Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert August 2023

Your estate plan: don't forget about income tax planning

As a result of the current estate tax exemption amount ($12.92 million in 2023), many people are no longer concerned with federal estate tax. This article points out that before 2011, a much smaller dollar amount resulted in many people attempting to avoid estate tax. Now, because many estates won’t be subject to estate tax, more planning can be devoted to saving income taxes for heirs. A sidebar briefly looks at certain exclusions or discounts.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert July 2023

Lost your job? Here are the tax aspects of an employee termination

Despite the robust job market, some people are still losing their jobs. For those who are laid off or terminated from employment, taxes are probably the last thing they’re concerned about. However, they may face tax implications when personal and professional circumstances change, and there may be some decisions to make.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert June 2023

Is it a good time for a Roth conversion?

The volatility in the stock market may have caused the value of retirement accounts to decrease. To those with traditional IRAs invested in stocks, a decline may provide a valuable opportunity: that is, taxpayers may be able to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA at a lower tax cost.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert April 2022

Could you be hit with the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty?

There’s a harsh tax penalty that business owners could have to pay personally if they own or manage a business with employees. It’s called the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty and it applies to the Social Security and income taxes required to be withheld by a business from the wages of its employees. This article looks at the risk and explains how business owners, managers and other involved parties can avoid incurring the penalty.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert August 2021

Batley CPA August 2021 – Know the nuances of the nanny tax

During the pandemic, many families have hired household workers. For any household worker who isn’t an independent contractor, “nanny tax” obligations may apply. This article explores the details of withholding, reporting and paying a household worker. A sidebar looks at the federal unemployment tax.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert July 2021

Batley CPA July 2021 – Curtailing tax surprises with cryptocurrency

As investing in Bitcoin, Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies becomes more popular, investors need to understand the potential tax ramifications. Unlike traditional currency, the IRS views cryptocurrency as property. This article explores the impact on capital gains and losses as well as defines key terms such as “hard forks” and “air drops.”

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert June 2021

Batley CPA June 2021 – Individual taxpayers, remember the rescue!

Many individual taxpayers fondly recall the stimulus payments issued this spring under the American Rescue Plan Act. However, the law contains plenty of other provisions also worth remembering. This article reviews four highlights. A sidebar looks at the income exclusion for unemployment benefits.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert May 2021

Trusts can help affluent individuals and families manage, protect and grow their wealth. But there are a wide variety to choose from, so it’s important to understand the basic concepts behind trusts before choosing one. This article defines trusts and provides an example of how one popular trust type works. A sidebar looks at another example: intentionally defective grantor trusts.

Batley CPA Tax & Business Alert April 2021

Future retirees have long grappled with whether to opt for a traditional or Roth IRA. Those who have a traditional IRA and have seen a decline in the value of their investments may want to consider a conversion to a Roth. This article reviews how these accounts work and the strategy in question.