you don't have to save monthly and quarterly statements once the year-end statement has arrived.

Personal Documents To Keep For Three Years

Credit Card Statements
Medical Bills (in case of insurance disputes)
Utility Records
Expired Insurance Policies

Personal Documents To Keep For Six Years

Supporting Documents For Tax Returns
Accident Reports and Claims
Medical Bills (if tax-related)
Property Records / Improvement Receipts
Sales Receipts
Wage Garnishments
Other Tax-Related Bills

Personal Records To Keep Forever

CPA Audit Reports
Legal Records
Important Correspondence
Income Tax Returns
Income Tax Payment Checks
Investment Trade Confirmations
Retirement and Pension Records

Special Circumstances

Car Records (keep until the car is sold)
Credit Card Receipts (keep until verified on your statement)
Insurance Policies (keep for the life of the policy)
Mortgages / Deeds / Leases (keep 6 years beyond the agreement)
Pay Stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2)
Property Records / improvement receipts (keep until property sold)
Sales Receipts (keep for life of the warranty)
Stock and Bond Records (keep for 6 years beyond selling)
Warranties and Instructions (keep for the life of the product)
Other Bills (keep until payment is verified on the next bill)
Depreciation Schedules and Other Capital Asset Records (keep for 3 years after the tax life of the asset)

SK Financial Services, P.A.

In Tampa

201 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 950
Tampa, FL 33602

In Wesley Chapel

2240 Twelve Oaks Way, Suite 101
Wesley Chapel, FL, 33544

Phone: (813)322-3936
Fax: (813)436-4529
info@skfinancial.com

Randy Pausch Lecture: Time Management

2009-11-05T07:52:00.001-08:00

A SIMPLE Retirement Plan for the Self-Employed

2009-10-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

A SIMPLE Retirement Plan for the Self-Employed

Out of all the types of retirement plans available to small business owners, the SIMPLE plan is the easiest to setup and least expensive to manage.

These plans are intended to encourage small business employers to offer retirement coverage to their employees. SIMPLE plans work well for small business owners who don't want to spend time and high administration fees associated with more complex retirement plans.

SIMPLE plans really shine for self-employed business owners, here's why...

Self-employed business owners contribute both as employee and employer, with both contributions made from self-employment earnings.

SIMPLEs calculate contributions in two steps:

1. Employee out of salary contribution
The limit on this "elective deferral" is $11,500 in 2009, after which it can rise further with the cost of living.
Catch up. Owner-employees age 50 or over can make a further $2,500 deductible "catch up" contribution as employee in 2009.
2. Employer "matching" contribution
The employer match equals 3% of employee's earnings.

Example: An owner-employee age 50 or over in 2009 with self-employment earnings of $40,000 could contribute and deduct $11,500 as employee plus a further $2,500 employee catch up contribution, plus $1,200 (3% of $40,000) employer match, or a total of $15,200.

The SIMPLE plan is good for the home-based business and can be ideal for the moonlighter - the full-time employee, or the homemaker, with modest income from a sideline self-employment business.

With living expenses covered by your day job (or your spouse's job), you could be free to put all your sideline earnings, up to the ceiling, into SIMPLE retirement investments.

A Truly Simple Plan

The SIMPLE plan really is simpler to set up and operate than most other plans. Contributions go into an IRA you set up. Those familiar with IRA rules - in investment options, spousal rights, creditors' rights - don't have a lot new to learn.

Requirements for reporting to the IRS and other agencies are negligible. Your plan's custodian, typically an investment institution, has the reporting duties. And the process for figuring the deductible contribution is a bit simpler than with other plans.

What's Not So Good About SIMPLEs

Other plans can do better than SIMPLE once self-employment earnings become significant.

Example: If you are under 50 with $50,000 of self-employment earnings in 2009, you could contribute $11,500 as employee to your SIMPLE plus a further 3% of $50,000 as an employer contribution, for a total of $13,000. A Keogh 401(k) plan would allow a $25,500 contribution.
With $100,000 of earnings, it would be a total of $14,500 with a SIMPLE and $35,500 with a 401(k).

