Our weekly roundup of tax-related investment strategies and news your clients may be thinking about.
Although the alternative minimum tax rules have become more lenient under the new tax law, high-income investors should not become complacent as they may still be subject to the rule, according to CNBC. “Which taxpayers are likely to be affected the most? Taxpayers with large families, employees who claimed a large amount of employee business expenses, very successful small business owners,” an expert says.
Clients are scrambling to have a better understanding of crytocurrency taxation rules, according to this article on Nasdaq. Regulators, meanwhile, are stepping up efforts to provide clear guidance and address confusion coming from investors. Government agencies are rushing to catch up, and that means an already uncertain tax landscape is constantly transforming," according to an expert. "For crypto investors who do not stay in the know, that could mean large and unnecessary tax bills.”
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The Minnesota Society of CPAs recently conducted its annual CPA member survey about the most strange and unusual tax deductions proposed by clients. The responses included everything from pets and wedding rings to gifts not given.
February 17 -
The weird, the oddball and the most far fetched tax deductions clients have tried to take on their returns.
February 9 -
Just in case clients are looking to cut few corners, here are some of the most common tax frauds that the agency is ready to pounce upon.
February 23
More business owners are looking at whether changing their business structures from a traditional C corporation to a pass-through entity or not, according to this article on MarketWatch. That's because of the new flat 21% corporate federal income tax rate under the new tax law and the qualified business income deduction for pass-through income. Under the same circumstances, the new corporate tax rate makes C corporations more attractive, but some firms will be better off becoming pass-through entities in some circumstances.
Clients with home equity have the option of applying for a reverse mortgage to shore up their nest egg, according to this Washington Post columnist. However, they are advised to account for tax and other policy changes before making a decision. "Reverse mortgages may be a tool that is appropriate sometimes, but it should be considered a last resort,” an expert says.
A majority of affluent Americans are likely to adjust their financial plans under the new law, according to the AICPA. Here's how advisors can help.
The tax deduction for qualified business income under the new law is prompting many businesses to consider whether increasing compensation or dividends to maximize savings, an expert writes at the Albuquerque Business Journal. "However, the decision as to restructuring compensation and dividends is really unique to each business," writes the expert. "The analysis has to be done based on the particular circumstances of each business."
