We have reached that time of year when businesses need to consider year-end tax planning. This year is particularly challenging because Congress has enacted a series of tax breaks which are generally scheduled to expire after 2011. For example, unless Congress acts to extend these provisions, the following business tax breaks will generally expire (or become less beneficial) after 2011: 100% §168 bonus depreciation; larger and expanded §179 deduction; 100% gain exclusion for “qualified small business stock;” and relaxation of the S corporation built‑in gains tax rules. There have also been recent IRS releases and Court cases that address: the ability of self-employed individuals, partners, and S corporation shareholders to deduct health insurance premiums (including Medicare premiums); whether compensation
2011 Q1 | Lower Taxes May Mean More Jobs
In some ways, the title of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 says it all. This new federal law aims to create jobs within the United States, with small companies acting as engines of growth. Among the multiple provisions of this act, several provide tax benefits for small businesses. The authors of the new law hope that lower taxes will make many small and thus more to add employees. Equipment deductions One provision of the new law expands Section 179 of the tax code, which allows small companies to buy business equipment and take a first-year tax deduction. Ordinarily, companies must depreciate the equipment they buy, thus spreading deductions over several years. From 2008 through 2010, Congress passed a
2011 Q1 | You and Your Company Can Avoid the Disguised Dividend Tax Trap
If you are the owner or part owner of a C corporation, you might think that your compensation plan is relatively straightforward. You pay yourself a salary to cover your living expenses during the year. At year end, if your company has made money, you pay yourself a bonus. Your company deducts the salary and bonus so it winds up with little or no net income and pays little or no corporate income tax. In such a scenario, you might be in for a shock. The IRS could say that your compensation is unreasonable. Part of your compensation may be recast as a dividend, subject to both corporate and personal income taxes. Example: Grace Moran owns 100% of ABC, a