Because investments are through an IRA, you're not in direct control. You must work through a financial or other institution acting as trustee or custodian, and will in practice have fewer investment options than if you were your own trustee, as you could be in a Keogh.

It won't work to set up the SIMPLE plan after a year ends and still get a deduction that year, as is allowed with SEPs. Generally, to make a SIMPLE plan effective for a year it must be set up by October 1st of that year. A later date is allowed where the business is started after October 1; here the SIMPLE must be set up as soon thereafter as administratively feasible.

There's this problem if the SIMPLE is for a sideline business and you're in a 401(k) in another business or as an employee: The total amount you can put into the SIMPLE and the 401(k) combined can't be more than $16,500 (2009 amount)-$21,500 if catch up contributions are made to the 401(k) by one age 50 or over.

So someone under age 50 who puts $8,000 in her 401(k) can't put more than $8,500 in her SIMPLE, in 2009. The same limit applies if you have a SIMPLE while also contributing as an employee to a "403(b) annuity" (typically for government employees and teachers in public and private schools).

How to Get Started in a SIMPLE

You can set up a SIMPLE on your own by using IRS Form 5304-SIMPLE or 5305-SIMPLE, but most people turn to financial institutions.

SIMPLES are offered by the same financial institutions that offer IRAs and Keogh master plans.

You can expect the institution to give you a plan document and an adoption agreement. In the adoption agreement you will choose an "effective date" - the beginning date for payments out of salary or business earnings. That date can't be later than October 1 of the year you adopt the plan, except for a business formed after October 1st.

Another key document is the Salary Reduction Agreement, which briefly describes how money goes into your SIMPLE. You need such an agreement even if you pay yourself business profits rather than salary.

Printed guidance on operating the SIMPLE may also be provided. You will also be establishing a SIMPLE IRA account for yourself as participant.

Keoghs, Seps and SIMPLES Compared

Keogh	SEP	SIMPLE
Plan type: Can be defined benefit or defined contribution (profit-sharing or money purchase)	Defined contribution only	Defined contribution only
Owner may have two or more plans of different types, including a SEP, currently or in the past	Owner may have SEP and Keoghs	Generally, SIMPLE is the only current plan
Plan must be in existence by the end of the year for which contributions are made	Plan can be set up later--if by the due date (with extensions) of the return for the year contributions are made	Plan generally must be in existence by October 1st of the year for which contributions are made
Dollar contribution ceiling (for 2009): $49,000 for defined contribution plan; no specific ceiling for defined benefit plan	$49,000	$22,000
Percentage limit on contributions: 50% of earnings, for defined contribution plans(100% of earnings after contribution). Elective deferrals in 401(k) not subject to this limit. No percentage limit for defined benefit plan.	50% of earnings (100% of earnings after contribution). Elective deferrals in SEPs formed before 1997 not subject to this limit.	100% of earnings, up to $11,500 (for 2008) for contributions as employee; 3% of earnings, up to $11,500 for contributions as employer
Deduction ceiling: For defined contribution, lesser of $49,000 or 20% of earnings (25% of earnings after contribution). 401(k) elective deferrals not subject to this limit. For defined benefit, net earnings.	Lesser of $49,000 or 25% of eligible employee's compensation. Elective deferrals in SEPs formed before 1997 not subject to this limit.	Same as percentage ceiling on SIMPLE contribution
Catch up contribution 50 or over: Up to $5,500 in 2009 for 401(k)s	Same for SEPs formed before 1997	Half the limit for Keoghs, SEPs (up to $2,750 in 2009)
Prior years' service can count in computing contribution	No	No
Investments: Wide investment opportunities. Owner may directly control investments.	Somewhat narrower range of investments. Less direct control of investments.	Same as SEP
Withdrawals: Some limits on withdrawal before retirement age	No withdrawal limits	No withdrawal limits
Permitted withdrawals before age 59 1/2 may still face 10% penalty	Same as Keogh rule	Same as Keogh rule except penalty is 25% in SIMPLE's first two years
Spouse's rights: Federal law grants spouse certain rights in owner's plan	No federal spousal rights	No federal spousal rights
Rollover allowed to another plan (Keogh or corporate), SEP or IRA, but not a SIMPLE.	Same as Keogh rule	Rollover after 2 years to another SIMPLE and to plans allowed under Keogh rule
Some reporting duties are imposed, depending on plan type and amount of plan assets	Few reporting duties	Negligible reporting duties

Please contact us if you are interested in exploring retirement plan options, including SIMPLE plans.

