December 12, 2012

By Any Other Name

by Kenneth Hoffman in Business Counsel, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

In Shakespeare's classic drama Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed protagonists from feuding families meet and fall in love. In Act II, when the impossibility of their courtship has become clear, Juliet leans out her balcony and declares to her lover "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." The line, of course, implies that Romeo's last name should mean nothing, and the two should be together.

Shakespeare may or may not have been right about love and roses. But what about taxes? Does that which we call a "tax," by any other name smell as sour? Apparently, Washington thinks not -- if you pay attention to all the new euphemisms, you'd think Washington has given up imposing new "taxes" entirely!

In 1952, the IRS started charging "user fees" when the government provides special benefits to a recipient beyond those given to the general public. Today the government raises over $200 billion per year in fees for services like approving retirement plan applications, driving heavy vehicles, entering national parks, and even walking to the top of the Statue of Liberty. But "user fees" are still "fees," and Americans seem to have figured out that trick. So, what now?

Now we're seeing even more clever names for what most of us would consider plain old taxes. Take, for example, the new "unearned income Medicare contribution" that goes into effect on January 1. This is a 3.8% levy on "investment income" (interest dividends, capital gains, rents, royalties, and annuities) for individuals earning over $200,000 or joint filers earning over $250,000. Washington created it as part of the Obamacare package, along with an increase in the Medicare tax on earned incomes over those same thresholds. But, while they call it a "Medicare contribution," the money doesn't actually go into the Medicare trust fund. It goes straight into the general revenue fund, where Washington can spend it on whatever they want.

The "unearned income Medicare contribution" isn't Obamacare's only euphemism for "tax." Beginning on January 1, 2014, applicable large employers with 50 or more employees have to offer their employees minimum essential coverage or pay a $2,000/employee "assessable payment." That's a nondeductible "assessable payment," by the way, so the actual cost might be even higher. Sure sounds like a tax to us.

Finally, there are taxes in disguise that have the same bottom-line effect as more direct taxes. If you start taking Social Security benefits before your normal retirement age and earn more than the retirement earnings test exempt amount ($14,640 for 2012), you'll pay a Social Security earnings penalty of one dollar for every two dollars you earn above that limit. Doesn't that sound like a 50% tax? (The penalty drops to one dollar for every three dollars in earnings above $33,880 in the year you reach normal retirement age, then disappears after that year.)

The good news here is that we can help. Whether you're looking to pay less "tax", minimize your "unearned income medicare contribution," sidestep the "assessable penalty," or avoid the "Social Security earnings penalty," planning is your plain-English solution. So call me -- and make sure you do it now before Washington comes up with any more new names for taxes! And remember, we're here for your family, friends, and colleagues, too!

Kenneth Hoffman counsels Entrepreneurs, Professionals and Select Individuals in taking control of their taxes, and businesses. Discover how I can help you overcome your tax and business challenges. To start the conversation or to become a client, call Kenneth Hoffman at (954) 591-8290 Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a no cost consultation, or drop me a note.

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December 5, 2012

Powerball Tax Planning

by Kenneth Hoffman in Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

We all know money can't buy happiness, blah, blah, blah. But money can buy a lot of other good stuff we all want -- like comfort, security, freedom, and independence. So, last week, millions of us across America lined up at gas stations, convenience stores, and bodegas to take a shot at last week's record Powerball jackpot of 588 million bucks.

Admit it -- even if you didn't play, you couldn't help but dream at least a little about what you would do with all that money. That house you've always wanted on the most expensive street in town? The beach house or ski lodge you've always wanted to share with your friends? Lavish gifts for your family, favorite charities, and community? (It's OK to dream just a little bit more before you finish reading.)

But here's an ugly reality you probably don't want to think about. No matter where you choose to spend your windfall, the biggest piece of all will go to your friends at the IRS. (Yes, those nice folks at the Multi-State Lottery Association will send the IRS a Form W-2G alerting them to your good fortune.) With jackpots this big, the tax collectors in Washington will probably put a plaque on the wall with your name on it!

