TAKE A CREDIT FOR SAVING

Depending on your income, you might qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,000 for contributing to an IRA or other retirement plan. Don't overlook this "saver's credit" as an opportunity to both cut your 2013 tax bill and increase your retirement nest egg. You have until April 15, 2014, to make a 2013 IRA contribution that could qualify for the credit.

SUPPORTING A PARENT COULD CUT YOUR TAXES

If you provided more than half a parent's support in 2013, you may be entitled to a $3,900 dependency exemption. If other family members helped to provide support, you can use a "multiple support agreement" to decide who gets the exemption for 2013. Paying a caretaker or paying for a parent's medical expenses might qualify for a tax credit or deduction.

AN HSA MAY BE A GOOD CHOICE FOR YOU

Health savings accounts (HSAs) allow taxpayers with high-deductible health insurance plans to set aside pretax dollars that can be withdrawn tax-free to pay unreimbursed medical expenses. You might find an HSA to be the right choice for you and your family. The 2014 contribution limit to an HSA is $3,300 for individuals and $6,550 for families, with a $1,000 catch-up contribution for older individuals.

ENERGY CREDITS STILL AVAILABLE

The IRS reminds taxpayers that certain energy credits are still available. If you haven't already taken advantage of them, this may be the year to make energy-efficient improvements to your home. You may be entitled to a credit of 10% of the cost of certain energy-saving improvements such as insulation, windows, doors, skylights, and roofs. The credit has a maximum lifetime limit of $500; the credit for windows is limited to $200. Not all energy improvements qualify, the IRS cautions taxpayers, so be sure you have the manufacturer's credit certification statement (usually available with the product's packaging or on the manufacturer's website).

STAY ALERT FOR HOLIDAY FRAUD

Thieves and con artists thrive during the holidays. All that good cheer, all those weary and distracted shoppers, all that money being spent - it's a fraudster's paradise. Here are a few tips to keep the bad guys at bay, whether you're shopping online or at your local mall.

IRS SENDS "POSSIBLE INCOME UNDERREPORTING" NOTICES

Form 1099-K is a new information return sent to businesses by "payment settlement entities" reporting the amount of credit card and other electronic receipts that were processed for the business. The IRS also receives a copy of Form 1099-K and cross checks the reported amounts with the business's total income reported on its tax return. Where the numbers don't seem to make sense, the IRS sends notices to businesses telling them they "may have underreported gross receipts." Notices go on to say "This is based on your tax return and Form(s) 1099-K, Payment/Merchant Cards and Third Party Network Transactions that show an unusually high portion of receipts from card payments."

The IRS has sent thousands of letters labeled "Notification of Possible Income Underreporting" to small business owners. The notification project is ongoing as part of the IRS's campaign to deal with the "tax gap," the difference between taxes owed and taxes actually collected.

If you receive a notice, contact us immediately at (518) 798-3330 so that we can determine what response is required.

BALANCE RISK AND RETURN TO CREATE INVESTMENT BALANCE

Even if you're not an investment expert, you're probably familiar with the term "diversification." Choose the right mix of investments to keep a balance between risk and return.

DON'T LET TAXES CLOUD YOUR ECONOMIC DECISIONS

Some tax-cutting strategies make good financial sense. Other tax strategies are simply bad ideas, often because tax considerations are allowed to override basic economics.

PLAN FOR THE RETURN OF SOME TAX BREAK PHASE-OUTS

Are you familiar with PEP and Pease? Though they sound like a pop duo, the terms refer to tax rules known as phase-outs that can impact how much federal income tax you owe.

CHECK THE TAX ISSUES IF YOU ARE CARING FOR ELDERLY PARENTS

As the population in the U.S. continues to age, more and more people will find themselves caring for their parents. Here are some of the tax breaks that caregivers should consider.

HOW TO MAKE EMPLOYEE REVIEWS MORE CONSTRUCTIVE AND LESS PAINFUL

Usually the annual employee performance review is dreaded by both supervisor and employee. Here are some ideas to help improve the process.

