Every year, it’s a sure bet that there will be changes to current tax law and this year is no different. From standard deductions to health savings accounts and tax rate schedules, here’s a checklist of tax changes to help you plan the year ahead.
Why Using the Correct Filing Status Matters
As taxpayers get ready for the upcoming filing season, one needs to know their correct filing status. A taxpayer’s filing status defines the type of tax return form they should use when filing their taxes. Filing status can affect the amount of tax they owe, and it may even determine if they have to file a tax return at all.
Highlights of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
While the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act primarily addresses infrastructure-related issues, it includes several tax provisions affecting individuals and small business taxpayers. Let’s take a look:
IRS Charges Fee for Estate Closing Letters
Starting October 28, a new $67 user fee will apply to any estate that requests an estate tax closing letter for its federal estate tax return. This closing letter is formally referred to as IRS Letter 627.
What is the difference between Marginal and Effective Tax Rates?
Understanding marginal and effective tax rates is important for tax planning purposes; however, many taxpayers don’t fully understand the differences. Let’s take a closer look:
Realty Speak Real Estate Podcast: 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges
Don’t miss this episode of the Realty Speak podcast, featuring Bob Russo!
Tips to Help You Figure Out if Your Gift is Taxable
If you’ve given money or property to someone as a gift, you may owe federal gift tax, but in many cases, you will not. For example, there is usually no tax if you make a gift to your spouse or a charity. If you make a gift to someone else, the gift tax usually does not apply until the value of the gifts you give that person exceeds the annual exclusion for the year.
PPP Loan Deadline Extended Through May 31
The Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act of 2021 was signed into law on March 31, 2021, extending the deadline to apply for a loan by an extra 60 days, from March 31 to May 31, 2021. The law also gives the Small Business Administration (SBA) an additional 30 days after the May 31 deadline to review and process loan applications.
Small Business Tax Roundup
Due to recent legislation such as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the CARES Act, tax changes affect both individual taxpayers and small businesses. In 2020, the IRS issued several guidance documents and final rules and regulations that clarified several tax provisions affecting businesses. Here are five of them:
Tax Filing Season Starts February 12
Although tax season usually starts in late January, this year, the tax filing season is delayed until February 12, 2021. The delayed start date for individual tax return filers allowed the IRS time to do additional programming and testing of IRS systems following the December 27, 2020, tax law changes that provided a second round of Economic Impact Payments and other benefits to many taxpayers. This programming work is critical to ensuring IRS systems run smoothly to minimize refund delays and ensure that eligible people will receive any remaining stimulus money as a Recovery Rebate Credit when they file their 2020 tax return.