The IRS recently announced the 2021 dollar limits and thresholds for retirement plans, reflecting the latest cost-of-living adjustments. Here are some relevant amounts for 401(k)s and similar plans: Annual contributions. The limit on annual contributions to 401(k) and other defined contribution plans will increase to $58,000 (up from $57,000 for 2020). Compensation. The annual limit on compensation […]
Many Americans receive disability income. You may wonder if — and how — it’s taxed. As is often the case with tax questions, the answer is … it depends. The key factor is who paid for the benefit. If the income is paid directly to you by your employer, it’s taxable to you as ordinary […]
by Julia Damasco, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; Nicholas Sanchez, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; Qiva Dinuri, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; and Emily Ransom As we approach the end of calendar year 2020 and head into the information reporting compliance season that begins in January 2021, information return filers[1] need to be aware of changes that will require adjustment to […]
Updated 11.17.2020: Reporting deadlines for tax year 2020 information returns filed in 2021
by Michael Kaplan | While the need for a business to be agile is not new, the hyper-fast, hyper-sensitive manifestation of that this year has really divided the herd – those that can and therefore become “Disruptors,” and those that cannot and are likely to fade out. So what does it mean for your business […]
Portability allows a surviving spouse to apply a deceased spouse’s unused federal gift and estate tax exemption amount toward his or her own transfers during life or at death. For 2020, the exemption amount is $11.58 million, and the IRS just announced that that amount will increase to $11.7 million for 2021. To secure these […]
The subject of payroll has been top-of-mind for business owners this year. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered economic changes that caused considerable fluctuations in the size of many companies’ workforces. Employees have been laid off, furloughed and, in some cases, rehired. There has also been crisis relief for eligible businesses in the form of the Paycheck […]
In a Revenue Procedure, the IRS recently provided information regarding the inflation-adjusted maximum dollar amount that may be made for excepted benefit Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) or other account-based group health plans next year. More specifically, the amount applies to plan years beginning after December 31, 2020, and before January 1, 2022 — referred to as the […]
If you invest in mutual funds, be aware of some potential pitfalls involved in buying and selling shares. Surprise sales You may already have made taxable “sales” of part of your mutual fund investment without knowing it. One way this can happen is if your mutual fund allows you to write checks against your fund […]
On September 30, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) finalized a rule to defer the effective date of the updated long-term insurance standard for a second time. The deferral will give insurers more time to properly implement the changes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Need for change After 12 years of work, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update […]
There are two trust types that don’t require one or more human beneficiaries: charitable trusts and noncharitable purpose (NCP) trusts. A charitable trust is the more common of the two, but an NCP trust could also be a formidable tool to help achieve your estate planning goals. Defining an NCP trust Historically, trusts were required […]
As a result of the current estate tax exemption amount ($11.58 million in 2020), many estates no longer need to be concerned with federal estate tax. Before 2011, a much smaller amount resulted in estate plans attempting to avoid it. Now, because many estates won’t be subject to estate tax, more planning can be devoted […]