How to Take the Pain Out of Paying Your Bills

2009-10-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

How to Take the Pain Out of Paying Your Bills

Settle Up Fast with Quickbooks' Bill Paying Tools

Some of the financial crystal ball-types are telling us there are signs that the recession may be drawing some of its last breaths. But those bills are still coming in, and you may have had a long, dry summer and less income that you can use to meet those business obligations.

The desktop versions of QuickBooks can help. They can't magically make more money appear in your coffers, but they can help you manage your bills so you're always aware of what's coming up and don't get any nasty surprises. This keeps both you and your vendors happy, and minimizes the chance of affecting your credit report adversely. You can also maximize cash flow by being hyper-aware of when each bill is due and timing them appropriately.

(These bill-paying tools are available in all QuickBooks versions above Simple Start.)

Enter First, Then Pay

Of course, you can mimic your old manual method of bill paying by simply using QuickBooks' check-writing convention. But if you do this, you risk paying the bill twice. If you follow the process shown in Figure 1 by entering and the then paying, you'll ensure that you record the expense in the same period it occurred.

To start, click the Enter Bills or Vendors/Enter Bills icon. The Enter Bills dialog box opens as shown in Figure 2. If you received a bill, be sure that box in the upper right is checked, and that the Bill radio button is filled in.

Figure 1: You'll find these icons on QuickBooks' graphical flow chart.

Figure 2: The Enter Bills dialog box.

Next, click the arrow next to the Vendor line to select an existing vendor or add a new vendor. Change the date if necessary, and enter a reference number (this may avoid confusion later). Then, enter the amount due.

When you initially set up vendors, you either set up terms for each vendor or accepted the default. So the Terms field should already be filled in, and will generate the correct bill due date. Enter a descriptive memo in that field if you'd like.

Tip: Use the right-click menu when you're entering bills to see more options.

Since this was an expense, you'll want to record it as such. Make sure the Expenses tab is highlighted, and click in the Account field. Click the arrow that appears to drop down the list, and select the appropriate expense type. Fill in the rest of the field on the line, making sure to check the Billable box if this is something you can bill back to a customer. If the expense needs to be split into separate categories, create a new line and amount for each. Your bill now looks something like Figure 3.

Click the Items tab and fill out the fields there if your expense involves products. You must have Inventory turned on to do this. Click Save & Close or Save & New. QuickBooks now works in the background, increasing Accounts Payable and dropping the bill into several reports.

Figure 3: Make sure your completed bill entry screen is as complete as possible.

Paying Your Debts

When it's time to pony up, click on the Pay Bills icon, or click Vendors/Pay Bills. You'll see a screen similar to Figure 4. Check the radio button next to the correct preference to view all bills, or to limit the list to those on or before a specific date. Put a check mark next to the bill(s) you want to pay. The correct amount should fill in by default, but you can change this to make a partial payment.

If you want to view the bill, take a discount, or use credits, click on those buttons. Select a payment date, method (check or credit card), and toggle to the correct account if it's not showing.

Figure 4: The Pay Bills dialog box. Make sit easy to finish the job.

Once you've paid a bill, your Accounts Payable and checkbook balances decrease, and the vendor balance and reports are updated. QuickBooks stamps a PAID watermark on the bill to avoid confusion later on.

Tip: To find bills you've already paid, go to the Vendor Center.

So stop stacking your bills on an old spindle and ruffling through them every day to see what's due. You'll find that there are numerous benefits to using QuickBooks' bill-paying features, such as an improved credit rating, a dearth of past-due notices, and better cash flow.

