Month: July 2018

A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime – The Roth IRA

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You should consider giving your child or grandchild a Roth IRA.  

In 2018, you can contribute up to $5,500 to a Roth IRA. The contribution cannot exceed the child’s earnings and if the child has no earnings, you should consider filing a Schedule C with their return and reporting and paying tax on an amount equal to their contribution up to the maximum. The $5,500 pay-in for your child or grandchild counts against your $15,000 gift tax exclusion ($30,000 if you are married).

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Roth IRA are…

  • The earnings grow tax deferred and, when taken out at age 59 ½, the entire distribution is tax free.
  • The original contributions are always tax free, even if you withdraw them before age 59 ½.
  • The contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible.

When your child grows up she can continue the contributions…

  • When the child reaches age 50 she can contribute an additional $1,000 or $6,500.
  • When your child reaches age 70 ½, she will not be required to make minimum distributions.
  • If your child is single, the allowable contribution begins to phase out with adjusted gross income between $120,000 and $135,000… and if she’s married, the allowable contribution phases out between $189,000 and $199,000.
  • She can make contributions after age 70 ½.
  • She is not required to take distributions from her Roth IRA… ever.
  • To avoid the 10 percent penalty and any income tax on the earnings, there must not be any distributions during the 5 year period beginning with the first tax year a contribution was made, except if made on or after attaining age 59 ½, the individual’s death or disability, or to pay for first-time home buyer expenses.

I don’t need to tell you that the IRA could grow for 45 to 50 years and when she reaches age 59 ½ she could make withdrawals tax free. You should probably talk to your financial advisor to get the advice you need to reach your goals. Call me if you need a recommendation.

That is all today.  I look forward to visiting with you next week.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a question—you can reach me at (713) 785-8939.

Net Operating Loss Deductions Under the New Tax Law

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This week, I continue my exploration of the reforms brought about by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Today’s topic: Net Operating Loss Deductions.

Net Operating Loss Deduction – Old Law

NOL deductions are computed on Schedule A of Form 1045 and taken on Line 21 of the Form 1040. Under the previous law, if your business incurred an operating loss (expenses exceeded revenues) or you as an individual incurred a disaster loss in a Presidential Disaster Area (Hurricane Harvey), then you could compute and use an NOL deduction. NOLs could be carried back either 2, 3, or 5 years depending on the type of loss, and then carried forward. The taxpayer also had the option to waive the carryback period, but to qualify they were required to attach an election to their timely filed tax return—and that includes the additional time allowed if they filed an extension. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed things.

Net Operating Loss Deduction – New Law

The new law repeals the various carryback periods, but provides a two-year carryback for certain losses incurred in farming businesses and insurance companies. The new law provides that NOLs may be carried forward indefinitely. The new law also limits the amount of the NOL that may be deducted in any one year to 80% of taxable income, determined without regard to the NOL deduction itself. The effective date of the new law is defined as tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Therefore, any taxpayer with NOL carryovers from tax years prior to January 01, 2018 will not be subject to the 80% of taxable income limitation and taxpayers will have to distinguish between the two types of losses when computing the NOL deduction.

That is all today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. Let me know if you have a question—you can reach my office at (713) 785-8939 or just leave a comment on this post.