How Do Taxes Work For a Trust?
A trust can be a valuable tool for estate planning and a variety of other purposes. However, when it comes to taxes for a trust, throwing a trust into the mix can sometimes create a bit of confusion. Whether you’re setting up a trust or you’re a beneficiary, it’s important to understand your potential tax […]
Expert Details About Irrevocable Trust Disbursements
If you’re a beneficiary, grantor, or trustee of an irrevocable trust, it’s important to understand the specifics of how trust disbursements work and who is liable for the taxes. Following, you’ll find a quick overview of the important details and a few examples for clarification. Taxation of Irrevocable Trust Disbursements When an irrevocable trust disburses […]
Trust Distribution Taxes – Do Beneficiaries Pay Taxes?
The question of whether or not a beneficiary pays trust distribution taxes on the income received from a trust comes up quite often. The answer depends on your particular situation. In the sections below, we will explain the circumstances when you, as a beneficiary, must pay tax and when it’s not required. But first, let’s […]
Are Trust Funds Taxed? What You Need to Know
One of the most common questions we hear about the administration of trusts is, “Are trust funds taxed?” Like so many other financial matters, the answer is, it depends. Many people get confused that the taxable income of trusts and trust income are not the same things. Typically, a beneficiary (and sometimes a trust itself) […]
4 Questions to ask before you retire
Choosing to retire is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. Giving up your salary means having to live from other sources of income, and if you haven’t planned extensively, then you might not even be aware of the resources at your disposal, let alone how much money they might provide toward your […]
How to Keep Accounting Records for a Small Restaurant
by Devra Gartenstein Sales Totals A small restaurant should keep records of its sales revenue after each meal shift as well as totals for each day. Even relatively simple cash registers will print reports tracking food sales in different categories such as entrees, appetizers and beverages, as well as sales-tax totals and amounts that customers […]
Marketing Growth Strategies for Small Businesses
Any good marketer knows to keep an eye on the future to stay ahead of the curve on new trends, emerging marketing channels, and other fresh ideas to deliver brand messages. With 2016 in the rear-view mirror and 2017 flying down the pipeline, now is the time to start examining what the New Year is […]
IRS Tax Tips for Starting a Business
When you start a business, a key to your success is to know your tax obligations. You may not only need to know about income tax rules, but also about payroll tax rules. Here are five IRS tax tips that can help you get your business off to a good start. Business Structure. An early choice […]
Do beneficiaries of a trust pay taxes?
Beneficiaries of a trust typically pay taxes on distributions they receive from the trust’s income. However, they are not subject to taxes on distributions from the trust’s principal. When a trust makes a distribution, it deducts the income distributed on its own tax return and issues the beneficiary a tax form called a K-1. The […]
How Can American Expats Reduce their IRS Taxes?
Americans living abroad are still required to file US taxes. The US is the only country that requires its expats to file. It is because the US taxes based on citizenship rather than on residence. This leaves the millions of Americans who work abroad at risk of double taxation, paying taxes in both the country […]
How the Sales Tax Holiday Can Boost Your Back-to-School Savings
With several of my family members working in the education field, I know it will be only a matter of time before I’ll get tweets and Facebook shares on the back to school deals they find. Depending on where you live, your state may be offering a huge savings with a sales tax free […]
IRS Simplifies Surviving Spouse Portability Election
The Internal Revenue Service has released a revenue procedure that offers an easier way to get an extension of time to file a return to opt for portability of the deceased spousal unused exclusion amount. Revenue Procedure 2017-34 applies to estates that aren’t typically required to file an estate tax return because the value of […]
HOW TO AVOID TAX HEADACHES WHEN EMPLOYEES TRAVEL OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS
Business travel, an expensive and time-consuming activity for both the employer and employee, also can create tax problems for all concerned unless the rules are followed to the letter. If it’s done right, business travel will be fully deductible by the company (but only 50% of travel meals are deductible), tax-free to the employee, and […]
IRS Warns of New Phone Scam Involving Bogus Certified Letters
The Internal Revenue Service today warned people to beware of a new scam linked to the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), where fraudsters call to demand an immediate tax payment through a prepaid debit card. This scam is being reported across the country, so taxpayers should be alert to the details. In the latest […]
How to Secure a Valuable Tax Credit for Hiring Designated Workers
Before you interview the next group of job candidates for your small business, whether it’s to fill a full-time position or just for the summer, keep in mind that long-term unemployment recipients and other workers certified by a state agency may qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This isn’t just chicken feed: The […]
How to Play All the Right Tax Angles for Hobbies
Millions of people enjoy hobbies that also provide a source of income. From catering to cupcake baking, crafting homemade jewelry to glass blowing – no matter what your passion is, there will likely be tax repercussions. Some taxpayers are surprised to learn that they must report income earned from hobbies on their tax return. The […]
Some of the Biggest Estate-Planning Mistakes People Make
Will your legacy be a benefit or a burden to your loved ones? It depends on how well you’ve planned. There are some things we just don’t like to think about, much less speak about. The universal truth is we are all going to pass away one day. The legacy you leave can either simplify […]
How To Pay Less In Taxes On Your Investments
In some cases, you can hold a stock for less than a year and avoid short-term capital-gains rates The current federal income-tax rates on long-term capital gains recognized by individual taxpayers are still low by historical standards. The rates range from a minimum of 0% to a maximum of 20% depending on your tax bracket. […]
When You Should Establish An IRA As A Trust
A trusteed IRA offers provisions beyond a custodial plan, but is it a good strategy for clients? That answer depends on several factors, including how much control — or not — the client wants their beneficiaries to have. Under the tax code, an IRA can be established as a trust or custodial account. With a […]
Taxpayer Tips: Best Practices for U. S. Tax Court
Taxpayers contesting IRS assessments of additional taxes, penalties and interest have a number of different options to contest and appeal those assessments. One of those options includes bringing a case to the United States Tax Court (Tax Court). Here are some Tax Court practice tips for taxpayers: 1. Know What Tax Court Is Congress created the Tax […]