Increasing Your Income 1000% Formula

2009-10-27T18:18:00.001-07:00

The Earned Income Tax Credit

2009-10-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

The Earned Income Tax Credit

Millions of Americans forfeit critical tax relief each year by failing to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal tax credit for low-to-moderate income individuals who work. Taxpayers who qualify and claim the credit could owe less federal tax, owe no tax or even receive a refund.

This year it's even easier to determine whether you qualify for the EITC. The EITC Assistant, an interactive tool available on the IRS website, removes the guesswork from eligibility rules. Just answer a few simple questions about yourself, your children, your living situation and your income to find out if you qualify and estimate the amount of your EITC. You will see the results of your responses right away. Taxpayers, tax professionals, employers, community groups and public service organizations are encouraged to use the EITC assistant which is available in both English and Spanish.

Additionally, new for tax year 2009, is the added EITC and Income threshold for a THIRD qualifying child.

The EITC is based on the amount of your earned income and whether or not there are qualifying children in your household. If you have children, they must meet the relationship, age and residency requirements. Additionally, you must file a tax return to claim the credit.

If you were employed for at least part of 2009 and at least age 25, but under age 65, you may be eligible for the EITC based on these general requirements:

You earned less than $13,440 ($18,440 if married filing jointly) and did not have any qualifying children.
You earned less than $35,463 ($40,463 if married filing jointly) and have one qualifying child.
You earned less than $40,295 ($45,295 if married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children.
You earned less than $43,279 ($48,279 if married filing jointly) with third or more qualifying children.

Tax Year 2009 maximum credit:

$5,657 with three or more qualifying children.
$5,028 with two or more qualifying children;
$3,043 with one Qualifying child;
$457 with no qualifying children.

Note: Your investment income must be $3,100 or less for the year.

Note: The 2009 maximum Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) the employer is allowed to provide each of their employees is $1,826 per year.

Please call us for more information about the EITC, or see IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Credit, which contains eligibility criteria and instructions for claiming the tax credit.

Secrets of effective time management

2009-10-23T10:27:00.001-07:00

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in Five Minutes or Less

2009-10-21T12:25:00.001-07:00

Is Your Company a Hobby or a Business?

2009-10-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

Is Your Company a Hobby or a Business?

Whether it is sewing, woodworking, fishing, gardening, stamp or coin collecting, millions of Americans participate in hobbies that may result in a profit. What are the tax implications of a hobby? When does a hobby become a business and how does that change the tax implications?

Definition of a Hobby vs Business

First, the IRS defines a hobby as an activity that is not pursued for profit. A business, on the other hand, is an activity carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.

The tax considerations are different for each activity so it is important for taxpayers to properly determine whether an activity is engaged in for profit as a business, or is engaged in as a hobby.

Simply stated, you must report and pay tax on income from almost all sources, including hobbies. It is in the handling of expenses and losses that the two activities differ.

Note: Internal Revenue Code Section 183 (Activities Not Engaged in for Profit) limits deductions that can be claimed when an activity is not engaged in for profit. IRC 183 is sometimes referred to as the "hobby loss rule."

Is your hobby really an activity engaged in for profit?

If you are not sure whether you are running a business or simply enjoying a hobby, here are some of the factors you should consider:

Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit?
Do you depend on income from the activity?
If there are losses, are they due to circumstances beyond your control or did they occur in the start-up phase of the business?
Have you changed methods of operation to improve profitability?
Do you have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?
Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past?
Does the activity make a profit in some years?
Do you expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity?

An activity is presumed for profit if it makes a profit in at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year (or at least two of the last seven years for activities that consist primarily of breeding, showing, training or racing horses).

The IRS says that it looks at all facts when determining whether a hobby is for pleasure or business. The profit test is the primary test. If you can show that the activity earned income in three out of the last five years, it is for profit. If the activity does not meet the profit test, the IRS will take an individualized look at the facts of your activity using the list of questions above to make the determination business or hobby. It should be noted that this list is not all inclusive.

Business Activity: If the activity is determined to be a business, you can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for the operation of the business on a Schedule C or C-EZ on your Form 1040 without considerations for percentage limitations. An ordinary expense is an expense that is common and accepted in your trade or business. A necessary expense is one that is appropriate for your business.

