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Understanding Installment Sales

August 23, 2021 by admin

Businessperson Calculating Property Tax The majority of sales and purchases of property are usually settled by the buyer paying the seller an agreed on lump sum up front. However, there are circumstances when it makes sense to structure the sale of property so that payments will be received in installments over a number of years. What are those circumstances and what are the tax consequences of such transactions?

When an Installment Sale Makes Sense

An installment sale can be helpful if a potential buyer of your property lacks sufficient cash to pay the full purchase price in a lump sum. The interested party suggests an installment sale in which he or she makes a partial payment now and pays the balance over several years, with interest.

An installment sale may be something to consider if you want to sell a business or a rental property but there has been limited interest from prospective buyers. It can also be an attractive option for tax planning purposes. With an installment sale, you spread out the capital gain (and the tax liability) on the sale over the years you receive payments rather than reporting the income in a single year. By spreading out the income, an installment sale may help keep your income within a desired tax bracket and reduce your potential exposure to alternative minimum tax, net investment income tax, and tax on any Social Security retirement benefits you are receiving.

The Tax Rules

The rules on installment sales are complex and can trap the unwary. Since you receive payments over more than one tax year, you can defer a portion of any taxable gains realized on the sale. Your total gain on an installment sale is generally the amount by which the selling price of the property you sold exceeds your adjusted basis in that property. The selling price includes the money and the fair market value of any property you received for the sale of the property, any of your selling expenses paid by the buyer, and any existing debt on the property that the buyer assumed or paid.

When you report the sale on your tax return, you include in income each year only the part of the gain you receive or are considered to have received. You do not include in income the part of the payment that is a return of your basis in the property. You have to report interest on an installment sale as ordinary income. Essentially, an installment sale allows you to pay your taxes over time as you collect from the buyer.

What’s Not Allowable

The installment sales method is not available for sales of publicly traded securities and certain other sales. You have the option of electing out of installment sale treatment and reporting your entire gain in the year of sale. Electing out may be advantageous under certain circumstances: for example, if you have a large capital loss that can offset your entire capital gain in the year of the sale.

Before entering into an installment sale, we recommend that you consult with a tax professional.

Discover how our accounting services and tax strategies can benefit your real estate business. Call us now at 703-971-2422 or request a free consultation to find out what we can do for you.

The Top 3 Reasons to Outsource Your Accounting

July 21, 2021 by admin

Group of people having meeting and disscusing While you may think it’s better to take care of your small business accounting tasks in-house, you may be surprised to know that your business can benefit from having a professional accountant or CPA handle the job for you. Here are the top three reasons to outsource your accounting.

1. Peace of Mind

The number one reason for outsourcing your accounting is the peace of mind you will get regarding managing your accounting records. A qualified accountant or CPA on your team allows you to gain access to their professional knowledge and experience. Further, you can even choose an accountant that specializes in your unique business needs. A professional can help you keep your business records accurate and up-to-date. For example, payroll and tax documents will be maintained appropriately and submitted promptly. Timely and accurate accounting reduces your risk of penalties resulting from inaccurate record-keeping or lack of knowledge regarding aspects of accounting like tax laws and deadlines.

2. Focus on Business Development

When you enlist the services of a qualified accountant or CPA to manage your small business accounting needs, you minimize the time that you or your senior staff must spend performing or micromanaging those tasks. Freeing up your time in those areas enhances your ability to maintain a keen focus on the day-to-day tasks your business faces and any additional business needs that arise. Being able to focus your time on managing and growing your business, you improve operational efficiency. As you develop strategic goals, you can convey those to your outsourced accountant to garner their professional guidance and support when executing and realizing those goals.

3. Save Money

Many small business owners feel that handling accounting tasks in-house is more cost-effective because they can utilize existing staff. However, consider the total cost involved in hiring or training a staff member to manage your business’s accounting needs. There is also the associated time expenditure related to supervising an employee who manages the accounting. For a dedicated in-house staff member to handle the task, you must consider the additional costs of payroll, payroll taxes, and employee benefits. There is also employee turnover to consider, which, if high, could lead to additional training and expenses. By not electing to have a full-time dedicated employee handle accounting in-house, you also save on space and technology required to accommodate that individual.

