Tax Issues Faced by Pilots & Transportation Employees

The U.S. tax system applies to U.S. citizens no matter where they are in the world. Our tax laws also provide various limitations, exclusions and other benefits based on where the person is when the income is received or expense is incurred. If the assumptions of a static taxpayer who doesn’t travel or move around…

Innocent Spouse Relief for Ex-Spouse’s Income

Divorce is a stressful situation. It is one where people do not always act as they should. This includes taking actions that caused or led up to the divorce. Right or wrong, the shared finances of marriage often come into play. This results in additional marital disputes. Innocent spouse relief can provide a much-needed remedy…

A Look at Tax Legislation: What’s On the Table

Tax laws play a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of a country, and the United States is no exception. Currently, there are several tax laws being considered by Congress, each with the potential to impact millions of Americans. From addressing the taxation of cryptocurrency to implementing new tax credits, these measures can range…

Tax on Insurance Agent’s Repayment of Advanced Commissions

As a service provider, you might receive an advance payment from a party who pays for your services, which could be considered income subject to taxation. But what if you might have to repay those funds later? Are you still taxed on the advance payment in year one? The answer to this question can have…

Truck Driver Not Entitled to Deductions When Records Destroyed

The IRS has a long history of going after truck drivers. There are a number of reasons for this, but, largely it is because of the nature of the expenses that truckers incur. Most truck drivers are small business owners, as they own and operate their own rigs. These small businesses travel, so their expenses…

Defining “Home” for Tax Purposes: It’s Not Always Where You Live

Typically the common definition of terms is used. This helps those who are not lawyers to understand and follow the law. But there are instances where the legal definition of a common term differs from the common understanding of what the term means. The tax law has several of these. When it comes to taxes,…

Tax on Real Estate Purchase Price Reduction

The term “income” is broad. It includes just about any money or gains that a person receives. There are exceptions, however. Take the purchase price reduction. Assume Party A sells a property to Party B for $100. Party A will likely have a gain on the sale. The gain is income and may trigger income…

One Ex-Spouse Void the Other’s Alimony Deduction: Tax on Alimony

Assume that a divorce decree says that a payment is to be made to an ex-spouse. Does that mean that it is alimony the ex-spouse has to report as income for Federal income tax purposes?  And if not, can the ex-spouse who receives the payment request a ruling from the IRS to say that the…

Taxation of Employee Donated Sick Leave

Even simple acts of kindness, such as donating paid sick leave to co-workers in need, can trigger complex tax requirements. The IRS recently released Private Letter Ruling 200720017 that sheds light on the federal tax consequences of such donations, highlighting the importance of following specific requirements such as employer-sponsored medical leave-sharing arrangements or qualified employer-sponsored…