tax planning - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

California Tax Updates for 9/24

Post 1:

Changes are being made in how California determines whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Under the CA Labor Code, effective 9/4/2020, a three-part test is required, commonly known as the ABC test, to determine the correct status of workers for purposes of following the Labor Code, the Unemployment Insurance Code and the wage orders of the Industrial Welfare Commission. The amended Labor Code also exempts certain specified occupations and business relationships from the application of the ABC test, in which case, a multifactor test previously adopted by the CA Supreme Court is applied.

Post 2:

California issues a guide that explains taxpayer options for disaster relief. The CA Dept. of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has issued a three-page brochure, “Disaster Relief Tax Guide,” that provides information on the types of free assistance available from the CDTFA to taxpayers and feepayers when disaster strikes. Other taxing agencies that provide assistance include: the Franchise Tax Board, the Employment […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-24T21:23:31+00:00September 24th, 2020|business, ca, CA tax, california, disaster, tax planning|0 Comments

More Parents May Owe “Nanny Tax” This Year, Due To COVID-19

In the COVID-19 era, many parents are hiring nannies and babysitters because their daycare centers and summer camps have closed. This may result in federal “nanny tax” obligations.

Keep in mind that the nanny tax may apply to all household workers, including housekeepers, babysitters, gardeners or others who aren’t independent contractors.

If you employ someone who’s subject to the nanny tax, you aren’t required to withhold federal income taxes from the individual’s pay. You only must withhold if the worker asks you to and you agree. (In that case, ask the nanny to fill out a Form W-4.) However, you may have other withholding and payment obligations.

Withholding FICA and FUTA

You must withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) if your nanny earns cash wages of $2,200 or more (excluding food and lodging) during 2020. If you reach the threshold, all of the wages (not just the excess) are subject to FICA.

However, if your nanny is under 18 and childcare isn’t his or her principal occupation, you don’t have […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:06+00:00August 11th, 2020|income tax, individuals, planning, tax implications, tax planning|0 Comments

Protective Refund Claims for ACA-Related Income Taxes

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court recently announced they would hear a case that challenges whether the individual mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is constitutional. It is possible that if the mandate is ruled to be unconstitutional, incomes taxes established under the ACA may effectively be repealed and any ACA-related income taxes paid in prior years may be refundable if a timely claim for a refund is filed. The Supreme Court will hear the case this fall and they are expected to render a decision by early 2021.

Income taxes established under ACA went into effect in 2013. These include the Net Investment Individual Income Tax (NIIT), which has a rate of 3.8% for certain net investment income of individuals, trusts and estates. Taxpayers must have both net investment income and modified adjusted gross income over the following thresholds for the NIIT to apply.

Filing Status	Threshold Amount
Married filing jointly	$250,000
Married filing separately	$125,000
Single	$200,000
Head of household	$200,000
Qualifying widower with dependent	$250,000

In addition, the ACA tax includes a .9% Additional Medicare Tax, which applies to individuals’ […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:08+00:00July 31st, 2020|investment, irs, refunds, tax planning, taxable income|0 Comments

Are Scholarships Tax-Free Or Taxable?

COVID-19 is changing the landscape for many schools this fall. But many children and young adults are going back, even if it’s just for online learning, and some parents will be facing tuition bills. If your child has been awarded a scholarship, that’s cause for celebration! But be aware that there may be tax implications.

Scholarships (and fellowships) are generally tax-free for students at elementary, middle and high schools, as well as those attending college, graduate school or accredited vocational schools. It doesn’t matter if the scholarship makes a direct payment to the individual or reduces tuition.

Tuition and related expenses

However, for a scholarship to be tax-free, certain conditions must be satisfied. A scholarship is tax-free only to the extent it’s used to pay for:

Tuition and fees required to attend the school and
Fees, books, supplies and equipment required of all students in a particular course.

For example, if a computer is recommended but not required, buying one wouldn’t qualify. Other expenses that don’t qualify include the cost of room and board, […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:10+00:00July 28th, 2020|New Tax Laws, tax deductions, tax implications, tax planning|0 Comments

Take Advantage Of A “Stepped-Up Basis” When You Inherit Property

If you’re planning your estate, or you’ve recently inherited assets, you may be unsure of the “cost” (or “basis”) for tax purposes.

Fair market value rules

Under the fair market value basis rules (also known as the “step-up and step-down” rules), an heir receives a basis in inherited property equal to its date-of-death value. So, for example, if your grandfather bought ABC Corp. stock in 1935 for $500 and it’s worth $5 million at his death, the basis is stepped up to $5 million in the hands of your grandfather’s heirs — and all of that gain escapes federal income tax forever.

The fair market value basis rules apply to inherited property that’s includible in the deceased’s gross estate, and those rules also apply to property inherited from foreign persons who aren’t subject to U.S. estate tax. It doesn’t matter if a federal estate tax return is filed. The rules apply to the inherited portion of property owned by the inheriting taxpayer jointly with the deceased, but not the portion of jointly held property that the inheriting taxpayer […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:11+00:00July 21st, 2020|estate, estate tax, tax implications, tax planning|0 Comments