Look backward and forward for tax savers

April 4, 2013

You can reach into the past and future to cut your taxes. How? Through the use of tax carryforwards and carrybacks. Here is what you should know about these tax savers.

Some tax deductions have a maximum amount that you can use in any one year. In these situations, the rules generally allow you to apply the unused tax deduction to a past or future tax return. One of the most popular examples of this is the “net operating loss” or NOL. Business owners whose qualified expenses exceed their income are allowed to apply the NOL to taxable income earned in the second prior year, and if there is still loss available, to apply it to last year’s income. Any further unapplied NOL can be used to offset future taxable income.

But there are a few twists to the NOL rules. If your NOL is the result of a theft or disaster, you may be able to carry it back three years. An NOL from farming can be carried back five years. And you may opt to apply all your NOL to future years only, which might not be a bad strategy if you expect to be taxed at higher rates in future years.

Net capital losses, such as from the sale of stocks, can be carried forward (but not back) to offset future capital gains and up to $3,000 of ordinary income. You can also carry forward charitable contributions that exceed 50% of taxable income for up to five years.

It’s important to save all records related to carryback and carryforward deductions for at least three years after the year they are applied. If you have any questions about your potential for tax carryback and carryforward deductions, contact our office. We’ll help you keep an eye on your tax situation, past, present, and future.

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Posted by gillilandcpa

Check out your IRA options

April 2, 2013

It’s not too late to make contributions to an IRA for 2012. You can establish and contribute to a 2012 IRA as late as April 15, 2013. If the IRA is the traditional, tax-deductible kind, you can deduct your contributions on your 2012 tax return. If you’re under age 50, the maximum contribution is $5,000; if you were 50 or older by December 31, 2012, you can contribute up to $6,000.

The “charitable IRA rollover” rule was extended through 2013, permitting taxpayers who are 70½ or older to use their IRA to donate up to $100,000 to charity. The donation must be made directly from the IRA to the charity, and it counts as part of the taxpayer’s required minimum distribution for the year.

If you turned 70½ in 2013, remember that you’re now required to take a minimum distribution from your IRA (and, unless you’re still working, from other retirement plans also) every year. If you delayed taking your first distribution last year, you have only until April 1, 2013, to take it or you’ll be subject to a 50% penalty on the amount you should have taken.

Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is still an available option for all taxpayers. Although a conversion will generate taxable income in the year you do it, later qualifying withdrawals from the Roth will be tax-free. Your conversion opportunities are not limited to just traditional IRAs. You can also convert your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan to a Roth.

For details or assistance on IRA matters, contact our office.

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Posted by gillilandcpa

Are you giving the IRS an interest-free loan?

March 28, 2013

Will you be among the thousands of taxpayers who get a big tax refund this year? While most Americans happily accept their tax refund checks, smart taxpayers understand that refunds actually cost them money. Here’s why:

* The government pays no interest on refunds. Kept in your hands, those dollars could have been productive. For example, you could have invested the money or used it to pay off your debt during the year. If the money had been added to a 401(k) plan, tax would have been deferred on both the investment and its earnings. Even better, your employer might have matched all or part of your investment, adding to your retirement savings.

* Refunded cash is not available for use until actually received. Even though most taxpayers get their checks promptly, circumstances or errors can delay (or stop) a refund.

To prevent losing money on tax refunds, consider reducing your withholding or estimated tax payments. For most taxpayers, withholding must equal either the prior year’s tax or 90% of the current year’s liability. If your annual income changes little, it’s relatively easy to avoid overwithholding. You should consider filing a revised Form W-4 withholding statement with your employer if you’re having too much withheld.

For taxpayers with fluctuating income or multiple sources of income, the problem is more complex. The IRS provides a worksheet with Form W-4, but many people find the form complicated. If you’d like assistance adjusting your withholding, contact our office.

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Posted by gillilandcpa

From the IRS: Seven facts to help you choose the right filing status

March 26, 2013

The filing status you choose when you file your 2012 tax return will affect the tax breaks you’ll qualify for, your standard deduction amount, and ultimately the amount of tax you’ll pay. Are you single, head of household, married filing jointly, or married filing separately?

Here are seven facts that will help you choose the right status.

1. Your marital status as of the last day of the year is your marital status for the entire year.

2. If you qualify for more than one status, choose the one that results in the lowest tax liability for you.

3. Single filing status is likely to be your filing choice if you are not married or you are divorced or legally separated.

4. Married individuals can file a joint return. If your spouse died during 2012, you generally may still file a joint return for 2012.

5. Married couples may file “married, filing separately” if they choose.

6. “Head of household” status is available to you if you are not married and you paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for yourself and a child.

7. The status “qualifying widow(er) with dependent child” is available if your spouse died during 2010 or 2011 and you have a dependent child. Other conditions may apply.

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Save energy! Save taxes!

March 21, 2013

If you haven’t already taken advantage of the tax incentive for energy-efficient improvements to your home, 2013 may be the year to install furnaces, windows, doors or skylights. Qualifying purchases are eligible for a federal credit which can reduce your tax liability by up to $500.

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How to know if you’ve been a victim of identity theft

March 19, 2013

You may be a victim of identity theft and not have a clue that this has happened to you until you get a notice from the IRS telling you that –

* You filed more than one tax return, or someone has already filed using your information.

* You owe taxes for a year even though you didn’t file a return because you weren’t required to file.

* You were paid wages from an employer where you did not work.

If you get such a notice, the IRS wants you to respond immediately so that they can correct the problem and secure your tax account.

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IRS cautions taxpayers about identity theft

March 15, 2013

The IRS has made preventing identity theft a top priority this year.

Here’s what identity thieves have been doing: They steal a taxpayer’s personal information and use it to file a tax return claiming a refund under the taxpayer’s name. Then when the taxpayer actually files a return, the IRS won’t accept it and notifies the taxpayer that a return under his name and ID number has already been filed.

The IRS recommends that taxpayers should do the following in order to avoid becoming an identity theft victim:

* Guard your personal information. Identity thieves can get your information by stealing your wallet or purse, going through your trash, or posing as someone who needs your information for a legitimate reason.

* Watch out for IRS impersonators. Don’t fall for phone calls, faxes, e-mails, or other contacts made by people claiming to be from the IRS. Don’t respond to the message. Don’t open any attachments in an e-mail or click on any links. Do not enter your personal information.

The IRS recommends that you enter “phishing” in the search box at the top of its website (www.irs.gov) to get more information on avoiding tax scams. E-mail suspected scams to phishing@irs.gov.

* Protect information on your computer. Protect your tax information with a password, and once you’re finished with your tax data, take it off your hard drive.

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