tax - Linkenheimer LLP CPAs & Advisors

Disaster Relief Continues for Certain Californians

Disaster relief continues for certain Californians. The CA Franchise Tax Board has updated its Disaster Loss webpage, for victims of storms and fires that plagued the state in recent months. The updated list now includes many CA counties that suffered storm damage in 2019, and several counties which suffered wildfires in late 2018. Taxpayers directly affected by federally declared disasters may be eligible for tax relief, including extensions of time to file and pay taxes until 4/30/19. If you have questions, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA. Here’s the full list and more information: https://bit.ly/298JVSt

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:06+00:00April 11th, 2019|disaster, tax, tax planning|0 Comments

Understanding How Taxes Factor into an M&A Transaction

Merger and acquisition activity has been brisk in recent years. If your business is considering merging with or acquiring another business, it’s important to understand how the transaction will be taxed under current law.

Stocks vs. assets

From a tax standpoint, a transaction can basically be structured in two ways:

1. Stock (or ownership interest). A buyer can directly purchase a seller’s ownership interest if the target business is operated as a C or S corporation, a partnership, or a limited liability company (LLC) that’s treated as a partnership for tax purposes.

The now-permanent 21% corporate federal income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) makes buying the stock of a C corporation somewhat more attractive. Reasons: The corporation will pay less tax and generate more after-tax income. Plus, any built-in gains from appreciated corporate assets will be taxed at a lower […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:09+00:00April 2nd, 2019|business, New Tax Laws, tax|0 Comments

The IRS Releases its “Dirty Dozen” List of Top Tax Scams

The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up issuing its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams. We want to remind taxpayers to remain vigilant to these often aggressive and evolving schemes throughout the year.

This year’s “Dirty Dozen” list highlights a wide variety of schemes that taxpayers may encounter at any time, although many may peak during tax-filing season. The schemes run the gamut from simple refund inflation scams, fake IRS collection calls to complex tax shelter deals. A common theme throughout all: These scams put all taxpayers at risk.

Here’s the Recap of This Year’s “Dirty Dozen” Scams:

Phishing: Taxpayers should be alert to potential fake emails or websites looking to steal personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email about a bill or tax refund. Don’t click on one claiming to be from the IRS. Be wary of emails and websites that may be nothing more than scams to steal personal information. (IR-2019-26)

Phone Scams: Phone calls from criminals impersonating IRS agents remain an ongoing threat to taxpayers. […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:11+00:00March 20th, 2019|tax, taxpayer|0 Comments

Fundamental Tax Truths for C Corporations

The flat 21% federal income tax rate for C corporations under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has been great news for these entities and their owners. But some fundamental tax truths for C corporations largely remain the same:

C corporations are subject to double taxation. Double taxation occurs when corporate income is taxed once at the corporate level and again at the shareholder level as dividends are paid out. The cost of double taxation, however, is now generally less because of the 21% corporate rate.

And double taxation isn’t a problem when a C corporation needs to retain all its earnings to finance growth and capital investments. Because all the earnings stay “inside” the corporation, no dividends are paid to shareholders, and, therefore, there’s no double taxation.

Double taxation also isn’t an issue when a C corporation’s taxable income levels are low. This can often be achieved by paying reasonable salaries and bonuses to shareholder-employees […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:18+00:00February 4th, 2019|business, New Tax Laws, tax, tax rate|0 Comments

Is There Still Time to Pay 2018 Bonuses and Deduct Them On Your 2018 Return?

There aren’t too many things businesses can do after a year ends to reduce tax liability for that year. However, you might be able to pay employee bonuses for 2018 in 2019 and still deduct them on your 2018 tax return. In certain circumstances, businesses can deduct bonuses employees have earned during a tax year if the bonuses are paid within 2½ months after the end of that year (by March 15 for a calendar-year company).

Basic requirements

First, only accrual-basis taxpayers can take advantage of the 2½ month rule. Cash-basis taxpayers must deduct bonuses in the year they’re paid, regardless of when they’re earned.

Second, even for accrual-basis taxpayers, the 2½ month rule isn’t automatic. The bonuses can be deducted on the tax return for the year they’re earned only if the business’s bonus liability was fixed by the end of the year.

Passing the test

For accrual-basis taxpayers, a liability (such as a bonus) is deductible when it is incurred. To determine this, the IRS applies the “all-events test.” Under this test, a liability is incurred when:

All events have occurred that establish the taxpayer’s liability,
The amount of the liability can be determined with reasonable accuracy, and
Economic performance […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:21+00:00January 8th, 2019|bonus, deduction, employer, tax, tax deadlines|0 Comments