Sooner or later, you may decide to sell property you inherited from a parent or other loved one. Whether the property is an investment, an antique, land, or something else, the sale may result in a taxable gain or loss. But how that gain or loss is calculated may surprise you. Your Basis When you […]
Renting Residential Real Estate — A Tax Review for the Nonprofessional Landlord
Investing in residential rental properties raises various tax issues that can be somewhat confusing, especially if you are not a real estate professional. Some of the more important issues rental property investors will want to be aware of are discussed below. Rental Losses Currently, the owner of a residential rental property may depreciate the building […]
Business Start-Up Costs — What’s Deductible?
Launching a new business takes hard work — and money. Costs for market surveys, travel to line up potential distributors and suppliers, advertising, hiring employees, training, and other expenses incurred before a business is officially launched can add up to a substantial amount. The tax law places certain limitations on tax deductions for start-up expenses. […]
Planning for the 3.8% Investment Tax
Higher income investors need to plan for the 3.8% “unearned income Medicare contribution” tax. This 3.8% tax was enacted as part of the 2010 health care overhaul. Some Details The tax applies only to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) above these levels: $200,000 (single/head of household), $250,000 (married filing jointly/surviving spouses), or $125,000 […]
Installment Sale to the Rescue
You’ve finally found a buyer for the rental property, land, or business you’ve been trying to sell but the buyer doesn’t have enough cash to pay the full purchase price in a lump sum. So you agree to an installment sale. The buyer will make a partial payment now and pay you the balance over […]
Payroll Taxes: Who’s Responsible?
Any business with employees must withhold money from its employees’ paychecks for income and employment taxes, including Social Security and Medicare taxes (known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, or FICA), and forward that money to the government. A business that knowingly or unknowingly fails to remit these withheld taxes in a timely manner will […]