HELP PREVENT IDENTITY THEFT

Criminals are not only filing bogus tax returns using other people's identification, they are also stealing the "look" of the IRS to phish for additional financial information from taxpayers.

The IRS has made numerous announcements in the past to help protect taxpayers from these scams. It repeats the message that it will never use an e-mail, text message, or social media to initiate a contact about your tax information.

If you receive what looks like an official IRS e-mail, you should forward it to phishing@irs.gov. Do not reply to the sender, and do not open any attachments.

"TIP" OR "SERVICE CHARGE" RULE

Restaurant owners and employees will be affected by an IRS rule going into effect this coming January. The "automatic gratuity" that many restaurants add to the bill for larger parties will be treated as a "service charge" rather than as a "tip." Service charges are treated as regular wages subject to withholding by the employer. Tips, on the other hand, are reported as income by the restaurant employees receiving them. The ruling is likely to complicate bookkeeping and reporting for both restaurant employees and employers.

UPCOMING DATES FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

Early in the morning of October 17, President Obama signed a bill into law reopening the federal government and extending U.S. borrowing authority. But the law contains deadlines that could leave the country facing the same issues again. Here are the important dates in the law -

* December 13, 2013 - Report required from Congressional budget negotiators on how to solve long-term budget issues.

* January 15, 2014 - Date after which federal government funding runs out.

* February 7, 2014 - Debt limit extension expires.

DELAY IN 2014 FILING SEASON

The Internal Revenue Service has announced a delay of approximately one to two weeks to the start of the 2014 filing season due to the 16-day federal government shutdown.

The government closure came during the peak period for preparing IRS systems for the 2014 filing season. Updating these core systems is a complex, year-round process with the majority of the work beginning in the fall of each year.

There are additional training, programming, and testing demands on the IRS this year as the agency works to prevent refund fraud and identity theft.

The IRS is exploring options to shorten the delay and will announce a final decision on the start of the 2014 filing season in December.

CONSIDER PROVIDING LOW-COST BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES

The fringe benefits you offer can be an important factor in hiring and retaining workers.

THE CLOCK'S TICKING ON 2013 TAX-CUTTING

Want to lower your 2013 tax bill? The time for action is running out, so consider these tax-savers now.

BUSINESS OR HOBBY? WHAT'S THE TAX DIFFERENCE?

For federal tax purposes, the determination of "business" or "hobby" is a matter of deduction.

EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT POSTPONED

The health care reform law passed in 2010 included a provision that would require employers of 50 or more full-time employees to provide affordable health insurance to their workers or face steep penalties. That provision was scheduled to take effect January 1, 2014.

The Treasury Department has announced that the effective date of this provision will be postponed for one year. The mandatory employer and insurer reporting requirements and any penalties connected with them will be delayed in order to allow more time for companies to adapt to meet the requirements.

BUSINESS ALERT: NO PENALTY IF YOU MISSED OCTOBER 1 DEADLINE

October 1st was the original deadline for employers to provide their workers with a notice about the state health insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. Failure to comply could have resulted in fines of up to $100 per day.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that, while companies are required to provide the notice, there will be no fine or penalty under the law for failure to do so.

DON'T GET SOAKED BY A WASH SALE

If you're planning to adjust your investment portfolio by selling some losing stocks at year-end, take a minute to review the wash sale rules.

IRS ISSUES TIPS FOR INDIVIDUALS SELLING THEIR HOME

In a "2013 Summertime Tax Tip," the IRS reminded taxpayers about the current rules on home sales. Here's a quick review of those rules.

BACK TO SCHOOL CALLS FOR AN EDUCATION REVIEW

As schools get back in session, it's a good time to check the education tax breaks for which you might qualify. First, there's the "American Opportunity Tax Credit" for a percentage of qualified expenses paid during the first four years of higher education. Second, the "Lifetime Learning Credit" allows a deduction for a percentage of qualified expenses paid for any year the American Opportunity Credit isn't claimed, and it even applies to job-related classes. Third, you may qualify for a deduction for interest paid on student loans. Fourth, education savings accounts allow annual nondeductible contributions for children under 18, with tax-free withdrawals for qualifying education expenses.