For these reasons – and more such as getting timely financial advice, understanding cash flow, and maximizing your tax savings opportunities – it’s time to outsource your business’s accounting needs. What you gain far outweighs the cost.

Contact our firm to find out how we can create a package of accounting services for your small business.

Call us today at 703-971-2422 or request a free consultation and let us explain how we can create a package of accounting and bookkeeping services around the needs of your business. Serving both Fairfax and Leesburg areas.

Tax Credit Opportunities

June 28, 2021 by admin

Handsome young businessman working Tax deductions aren’t the only things to consider when looking for ways to reduce your tax bill. There are a number of tax credits that you may be able to claim. A tax credit reduces your tax liability dollar for dollar (and, in some instances, may be fully or partially “refundable” to the extent of any excess credit).

Child-Related Credits

In 2021, parents of children under age 18 may claim a child tax credit of up to $3,000 per qualified child ($3,600 for a child under six years old). The child tax credit is phased out for higher income taxpayers. A different credit of up to $14,440 (for 2021) is available for the payment of qualified adoption expenses, such as adoption fees, attorney fees, and court costs. The credit is phased out at certain income levels, and there are certain restrictions as to the tax year in which the credit is available. Look into claiming the child and dependent care credit if you pay for the care of a child under age 13 while you work. It’s available for a percentage of up to $8,000 of qualifying expenses ($16,000 for two or more dependents) in 2021. This credit isn’t confined to child care expenses — it may also be applicable for the care of a disabled spouse or another adult dependent.

Higher Education Credits

The American Opportunity credit can be as much as $2,500 annually (per student) for the payment of tuition and related expenses for the first four years of college. A different credit — known as the Lifetime Learning credit — is available for undergraduate or graduate tuition and for job training courses (maximum credit of $2,000 per tax return). You’re not allowed to claim both credits for the same student’s expenses, and both credits are subject to income-based phaseouts and other requirements.

Sometimes Overlooked

One credit that taxpayers sometimes miss is the credit for excess Social Security tax withheld. If you work for two or more employers and your combined wages total more than the Social Security taxable wage base ($142,800 in 2021), too much Social Security tax will be withheld from your pay. You can claim the excess as a credit against your income tax. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit is another credit that’s easy to overlook. If you paid the AMT last year, you may be able to take a credit for at least some of the AMT you paid. The credit is available only for AMT paid with respect to certain “deferral preference” items, such as the adjustment required when incentive stock options are exercised.

Your tax professional can provide more details regarding these and other tax credits that may be available to you.

From small businesses to individuals, our Fairfax, VA CPA firm applies the same level of dedication to every client, with sound tax strategies and unsurpassed attention to detail. Call our office now at 703-971-2422 to discover how we can decrease your tax obligations. We welcome new clients and offer a free consultation so contact us today.

The Top 5 Ways Businesses Get in Trouble With the IRS

May 20, 2021 by admin

stressed out person because of irs As a small business owner, you probably know that willfully avoiding paying taxes will lead to severe problems with the IRS; however, IRS problems aren’t always a result of a business owner’s intentional actions. These are five ways business owners can get into trouble with the IRS that they might overlook or not realize.

1. Under-Reporting Income

All business income must be reported to the IRS. Even if you are a freelancer, receive contract payments, or are paid in cash, you must let the IRS know or risk hefty fines and penalties on top of the tax you owe on that income. Some individual self-employed people fail to pay taxes – either due to lack of knowledge about tax laws or evasion – and do not realize they are responsible for up to six years of back tax returns. Take note that if you do need to file back tax returns, many deductions are not claimable on more than the most recent three returns. Additional years, up to six, must be filed; however, the benefit of deductions is lost beyond three years.

2. Over-Reporting Expenses

Keep business expenses separate, preferably paid from a separate account and with a separate credit card, so that your expenses do not get mixed in with those for your business. The most common over-reported expenses are private travel being claimed and business travel and private miles driven and claimed as business miles. If you’re not sure what qualifies as an actual business expense, consult with your tax preparer or accountant. For a business expense to be deductible, it must be ordinary and necessary. An “ordinary” expense is common and accepted in your business; a “necessary” expense is helpful and appropriate for your business. Expenses like the cost of goods sold (for manufacturing businesses) and capital expenses (costs that are part of your investment in your business) are figured separately from business expenses.

