There are those who make things happen. They are usually the ones doing what it takes even when doing so is difficult, tiring, and draining. They are the ones that often make personal sacrifices and take risks to succeed. They are the ones that had the luck or grit to stick with something to see…
Category: Tax
Tax
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Is Military Pension Taxable (Answered)
There are a number of tax breaks afforded to those in the military. This includes collection holds on unpaid taxes owed by members of the military to laws that exempt certain income from tax altogether. The exemption from paying tax on military pay for injuries is an example. The recent Valentine v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.…
Retired Pilot Taxed on Flights Employer Provided to Relatives
A fringe benefit is a perk provided to an employee. These benefits can make many forms. It may include a company car, company meals, or even insurance. These benefits may or may not be taxable for the employee. The Mihalik v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2022-36, case provides an opportunity to consider these rules. The Mihalik…
Wages for Foreign Researcher Are Taxable
A researcher gets a grant award direct from an institution or university. The grant is not paid as wages, but is paid as a stipend or maybe as a scholarship. The payment might not be subject to income tax. Compare that to a grant is awarded to an institution and the institution pays a researcher…
No Unlimited Time Limit for IRS Withholding Tax
There are jobs that are difficult to find employees to perform. This is particularly true for lower-paid jobs that require physical labor. This includes construction and maintenance jobs, such as painters, law care jobs, etc. It also includes some entry-level jobs in restaurants. Businesses in these industries often have to supplement their workforce with illegal…
Section 1031 Exchange Into Jointly-Held Partnership Property
The Section 1031 exchange rules can help real estate investors defer paying tax on the transfer of property. Many real estate investors use these rules to upgrade their real estate portfolio over time. This tax deferral can be helpful as monies that would have been paid to the IRS in taxes can be rolled into…
When is Real Estate Placed in Service?
Several tax laws are triggered by when property is purchased. Other tax laws are triggered when property is placed in service. Depreciation on real estate is a good example. It is triggered when property is purchased and placed in service. The capitalized costs are then expensed, usually. These dates raise questions about whether property is…
Reporting Illegal Income to the IRS (It’s All About Choices)
Assume you commit a crime and receive a financial windfall. Then you get caught and have to repay the windfall in the form of restitution. Further assume that you have three options when it comes to reporting and paying tax on the illegal income: (1) you file tax returns to report the income and you…
Divorce Planning for Those With IRS Back Taxes
The IRS often audits tax years where there is some change. This includes mergers, significant asset transfers, deaths or even divorces. The reason why it does this is that these transitions create opportunities for savvy taxpayers or pitfalls for the unwary. These transitions also create motives and introduce new parties to income or assets that…
IRS Documentation for Travel Expenses
Business travel expenses are deductible. These are expenses for business trips and work trips, such as car and truck expenses, airfare and hotels and lodging. It can also include travel meals. Those looking to deduct business trip expenses are running a risk as the IRS frequently disallows these expenses on audit. It does so even…