Post Election Focus: Stars, Stripes & Taxes Presented By: Margo Cook, CPA December 6, 2012 Click HERE to listen to webinar.
Post Election Focus: Stars, Stripes & Taxes Presented By: Margo Cook, CPA December 6, 2012
Housekeeping Presentation is CPE eligible How to ask questions Technology questions 888.387.6851
Margo Cook, CPA Focus is on maximizing value for her clients, which is complimented by skill in assisting with due diligence and strategy planning Services both new and growing small businesses, individuals, and estates and trusts More than 26 years of experience Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Post Election Focus: Stars, Stripes & Taxes Presented By: Margo Cook, CPA December 6, 2012
Where Are We? Congress Challenge Automatic spending cuts Expiring tax provisions Considerations 2% payroll deduction Bush tax cuts Increase in taxes, reduction in estate tax exemption, estate tax rate increases Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act
Tax Reform The not so Super Committee? Super Committee Needed to find $1.5 trillion savings in the next 10 years Considerations Corporate tax rate Bush Tax Cuts Surtax to wealthy taxpayers
Health Care Reform New provisions already in effect Health insurance for dependents until age 26 New taxes scheduled: 3.8% Medicare surtax,.9% surtax on wages Businesses will have to make some decisions associated with required coverage Change in benefits & coverage Business owner ideas
Year Health Care Provisions Provision 2013 Flexible spending arrangement the maximum drops to $2,500 per plan year New HI (hospital insurance tax) on high-income taxpayers (.9% tax on wages in excess of threshold amount) New 3.8% Medicare tax on investment income Medical care itemized deduction threshold increases to 10% of AGI starting in 2013 2014 States will be required to provide federally approved insurance plans Premium assistance credit Excise tax on uninsured individuals Excise tax on applicable large employers Insurer reporting requirements Eligible premiums included in cafeteria plans 2017 Increase in medical deduction threshold for taxpayers age 65 and over 2018 Excise tax on high-cost employer plans
Impact of 3.8% Medicare Tax Starting January 1, 2013 3.8% Medicare surtax on investment income if modified AGI is over $250K (married), $200K (single) Net investment income Interest Dividends Long-term Capital Gains Annuities Passive Activities
Strategies to Reduce the Impact of 3.8% Medicare Tax Contributing the maximum amount to an IRA or 401(k) account Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth Accelerating interest income from bonds Create a charitable trust Whole-life insurance policies Accelerate income
Strategies to Reduce the Impact of 3.8% Medicare Tax (continued) Change your investment portfolio Evaluate your equity portfolio Purchase annuities Defer distributions from annuities Analyze your rental activities and passive investments Match capital losses with capital gains Sell assets using the installment method to smooth the investment income over time and possibly keep income below the threshold
Impact of 3.8% Medicare Tax Starting January 1, 2013 Income Tax for Trusts & Estates Starts at a much lower level than for individual taxpayers $11,650 Capital gains 23.8% rate (versus 15% rate) Consider selecting a fiscal year ending September, October, November 2012
Planning for the 3.8% Medicare Surtax Analyze Your Investments Where are they held? Retirement vs. Non Retirement Account Does investing in municipal bonds make sense? Excluded from the Medicare tax Long-term capital losses Should I accelerate income?
2013 Impact of Medicare Surtax combined with Bush Tax Cuts Maximum income tax rates as high as 43.4% on ordinary income Tax rate could be as high as 23.8% on long-term capital gains Dividends taxed at ordinary income rates Child tax credit decreases from $1,000 to $500 for children under 17 2% employer payroll tax reduction is set to expire
Analyze if Deferring Deductions is Right for You Analyze if deferring deductions is right for you Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Return of phase-out rules for itemized deductions Possible increase in rates
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Ensure higher income taxpayers pay their fair share of taxes Tax rate = 26% for single filers and 28% for married filers The exemption was not indexed for inflation If no patch enacted approximately 60 million taxpayers will not be able to file tax returns and receive refunds until March 2013
Charitable Contributions 2012 vs. 2013 To give or not to give that is the question Phase out of itemized deductions scheduled to return in 2013 Currently Want to Donate $10,000 Charitable Deduction = $10,000 35% tax bracket = Save $3,500 on taxes Costs $6,500 after taxes to give $10,000 2013 Want to Donate $10,000 Charitable Deduction = $2,000 39.6% tax bracket = Save $792 on taxes Costs $9,208 after taxes to give $10,000
Education Incentives American Opportunity Tax Credit Expires end of 2012 Dollar for dollar credit up to $2,500 per student for first 4 years of college Pay Spring 2013 tuition prior to year end Credit can be claimed in year paid for an academic period beginning during first 3 months of the next tax year 529 plan: Invest funds and income is tax-free
Before it is Too Late Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) 2013: Maximum contribution to a health FSA will be $2,500 Decrease in the maximum deferral of over $1,000 No longer able to get taxfree reimbursements for over-the-counter drugs
Retirement Planning Issues to Consider Make IRA contribution by April 15, 2013 if deductible Contributions of IRA distributions 70 ½ or older users RMD for charity expired Holding off taking their required minimum distributions 401(k) Contributions Employees should maximize pre-tax contributions ($17,000+) to 401(k)
IRA Considerations Convert your traditional IRA to a Roth Tax rate may be lower Future distributions income-tax free Option of taking earlier distributions without penalty Future conversions Conditions for conversion & recharacterization
Is it Time to Convert to a Roth? Convert your traditional IRA to a Roth Rate of tax? Conversion tax rate? Tax payment? How long will fund remain in the IRA?
Year-End Tax Moves for Fund 401(k) Individuals Give to charity Boost 2012 income Exercise stock options Plan itemized deductions Review portfolio and consider bond investments Convert IRA to a Roth Give to family Harvest capital gains Delay recognizing capital losses until 2013 or later Elect out of installment sale reporting and report capital gain as 2012 income
Business Entity Considerations Pay or declare corporate dividends before year end Shareholders are liable for tax on the distribution C Corporations Consider dividend of shareholder receivables or corporate liquidations
Upcoming Business Expense Changes Capital Investments Invest in machinery and equipment Section 179 election 2010/2011 - $500,000 2012 - $139,000 2013 - $25,000 Bonus depreciation future unknown Recover cost of property over the life of the asset
Year-End Tax Moves for Research and Development Credit Section 179 Expense Increases Work Opportunity Tax Credits Qualified Leasehold Improvement 15 Year Life Businesses
Likely Business Extensions Accelerate bonuses, billings and collections Seek advance payment of service contracts, rent, royalties Authorize deferred compensation and assert control Delay bill payments until 2013 Consider cancelling debt obligations and accelerating debt forgiveness income S Corporation planning
What Happens Next with Transfer Tax (Estate and Gift)? Estate Taxes $5 million estate tax exemption From 35% to 55% Portability rules will expire Gift Taxes Tax exemption reverts back to $1 million $13,000 per person per year annual exclusion unchanged Education & medical purposes Large gifts to reduce estate value
Questions Margo Cook, CPA James Moore, CPAs Margo@jmco.com 888.387.6851