Your first decision involves whether to take your prize in a lump sum this year, or an inflation-adjusted annuity over the next 30 years. And big decisions, as always, mean taking taxes into consideration. Taking your loot all at once means paying the top federal income tax rate of 35%. That may sound like a lot, but at least you'll know exactly how much the tax will cost. Taking the prize in installments means paying whatever tax rate is in effect the year an installment is paid. Next year, for example, the Bush tax cuts are scheduled to expire, pushing the top tax rate to 39.6%. Next year also marks the first appearance of the Unearned Income Medicare Contribution, a 3.8% tax on "investment income" including annuities. And who knows what other new taxes might appear over the next 30 years?

Uncle Sam isn't the only one who's going to want a piece of your action. Forty-three states tax lottery winnings as ordinary income. Some states even tax your winnings if you just buy your ticket there without even living there. Do you live in Pennsylvania and work in New York? Don't buy your ticket around the corner from the office unless you want to cut the Empire State in for 8.82%!

Of course, there are plenty of strategies you can use to offset the income from the prize. Do you own your own business? Consider establishing or beefing up your qualified retirement plan. Maybe a closely-held insurance company (CHIC) makes sense for even bigger savings. Are you charitably-inclined? You can offset up to 30% of your "adjusted gross income" with gifts to a private foundation and 50% for gifts to a "public" charity.

So, if you find yourself with a winning ticket, call us before you host that press conference and cash your ticket!

But if you don't win that Powerball jackpot, good tax planning is even more important. That's because you don't have millions to waste on taxes you don't have to pay! So call us anyway -- and make sure you do it now before the New Year brings new taxes. And remember, we're here for your family, friends, and colleagues, too!

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November 28, 2012

A Different Kind of Black Friday Savings

by Kenneth Hoffman in Business Counsel, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

Last week marked the celebration of our most uniquely American holiday. No, silly, we're not talking about Thanksgiving. We're talking about Black Friday, our national homage to consumerism, conspicuous consumption, and all things capitalist. Walmart and other "big box" retailers pounded a final nail in Thanksgiving's coffin, opening at 8PM that night so shoppers could skip out on the pumpkin pie to save a couple hundred bucks on a flat-screen TV.

And this year, Walmart founder Sam Walton's heirs, who still own 48% of the company, have taken a lesson from their own shoppers. Only, the Waltons aren't just saving hundreds. They've found a way to save millions, just by accelerating a regularly-scheduled dividend payment from January 2 to December 27. (Apparently, they think "everyday low prices" applies to their tax bills, too!)

Under current law, tax on dividends is capped at just 15%. The Walmart dividend will be 39.75 cents/share, and the Waltons own approximately 1.6 billion shares. That means the family's payout will be $636 million, and their federal income tax bill on that payout will be a hefty $95.4 million.

If Walmart waits until January 1 to make the payment, though, taxes could go up -- possibly way up. That's because the so-called "Bush tax cuts," in effect since 2003, expire. At that point, dividends lose their special protection, and the top rate jumps to 39.6%. Congress and the White House have both said they want to extend the current rates for most taxpayers. But if they can't come to some agreement to the contrary, the Waltons will pay an extra $156 million in tax on their dividend. (A recent CNN poll shows that two-thirds of Americans expect Washington officials to act like "spoiled children" rather than "responsible adults" during those upcoming negotiations, so the Waltons better cross their fingers!)

Waiting 'til January 1 would also make the Walton heirs subject to the new "Unearned Income Medicare Contribution" of 3.8%. (This is a special tax on investment income for taxpayers making over $200,000, or $250,000 for joint filers.) That would bring the effective tax rate on the January 2nd payment all the way up to 43.4%, and bring the Waltons' final tax bill up to a whopping $276 million. Ouch!

Walmart is hardly the only company accelerating dividends to beat the tax hike. One financial data firm estimates that 109 public companies will issue special dividend payments before January 1, more than three times as many as in recent years. Those special payments will actually be enough to give the IRS a significant spike in 2012 tax revenue. The New York Times reported last week that two recent studies show that companies where board members own a large percentage of company shares are likeliest to make this move. The three Walton family members who serve on the company's board of directors recused themselves from last week's vote, but a company spokesman confirmed the company did make the decision because of uncertainty over taxes.

It may be too late to take advantage of Black Friday shopping specials at Walmart. But it's assuredly not too late to take advantage of Black Friday planning for taxes! Tax planning is the key to paying the legal minimum, especially with the "fiscal cliff" looming on the horizon. And a good tax plan can pay for a holiday season full of gifts and fun. So call us if you don't already have a plan, and let us show you what we can do. We're sure you'll give thanks for the savings!