BUSINESS TAX REMINDER

As year-end approaches, don't overlook this option to reduce your business taxes for 2013: accelerated write-offs for business asset purchases. For example, the Section 179 immediate expensing deduction lets you write off the cost of assets you purchase and place in service this year, including vehicles, equipment, and software. For 2013, the maximum Section 179 deduction is $500,000. Another example is the "bonus" depreciation deduction, which allows you to expense up to 50% of the cost of new assets, including those that might not qualify for Section 179.

CONSIDER MAKING A CHARITABLE GIFT FROM YOUR IRA

The tax law signed last January extended the tax break that allows contributions of up to $100,000 from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity. Taxpayers aged 70½ or older can make a distribution directly from an IRA to a charity. The amount donated is not included in the taxpayer's gross income and is considered part of the required minimum distribution for the year.

AUTUMN TAX TIP

Review your tax deductions for 2013 while there's still time to manage them for a lower tax bill this year. The standard deduction for 2013 is $12,200 for married couples filing a joint return and $6,100 for single taxpayers. If your deductions are close to the threshold, consider accelerating deductible expenses. For example, you can add sales tax paid on a new vehicle to the IRS standard amount when claiming the itemized deduction for state and local sales tax.

EGGS, BASKETS, AND INVESTMENTS

A well-diversified portfolio spreads out your investment risk. However, you can easily end up with more eggs in one basket than you intended. Here are some investment tips.

GET YOUR BUSINESS OFF TO A GOOD START

Many small start-up businesses are off-and-running before any record system has been set up. There is money deposited into the new business checking account, some from invested funds and some from sales. There has been money paid out for equipment, supplies, etc., some by check and some by cash out of pocket or from sales receipts.

RMDs REQUIRE CAREFUL PLANNING

After all the advice you've received about saving for retirement, taking money out of your traditional IRAs and other qualified retirement plans may feel strange. Yet once you reach age 70½, the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules say you have to do just that.

"BASIS" IS IMPORTANT TO AN S CORPORATION

Losses can be hard to take - so if you think your S corporation will show a loss for 2013, now's the time to plan to make sure you'll get the full tax benefit.

NOTIFY THE IRS WHEN YOU MOVE

If you're one of the millions of taxpayers who've moved recently, don't forget to notify the IRS of your address change. Use "Form 8822, Change of Address," or send written notification to the IRS center where you file your return. Include your full name, old and new addresses, social security number, and signature. If you filed a joint return, include this information for both taxpayers. Keeping the IRS informed of your current address will ensure that you receive notices and refunds without delay.

RETIREMENT TAX RULES

Three important birthdays affect your retirement plan: 

* At age 50, you can make extra "catch-up" contributions to your IRA and 401(k) savings. For 2013, these are $1,000 and $5,500, respectively. 

* After age 59½, you're eligible to make penalty-free withdrawals from your IRAs.   

* Beginning no later than the year after you reach age 70½, you're required to take minimum distributions from your traditional IRAs each year. 

Need more details? Contact our office at (518) 798-3330.

SUMMERTIME BUSINESS TIP

Check the tax savings of combining business and pleasure on the same trip this summer. Within the U.S., if the primary purpose of the trip is business and you add on a side trip or an extra few days for pleasure, you can deduct all the travel costs to and from your business destination and all other business-related costs. You can't deduct costs related to the pleasure portion.

CUSTOMER SERVICE TIP: HOW TO KEEP YOUR CUSTOMERS COMING BACK

Every successful business relies on a core group of customers who keep coming back on a regular basis. Sure, you're always trying to find new customers and expand your market. But chances are that it's the "regulars" who provide the bulk of your revenues. It's important not to forget this group.

WHAT INVESTMENT EXPENSES ARE DEDUCTIBLE?

Whether you're a stock market bull or bear, you have investment expenses - and you may be wondering if they're deductible on your federal income tax return.

