Make your legacy last by educating your children about wealth management
January 11, 2021 Knowledge Center
Make your legacy last by educating your children about wealth management

If you’ve worked to build a large estate, you undoubtedly would like to leave a lasting legacy to your children and future generations. Educating your children about saving, investing and other money management skills can help keep your legacy alive. Teaching techniques There’s no one right way to teach your children about money. The best […]

The Complex Importance of Basis in Partnerships
January 7, 2021 Knowledge Center
The Complex Importance of Basis in Partnerships

by Nicky Lipset, CPA   You may think of basis mainly in terms of selling an interest in stock or selling a house, but there are many implications of basis in diverse transactions. Keeping track of basis, in partnerships specifically, is important as it can create tax implications based on various factors. Below are some […]

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Heralds Many Tax Changes
December 28, 2020 COVID-19
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Heralds Many Tax Changes

By Nicholas Sanchez, J.D., LL.M. Taxation   Sunday night, December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, H.R. 133, Division M of which includes the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CRRSAA” or “the Act”). The Act contains many tax provisions, one of the most anticipated being clarification on the […]

The next estimated tax deadline is January 15 if you have to make a payment
December 23, 2020 Knowledge Center
The next estimated tax deadline is January 15 if you have to make a payment

If you’re self-employed and don’t have withholding from paychecks, you probably have to make estimated tax payments. These payments must be sent to the IRS on a quarterly basis. The fourth 2020 estimated tax payment deadline for individuals is Friday, January 15, 2021. Even if you do have some withholding from paychecks or payments you […]

With a flick of the switch: Build an on-off mechanism into your estate plan
December 23, 2020 Knowledge Center
With a flick of the switch: Build an on-off mechanism into your estate plan

When planning your estate, it’s critical to balance estate tax planning and income tax planning. The rub is that, currently, strategies for reducing estate taxes generally focus on removing assets from your estate, while strategies for reducing income taxes generally focus on including assets in it. Even if you have an estate plan in place that’s tax-smart now, changes […]

Miller Kaplan Names New Managing Partner
December 17, 2020 Press Releases
Miller Kaplan Names New Managing Partner

Miller Kaplan, a top-100 certified public accounting firm, is pleased to announce that Michael Kaplan, CPA has been elected by his fellow partners to serve as Managing Partner, effective January 1, 2021. “The partners are all very focused on how the firm can continue to evolve its services and technology to best serve our clients […]

Can you qualify for a medical expense tax deduction?
December 16, 2020 Knowledge Center
Can you qualify for a medical expense tax deduction?

You may be able to deduct some of your medical expenses, including prescription drugs, on your federal tax return. However, the rules make it hard for many people to qualify. But with proper planning, you may be able to time discretionary medical expenses to your advantage for tax purposes. Itemizers must meet a threshold For […]

IRS releases final instructions for payroll tax form related to COVID-19 relief
December 8, 2020 COVID-19
IRS releases final instructions for payroll tax form related to COVID-19 relief

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government enacted legislation that includes deferral of the employer’s portion of Social Security tax. The IRS then significantly revised Form 941-X, “Adjusted Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund,” to allow for adjustments and corrections to COVID-19 tax relief on previously filed Forms 941. The IRS recently released the […]

Steer clear of the wash sale rule if you’re selling stock by year end
December 4, 2020 Knowledge Center
Steer clear of the wash sale rule if you’re selling stock by year end

Are you thinking about selling stock shares at a loss to offset gains that you’ve realized during 2020? If so, it’s important not to run afoul of the “wash sale” rule. IRS may disallow the loss Under this rule, if you sell stock or securities for a loss and buy substantially identical stock or securities […]

Only specific trusts are eligible to hold S corporation stock
December 3, 2020 Knowledge Center
Only specific trusts are eligible to hold S corporation stock

S corporations must comply with several strict requirements or risk losing their tax-advantaged status. Among other things, they can have no more than 100 shareholders, no more than one class of stock and only certain types of shareholders. In an estate planning context, it’s critical that any trusts that own S corporation stock — or […]

Cutoffs: What counts in 2020 vs. 2021
December 1, 2020 Knowledge Center
Cutoffs: What counts in 2020 vs. 2021

As year end approaches, it’s a good idea for calendar-year entities to review the guidelines for recognizing revenue and expenses. There are specific rules regarding accounting cutoffs under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Strict observance of these rules is generally the safest game plan. The basics Companies that follow GAAP must use the accrual […]

2021 COLAs for popular fringe benefits
November 27, 2020 Knowledge Center
2021 COLAs for popular fringe benefits

The IRS recently released 2021 cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for a wide variety of tax-related limits, including those related to many popular fringe benefits. Here are some highlights to be aware of: Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). For 2021, the dollar limit on employee salary reduction contributions to health FSAs will remain at $2,750. Qualified transportation fringe […]