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New Tax Laws

California COVID-19 Tax Updates and the WARN Act

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Update 1

An important employment law, the WARN Act, is suspended in California for now. The WARN Act requires employers with 75 or more employees to provide 60 days’ written notice of a mass layoff, relocation or termination affecting 50 or more employees. CA Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order suspending the law in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Per the order, businesses must still provide employees with written notice, but are not subject to the 60-day advanced notice. Employers must give as much notice as practicable and must contain a brief statement that the termination is COVID-19-related. Here’s more: https://bit.ly/3aizZVA

Update 2

California Governor Gavin Newsom recently issued an executive order on the coronavirus (COVID-19) including certain tax relief. His order suspends interest and penalties for individuals and businesses who are unable to file a timely tax return or make timely payments due to compliance with COVID-19 guidance. Suspension gives taxpayers […]

By |April 1st, 2020|california, employer, filing deadline, New Tax Laws|0 Comments
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Cash Payments and Tax Relief for Individuals in New Law

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A new law signed by President Trump on March 27 provides a variety of tax and financial relief measures to help Americans during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This article explains some of the tax relief for individuals in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Individual cash payments

Under the new law, an eligible individual will receive a cash payment equal to the sum of: $1,200 ($2,400 for eligible married couples filing jointly) plus $500 for each qualifying child. Eligibility is based on adjusted gross income (AGI).

Individuals who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from Social Security benefits, are also eligible for the payment.

The AGI thresholds will be based on 2019 tax returns, or 2018 returns if you haven’t yet filed your 2019 returns. For those who don’t qualify on their most recently filed tax returns, there may be another option to receive some money. An individual who isn’t an eligible individual for 2019 may be eligible for 2020. The IRS won’t send cash payments to him or her. Instead, the individual will be able to claim the credit when filing a 2020 return.

The income thresholds

The […]

By |March 31st, 2020|child, individuals, New Tax Laws, relief, tax planning|0 Comments
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The New COVID-19 Law Provides Businesses and Employees With More Relief

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On March 27, President Trump signed into law another coronavirus (COVID-19) law, which provides extensive relief for businesses and employers. Here are some of the tax-related provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). 

Employee retention credit

The new law provides a refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by eligible employers to certain employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

Employer eligibility. The credit is available to employers with operations that have been fully or partially suspended as a result of a government order limiting commerce, travel or group meetings. The credit is also provided to employers that have experienced a greater than 50% reduction in quarterly receipts, measured on a year-over-year basis.

The credit isn’t available to employers receiving Small Business Interruption Loans under the new law.

Wage […]

By |March 30th, 2020|business, disaster, employer, filing deadline, gift tax, individuals, irs, New Tax Laws, small business, tax deadlines, tax implications, tax planning, taxpayer|0 Comments
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IRS FAQs Address 90-day Filing and Payment Extension

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The IRS has released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that clarifies certain aspects of the 90-day filing and payment extension provided in Notice 2020-18. Among other things, the FAQs explain that Notice 2020-18 postpones the filing and payment of federal income taxes reported on Form 1040, Form 1041 , Form 1120, Form 8960, Form 8991 , and Form 990-T (if that form is due to be filed on 4/15/20). The due date has not been postponed for Form 1065, Form 1065-B , Form 1066, Form 1120-S, payroll taxes, excise taxes, estate and gift taxes, and Form 990-T (if that form is due 5/15/20). The FAQs also provide that the deadline for making contributions to an IRA, HSA, or Archer MSA for 2019 has been extended to 7/15/20. The IRS continues to consider additional guidance on these issues and cautions taxpayers that FAQs are not citable as legal authority. The FAQs can be accessed at www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-and-payment-deadlines-questions-and-answers If you have questions about how these changes may effect you and your business, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By |March 26th, 2020|business, CA tax, irs, New Tax Laws, tax deadlines, tax implications|0 Comments
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SBA Offering Loans to Small Businesses Hit Hard by COVID-19

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Every company has faced unprecedented challenges in adjusting to life following the widespread outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Small businesses face particular difficulties in that, by definition, their resources — human, capital and otherwise — are limited. If this describes your company, one place you can look to for some assistance is the Small Business Administration (SBA).

New loan, relaxed criteria

The agency has announced that it’s offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans under the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was recently signed into law.

Here’s how it works: The governor of a state or territory must first submit a request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance to the SBA. The agency’s Office of Disaster Assistance then works with the governor to approve the request. Upon completion of this process, affected small businesses within the state gain access to information on how to apply for loan assistance.

To speed the process, […]

By |March 25th, 2020|business, New Tax Laws, relief, small business|0 Comments
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tax Relief and California Updates

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As we mentioned in our last post, taxpayers now have more time to file their tax returns and pay any tax owed because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Treasury Department and IRS announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Taxpayers can also defer making federal income tax payments, which are due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount they owe. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax. They can also defer their initial quarterly estimated federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year (including any self-employment tax) from the normal April 15 deadline until July 15.