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November 26, 2012

"Black Friday" Tax Planning Puts Taxes on Sale!

by Kenneth Hoffman in Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

The holidays are here, and millions of Americans kicked off the season with Black Friday shopping. Braving the crowds and the cold, facing scorn from family they've left behind, they line up at obscenely early hours (or duck out of Thanksgiving dinner before the pumpkin pie is even served) to save $20 on a DVD player or $40 on a flat-screen television.

It's sad, but true, that most Americans spend more time planning their Black Friday shopping than they spend planning their taxes. But that can be an expensive mistake!

What if the IRS had a sale? What if the IRS let you discount your taxes by thousands of dollars, this year and every year to come? And what if they let you do it from the comfort of your home or your office, without lining up in the pre-dawn hours of a chilly November morning? Would you give thanks for a sale like that?

You're probably not holding your breath for the scrooges at the IRS to hold a sale. The good news is, you don't have to wait for that to happen. You just need a plan. Tax planning is the key to paying the legal minimum, especially with the fiscal cliff looming on the horizon. And a good tax plan can pay for a holiday season full of gifts and fun.

Call me today at 954-591-8290 for your free Tax Analysis. I'll find the mistakes and missed opportunities that may be costing you thousands today, and show you how Black Friday tax planning can save thousands more tomorrow. We guarantee you'll give thanks for the savings, or I'll donate $50 to your favorite soup kitchen. So call now to schedule your Analysis.

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November 24, 2012

Impact of the Affordable Care Act

by Kenneth Hoffman in Business Counsel, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

Effective for 2013, taxpayers may be subject to a new 3.8 percent surtax on net investment income. The surtax will apply to those taxpayers whose income is over a “threshold amount” called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). For single taxpayers, MAGI is $200,000; for other taxpayers, MAGI is $250,000. Income subject to the surtax includes taxable interest income, dividend income, rental income, royalties, annuities, capital gains from the sale of investment assets, and income from businesses where the taxpayer is not active in the business.

Income not subject to this surtax includes salary and wages, income subject to self-employment income, business income where the taxpayer is active in the business, pensions, social security income, and distributions from IRAs and other qualified plans.

For example:

Elizabeth, a single taxpayer, has $170,000 of investment income and received a $65,000 required minimum distribution (RMD) from his traditional IRA in 2013. The RMD is not “net investment income,” but it is included in MAGI, increasing MAGI to $235,000. The surtax applies to the lesser of: 1) net investment income (i.e., $170,000) or 2) the excess of MAGI over the $200,000 threshold amount for single taxpayers (i.e.,$235,000 minus $200,000 or $35,000). Thus, $35,000 is subject to the surtax and the amount payable is $1,330 (.038 x $35,000).

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November 24, 2012

Year End Planning for 2012

by Kenneth Hoffman in Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

It’s that time of year where we should think about preparing an estimate of your current year tax liability and see if there isn’t some way we can reduce that liability. There are several things to consider when doing year-end tax planning: taking advantage of expiring tax provisions, deferring income into the following year or accelerating income into the current year, and accelerating expenses into the current year or deferring them into the following year. The proper strategy depends on whether or not you anticipate a significant change in income or expenses next year.

We'll also need to consider the impact of possible changes in tax rates/rules in the wake of the presidential and congressional elections.

There are some very favorable tax provisions that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2012 and some potentially unfavorable provisions that become effective in 2013. For example, individual tax rates are scheduled to rise on January 1 to a top rate of 39.6 percent, and the limitations on both itemized deductions and the personal and dependency exemptions are scheduled to return for high-income individuals. Also, the maximum capital gains rate that applies to sales or exchanges for most capital assets is scheduled to increase to 20 percent (10 percent for taxpayers is in the 15 percent income tax bracket). Further, a new .9 percent tax on earned income and a 3.8 percent tax on investment income take effect in 2013 for certain high-income individuals.

Depending on your projected income for 2013, we may need to revise your withholdings or increase your estimated tax payments for 2013 to take these changes into consideration.

While the following are some of the actions we should consider, the focus should not be entirely on tax savings. These strategies should be adopted only if they make sense in the context of your total financial picture.

