Tax Tips

What to Do If You’re Faced with an IRS Audit (8 Tips)

“I hoped this day wouldn’t come…but I need help with an IRS audit.”

Picture this: you own a small business. You just sent out invoices a week ago, and the checks are rolling in. As you walk to the mailbox, you have a smile on your face. You pull out the mail and see a half dozen checks…and an envelope from the IRS?

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Harvest Loss Taxes Loophole on Crypto

Loophole: Harvest Tax Losses on Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrency

ALERT: THE BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL INCLUDES PROVISIONS THAT INCREASE THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION

When it comes to tax losses on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, you’ll find in this article an escape from a tax-loss rule that does not allow you to deduct a tax loss. Yes, you read that right! The tax code has rules that don’t allow current deductions for tax losses.

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Russo CPA Tax Tips Image: Social Security card artwork

Repaying Deferred Social Security Tax

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allowed self-employed individuals and household employers to defer the payment of certain Social Security taxes on their Form 1040 for tax year 2020 over the next two years. Half of the deferred Social Security tax is due by December 31, 2021, and the remainder is due by December 31, 2022.

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Which Educator Expenses Are Tax Deductible?

Which Educator Expenses Are Tax Deductible and Which are Not?

Teachers and other educators should remember that they can deduct certain unreimbursed expenses such as classroom supplies, training, and travel — even when schools switched to hybrid or remote learning models during the pandemic last spring. Deducting these expenses helps reduce the amount of tax owed when filing a tax return.

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RUSSO CPA Blog tax tips

Keeping Good Tax Records Is Essential

An important part of tax planning is keeping good records. Having an organized recordkeeping system makes it easier to file a tax return or understand a letter from the IRS. Here are some tips:

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Hand adding money to ceramic piggy bank.

It’s Hurricane Season: 5 Steps to Safeguarding Tax Records

With hurricane season in full swing, now is a good time to create or review emergency preparedness plans for surviving natural disasters, which include more than just hurricanes. For example, in the last year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declared major disasters following hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, wildfires, and an earthquake. Individuals, organizations, and businesses should take time now to make or update their emergency plans.

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How Renovating a Historic Building Can Put Money in Your Pocket

The federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit, or rehab credit, offers significant financial incentives for owners or leaseholders of historic buildings to renovate those structures.1

What’s the big deal? Why are tax credits so exciting?

Tax credits, unlike deductions, reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. If you spend $100,000 and get a 20 percent tax credit, you reduce your tax bill by $20,000. That’s Uncle Sam putting $20,000 in your pocket. And there’s more.

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Deduct 100% of Your Employee Recreation and Parties

You take Bill, your best customer, to the local country club and treat him to 18 holes of golf. The golf produces a zero deduction.

Compare this.

You take your employees and their spouses and children to the local country club, where they play golf and tennis; swim; and enjoy lunch, dinner, and snacks.

The cost of the country club meals and activity produces a 100 percent tax deduction.1

In this article, you will learn the following:

  • What it takes to qualify an employee party for the 100 percent deduction
  • What types of employee entertainment qualify for this 100 percent deduction
  • How tax law defines entertainment that’s primarily for the benefit of employees

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