Hobby: If an activity is a hobby, not for profit, losses from that activity may not be used to offset other income. You can only deduct expenses up to the amount of income earned from the hobby. These expenses, with other miscellaneous expenses, are itemized on Schedule A and must also meet the 2 percent limitation of your adjusted gross income in order to be deducted.

What are allowable hobby deductions under IRC 183?

If your activity is not carried on for profit, allowable deductions cannot exceed the gross receipts for the activity.

Deductions for hobby activities are claimed as itemized deductions on Schedule A, Form 1040. These deductions must be taken in the following order and only to the extent stated in each of three categories:

Deductions that a taxpayer may claim for certain personal expenses, such as home mortgage interest and taxes, may be taken in full.
Deductions that don't result in an adjustment to the basis of property, such as advertising, insurance premiums and wages, may be taken next, to the extent gross income for the activity is more than the deductions from the first category.
Deductions that reduce the basis of property, such as depreciation and amortization, are taken last, but only to the extent gross income for the activity is more than the deductions taken in the first two categories.

If your hobby is regularly generating income, it could makes tax sense for you to consider whether it is a business or not. You may be able to save on taxes.

SK Financial Services, P.A.,

Visit our website www.skfinancial.com for FREE tax saving information.

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SK Financial CPA Blog Education 529 Plan - What's New

Education 529 Plan - What's New

2009-10-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Education 529 Plan - What's New

What is a 529 plan? They are investment vehicles designed to help families pay for future expenses associated with college or other qualified post-secondary training. Though contributions to a 529 plan are not deductible, these plans offer other tax advantages and are named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. All 50 states and the District of Columbia sponsor at least one type of 529 plan.

What's new in 2009? The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) added computer technology to the list of college expenses (tuition, books, etc.) that can be paid for by a 529 plan. For 2009 and 2010, the law expands the definition of qualified higher education expenses to include expenses for computer technology and equipment or Internet access and related services to be used by the designated beneficiary of the 529 plan while enrolled at an eligible educational institution. Software designed for sports, games or hobbies does not qualify, unless it is predominantly educational in nature.

What "computer technology or equipment" refers to. This means any computer and related peripheral equipment. Related peripheral equipment is defined as any auxiliary machine (whether on-line or off-line) which is designed to be placed under the control of the central processing unit of a computer, such as a printer. This does not include equipment of a kind used primarily for amusement or entertainment. "Computer technology" also includes computer software used for educational purposes.

Note: Origins: Congress created them in 1996 and they are named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue code. The legal name for 529 plans is "qualified tuition programs" in the tax code.

Why use a 529 plan? There are advantages of 529 plans and one may be suitable for your family's needs. Earnings are not subject to federal tax when used for eligible college expenses. Earnings are often not subject to state tax. States may offer other incentives to in-state participants. There are no income restrictions on individual contributors. Contributions are only limited by the qualified education expenses of the beneficiary. You can change the beneficiary of a plan if the new beneficiary is in the same family. You can open a plan benefiting anyone: a relative, a friend or even yourself. The plan owner or custodian controls the funds until withdrawal, not the beneficiary.

How 529 plans are structured. There are two basic types of 529 plans - prepaid tuition plans and savings plans. A prepaid tuition plan enables a family to pay for future tuition now in current dollars and prices. A savings plan enables a family to accumulate funds in a tax-advantaged way for future tuition costs. A 529 plan can be established and maintained by a state, state agency, or an eligible educational institution. Each 529 plan is somewhat unique. Some state-sponsored plans offer incentives to in-state participants, such as state income-tax deductions or credits. Each 529 plan has one custodian and one beneficiary. A student or future student can be the beneficiary of more than one 529 plan.

Contribution limitations. Contributions can not exceed the amount necessary to provide for the qualified education expenses of the beneficiary. Contributors should be aware of potential gift tax issues if the amount contributed by any one contributor during a year to a given beneficiary, together with other gifts to that beneficiary, is greater than $13,000. For a general discussion of gift tax rules, see IRS Publication 950, Introduction to Estate and Gift Taxes. For information on a special rule that applies to contributions to 529 plans, see the instructions for Form 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return.

