LGT's Profit Sense

Both the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") and Congress’s massive new spending package received widespread media coverage, but a couple of provisions that incentivize investments in low income housing have largely gone under the radar. One provision in the tax law offers significant tax breaks for investors looking to defer or abate capital gains taxes, while the spending bill boosts the Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC").

The passage of a new tax law in December was intriguing, if not downright exciting, news for most construction company owners. Now that the dust has settled, this article takes a look at some highlights, including reduced tax rates and boosted depreciation deductions. A sidebar points out that some valuable tax breaks have been eliminated or limited.

Are you ready to file your tax return(s)?

Avoid the rush! The sooner you can file, the easier your life will be, and the more your CPA will appreciate you. The easiest way to do that is to make sure you’re ready for them. Don’t wait until the last minute if you can gather your paperwork early. The less rushed your CPA is, the better off you’ll be.

With tax season upon us, it is important to be up to date on new tax scams that affect taxpayers. Many current scams involve new twists on the same old scam. The most prevalent one to be aware of for 2018 is a pervasive new telephone scam. Individuals are using taxpayer information to file false returns, sending the refund directly to the taxpayer. The taxpayer then receives a telephone call from an individual pretending to be with the IRS or in another position of authority and demands that the taxpayer returns the refund to a specified address due to an error.

Passage of the new federal income tax law in late December 2017 has brought into reality a variety of concerns not-for-profits raised as the bill worked its way through the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. In addition to the increased standard deduction that’s expected to depress charitable giving, the final Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) includes several other provisions that had prompted objections from charities.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (The Act) is a piece of legislation that was first passed by the House on November 16, 2017.  Only one month later, both the House and the Senate have passed a unified version of tax reform that will modify tax policy for the next several years.  These changes range from reducing both corporate and individual tax rates as well as international taxation.  On December 22, 2017, President Trump officially signed it into law.  Below is a brief analysis of the key points included in The Act.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (The Act) is a piece of legislation that was first passed by the House on November 16, 2017.  Only one month later, both the House and the Senate have passed a unified version of tax reform that will modify tax policy for the next several years.  These changes range from reducing both corporate and individual tax rates as well as international taxation.  On December 22, 2017, President Trump officially signed it into law.  Below is a brief analysis of the key points included in The Act.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs (the “Act”) is a piece of legislation that was first passed by the House of Representatives on November 16, 2017.  Only one month later, both the House and the Senate have passed a unified version of tax reform that will modify tax policy for the next several years.  These changes range from reducing both corporate and individual tax rates to international taxation implications.  On December 22, 2017, President Trump officially signed it into law.  Below is a brief analysis of the key points.

The new rules for partnership audits enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 ("BBA") will dramatically impact not only how tax adjustments are assessed, but who is responsible for them. These rules will go in effect for partnership tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. We advise you to discuss with your legal counsel, so that your agreements include the new elections and address the updated regulations summarized below.

Hurricane Harvey Tax Update

In August 2017, at the request of Texas Governor Abbott, President Trump began making disaster declarations for Texas counties expected to be impacted by Hurricane Harvey.  Additional Texas counties have been added to the Harvey disaster declaration list through October 2017 which include Dallas and Tarrant counties. (For a complete list of the Hurricane Harvey covered disaster areas:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/help-for-victims-of-hurricane-harvey) This declaration permitted the IRS to postpone certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the Presidential Disaster Areas. (For additional information click here for our Hurrican Harvey communication)