No forms to file

Taxpayers don’t need to file any additional forms to qualify for the automatic federal tax filing and payment relief to July 15. However, individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline, can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868. Businesses who need additional time must file […]

By |March 25th, 2020|business, CA tax, filing deadline, irs, New Tax Laws, tax deadlines|0 Comments
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tax Relief for Small Businesses

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Businesses across the country are being affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Fortunately, Congress recently passed a law that provides at least some relief. In a separate development, the IRS has issued guidance allowing taxpayers to defer any amount of federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest.

New law
On March 18, the Senate passed the House’s coronavirus bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. President Trump signed the bill that day. It includes:

  • Paid leave benefits to employees,
  • Tax credits for employers and self-employed taxpayers, and
  • FICA tax relief for employers.

Tax filing and payment extension

In Notice 2020-18, the IRS provides relief for taxpayers with a federal income tax payment due April 15, 2020. The due date for making federal income tax payments usually due April 15, 2020 is postponed to July 15, 2020.

Important: The IRS announced that the 2019 income tax filing deadline will be moved to July 15, 2020 from April 15, 2020, because of COVID-19.

Treasury Department Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced on Twitter, “we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and […]

By |March 23rd, 2020|extension, extensions, New Tax Laws, tax deadlines|0 Comments
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Tax Filing and Payment Extension Due To The Coronavirus

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The IRS moved the national income tax filing day ahead to July 15, three months after the normal deadline for Americans to send in their returns, in an effort to stem the financial pain from the coronavirus pandemic.

This relief includes:

Individuals: Income tax payment and filing deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment and filing extension relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief. This relief also includes estimated tax payments for the tax year 2020, normally due April 15.

Corporations: For C Corporations, income tax payment and filing deadlines are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $10 million of their 2019 tax due.

This relief also includes estimated tax payments for tax year 2020 that are due on April 15, 2020.

California: The Franchise Tax Board is postponing until July 15 the filing and payment […]

By |March 20th, 2020|New Tax Laws, tax deadlines|0 Comments
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Supporting You During the Coronavirus

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Dear clients, friends and community,

We understand there is a lot of anxiety and stress caused by the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic that is affecting the local and global community. As Sonoma County and the Bay Area have been put under a shelter in place order, we are doing everything we can to look after the health and safety of our staff and clients. We want you to know we are standing by your side during this crisis.

Certain essential businesses such as providers of healthcare, food, supplies, and financial services are exempt from the shelter in place order.  Because of the clients served by Linkenheimer LLP, we are also exempted from the order as an essential services provider. That being said, we are implementing strategies to reduce contact and mitigate exposure.

Currently, our offices will remain open during regular business hours. However, for the protection and health of our staff, clients and community we are implementing a strategy that involves most of our staff working from home. We are also asking documents be sent to us electronically, rather than delivered in person. In person meetings, when possible, should be conducted electronically, whether via video […]

By |March 20th, 2020|CA tax, New Tax Laws, Santa Rosa, tax deadlines, taxpayers california franchise tax board|0 Comments
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Numerous Tax Limits Affecting Businesses Have Increased For 2020

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An array of tax-related limits that affect businesses are annually indexed for inflation, and many have increased for 2020. Here are some that may be important to you and your business.

Social Security tax

The amount of employees’ earnings that are subject to Social Security tax is capped for 2020 at $137,700 (up from $132,900 for 2019).

Deductions

  • Section 179 expensing:
    • Limit: $1.04 million (up from $1.02 million for 2019)
    • Phaseout: $2.59 million (up from $2.55 million)
  • Income-based phase-out for certain limits on the Sec. 199A qualified business income deduction begins at:
    • Married filing jointly: $326,600 (up from $321,400)
    • Married filing separately: $163,300 (up from $160,725)
    • Other filers: $163,300 (up from $160,700)

Retirement plans

  • Employee contributions to 401(k) plans: $19,500 (up from $19,000)
  • Catch-up contributions to 401(k) plans: $6,500 (up from $6,000)
  • Employee contributions to SIMPLEs: $13,500 (up from $13,000)
  • Catch-up contributions to SIMPLEs: $3,000 (no change)
  • Combined employer/employee contributions to defined contribution plans (not including catch-ups): $57,000 (up from $56,000)
  • Maximum compensation used to determine contributions: $285,000 (up from $280,000)
  • Annual benefit for defined benefit plans: $230,000 (up from $225,000)
  • Compensation defining a highly compensated employee: $130,000 (up from $125,000)
  • Compensation defining a “key” employee: $185,000 (up from $180,000)

Other employee benefits

  • Qualified transportation fringe-benefits employee income exclusion: $270 per month (up […]
By |March 3rd, 2020|business, deduction, deductions, employer, New Tax Laws, retirement|0 Comments
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