Tag: Tax Analysis

A Quick Overview of Tax Reform Changes

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The changes enacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affect every taxpayer filing a 2018 tax return this year. To help my fellow taxpayers understand these changes, I have prepared a quick overview below.

Tax Rates Lowered

Starting in 2018, tax rates are lower for almost every income bracket. The seven rates range from 10 percent to 37 percent.

Standard Deduction Nearly Doubled

For 2018, the basic standard deduction is $12,000 for singles, $18,000 for head of household, and $24,000 for married couples filing a joint return. Higher amounts apply to people who are blind or at least age 65. Along with other changes, this means that more than half of those who itemized their deductions in tax year 2017 may instead take the higher standard deduction on their 2018 tax return.

Itemized Deductions Limited or Discontinued

Home mortgage interest on a new mortgage above $750,000 is not deductible, as well as interest on home equity loans not used for home improvements. State and local taxes are only deductible up to $10,000, but this limit does not apply to your rental property or business taxes. All those business expenses and other miscellaneous itemized deductions that you deducted on Form 2106 and Schedule A in prior years are no longer deductible in 2018.

Child Tax Credit Doubles and Phase-out Expanded

The child tax credit is now $2,000 for each qualifying child under the age of 17. And the phase-out doesn’t begin until your AGI exceeds $400,000 for married couples and $200,000 for other taxpayers. Remember: Last year the credit was $1,000 and the phase-out began at $110,000 for married couples. This is a big deal for young families.

New Credit for Other Dependents

Taxpayers can claim a $500 credit for each dependent who doesn’t qualify for the Child Tax Credit. This includes older children, as well as qualifying relatives, such as a parent.

That is all today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a question—you can call my office at (713) 785-8939, send me an email, or leave a comment on this post. I’d love to hear from you.

The Internal Revenue Service After the Shutdown

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The tax system administered by the IRS will feel the effects of the federal shutdown for a long time. The five-week closure in December and January couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Service, which was gearing up for the 2019 filing season, its first under the new tax law. Some experts are saying it could take the Service up to eighteen months to recover.

During the shutdown, the IRS lost about 125 IT employees, which averages about 25 for each shutdown week. Given the agency’s antiquated computer systems, losing these people is a big deal. Training service workers, especially customer service workers, on the new tax law was also delayed. This will also likely affect the already dismal level of service provided on the IRS’s toll-free helplines. Are you wanting to call the IRS with a question? Be prepared to give personal information about yourself to help customer service representatives confirm your identity. You will have to supply your Social Security number and date of birth, your filing status, and probably data from your prior year return.

There is also a huge mail backlog—over 5 million pieces of unprocessed mail. So if you mailed correspondence to the Service during the shutdown, good luck.

The audit rate for 2019 will plunge, since enforcement was put on hold. The IRS will also have a difficult task of attracting and retaining talented workers, especially millennials. Fear of future shutdowns may lead existing employees to retire early or flee to the private sector, adding to the IRS’s ongoing brain drain problem. Over 33% of IRS employees are over age 55, and only 125 workers nationwide are under age 26. Does this sound good to you? So I must ask, does the federal government seem like the best alternative to run our healthcare system? You will get to decide in 2020.

That is all today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a question—you can call my office at (713) 785-8939, email me at robert@robertstevensoncpa.com, or simply leave a comment on this post. I’d love to hear from you.

What Should Texas Do About Sales Tax – The Wayfair Decision

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In 1992, the US Supreme Court ruled in North Dakota v Quill that a physical presence test must be met for a state to charge sales and use tax. Online sales by retailers with no nexus in a state were not required to charge sales tax.

That may change very soon.

On June 21, 2018 the US Supreme Court ruled in South Dakota v Wayfair that states can impose a sales tax on out of state retailers, even those that do not have a physical presence in the state. It leaves the decision to the various state legislatures: Do they stay with the Quill decision and forego millions in sales tax revenue, or do they adopt the Wayfair decision and require the out of state seller to collect and remit the sales and use tax? In 1992 online sales were in the millions and now they are in the billions and states and cities want the revenue. There will probably be a threshold for small retailers that will exempt them from sales tax reporting similar to Quill if annual sales are (for example) less than $100,000 or they have less than 200 transactions. Also, can you imagine filing and paying 50 sales tax returns every quarter (or month)? What should Texas do?  Should we lower the state rate?

In Houston, we pay sales tax at an 8.25% rate. The state portion is 6.25%, the city portion is 1.00%, and the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) portion is 1.00%.

I support charging sales tax on online purchases because it will help level the playing field.

I believe this will broaden the base and allow for a reduction in the rate.

I will keep you posted.

That is all today. I look forward to visiting with you next week. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have a question. You can call my office at (713) 785-8939.

5 Tips for Tax-Smart Charitable Contributions

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The generosity of the American people is never more evident than during a disaster event. Houston has experienced widespread devastation as a result of Hurricane Harvey. In its aftermath, hundreds of relief funds are being set up and promoted to aid those impacted by the storm. You clearly want to help, so how do you ensure that your generous donation will not only benefit those in need but also be tax deductible?

Here are a few things to consider.

1. Verify Tax Exempt Status

Make sure your recipient organization has been granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. These organizations have been established for charitable purposes and donations to them are tax deductible as allowed by law. They also are required to file annual tax returns reporting their charitable contribution income, their unrelated business taxable income, and their business expenses. These returns are available for public inspection, usually upon request. You can confirm an organization’s exempt status on the IRS website.

2. Get a Receipt

Organizations that are eligible to receive tax deductible donations are required to provide a receipt to donors for any gift of $250 or more. The receipt acknowledges the donation amount, the date of donation, the organization’s tax exempt status, and their tax ID number. You should obtain and keep the receipt as additional support for your tax deductible donation.

3. Be Wary of Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe or YouCaring are popular ways to raise money for various types of causes on social media. Since crowdfunding websites are open for use by anyone, many of the funding pages are not established by qualified charitable organizations. Before giving through such sites, do your homework to ensure that your support is going to a charitable organization with qualifying tax-exempt status.

4. Appreciated Securities

Consider donating appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds to a charity or a donor advised fund. When you donate appreciated securities held longer than a year, you are able to deduct the fair market value of the security as a charitable contribution. This also avoids the capital gains tax because the security is being donated instead of being sold.

5. Autos and Boats Worth More Than $5,000

In most cases you will need a written appraisal, which will be attached to the return. You will also need a written acknowledgement from the donee organization which will include any proceeds from the disposition of the vehicle by the donee organization. This acknowledgement must also be attached to the return.

In addition, you will need a Form 1098-C, Contributions of Motor Vehicles, Boats, and Airplanes, from the donee organization. Most charities will use the Form 1098-C to fulfill the written acknowledgement requirement. And yes, you will attach the Form 1098-C to your tax return.

If you have additional tax questions, give me a call at (713) 785-8939. I’d love to hear from you.