Use with other aid. A family using a 529 plan to pay for some of a child's college expenses may still be eligible to claim either the American opportunity credit or the lifetime learning credit. Check IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.

Living Trust 101

2009-10-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

Living Trust 101

A trust, like a corporation, is an entity that exists only on paper but is legally capable of owning property. A flesh and blood person, however, must actually be in charge of the property; that person is called the trustee. You can be the trustee of your own living trust, keeping full control over all property legally owned by the trust.

There are many kinds of trusts. A "living trust" (also called an "inter vivos" trust) is simply a trust you create while you're alive, rather than one that is created at your death under the terms of your will.

All living trusts are designed to avoid probate. Some also help you save on death taxes, and others let you set up long-term property management.

Do I need a living trust?

Property you transfer into a living trust before your death doesn't go through probate. The successor trustee, the person you appointed to handle the trust after your death, simply transfers ownership to the beneficiaries you named in the trust.

In many cases, the whole process takes only a few weeks and there are no lawyer or court fees to pay. When the property has all been transferred to the beneficiaries, the living trust ceases to exist.

Is it expensive to create a living trust?

The expense of a living trust comes up front. Many lawyers would charge relatively little for drafting your will, in hopes of getting your estate later as a client. They may charge more for a living trust.

Some people have chosen to use a self-help book or software program, to create a Declaration of Trust (the document that creates a trust) yourself. They may consult a lawyer if they have questions that the self-help publication doesn't answer. But there's always the danger of problems they don't see, that a lawyer could help avoid if consulted.

Is a trust document ever made public, like a will?

A will becomes a matter of public record when it is submitted to a probate court, as do all the other documents associated with probate, inventories of the deceased person's assets and debts, for example. The terms of a living trust, however, need not be made public.

Does a trust protect property from creditors?

Holding assets in a revocable trust does not shelter them from creditors. A creditor who wins a lawsuit against you can go after the trust property just as if you still owned it in your own name.

After your death, however, property in a living trust can be quickly and quietly distributed to the beneficiaries (unlike property that must go through probate). That complicates matters for creditors; by the time they find out about your death, your property may already be dispersed, and the creditors have no way of knowing exactly what you owned (except for real estate, which is always a matter of public record). It may not be worth the creditor's time and effort to try to track down the property and demand that the new owners use it to pay your debts.

On the other hand, probate can offer a kind of protection from creditors. During probate, known creditors must be notified of the death and given a chance to file claims. If they miss the deadline to file, they're out of luck forever.

Do I need a trust if I'm young and healthy?

Probably not. At this stage in your life, your main estate planning goals are probably making sure that in the unlikely event of your early death, your property is distributed how you want it to be and, if you have young children, that they are cared for. You don't need a trust to accomplish those ends; writing a will, and perhaps buying some life insurance, would be simpler.

Can a living trust save taxes?

A simple probate-avoidance living trust has no effect on either income or estate taxes. More complicated living trusts, however, can greatly reduce your federal estate tax bill if you expect your estate to owe estate tax at your death.

How to Get a Copy of Your Tax Return

2009-10-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

How to Get a Copy of Your Tax Return

There are two easy and convenient options for obtaining copies of your federal tax return information - tax return transcripts and tax account transcripts - by phone or by mail.

A tax return transcript shows most line items from the tax return (Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ) as it was originally filed, including any accompanying forms and schedules. It does not reflect any changes you, your representative or the IRS made after the return was filed. In many cases, a return transcript will meet the requirements of lending institutions such as those offering mortgages and student loans.

A tax account transcript shows any later adjustments either you or the IRS made after the tax return was filed. This transcript shows basic data, including marital status, type of return filed, adjusted gross income and taxable income. The IRS does not charge a fee for transcripts, which are available for the current and three prior calendar years. Allow ten to thirty days for delivery.

To request either transcript:

Phone: Call 1-800-829-1040 and follow the prompts in the recorded message
Mail: Complete IRS Form 4506-T, Request for Transcript of Tax Return.

If you need a photocopy of a previously processed tax return and attachments, complete Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Form, and mail it to the IRS address listed on the form for your area. There is a fee of $57.00 for each tax period requested. Copies are generally available for the current and past six years.