Accelerating Income into 2012

While we don’t yet know if the tax rate increases scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2013, will actually occur, we need to allow for the possibility that they will. Depending on your projected income, it may make sense to accelerate income into the 2012 tax year to lock into favorable rates. Besides harvesting gains from your investment portfolio, other options for accelerating income include:

if you own a traditional IRA or a SEP IRA, converting it into a Roth IRA and recognizing the conversion income this year;
taking IRA distributions this year rather than next year;
selling stocks or other assets with taxable gains this year;
if you are self employed with receivables on hand, trying to get clients or customers to pay before year end; and
settling lawsuits or insurance claims that will generate income.

Deferring Income into 2013

There are also scenarios (for example, if you think that your income will decrease substantially next year) in which it might make sense to defer income into the 2013 tax year. Some options for deferring income include:

if you are due a year-end bonus, asking your employer to pay the bonus in January 2013;
if you are considering selling assets that will generate a gain, postponing the sale until 2013;
delaying the exercise of any stock options you may have;
if you are selling property, considering an installment sale;
consider parking investments in deferred annuities;
establishing an IRA, if you are within certain income requirements; and
if your employer has a 401(k) plan, consider putting the maximum salary allowed into it before year end.

However, with respect to deferring the sale of stock or other property, the scheduled increase in capital gain rates after December 31, 2012, should be taken into account.

Deferring Deductions into 2013

Once again, if we expect tax rates to increase next year, or if you anticipate a substantial increase in taxable income, we may want to explore deferring deductions into 2013 by looking at the following:

postponing year-end charitable contributions, property tax payments, and medical and dental expense payments until next year; and
postponing the sale of any loss-generating property.

However, with respect to postponing the payment of medical and dental expenses, the scheduled increased in the threshold for deducting such expenses (from 7.5 percent of AGI to 10 percent of AGI for taxpayers under 65) should be considered.

Accelerating Deductions into 2012

If you expect your income to decrease next year, and if we expect tax rates to stay the same for your tax bracket, we should accelerate what deductions we can into the current year. Some options include:

consider prepaying your property taxes in December;
consider making your January mortgage payment in December;
if you are going to owe state income taxes, consider making up any shortfall in December rather than waiting until your return is due;
since medical expenses are deductible only to the extent they exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI), if you have large medical bills not covered by insurance, bunching them into one year may help overcome this threshold;
making any large charitable deductions in 2012, rather than 2013;
selling some or all of your loss stocks; and
if you qualify for a health savings account, consider setting one up and making the maximum contribution allowable.

As previously noted, there is a change in the threshold for deducting medical expenses in 2013 for taxpayers under 65. Thus, accelerating medical expenses into 2012 to the extent possible is especially important for individuals under age 65 because the threshold increases from 7.5 percent to 10 percent of AGI in 2013. Also note that after 2012, the amount reimbursable under a health flexible spending arrangement for each 12-month coverage period is limited to $2,500 (subject to indexing for inflation after 2013).

Alternative Minimum Tax

If you are subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), your deductions may be limited. While Congress has generally increased the AMT exemption each year, it has not yet done so for 2012. As a result, more individuals may be subject to the AMT than in prior years. Thus, if we anticipate that you will be subject to the AMT, we need to consider the timing of deductible expenses that may be limited under AMT.

Expiring Tax Provisions or Reductions in Credits

Besides the expiration of the reduced capital gains rates, the increase in the top tax rate, the return of the limitations on itemized deductions and personal and dependent exemptions for high income individuals, as mentioned above, the following are some important tax provisions that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2012:

the 10 percent individual income tax rate;
the American Opportunity tax credit;
the increase of the standard deduction for married filers;
the exclusion from income of the discharge of debt on a principal residence;
certain advantageous student loan interest deductions; and
the taxation of qualified dividends at capital gain rates.

Life Events

Certain life events can also affect your tax situation. If you’ve gotten married or divorced, had a birth or death in the family, lost or changed jobs, or retired during the year, we need to discuss the tax implications of these events.

Miscellaneous Items

Some additional miscellaneous items to consider:

If you have a health flexible spending account with a balance, remember to spend it before year end (unless your employer allows you to go until March 15, 2013, in which case you’ll have until then).
If you own a vacation home that you rented out, we need to look at the number of days it was used for business versus pleasure to see if there is anything we can do to maximize tax savings with respect to that property. For example, if you spent less than 14 days at the home, it may make sense to spend a couple more days and have the house qualify as a second residence, with the interest being deductible. As a rental home, rental expenses, including interest, are limited to rental income.
We should also consider if there is any income that could be shifted to a child so that the income is paid at the child’s rate.
If you have any foreign assets, there are reporting requirements and a tax form to fill out. Noncompliance carries stiff penalties.

