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California Tax Updates for July 8th

Post 1:

Interest rates set on overdue payroll tax in California. For the period beginning July 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020, the rate will be 5% compounded daily, according to the CA Employment Development Department. The rate is adjusted semiannually.

Post 2:

A California apparel designer loses a tax credit fight in court. CA companies that engage in qualified research and development (R&D) activities may be entitled to a credit on their CA tax returns. In one case, a women’s apparel design company filed for tax refunds for 2008 through 2011, based on claims for R&D credits in those years. The credit related to projects, which the CA Franchise Tax Board (FTB) said didn’t satisfy a requirement known as the experimentation process test. The credits were disallowed. The taxpayer sought a rehearing in the CA Office of Tax Appeals. The Appeals Court agreed with the FTB and upheld the decision to disallow the credit. (Swat-Fame, Inc. 5/20/20) If you […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:02:18+00:00July 8th, 2020|ca, CA tax, california, payments, research credit, tax credit|0 Comments

A Review of Significant TCJA Provisions Impacting Individual Taxpayers

Now that 2019 has begun, there isn’t too much you can do to reduce your 2018 income tax liability. But it’s smart to begin preparing for filing your 2018 return. Because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was signed into law at the end of 2017, likely will have a major impact on your 2018 taxes, it’s a good time to review the most significant provisions impacting individual taxpayers.

Rates and exemptions

Generally, taxpayers will be subject to lower tax rates for 2018. But a couple of rates stay the same, and changes to some of the brackets for certain types of filers (individuals and heads of households) could cause them to be subject to higher rates. Some exemptions are eliminated, while others increase. Here are some of the specific changes:

Drops of individual income tax rates ranging from 0 to 4 percentage points (depending on the bracket) to 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%
Elimination of personal and dependent exemptions
AMT exemption increase, to $109,400 for joint filers, $70,300 for singles and heads of households, and $54,700 for separate filers for 2018
Approximate doubling of the gift and estate tax exemption, to $11.18 million for […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:04:21+00:00January 3rd, 2019|credit, deduction, deductions, New Tax Laws, tax rate|0 Comments

File and Suspend Method of Claiming Social Security Benefits to Be Eliminated

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314—the Act), signed by President Obama on 11/2/15, eliminates the file and suspend method, a popular strategy used by married couples to maximize their lifetime Social Security benefits. Under this approach, a higher earning spouse claims benefits at his full retirement age (currently age 66) but suspends the benefits until a later date (e.g., at age 70 or sooner, if desired), allowing the Social Security credits to continue to grow. The lower earning spouse claims benefits based on the higher earning spouse’s earning record, which are more than the benefits based on his or her own earnings record. In a provision labeled “closure of unintended loopholes,” the Act effectively eliminates this opportunity for claims filed after 4/30/16 (180 days after enactment). [ Note: Those who’ve been using this method or other eligible individuals who file to claim benefits under this method within the next 180 days should not be affected.]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2015-12-02T19:33:46+00:00December 2nd, 2015|social security|0 Comments