Triggering Losses by Selling a Business: NQDC Example

Timing issues are one of the aspects of effective tax planning. There are scores of options for timing and tax deferral and recognition that depend on the taxpayer’s circumstances. For example, for corporate taxpayers, these timing issues may involve timing the receipt of income using the installment rules or the use of losses or foreign…

Tax Court: Is Diabetes a Disability?

If you find yourself without a job or facing unemployment, one of the options you might consider is taking a distribution from your retirement account. This is especially true if you are disabled and need the income to pay for your living costs or even your medical care. These distributions often result in additional Federal…

IRA Excess Contribution Tax for Stock Sale

There are a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to the tax rules for IRAs and other qualified plans. IRAs and qualified plans can shelter a significant amount of income from tax. Defined benefit plans are an example. A business owner can contribute and shelter up to $245,000 in these plans in 2022. This…

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.…

Can a Self-Directed IRA Hold Gold Coins?

Precious metals IRAs are popular. This includes silver IRAs, gold Roth IRAs, and even gold-backed IRAs. These accounts allow investors to invest in these alternative assets. This in turn allows the investors to diversify their exposure to stocks and bonds. For those with special interests and knowledge to make these investments, they can also allow…

Fixing Self-Directed IRA Errors

There are ways to structure transactions to avoid income taxes. Creative taxpayers and tax attorneys have used qualified retirement accounts for this purpose (the tax savings from ESOPs is an example). One has to be careful when structuring transactions involving these qualified plans. Given the flexibility in the rules and the absence of financial advisors,…

Avoiding the 60-Day IRA Rollover Requirement

Avoiding The 60-day Ira Rollover Requirement

If a taxpayer takes money out of their retirement account, they generally have to pay income tax on the amount distributed. What if the taxpayer wants to put the money back into the account? There have been several examples where Congress has allowed taxpayers to put money back into their accounts. The recent CARES Act…

Big Tax Savings With ESOP, But Requires Work

Big Tax Savings With Esop, But Requires Work

An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) can produce significant income tax savings. This tax savings isn’t exactly free. One has to keep up with the ESOP and the relevant rules to ensure that the tax savings are achieved. This compliance work is required and failure to comply can be costly. The recent Ed Thielking v.…

Early IRA Distribution, Gambling Not a Disability

Retaining Rights With A Charitable Conservation Easement

Early distributions from IRAs are subject to a 10 percent additional tax.  The 10 percent additional tax does not apply if the distribution is taken when the IRA owner is disabled.  The recent Gillette v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2018-195, case addresses whether medically-induced compulsive gambling qualifies as a disability. The Facts & Procedural History The taxpayer-wife is a…

Establishing Tax Basis in IRA Contributions

Establishing Tax Basis In Ira Contributions

Contributions to IRAs are deductible.  If not deductible, the taxpayer has basis in his IRA so that this amount is not taxable when taken out of the IRA.  The idea is that the taxpayer probably paid income taxes on the money prior to putting it into the IRA and should not be taxed on it…