AVOID GROWING PAINS IN YOUR BUSINESS

One way to kill your business is to grow it too fast. Many profitable small businesses have expanded at the wrong time and at the wrong level of increased costs. The result is that they never again make a profit. How does this happen?

IDENTIFY TYPES OF INCOME TO END UP WITH LOWER 2013 TAXES

Act now to identify ways to minimize your 2013 taxes. Start by estimating your 2013 income, sorting it into categories such as wages, investments, passive income, retirement plan distributions, and active business income. Different tax rules apply to different kinds of income, and rules differ at various income thresholds. If you act now rather than later in the year, you'll have time to identify and put tax-saving options to work for you.

A TAX TRAVEL TIP

If you are planning a summer business trip, you and your spouse may be able to travel for little more than you would have paid on your own. For example, if a double hotel room costs $250 and a single room costs $200, you can still deduct $200 as a business expense, even if the two of you get the double.

COMBINE BUSINESS AND PLEASURE THIS SUMMER

You might want to combine a little pleasure with one of your business trips this summer -and save some taxes, too. Within the U.S., if the primary purpose of the trip is business and you add on a side trip or an extra few days for pleasure, you can deduct all the travel costs to and from your business destination and all other business-related costs. You can't deduct costs related to the pleasure portion.

INVOLVE YOUR CHILDREN IN FAMILY FINANCES

Many people feel uncomfortable discussing family finances with their children. However, sharing some information with your grown children can make things more comfortable for everyone.

 

Discuss your financial goals with your adult children, and let them know your plans for your retirement years. It's often a good idea to involve adult children in some or all aspects of your estate planning. Your particular family situation should dictate how much information you share and with whom.

If you would like assistance with your financial planning or discussing finances with your children, please call us at (518) 798-3330. We're here to help.

TAKE AN ENERGY CREDIT

The IRS reminds taxpayers that certain energy credits are still available. If you haven't already taken advantage of them, this may be the year to make energy-efficient improvements to your home. You may be entitled to a credit of 10% of the cost of certain energy-saving improvements such as insulation, windows, doors, skylights, and roofs. The credit has a maximum lifetime limit of $500; the credit for windows is limited to $200. Not all energy improvements qualify, the IRS cautions taxpayers, so be sure you have the manufacturer's credit certification statement (usually available with the product's packaging or on the manufacturer's website).

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR COMPANY'S CASH

Do you regularly monitor your company's cash accounts? You should. Even if you leave the job to your bookkeeper or accountant, you should stay aware of where the cash is going and how the spending is approved. Along with inventory "shrinkage," theft or improper expenditures of cash are among the chief sources of loss for small companies.

FOLLOW THE TAX RULES WHEN YOU BORROW FROM YOUR CORPORATION

If you're a business owner and your company lends you money, you'll enter it in the books as a shareholder loan. However, if your return is audited, the IRS will scrutinize the loan to see whether it is really disguised wages or a dividend, taxable to you as income. Knowing what the IRS might look at may be useful when you structure the arrangement.

HAVE A FINANCIAL TALK WITH ELDERLY PARENTS

One day you may find yourself taking care of an elderly parent who is in declining physical or mental health. This can be stressful, both emotionally and financially. On the financial side, there are steps you can take to prepare for this situation.

TAXES AND YOUR CHILD'S SUMMER JOB

With the school year over, your teenager might be taking a summer job. If so, you both may have questions about taxes. Here are some of the common concerns.

WHAT ARE YOUR AUDIT ODDS?

Do you wonder what your odds are of being selected for an IRS audit? Statistics just released for tax returns filed in 2011 and audited in 2012 show a 1% audit rate for individual tax returns. About 3.6% of business returns with income under $200,000 were audited; returns with income over $200,000 were audited at a 3.4% rate. Large corporations had a 17.8% audit rate, while small corporations had a 1.1% rate.

IT'S TAX PLANNING TIME

It's midyear 2013, and if you haven't thought about your 2013 tax situation yet, it's time to do so. By now, you should have a good idea of what your 2013 income and deductions will be. There are several very significant tax changes this year, and you need to start planning now if any of them will affect you. Don't procrastinate or you could end up paying more tax for 2013 than necessary. Contact us at (518) 798-3330 to schedule your midyear review.

