It’s natural for families to help each other out, sharing their good fortune with those they love. So, what if a child or grandchild wants to purchase a home or car and needs some help? Should you gift them the money, or is a loan the better option? There may be business, personal or...
Read MoreFrom digital art to in-game digital assets, the recent emergence and rising popularity of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is leaving individuals with a plethora of tax questions. This article is intended to provide some clarity for those looking to invest in this evolving asset class. What is an...
Read MoreForming a trust can seem like a daunting or unnecessarily complicated task, but its benefits often outweigh the paperwork and added tax complexity. Trusts are customizable to your specific situation and can help you protect your assets, establish an estate plan, direct how you will ultimately...
Read MoreThe election of a new president in 2020 created much speculation regarding changes to tax law, but minimal lasting changes actually took place in 2021.While the Consolidated Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan modified and expanded some tax provisions for 2021, we still rely on the Tax...
Read MoreTalk about being thankful. We had more than 350 clients and friends register for our annual fall CPE day — undaunted by the virtual format we presented in again this year. We are always truly happy to put together this day, no matter the format, to help educate clients on what they need to...
Read MoreMany taxpayers are considering updating their estate plans to get ahead of expected tax law changes that may impact the lifetime exemption for gifting property. Currently those exemptions sit at $11.7 million per person but are scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2025, when they will revert to $5...
Read MoreWhere does a trust “live” and, consequently, what set of tax rules will apply for the beneficiary? Fiduciary state income tax has always been a complicated tangle of rules. Every state has its own trust residency rules based on the location of the grantor, trustee, beneficiaries...
Read MoreThe first two parts of this series on advanced 529 plan strategies focused on shorter term strategies to maximize the tax efficiency of these accounts. The third strategy is focused on long-term tax efficiency by passing down 529 plan assets to your heirs.The beauty of 529 plans is that they grow...
Read MoreIn Part 1 of this series on advanced 529 plan strategies, we discussed creating a state tax deduction for private elementary and secondary school tuition under the new tax law for 2018. This change in the tax code is also the driving force behind strategy number two.To recap, in 2017 and prior...
Read MoreNow that the holiday season is behind us, it’s time to make some progress on those New Year’s resolutions to improve your control over your personal finances. This article is the first in a three part series focused on saving for college through 529 plans. Most are familiar with these...
Read MorePart I of this blog post offered background on cryptocurrencies, including the different types, how to value them, and how they generally are taxed at the individual level. This post will discuss more specific strategies related to types of taxation, strategies to minimize tax and how to keep...
Read More** This blog was updated on 4/16/20 to reflect May IRS minimum interest rates ** Prior to a few weeks ago, the economy was humming along for most industry sectors; businesses were growing revenue and earnings; and market multiples were strong. Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the past few...
Read MoreOne of the many areas the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) impacts includes the treatment of nonresident aliens as potential current beneficiaries of an Electing Small Business Trust (ESBT). Historically, each potential current beneficiary of an ESBT had to be a U.S. citizen or resident for the trust...
Read MoreThe Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creations Act of 2010 introduced for the first time the concept of portability of the federal estate tax exclusion between spouses. When enacted, it was meant to apply only to estates of decedents dying before January 1, 2013. However...
Read MoreAs always, there is a lot going on in the tax world that impacts businesses and their owners, this year in particular due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It was my privilege to again serve as editor of the AICPA’s Tax Adviser August Tax Clinic, a special section in the professional journal...
Read MoreWhile cryptocurrencies have become a popular investment vehicle, there is still much ambiguity regarding how to treat the emerging asset class for tax purposes. Taxation of cryptocurrencies is complicated at any level, be it partnership, corporation or other. However, it's also important to...
Read MoreThe 529 education savings plan is often a great way to help children or other beneficiaries pay for educational expenses. And thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, some of the expenses covered now include those beginning as early as kindergarten. >> Learn more about how 529 plans work...
Read MoreUp until the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in 2017, many taxpayers used 529 education savings plans as a tax-free way to save for their children’s or other beneficiaries’ college education. However, beginning January 1, 2018, those funds can be used for any qualified educational...
Read MoreThe passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) brought about significant changes to the estate planning arena, doubling the lifetime exemption through December 31, 2025. While fewer taxpayers will find themselves with taxable estates over the next eight years, asset protection via a trust &mdash...
Read MoreSection 199A of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) allows up to a 20 percent deduction on qualified pass-through business income to all noncorporate taxpayers — including trusts and estates. The IRS recently issued guidance clarifying many provisions within the new code section...
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