Please call me, 954-591-8290, at your convenience so we can set up an appointment and estimate your tax liability for the year and discuss any questions you may have.

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November 21, 2012

Final Expiration Date?

by Kenneth Hoffman in Business Counsel, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

The history of American business is littered with companies that crash and burn. Sometimes they fly so high they attract attention from antitrust regulators. That's what happened with John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, which grew so big that a federal judge ordered it broken into pieces. Sometimes poor management or fraud are the culprit, like when energy giant Enron imploded. And sometimes technology overtakes a company, like when Henry Ford put the buggy whip manufacturers out of business.

Last week, another corporate stalwart threw in the towel. You've heard the sad news. Hostess Brands -- maker of Wonder Bread, Ding Dongs, Ho Ho's, Sno Balls, and the pop-culture icon Twinkies -- filed for bankruptcy in January. But last week, citing a strike by members of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, the company announced they would wind down their operations and liquidate their assets. The move leaves over 18,000 Americans jobless just as holiday baking season moves into high gear.

Foodies and gourmets reacted immediately to the devastating news. Shoppers across the country are quickly emptying shelves of Hostess goodies. An enterprising class of baked-goods arbitrageurs have even taken to the internet, offering Twinkies on Ebay and Craigslist for $100 or more per box. (On the brighter side, dieters throughout the land are giving thanks this week that one more temptation is disappearing from their tables!)

But what about the IRS? How will the tax man make out in Hostess's bankruptcy? Will he enjoy a delicious creamy filling? Or will he have to settle for stale crumbs?

When debtors like Hostess go out of business, the bankruptcy court supervises liquidating the debtor's property and distributing the proceeds to creditors. Hostess has plenty to sell, including 40 bakeries, 400 retail locations, and thousands of trucks and trailers. Once those assets are liquidated, claims will be paid according to specific priority rules, starting with 1st-priority domestic support obligations, 2nd-priority administrative expenses, 4th-priority employee wages, and so forth.

Uncle Sam rarely loses income taxes in corporate bankruptcies. That makes sense because companies that can't pay their bills aren't likely to owe much income tax to start with. But even unprofitable companies like Hostess still make the tax man happy. Consider the property taxes they owe on those bakeries and retail locations the sales taxes they collect on every Ding Dong, and the payroll taxes they withhold on those 18,000 employees' wages. The bankruptcy rules acknowledge these debts by treating "pre-petition" taxes a debtor incurs before filing as an 8th-priority, and "post-petition" taxes a debtor incurs after filing as a 2nd-priority administrative expense.

The good news here, at least for those of us not watching our weight, is that Twinkies might not be quite past their final expiration date. Popular consumer brands are worth big money in today's crowded marketplace. Hostess should be able to sell the Twinkies name and recipe to a rival like Kellogg (owner of Sara Lee) or Mexico's Grupo Bimbo (owner of Entenmann's). So odds are strong that Twinkies will someday appear back on your grocer's shelf. (Rumour has it that Twinkies are pumped so full of preservatives that they have no expiration date, which makes them as likely to survive a nuclear holocaust as the cockroaches. We'd hate to see them taken down by a simple bit of financial trouble!)

Our job, of course, is to help you manage your business and your finances to avoid the same fate as Hostess. We understand that planning is the key to minimizing the tax man's share of your twinkie, and we're here to give you the plan that's right for you. But time is running out to plan for 2012, and many of the best tax breaks go stale on December 31. So don't wait to call us for your plan!

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November 19, 2012

Employers and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

by Kenneth Hoffman in Business Counsel, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

With the 2012 presidential election decided, we now know that Barack Obama will remain president for the next four years, and the Democrats will control the Senate for at least two more years.

The result means businesses and individuals should prepare for full implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA).

The ACA, also widely referred to as Obamacare, includes some significant tax-related provisions affecting employers and individuals that are scheduled to take effect in 2013 and 2014.

In this post, we will discuss what employers should expect as Obamacare is implemented and several related tax provisions: a tax on wages, self-employment and unearned income, flexible spending account contributions, and the pay or play provisions.

