Our weekly roundup of tax-related investment strategies and news your clients may be thinking about.
The transportation benefits clients currently receive from their employers will be excluded from their taxable income, however companies cannot claim tax deductions for these benefits under the new tax law, according to this article from MarketWatch. Employers may also opt not to provide tax-free mass transit passes and parking allowances, but workers may have a salary-reduction arrangement option that will exclude up to $520 per month from their taxable wage income to cover these expenses.
The Trump administration’s new tax form will be smaller than before and could save time for some clients, according to this article on The New York Times. However, this could force million other Americans to do more paperwork. The new tax form “only adds needless complexity and confusion,” says Rep. Lloyd Doggett D-Texas.
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Congress created a juicy new tax break, yet hundreds of thousands of clients still don’t know if they can claim it.
March 13 -
Sometimes, crunching the numbers shows surprising results. Here’s how advisors can evaluate the tradeoffs of relocating to regions with lower taxes.
March 27 -
Holiday parties and team-building outings may still be deductible. What about entertaining prospects over dinner?
April 24
As much as 43% of baby boomers either socked away less than three months' worth of living expenses or saved nothing in a bank for emergency purposes, according to a study found in this article on Motley Fool. This can be a mistake, as these clients run the risk of not being able to cover unexpected expenses or pay bills when they lose their jobs, according to the Bankrate study. Tapping into retirement accounts can also be a wrong move, as it would trigger an early withdrawal penalty plus taxes.
Americans with businesses abroad will need to comply with the new transition tax; a rule under the new law makes planning more complicated, according to CNBC. Foreign earnings in cash and cash equivalents of expat business owners will be subject to 15.5% tax rate while other earnings will be taxed at 8%. “Getting clients to understand the law is the first battle, getting them to believe you is the second battle,” 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.
Small business owners are better off having a separate bank account for their business, according to this Sioux City Journal article. That's because putting business and personal finances in one account could result in unexplained losses and tax problems. These clients will also have an easier time checking their business's profitability and keeping track of their expenses if they have a separate business bank account.
