Many individuals today are self-employed or generate income from interest, rent, dividends, and other sources. If you’re in this situation, you could be risking penalties if you don’t pay enough taxes during the year through estimated tax payments and withholding. (The due date for the final estimated payment for 2023 is January 16, 2024.)
Self-Directed IRAs Provide Both Flexibility and Risk
Traditional and Roth IRAs can be relatively “safe” retirement-saving vehicles, though, depending on what they’re invested in, they limit your investment choices. For more flexibility in investment choices but also more risk, another option is a self-directed IRA.
Business Savings: Acquiring & Placing Assets in Service by Year-End
Under Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code, companies can “expense” the full cost of qualifying fixed assets to reduce their taxable income. This means they can deduct the purchase amount currently rather than having to depreciate the asset over many years. Both new and used fixed assets can qualify. The election is available for qualified property placed in service anytime during the tax year.
Education Benefits Attract & Retain Employees While Saving Taxes
Your business can attract and retain employees by providing education benefits that enable team members to improve their skills and gain additional knowledge, all on a tax-advantaged basis. Here’s a closer look at some education benefits options.
Make 2023 Annual Exclusion Gifts by December 31
”One of the most effective estate-tax-saving techniques is also one of the simplest: making use of the gift tax annual exclusion. It allows you to give to an unlimited number of family or friends cash or property valued up to a “specified” amount each year without owing gift tax or using up any of your lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. For 2023, the annual exclusion amount is $17,000.“One of the most effective estate-tax-saving techniques is also one of the simplest: making use of the gift tax annual exclusion. It allows you to give to an unlimited number of family or friends cash or property valued up to a “specified” amount each year without owing gift tax or using up any of your lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. For 2023, the annual exclusion amount is $17,000.
December 2023 Tax Due Dates
December 15 Corporations – Deposit the fourth installment of estimated income tax for 2023. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you estimate your tax for the year. Employers – Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the …
Five Facts About the Opportunity Zone Tax Incentive
Providing tax benefits to investors who invest eligible capital into distressed communities throughout the U.S. and its possessions, Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) were created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to spur economic development and job creation. …
Withdrawing ERC Claims
Halted Employee Retention Credit Claim Withdrawals
Recently, the IRS halted the processing of claims for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) due to a high volume of fraudulent claims. The moratorium is through at least the end of 2023. ERC claims that were already filed are now subject to longer processing, including heightened scrutiny to weed out fraud.
One-Time Thing: IRA to HSA Transfer
Did you know that you can transfer funds directly from your IRA to a Health Savings Account (HSA) without taxes or penalties? Under current law, you’re permitted to make one such “qualified HSA funding distribution” during your lifetime.
Follow IRS Rules to Nail Down a Charitable Tax Deduction
Donating cash and property to your favorite charity is beneficial to the charity but also to you in the form of a tax deduction if you itemize. However, to be deductible, your donation must meet certain IRS criteria.