Wages and self-employment tax

Starting in 2013, individuals will face an extra 0.9 percent Medicare tax on wages and self-employment (SE) income in excess of $250,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for single taxpayers. This tax is in addition to the current Medicare tax on salary and/or SE income of 2.9 percent split between the employer and employee.

Employers must withhold the extra 0.9 percent in Medicare taxes, but are not required to match that extra payment. To avoid penalties, employers must do little more than arrange to withhold the additional amounts. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to alert affected employees that, upon reaching the threshold amount, they will see a drop in their paychecks.

Tax on investment income

Also starting in 2013, a 3.8 percent Medicare tax on unearned income will be applied to individuals, trusts, and estates. The tax will be equal to 3.8 percent of the lesser of net investment income or the excess of Modified AGI in excess of $250,000 for married couples filing jointly and $200,000 for single filers.

Net investment income includes interest, dividends and rents, passive trade or business income (i.e., most income reported on Form K-1), and capital gains. It does not include qualified retirement plan distributions from an IRA or tax exempt income, such as interest from municipal bonds.

Flexible spending accounts contributions

Starting in 2013, the ACA applies a $2,500 limit to employee contributions in flexible spending accounts (FSA). According to the IRS, the $2,500 limit on pre-tax employee FSA contributions applies on a plan-year basis. Thus, non-calendar-year plans must comply with the plan year that starts in 2013.

Employers must amend their plans and summary plan descriptions to reflect the $2,500 limit (or a lower one if they wish) by Dec. 31, 2014, and institute measures to ensure that employees don’t elect contributions that exceed the limit. There will continue to be no limit on employer contributions to FSAs.

Shared responsibility provisions

Starting in 2014, a penalty tax will be levied on individuals who don’t purchase health insurance, with a penalty that will be no more than $285 per family or 1 percent of income, whichever is greater. In 2015, the cap rises to $975 or 2 percent of income. And by 2016, the penalty will go to $2,085 per family or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is greater.

Although the ACA does not require employers to provide health care coverage, employers will face a “shared responsibility” excise tax scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2014. These provisions levy stiff penalties if larger employers do not offer coverage or provide coverage that does not qualify as “affordable” or provide “minimum value.” These penalties are not deductible, so they are more expensive after tax than premium payments.

Employers with 50 or more full-time employees or equivalents (those working 30 hours or more per week) that don’t provide employees with health coverage will be assessed a penalty if just one of their workers receives a premium tax credit when buying insurance in a health insurance exchange. The annual penalty is $2,000 per full-time employee in excess of 30 workers. For example, if the employer has 53 full-time employees, the penalty would be $46,000 (53 – 30 = 23 x $2,000).

Penalties will also be triggered if the coverage provided does not encompass at least 60 percent of covered health care expenses for a “typical population,” or the premium for the coverage exceeds 9.5 percent of a worker’s income. In such cases, the worker can opt to obtain coverage in an exchange and qualify for a tax credit. For each worker receiving the credit, the employer must annually pay the lesser of $3,000 per employee for each employee receiving a premium credit or $2,000 for each full-time employee beyond the first 30 employees.

The amount of the penalties is indexed for inflation, but it is tied to increases in the costs of health care premiums. And with health insurance premiums expected to rise at a faster rate than wages, employers with no one in the “over 9.5 percent” group currently could find that trend reversed quickly in later years.

Next steps

From a business and individual planning standpoint, the time to act is now. We don’t know what additional tax changes the future will bring, especially with the fiscal cliff looming. However, we do know the changes the ACA will bring to employers and individuals.

Check back soon for a post that will go into greater detail on the mandates, expansion of coverage, and state insurance exchanges associated with the ACA.

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November 18, 2012

Eight Tips for Deducting Charitable Contributions

by Kenneth Hoffman in Church Counsel, Charitable Contributions, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

Charitable contributions made to qualified organizations may help lower your tax bill. The IRS has put together the following eight tips to help ensure your contributions pay off on your tax return.

1. If your goal is a legitimate tax deduction, then you must be giving to a qualified organization. Also, you cannot deduct contributions made to specific individuals, political organizations and candidates. See IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, for rules on what constitutes a qualified organization.

2. To deduct a charitable contribution, you must file Form 1040 and itemize deductions on Schedule A.

3. If you receive a benefit because of your contribution such as merchandise, tickets to a ball game or other goods and services, then you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of the benefit received.

