With the extension of the income tax filing season through July 15th and the forthcoming stimulus funds that will be distributed to taxpayers, it is important for everyone to stay vigilant to avoid scammers and fraudsters who continue to prey on taxpayers. If you receive a stimulus check in the next few weeks, it is …
Employee Benefit Provisions in the CARES Act Provide Employer and Participant Relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act became law on March 27, 2020. The Act includes important provisions that impact employer sponsored benefit plans. Consistent with its name, the Act provides participants enhanced access to retirement plan money, provides employers relief regarding defined benefit pension plan funding, aids employees by requiring payment of …
IRS Provides Details on the Extension of the April 15 Filing Date
In a series of FAQ’s issued on March 24, the IRS has provided additional information on the extension of the April 15 tax deadline announced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As mentioned in a prior tax blog prepared by Dickinson Wright, the IRS has provided an automatic extension to July 15, 2020 of Federal income tax returns and …
Continue reading “IRS Provides Details on the Extension of the April 15 Filing Date”
Tax Return Filing Deadline Extended; Tax Credits Made Available for Small and Midsize Employers
Tax Return Due Date Extended to July 15; Tax Payments Deferred On Friday, March 20, 2020 the United States Treasury extended the April 15, 2020 tax-filing deadline to July 15, 2020. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin communicated this extension via Twitter stating, “All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments …
Estate Planning Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has impacted every corner of the world at this point. As medical experts, financial advisors, and our colleagues that specialize in healthcare law, employment law, and other related areas are busy advising clients on the best course of action for the weeks and months ahead, we – as estate planners – …
Continue reading “Estate Planning Amidst the Coronavirus Pandemic”
Internal Revenue Service Publishes Regulations Clarifying Business Meal and Entertainment Expenses
Although the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) suspended the 2% of AGI miscellaneous deductions for individuals beginning in 2018, certain taxpayers may still claim deductions for unreimbursed business expenses, including sole proprietors, certain government officials, Armed Forces reservists and partners in flow-through entities who are regarded as self-employed individuals. Such individuals who incur …
IRS Memorandum a Reminder to Employers to Avoid a Tax Disaster by Keeping Copies of Signed Plan Documents
In a recent Chief Counsel General Advice Memorandum (“Memo”), the IRS provides a helpful reminder that basic recordkeeping and organization techniques can avoid significant tax liability for employers and employees in the context of qualified retirement plans (e.g., a 401(k), 403(b), or pension plan). In the Memo, the author explains that employers that sponsor qualified retirement …
Implications for 401(K) Plans in the Secure Act
As part of the 2020 appropriations act, Congress passed the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019), which was signed into law by the President on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act has a number of implications for 401(k) plans, a summary of which follows. Increase in Maximum Automatic Deferral. …
Continue reading “Implications for 401(K) Plans in the Secure Act”
SECURE Act: IRA and Retirement Savings Contribution and Payout Periods Changed – “Stretch” IRAs Dramatically Limited
The SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act (the “Act”) was enacted as part of the massive December 2019 appropriations bill. The inclusion of the Act was a surprise, since most thought that it had been taken off the table earlier in that year. For the most part, the new rules are effective …
Corporate Redemptions – Sale of Stock or Dividend Payment?
A redemption of stock owned by a shareholder of a corporation may be characterized as a “sale or exchange” under IRC Section 302 or as a “dividend” payment under IRC Section 301. The manner in which the redemption is characterized will determine the tax treatment afforded the redemption and, more specifically, may impact whether the …
Continue reading “Corporate Redemptions – Sale of Stock or Dividend Payment?”