Tax / Estate & Wealth Planning
Showing 1649–1664 of 2177 results
-
Direct IRA contribution provision extended
March 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 259
Abstract: The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the IRA rules that allow taxpayers age 70½ or older, who have one or more IRAs and a desire to make charitable contributions, to receive tax-free treatment of distributions when they’re donated to charity. This brief article explains the details.
-
Business provisions of the new tax act
March 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 543
Abstract: The 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act includes a wide-ranging assortment of tax changes affecting both individuals and businesses. On the business side, two of the most significant changes provide incentives to invest in machinery and equipment by allowing for faster cost recovery of business property. This article looks at the legislation as it pertains to enhanced small business expensing (Section 179 expensing) and an extension of additional first-year depreciation.
-
New Roth IRA conversion option
March 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 151
Abstract: A provision in the recently enacted 2012 American Taxpayer Relief Act permits an individual to convert any portion of their balance in an employer-sponsored tax-deferred retirement plan account into a Roth IRA account under that plan. But this brief article notes some caveats.
-
American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
March 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 784
Abstract: The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 provides relief for most taxpayers, but will increase the tax bill for high-income folks. The Act includes, among other items, permanent extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for most taxpayers; revised tax rates on ordinary and capital gains income for high-income individuals; modification of the estate tax; a permanent fix of the AMT for individual taxpayers; limits on deductions and exemptions of high-income individuals; and numerous retroactively reinstated and extended tax breaks for individuals and businesses. This article discusses several of the Act’s provisions impacting individual taxpayers.
-
Estate Planning Pitfall — Transferring home ownership to your children
February / March 2013
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 393
Abstract: Many people mistakenly believe they can transfer their home to their children while retaining the right to continue living in it for the rest of their life, and remove a substantial portion of the home’s value from their taxable estate. It’s a simple, inexpensive way — they reason — to avoid probate and reduce estate taxes. But, on the contrary, retaining such a “life estate” guarantees that the home’s value will be included in one’s taxable estate after death. Yet, as this article explains, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
-
Should you donate life insurance to charity?
February / March 2013
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 611
Abstract: Donating life insurance to a favorite charity is an excellent opportunity to make a larger donation than may otherwise be affordable. This article shows why this is so and discusses the most tax-effective way to donate life insurance. But doing so isn’t for everyone; there are family needs and tax implications to consider.
-
Strong governance enhances a family business’s value
February / March 2013
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 932
Abstract: Too often, family members view their business as a source of wealth without making sure that the company is managed by those best suited for the job. Good governance — carefully documented in writing — can help ensure a family business’s survival as it makes the transition from one generation to the next. This article shows how the business’s organizational documents can lay a solid foundation for good governance. It also explains the importance of having an independent board, along with legal agreements designed to keep the business in the family.
-
Fiscal cliff deal brings some certainty to estate planning
February / March 2013
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 943
Abstract: Congress’s eleventh-hour deal to avert the “fiscal cliff” produced the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA). The act focuses on income taxes, but it also provides much-needed certainty for people engaged in estate planning. This article discusses the act’s provisions that pertain to the unified gift and estate tax exemption and the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption; exemption portability; and other estate planning benefits. A sidebar notes the benefits of a “charitable IRA rollover,” also available under ATRA.
-
Benefits of using a family LLC
February 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 618
Abstract: For those who are interested in gradually transferring partial ownership of their assets to their children, a good method might be to transfer the assets to a family limited liability company (LLC) and subsequently gift membership interests in it to the children. With that in mind, this article provides some information about using a family LLC to transfer ownership of assets.
-
Tax rules for gamblers
February 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 393
Abstract: Whether the economy is expanding or contracting, gambling remains a popular pastime. For casual gamblers, winnings are fully taxable and must be reported on one’s tax return. It’s also possible to deduct gambling losses, but only up to the extent of winnings. But the rules for professional gamblers are more complex, as this article explains.
-
Patron’s gifts and athletic tickets
February 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 203
Abstract: Subject to Congress changing the law, the cost of tickets to a charitable event is eligible for a contribution deduction to the extent the purchase price exceeds the fair market value of admission and privileges associated with the event. But there are some caveats, as this brief article explains.
-
Standard mileage rates for 2013
February 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 158
Abstract: This brief article provides an update on 2013 standard mileage rates, but notes that there are circumstances in which taxpayers must instead calculate their actual costs.
-
Social Security and Medicare update
February 2013
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 391
Abstract: This article discusses the annual inflation adjustments that have been made for the various Social Security amounts and thresholds for 2013. It includes discussion of the 0.9% Medicare surtax (new for 2013), along with Social Security tax and benefit amounts.
-
Tax Tips — FICA refunds for severance pay?
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 469
Abstract: This issue’s “Tax Tips” explains why a business that has recently made significant severance payments might be entitled to a refund of FICA taxes. It shows how taxpayers can help protect themselves against a fraudulent tax return being filed in their name, and discusses an increase in the annual gift tax exclusion.
-
Betting on a SCIN — This tool may help you transfer assets at little or no tax cost
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 623
Estate planning can be a gamble. Tax and estate tax laws change. Family members pass away before their time. But a gamble that can pay off in certain circumstances is the self-canceling installment note — or SCIN. It may allow a person to transfer a business or other assets to family members at little or no tax cost. This article discusses how a SCIN works and how, if it pays off, a family will reap a bounty in the form of income, gift and estate tax savings. But, the article cautions, there’s no guarantee that it will pay off.
-
Restricted stock and RSUs: How are they taxed?
January / February 2013
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 820
Over the last seven years, restricted stock and restricted stock units (RSUs) have grown in popularity as incentive compensation tools, while the use of stock options has declined. This article explains why restricted stock and RSUs can be an attractive alternative to options, but also notes the differences between the two instruments and their respective tax implications.