If you are a taxpayer impacted by a federally declared disaster, The IRS will waive the usual fees and expedite requests for copies of tax returns.

For more detail visit us here:

http://skfinancial.com/newsletter.shtml

Track Your Tax Refund

2009-10-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

Track Your Tax Refund

When will you receive your refund? The answer depends on how you filed your return. The IRS should issue your refund check within six to eight weeks of filing a paper return. If you chose to receive your refund through direct deposit, you should receive it within a week. If you use e-file, your refund should be issued between two and three weeks.

You can check on the status of your refund by clicking on the links below.

http://www.skfinancial.com/taxrefunds.html

First-Time Homebuyer Credit - Deadline December 1

2009-10-15T18:35:00.000-07:00

With the deadline quickly approaching, potential homebuyers are reminded that they must complete their first-time home purchases before December 1 to qualify for the special first-time homebuyer credit. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act extended the tax credit, which has provided a tax benefit to more than 1.4 million taxpayers so far.
The credit of up to $8,000 is generally available to homebuyers with qualifying income levels who have never owned a home or have not owned one in the past three years.
Because the credit is only in effect for a limited time, those considering buying a home must act soon to qualify for the credit. Under the Recovery Act, an eligible home purchase must be completed before December 1, 2009. This means that the last day to close on a home is November 30.

The credit cannot be claimed until after the purchase is completed. For purchases made this year before December 1, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on their 2008 returns or waiting until next year and claiming it on their 2009 returns.
For those considering a home purchase this fall, here are some other details about the first-time homebuyer credit:
The credit is 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000 for either a single taxpayer or a married couple filing jointly. The limit is $4,000 for a married person filing a separate return. In most cases, the full credit will be available for homes costing $80,000 or more.

The credit reduces the taxpayer's tax bill or increases his or her refund, dollar for dollar. Unlike most tax credits, the first-time homebuyer credit is fully refundable. This means that the credit will be paid to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed.
Only the purchase of a main home located in the United States qualifies. Vacation homes and rental properties are not eligible.
A home constructed by the taxpayer only qualifies for the credit if the taxpayer occupies it before December 1, 2009.

The credit is reduced or eliminated for higher-income taxpayers. The credit is phased out based on the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). MAGI is adjusted gross income plus various amounts excluded from income-for example, certain foreign income. For a married couple filing a joint return, the phase-out range is $150,000 to $170,000. For other taxpayers, the range is $75,000 to $95,000. This means the full credit is available for married couples filing a joint return whose MAGI is $150,000 or less and for other taxpayers whose MAGI is $75,000 or less.

The credit must be repaid if, within three years of purchase, the home ceases to be the taxpayer's main home. For example, a taxpayer who claims the credit based on a qualifying purchase on September 1, 2009, must repay the full credit if he or she sells the home or converts it to business or rental use at any time before September 1, 2012.
Taxpayers cannot take the credit even if they buy a main home before December 1 if:
The taxpayer's income is too large. This means joint filers with MAGI of $170,000 and above and other taxpayers with MAGI of $95,000 and above.

The taxpayer buys a home from a close relative. This includes a home purchased from the taxpayer's spouse, parent, grandparent, child or grandchild.
The taxpayer owned another main home at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase. For a married couple filing a joint return, this requirement applies to both spouses. For example, if the taxpayer bought a home on September 1, 2009, the taxpayer cannot take the credit for that home if he or she owned, or had an ownership interest in, another main home at any time from September 2, 2006, through September 1, 2009.
The taxpayer is a nonresident alien.

With the deadline quickly approaching, potential homebuyers are reminded that they must complete their first-time home purchases before December 1 to qualify for the special first-time homebuyer credit. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act extended the tax credit, which has provided a tax benefit to more than 1.4 million taxpayers so far.
The credit of up to $8,000 is generally available to homebuyers with qualifying income levels who have never owned a home or have not owned one in the past three years.
Because the credit is only in effect for a limited time, those considering buying a home must act soon to qualify for the credit. Under the Recovery Act, an eligible home purchase must be completed before December 1, 2009. This means that the last day to close on a home is November 30.

