Tax Topics

The chief executive of Credit Suisse recently appeared in front of a Senate subcommittee to answer questions related to the bank’s role in aiding tax evasion. A similar hearing in 2008 resulted in a $780 million fine for Swiss bank UBS after the bank admitted helping U.S. taxpayers shield assets to avoid taxes. In conjunction […]

A QTIP trust, despite its silly name, is a valuable estate planning tool. QTIP, or “Qualified Terminable Interest Property” is a name derived from the tax law that legalises the tax benefits of the trust. When property is given to a spouse outright (not subject to a trust), it qualifies for what is known as […]

Eli S. Noff, Esq.,CPA, PartnerBrent Conrad In an effort to reduce persistent high unemployment rates resulting from the 2008 financial crisis, President Obama signed The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010 (HIRE Act)1to incentivize employers to hire and retain workers. Tax incentives provided in the HIRE Act included: (1) a payroll tax holiday, […]

Eli S. Noff, Esq., CPA, Partner Under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §6013(d)(3), spouses who file joint income tax returns are subject to joint and several liability for the income tax reported on those returns. In other words, the IRS will hold each spouse responsible for the entire amount of tax due. Sometimes, however, one spouse […]

Eli S. Noff, Esq. CPA It is undisputed that U.S. individuals who own foreign companies were treated unfavorably under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) compared to U.S. corporate shareholders. However, an election that allows individuals to treat themselves as corporations can, in the right circumstances, help alleviate the harsh results. Changes […]

Eli Noff, Partner On June 21, 2018, the Supreme Court delivered its highly anticipated decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al.[1]The 5-4 decision discards the antiquated “physical presence rule” — a rule which has allowed retailers lacking a physical presence in a state to avoid any obligation to collect and remit sales taxes. […]

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced a major expansion of its Offer in Compromise program, which is aimed at helping individuals with past-due to taxes to pay off their debts to the IRS. Taxpayers who participate in the program are permitted to settle their tax debts for less than they owe if they are unable […]

According to the February 21, 2018, IRS news release, IR-2018-32, there are still circumstances for which interest on home equity loans is still deductible under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The IRS has now clarified that “taxpayers can often still deduct interest on a home equity loan, home equity line of credit […]

Leanne Broyles, Esq. Part I Everyone has their own personal reasons for charitable giving, whether it be sharing with those less fortunate, supporting an alma mater, or assisting a deserving cause or an organization that means something to them. Regardless of your charitable motives, before making a substantial gift or bequest to a charity, you […]

Glen E. Frost, Managing Partner When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the C corporation tax rate from 35% to 21%, it also created a significant tax break for flow-through entities and structures in an attempt to level the playing field for small businesses.1As such, beginning January 1, 2018, S corporations, partnerships, limited liability […]