4. Donations of stock or other non-cash property are usually valued at the fair market value of the property. Clothing and household items must generally be in good used condition or better to be deductible. Special rules apply to vehicle donations.

5. Fair market value is generally the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither having to buy or sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of all the relevant facts.

6. Regardless of the amount, to deduct a contribution of cash, check, or other monetary gift, you must maintain a bank record, payroll deduction records or a written communication from the organization containing the name of the organization, the date of the contribution and amount of the contribution. For text message donations, a telephone bill will meet the record-keeping requirement if it shows the name of the receiving organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount given.

7. To claim a deduction for contributions of cash or property equaling $250 or more you must have a bank record, payroll deduction records or a written acknowledgment from the qualified organization showing the amount of the cash and a description of any property contributed, and whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the gift. One document may satisfy both the written communication requirement for monetary gifts and the written acknowledgement requirement for all contributions of $250 or more. If your total deduction for all noncash contributions for the year is over $500, you must complete and attach IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, to your return.

8. Taxpayers donating an item or a group of similar items valued at more than $5,000 must also complete Section B of Form 8283, which generally requires an appraisal by a qualified appraiser.

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November 14, 2012

Jedi Tax Planning

by Kenneth Hoffman in Business Counsel, Tax Planning, Tax Counsel

Filmmaker George Lucas has been a Hollywood success since 1973, when he spent just $775,000 to produce American Graffiti -- then watched it go on to gross over $200 million. Lucas has influenced a generation of filmmakers and films, as director (19 titles), producer (67 titles), writer (81 titles), and even an actor (he played an uncredited "Alien on TV Monitor" in the first Men in Black). Of course, he'll always be best known as creator of the Star Wars series, which popularized the "space opera" genre for a galaxy of fans.

Last month, Lucas announced that he's selling his production company, Lucasfilms, to The Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion in cash and stock. And it should hardly come as a surprise ending that he found a way to beat the IRS that's almost as powerful as launching a proton torpedo down the Death Star's exhaust port.

How did he do it? Elaborate special effects? Computer-generated imaging? Nope. He did it just by selling now, in 2012.

We have no idea how the evil Empire collected taxes a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. (We suspect that R2D2 kept awesome records in case he was audited; Darth Vader hid his money on Endor, a forest moon bearing a striking resemblance to the Cayman Islands; and Chewbacca never bothered to file at all.) But here in the U.S., gains from the sale of a business are treated as capital gains and subject to tax up to 15%. Lucas is taking half of his proceeds in Disney stock, so that part escapes tax for now. (He'll pay if he sells those Disney shares sometime down the road.) But that still leaves up to $2 billion in fully taxable cash gains. And that means up to $300 million in tax for Uncle Sam.

At least, that's how it works this year. On January 1, the Empire strikes back, when those Bush-era rates expire. Unless Washington gives us a new hope, that capital gains rate jumps to 20%. President Obama has said he wants to extend the current rates for income under $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers), and the Senate has passed a bill to do just that. But if the 20% Clinton capital gains rate returns, at least for guys in Lucas's bracket, selling in 2013 could have cost him up to $100 million more in immediate tax. That's at least enough to recondition a Millenium Falcon or two!

January 1 also marks the start of a new phantom menace, the "Unearned Income Medicare Contribution," on investment income, including capital gains, for those earning above that same $200,000 threshold. The new Medicare tax is "just" 3.8% -- but 3.8% of $2 billion is still a hefty $76 million.

The sale also represents smart estate planning for Lucas, who is 68. While generations of fans hope to see him shepherd the final three Star Wars films to the theatre, the sale will spare his heirs the challenge of managing his affairs at his death. Lucas has already announced plans to donate the bulk of his estate to educational charities, and the gifts he's already made, including $175 million to his alma mater University of Southern California, will surely ease the tax bite on that transfer.

Selling a business is one of the toughest productions any entrepreneur directs. Making the most of that opportunity takes bits of Luke Skywalker's drive, Han Solo's skill, and Obi-Wan Kenobi's wisdom. And keeping the most of your proceeds takes the right tax advice. That's why we're here -- to give you a plan to keep the most of your legacy. And remember, we're here for your family, friends, and colleagues, too. May the Force be with you!

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