The credit cannot be claimed until after the purchase is completed. For purchases made this year before December 1, taxpayers have the option of claiming the credit on their 2008 returns or waiting until next year and claiming it on their 2009 returns.
For those considering a home purchase this fall, here are some other details about the first-time homebuyer credit:
The credit is 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000 for either a single taxpayer or a married couple filing jointly. The limit is $4,000 for a married person filing a separate return. In most cases, the full credit will be available for homes costing $80,000 or more.

The credit reduces the taxpayer's tax bill or increases his or her refund, dollar for dollar. Unlike most tax credits, the first-time homebuyer credit is fully refundable. This means that the credit will be paid to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed.
Only the purchase of a main home located in the United States qualifies. Vacation homes and rental properties are not eligible.

A home constructed by the taxpayer only qualifies for the credit if the taxpayer occupies it before December 1, 2009.

The credit is reduced or eliminated for higher-income taxpayers. The credit is phased out based on the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). MAGI is adjusted gross income plus various amounts excluded from income-for example, certain foreign income. For a married couple filing a joint return, the phase-out range is $150,000 to $170,000. For other taxpayers, the range is $75,000 to $95,000. This means the full credit is available for married couples filing a joint return whose MAGI is $150,000 or less and for other taxpayers whose MAGI is $75,000 or less.

The credit must be repaid if, within three years of purchase, the home ceases to be the taxpayer's main home. For example, a taxpayer who claims the credit based on a qualifying purchase on September 1, 2009, must repay the full credit if he or she sells the home or converts it to business or rental use at any time before September 1, 2012.
Taxpayers cannot take the credit even if they buy a main home before December 1 if:
The taxpayer's income is too large. This means joint filers with MAGI of $170,000 and above and other taxpayers with MAGI of $95,000 and above.

The taxpayer buys a home from a close relative. This includes a home purchased from the taxpayer's spouse, parent, grandparent, child or grandchild.

The taxpayer owned another main home at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase. For a married couple filing a joint return, this requirement applies to both spouses. For example, if the taxpayer bought a home on September 1, 2009, the taxpayer cannot take the credit for that home if he or she owned, or had an ownership interest in, another main home at any time from September 2, 2006, through September 1, 2009.
The taxpayer is a nonresident alien.

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Table of Contents

Estimating Your Retirement Income

Establishing Goals For Retirement

Deciding on Investments

Tax-Deferred Retirement Vehicles

Lowest Risk Investments

Bonds

Stocks

Mutual Funds

Recommended Books

America Freedom To Fascism (01of11)

Year End Tax Saving Ideas For Individuals

Deferring Income

Accelerating Deductions

Tax Credit to Aid First Time Homebuyers

Make Charitable Contributions

Investment Gains And Losses

Mutual Fund Investors

Year-End Giving To Reduce Your Potential Estate Tax

Other Year-End Moves

Summary

FIAT EMPIRE

Money, Banking and the Federal Reserve

18 Financial Tips for Business Owners

18 Financial Tips for Business Owners

Record Retention Guide

Randy Pausch Lecture: Time Management

A SIMPLE Retirement Plan for the Self-Employed

A Truly Simple Plan

What's Not So Good About SIMPLEs

How to Get Started in a SIMPLE

Keoghs, Seps and SIMPLES Compared

How to Take the Pain Out of Paying Your Bills

Increasing Your Income 1000% Formula

The Earned Income Tax Credit

Secrets of effective time management

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in Five Minutes or Less

Is Your Company a Hobby or a Business?

Definition of a Hobby vs Business

Is your hobby really an activity engaged in for profit?

What are allowable hobby deductions under IRC 183?

Education 529 Plan - What's New

Living Trust 101

Do I need a living trust?

Is it expensive to create a living trust?

Is a trust document ever made public, like a will?

Does a trust protect property from creditors?

Do I need a trust if I'm young and healthy?

Can a living trust save taxes?

How to Get a Copy of Your Tax Return

Track Your Tax Refund

First-Time Homebuyer Credit - Deadline December 1