IRS ANNOUNCES 2014 HSA CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

The IRS recently announced the inflation-adjusted contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) for 2014. HSAs allow taxpayers with high-deductible health insurance plans to set aside pretax dollars that can be withdrawn tax-free to pay unreimbursed medical expenses. The 2014 contribution limit for individuals is $3,300; the limit for family coverage is $6,550. A catch-up contribution of an additional $1,000 is permitted for individuals who are 55 or older.

FBAR FILING DUE BY JUNE 28, 2013

If you have assets in a foreign account and the total value exceeded $10,000 at any time, you must file the "Foreign Bank Account Report" (commonly called FBAR) by June 28, 2013. The FBAR is an annual information form, filed separately from your federal income tax return. The 2012 FBAR must be received by the Treasury Department by the deadline, not just postmarked by that date. No filing extension is available, and penalties for failing to file are steep. You may choose to file electronically. For details or filing assistance, please contact our office at (518) 798-3330.

BUDGET ISSUES FORCE IRS CLOSURES

The IRS will close all of its operations on June 14, July 5, July 22, and August 30, 2013. The current budget situation, including the sequester, has made these closures necessary; IRS employees will be furloughed without pay on these days. Taxpayers should continue to file returns and pay any taxes due as usual, though on these days the IRS will not answer toll-free hotlines or accept or acknowledge receipt of electronically filed returns. Electronic deposits of employment and excise taxes must be made as usual.

WHEN TO START DRAWING SOCIAL SECURITY IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION

Over the coming years, millions of baby boomers will reach age 62, the minimum threshold for receiving social security retirement benefits. If recent history is any indication, most of these people (over 70% by some estimates) will take their benefits as early as possible.

DEPENDENTS: WHAT ARE THE TAX RULES?

Most taxpayers believe that a "dependent" is a minor child that lives with them. While that is essentially correct, dependents can include parents, other relatives and nonrelatives, and even children who don't live with you. There is really much more to the dependent deduction than you might at first imagine.

NEW MEDICARE TAXES TAKE EFFECT IN 2013

The 2010 health care reform legislation included several provisions that go into effect this year. Among them is the increase in Medicare taxes for taxpayers with incomes above certain levels. Here is an overview of these two new taxes.

PAY ATTENTION TO RESTORED DEDUCTIONS FOR 2012

A number of tax breaks that had expired at the end of 2011 or were to expire at the end of 2012 were extended by the recently passed law, the "American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012." Keep these deductions and credits in mind as you gather the paperwork for filing your 2012 tax return. Those that apply to you or your business could cut your 2012 tax bill.

"CHAINED CPI": WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

As the politicians in Washington start once again to tackle the same old problems, you're likely to hear more about a new way of measuring inflation called the "chained CPI."

HOME OFFICE RECORDKEEPING SIMPLIFIED

The IRS is reducing the recordkeeping required for the home-office deduction, effective for 2013. Taxpayers who qualify may use a new optional deduction calculated at $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet of an area in a home that is used regularly and exclusively for business. The deduction is capped at $1,500 a year.

Taxpayers opting for the simplified deduction cannot depreciate a portion of the home as they can under the other method. However, business expenses not related to the home, such as advertising, supplies, and employee wages, are still fully deductible.

This simplified option is available starting with the 2013 tax return which will be filed in 2014.

NEW LAW CAUSES FILING SEASON DELAY

The delayed passage of the "American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012" has put the IRS behind schedule. Due to several provisions of the law affecting 2012 tax returns, the IRS could not open the Form 1040 filing season for the majority of taxpayers until late January.

Those taxpayers filing Form 5695 (Energy Credit), Form 4562 (Depreciation), and Form 3800 (General Business Credit) will not be able to file until late February or possibly not until March. Apparently a large percentage of taxpayers in this group typically file later in the season because they have more complex returns.

