26. January 2010 by admin.

This credit is available in 2009 and 2010.  According to IRS instructions, taxpayers who received the $250 economic stimulus payment in 2009 (Social Security recipients, SSI, railroad retirement and Veteran’s Disability or Pension benefits) must reduce the Form 1040 credit by this amount.

The math is simple BUT we forsee a few problems.  Since the check is probably directly deposited, many taxpayers are going to say “don’t know if I received it”.  YUP, that’s what they will say.  Then the question is, how do we know for sure when preparing a return (and trying to avoid preparer penalties)……

IRS instructions say if you “if you do not know” you should personally contact the Social Security or the paying agency.  IRS nor Social Security has any electronic link to obtain this information (we had a link for the Economic Stimulus Rebate in 2009 for 2008).

Here is a link to more specific information on the IRS website Making Work Pay Questions and Answers: Economic Recovery Payments

Posted in Income Tax | 1 Comment »

26. January 2010 by admin.

Depending on your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income - that is the bottom line of the first page of your personal Form 1040), you may be eligible for a $400 credit ($800 if married filing joint). 

For 2009, if your filing status is Single, Head of Household or Married filing separate, the phase out of the credit begins at $75,000 and ends at $95,000.  That means if you made less than $75k, you get the whole $400.  If you made $95k, you get none.

If your filing status if Married Filing Joint, the phase out begins at $150k and ends at $190k.

We do not know at this time whether the AGI restrictions will be exactly the same for 2010.

You MAY have already received up to $250 of the credit if you are a recipient of Social Security, SSI, railroad retirement, Veteran’s disability compensation or pension benefits.

Posted in Income Tax | 1 Comment »

26. January 2010 by admin.

Until you know you are going to stick with it (no offense, many clients try stuff and change their mind), I would not consider the extra paperwork involved with having the NEW LLC taxed as a corporation.  You can find more information on our website for Sub S Corporations www.USATaxHelp.com and also the why you really want at least an LLC as a business entity.

 If you know for sure you are continuing, then the “S” corp election for the LLC is usually an excellent decision.  Seriously, read the two handouts on our main website for “S” Corps and LLC’s at www.USATaxHelp.com

Posted in Sub S Corporations, LLC's, Income Tax, General | No Comments »

22. January 2010 by admin.

Per IR-2010-010 the Pension Protection Act of 2006 REQUIRES a non-profit organiztions that does not file the necessary information form for three consecutive years to AUTOMATICALLY lose their Federal tax-empt status.  This has been in effect since January 1, 2007.

 ENUF SAID!  Contact us for more info at USATaxHelp.com

Posted in Income Tax, General | 1 Comment »

16. January 2010 by admin.

The deduction increases to 9% in 2010, up from 6%.

Posted in Sub S Corporations, LLC's, Income Tax | No Comments »

16. January 2010 by admin.

Some confusion out there about Roth changes.  The following are effective in 2010….

The tax that has to be paid when you  CONVERT a REGULAR IRA to a ROTH IRA can be paid either

• all in 2010
• all in 2011
• OR 1/2 in 2011 and 1/2 in 2012

Additionally, the limits on Roth contributions do not exist for 2010.

It would seem like a good deal to wait and pay 1/2 in 2011 and the other half in 2012 BUT that may not be the best answer.  We anticipate the highest marginal tax rate will go up (anybody want to bet it don’t?) in the next two years.  That means the same amount of income might be taxed as at higher rate.

 It could be taxed at a higher rate because you are going to have a better year and your tax situation calls for a higher rate than the one you are in now… regardless of the increase in tax rates.

Also, if you have Net Operating Losses in either 2010 or 2011, these may be used to offset the tax on the conversion and it worth more in 2010 than in 2011 or 2012.

That’s alot of concenses tax info on Conversions to Roth.  If you have any questions, please post a comment on this blog, or contact us at USATaxHelp.com.

Happy New Year!

Posted in Retirement Accounts, Income Tax | 1 Comment »

6. January 2010 by admin.

CONSUMER ALERT! Please be aware that COMPLIANCE SERVICES (not to be confused with the Florida corporation, Compliance Services, Inc.) is mailing notices to new business entities wanting “Annual Minutes” and a fee of $125. be paid for filing.

These notices are NOT from the Dept. of State, Division of Corporations. “Annual Minutes” are NOT required to be filed with any agency (in an audit the IRS may ask for them to prove you are acting as a corporation.. if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck kind of thing….. if you need to know more about the QUACKing thing, contact us at www.USATaxHelp.com 

Annual Minutes are to be kept by the business entity itself. Please do not confuse these notices with the messages sent by the Division of Corporations reminding each business entity to file its 2010 Annual Report.

Posted in Newsletter Topics, Sub S Corporations, LLC's, General | 1 Comment »

6. January 2010 by admin.

NEW LAW! Effective July 1, 2009, the intention to register a fictitious name must be advertised at least once in a newspaper in the COUNTY in which the principal place of business will be located. Your local newspaper should be contacted for advertising information.

Posted in Newsletter Topics, Sub S Corporations, LLC's, General | No Comments »