3. Failing to Report “Trust Fund Taxes”

As an employer, you must withhold taxes from employee earnings. Those taxes are not paid to employees as wages and are held “in trust” until paid to the U.S. Treasury. Thus, the name “trust fund taxes.” These are income tax, Social Security, and Medicare taxes (aka “withholdings”). Sales tax is also considered a “trust fund” tax since it is collected from someone else like a customer or client and held until paid to the Treasury. These taxes must be paid and reported to the proper taxing authority and cannot be used for operating or financing a business. If they are, and they are not reported, it is considered tax fraud.

4. Forgetting the Self-Employment Tax

Just like an employer must withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from employees, if you are self-employed, you must pay self-employment (SE) tax, consisting of Social Security and Medicare taxes, to the Treasury. The SE tax is 15.3 percent (12.4 percent for social security (old-age, survivors, and disability insurance) and 2.9 percent for Medicare (hospital insurance) of net self-employment income in addition to income taxes. That means it is calculated after expenses are deducted. Note that SE tax does not include any other taxes that self-employed individuals may be required to file, so these individuals must consult their tax preparer or accountant to be sure they are paying all the required taxes. Also, self-employed individuals can deduct the employer-equivalent portion of the SE tax when calculating their adjusted gross income (AGI). Also, keep in mind that the tax is paid only on net self-employment earnings, that is, income after expenses are deducted.

5. Not Paying Estimated Quarterly Taxes

As a small business owner, you do not have taxes withheld from a formal paycheck as wage-earning employees do. However, that does not mean there are no taxes due to the IRS. If a small business owner anticipates a tax liability of $1,000 or more, they must send estimated quarterly tax payments to the IRS. Not doing so can lead to a whopping end-of-year tax bill with penalties, too.

We’ll work hard to resolve your IRS tax problems! Don’t prolong the stress and anxiety about back taxes, tax penalties, and mounting interest. Call us today at 703-971-2422 or request a free consultation online right now.

Business Meals are Deductible Again: Here’s What You Need to Know

April 21, 2021 by admin

Three Businesspeople Having Meeting In Outdoor Restaurant The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 brings a favorite business tax deduction back to life. The so-called “three-martini lunch” is in vogue once again; however, not everyone is happy about it. So, what does this mean for businesses? Read on to learn more about the deduction and the associated pros and cons.

What is the Three-Martini Lunch Tax Deduction?

There was a time – up until the mid-1980s – that business owners and executives could take a 100 percent tax deduction for entertaining clients, colleagues, or even themselves (as it was not unheard of for personal expenses to be grouped in with “business expenses”).

The somewhat scoffing name of the deduction – the Three-Martini Lunch – comes from these lavish “business expenses” that sometimes included leisurely lunches (complete with cocktails), rounds of golf, sporting event tickets, and even vacations. However, under tax laws at the time, as long as the activities were conducted in the name of entertaining clients, they could be deducted on a business’ federal return.

What Changed?

The Tax Reform Act of 1986 eliminated or significantly reduced many tax deductions, including putting a severe halt to businesses’ total deductions for entertaining potential or current clients. Beginning in 1987, the business meal deduction decreased from 100 to 80 percent. Further, the Act called for any part of the meal that was considered “lavish and extravagant” to be excluded from the amount used to calculate the deduction (although no accurate guidance was provided on what constituted “lavish and extravagant”).

Over the years, the deduction was further reduced, and finally, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 repealed the entertainment allowance and scaled the business meal deduction down to 50 percent. The deduction applied only to expenses encountered during actual business activities or active discussions.

Of course, there were caveats and loopholes associated with the changes; however, those loopholes no longer seem necessary as, after more than 30 years, the 100 percent deduction is restored. This increase is due to the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA 2021).

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021

Championed by the White House and Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, the Act increases the deduction to 100 percent so that businesses can deduct the total cost of business meals on federal taxes. This increase in deduction occurred by way of an amendment to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 that makes an exception to the 50 percent rule until January 1, 2023.