The IRS must complete the updating of forms and computer programming and testing before it is ready to accept any filings either on paper or electronically. The IRS said that taxpayers will receive refunds faster by e-filing and using direct deposit.

If we can be of assistance to you in preparing any of your 2012 tax filings, please contact us at (518) 798-3330.

GIFT TAXES: CLEARING UP THE CONFUSION

There is a great deal of confusion about gifting and gift taxes. The federal gift tax law is completely apart from the income tax law. Neither party to a gift should include the gift information on their income tax return. The gift is not tax-deductible by the one giving the gift, and it is not taxable income to the one receiving the gift. But a gift tax return may need to be filed.

DO YOU NEED A BUSINESS PARTNER?

It is interesting to note how many partnerships were formed over a weekend. You meet someone at a party on Friday and by Monday you are in business together. No courtship, no honeymoon, just off you go into business. Well, let me suggest that such partners secure a good set of boxing gloves, because they are going to need them.

STARTING A BUSINESS? HERE'S YOUR TO-DO LIST

There is an almost endless list of things to do when you start a new business. Here is a brief list of some of the most important ones:

EVEN SMALL COMPANIES CAN BE HIT WITH PAYROLL FRAUD

Unless the owner handles all aspects of computing and paying payroll, there is room for fraud in every small business. The fact that your company has only a few employees does not guarantee that you will be safe.

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE "SAVER'S CREDIT"

If you're not sure what the "saver's credit" is, you're not alone. Members of the Senate Finance Committee believe many people who are eligible to claim the credit are unaware of its existence.

WHEN CAN YOU DEDUCT A BUSINESS BAD DEBT?

It happens to butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers. It probably happens in your business, too: A customer doesn’t pay what they owe and you end up with a bad debt. Can you take a tax deduction?

The answer depends on how you account for income on your tax return. If you included the amount due from the customer in income this year or in previous years, it’s likely you have a bad debt deduction. You can claim all or part of the worthless receivable.

What if you record income as you collect the cash? In this case, since you don't receive the amount your customer owes you, and since you never reported it as income, there’s no deduction.

Suppose you lend money to a customer for a business reason and the loan becomes uncollectible. Is the loan considered a deductible bad debt?

As a general rule, yes, as long as your intention was to make a loan, not a gift, and you attempted to collect the debt but could not. Money you lend to employees or suppliers may also be deductible.

Though you don’t have to go to court to prove a debt is uncollectible, the deduction can only be taken in the taxable year it becomes worthless. If you overlook the deduction on that year’s return, don’t despair. For a fully worthless bad debt you have up to seven years from the due date of your original return to file an amended one.

Additional rules apply to specific situations, and certain businesses can use a special method for claiming bad debt deductions. Give us a call at (518) 798-3330 to discuss your options.

SAVE MORE FOR YOUR RETIREMENT

The amount you can contribute to your retirement plan increases in 2013. The 401(k) maximum salary deferral increases from the 2012 limit of $17,000 to $17,500. The catch-up limit for those 50 and older remains unchanged at $5,500. The maximum deferral for a SIMPLE increases from the 2012 limit of $11,500 to $12,000. The catch-up limit for 50 and older remains at $2,500. The 2013 maximum IRA contribution increases from the 2012 limit of $5,000 to $5,500. If you're 50 or older, your IRA contribution limit is $6,500.

CONGRESS AVERTS TAX PORTION OF FISCAL CLIFF

The "American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012" approved by Congress just after we plunged over the "fiscal cliff" restores and modifies several expired tax breaks, but doesn't address other issues. Here are the highlights of the new law's provisions for individual taxpayers.

SPEED UP YOUR IRA DEDUCTION

If you did not contribute the 2012 maximum to your IRA by December 31, 2012, and you make any IRA contributions before April 15, 2013, tell your bank or other trustee that these 2013 contributions are for 2012 until you reach the $5,000 limit ($6,000 if you're 50 or older). You can then deduct these 2013 amounts on your 2012 tax return for a quicker tax benefit. For details, contact us at (518) 798-3330.