As the year winds down, the fundraising efforts of many charitable organizations ramp up. This is for good reason as, on average, charitable organizations raise around 40% of their annual revenues during the holiday season. As we’ve written earlier in the year on the DW Tax Blog, this year’s “giving season” comes with a new …
Impact of the Presidential Election on Personal Income Taxes
Now that the results of the presidential election are in and former Vice-President Joe Biden has become President-elect Biden, it is important to remember the tax policy changes for personal income taxes announced by Mr. Biden during his campaign that he would propose if elected. As we review three of these changes, keep in mind …
Continue reading “Impact of the Presidential Election on Personal Income Taxes”
The FICA Special Timing Rule for Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Employers know that wages are generally subject to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”), and that both employers and employees are liable for a portion of FICA on those wages. In most circumstances, the employee and employer portion of FICA are paid when the compensation is paid to employees—but there is a “special timing rule” …
United States Tax Court Launching New Case Management System – Dawson
In December 2020, the United States Tax Court will be launching DAWSON (Docket Access Within a Secure Online Network), the Court’s new case management system. The Court expects DAWSON to be active no later than December 28, 2020. Beginning at 5:00 PM Eastern Time on November 20, 2020, the current e-filing system will become inaccessible …
Continue reading “United States Tax Court Launching New Case Management System – Dawson”
Remote Execution of Estate Plan Documents Allowed in Michigan Through December 31, 2020
Remote executions of estate planning documents are again allowed in Michigan through December 31, 2020. On November 5, 2020, Michigan’s Governor signed 2020 PA 246, allowing remote witnessing, and 2020 PA 249 allowing remote notarizations. This applies to any document that is executed on or after April 30, 2020 through December 31, 2020. In order …
The IRS Announces Updated Limitations Related to Employer Plans for 2021
The IRS announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for employer plans for tax year 2021. Most IRS limits impacting employer retirement plans have remained the same because the increase in the cost-of-living index did not meet the legal thresholds that trigger their adjustment. See IRS Notice 2020-79 and IRS Revenue Procedure 2020-32 for additional IRS technical guidance. …
Continue reading “The IRS Announces Updated Limitations Related to Employer Plans for 2021”
Are My Employees Telecommuting Right Into a New State Income Tax Liability?
A phenomenon of the ongoing COVID-19 healthcare pandemic is the exponential expansion of telecommuting. Whether stemming from an epiphany or simply the opportunity to escape to a more appealing place to live, many members of the workforce have opted to relocate. In many instances, relocation has meant crossing state borders, all the while continuing to …
Continue reading “Are My Employees Telecommuting Right Into a New State Income Tax Liability?”
Arizona PROP 208 – Big Tax Increase Possible in Arizona
On the ballot in Arizona this November is Proposition 208 (the “Proposition”). Proponents assert it will benefit students in public schools. Critics warn it sends most of the increased income tax revenue it generates into the school bureaucracy, not to teachers, as it implies, and will dissuade some businesses and taxpayers from moving to or …
Continue reading “Arizona PROP 208 – Big Tax Increase Possible in Arizona”
PE Funds Are Not Part of Controlled Group; What About Your Company?
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to review the First Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the Sun Capital Partners III, LP v. New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Fund case, thereby confirming the Appeals Court’s decision that the two separate Sun Capital private equity funds were not under common control with …
Continue reading “PE Funds Are Not Part of Controlled Group; What About Your Company?”
Graduated GRATs
One traditional estate planning technique that has become increasingly popular in recent months is the Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT). Simply stated, a GRAT is an irrevocable trust where the grantor contributes property to the GRAT and retains the right to receive a percentage of the assets back over a designated period of years; any …