What You Should Know

For expenses to be fully deductible, they must be paid or incurred during 2021 or 2022, and the food and beverages claimed must be provided by a restaurant. The Act does not explicitly apply this full deduction to entertainment expenses. Intended to help the flailing restaurant industry during the global pandemic, the Act leaves many business personnel with questions. For example, what constitutes a “restaurant”? (this is not clearly defined in the IRS code).

For some guidance, Section 4.01 of Part III of the IRS procedural guide for taxpayers who own or operate a restaurant or tavern deems a “restaurant” to be a place where “food and beverages are prepared to customer order for immediate on-premises or off-premises consumption. Examples are full-service restaurants, limited-service eating places, cafeterias, special food services (like food service contractors, caterers, and mobile food services), and bars, taverns, and other drinking places.”

Another question taxpayers are asking is how should non-food and beverage expenses be handled? (there is no accurate guidance on entertainment expenses).

As you consider these and other questions regarding the new deduction guidelines, also consider some of the proposed pros and cons of the ruling.

Pros and Cons of the Three-Martini Lunch

Returning to a full deduction for business meals and entertainment has been praised and criticized regarding how the change will impact businesses and the economy in general.

Some suggested benefits include:

An increase in business will help restaurants and bars reopen in the time of the global pandemic.
New employment for those out of work and reemployment for furloughed food service employees.
A limited-time (two-year) action to bolster the foodservice industry during the pandemic.

Some of the criticisms of the Act are that:

This deduction robs tax relief funds that are more important.
It could be challenging to eliminate the deduction when the two-year limit comes.
The benefit will extend only to the wealthy who do not need immediate tax relief.
Only large, high-end restaurants that serve wealthy business clientele will benefit.

These and other points of interest – as well as many questions – will likely arise as the tax year unfolds. To address these, it is always best for business owners to consult with a tax professional.

Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

April 20, 2021 by admin

Eligible small employers who provide health care coverage to their employees can receive a Small Business Health Care Tax Credit from the Federal government. Here’s what you need to know about who qualifies and how to take advantage of the credit.

What is the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit?

Small business owners make numerous decisions about employee benefits. For example, the type of benefits offered can entice the most desirable candidates to apply for their company’s positions. The right type of benefits can also boost employee retention. An excellent employee benefit to consider is health insurance. If that’s a perk being offered, the small business health care tax credit is a feature of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that may be of interest. The tax credit is limited to employers with less than 25 employees, and it operates as a sliding-scale credit based on the size of the employer. The larger the employer, the smaller the tax credit. The maximum credit is 50 percent of premiums paid (35 percent for tax-exempt employers).

Qualifying small employers can take advantage of the small business health care tax credit for two consecutive tax years providing the business owes no taxes during those years. The credit can also be carried forward or back to other tax years. Any excess amount paid for health insurance premiums over the allowable credit can be claimed as a business expense.

Who qualifies for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit?

As mentioned above, the small business health care tax credit is for small employers with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees (FTE). Note that the FTE concept is based on hours worked rather than the actual number of employees.

Other qualifications include that:

The employer pays less than $50,000 a year per FTE in average wages. Determining FTEs and average annual wages should be done by your qualified tax preparer, CPA, or via guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The employer offers a qualified health plan to employees through a Small Business Health Options Program Marketplace (SHOP).

The employer pays at least 50 percent of the employee’s premium cost. (Not family or dependent premium cost.)

What about Tax-exempt Organizations?

Tax-exempt organizations are also eligible for the small business health care tax credit. In this case, the credit is refundable to the extent that it does not exceed income tax withholdings or Medicare tax liability. Refunds to tax-exempt organizations are reduced by the current fiscal year sequestration rate. For an explanation of sequestration and how it impacts the small business health care tax credit, consult your tax advisor or accountant.

How do small businesses take advantage of the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit?

To claim the small business health care tax credit, the IRS requires Form 8941 (Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums) to be filled out and submitted. For small businesses, the amount should be included as part of the general business credit on the company’s federal tax return. The amount should be included on Form 990-T (Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return) for tax-exempt organizations. Note: this form must be filed for a tax-exempt organization to claim the small business health care tax credit, even if the business does not typically file that form.

Small business owners may find that offering perks like health insurance aren’t beyond their economic reach with incentives like this. As always, a trusted tax professional is the place to turn regarding this and other tax credits for small businesses.