Higginbotham Companies, Inc.

If you own a business and have someone helping you this article is for you.  Especially, if you classify them as subcontractors and they may actually be an employee.  Be advised, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has prioritized this relationship as a priority to investigate.  Worker Classification Remains a Priority for the IRS.  They continue to seek back payroll taxes and penalties from firms that wrongly treat workers as contractors.  There are three tests used to determine the correct classification of workers.  First, the behavioral test looks at whether the firm controls or has the right to control the worker’s job. Key factors for employee status include instructions about doing the work, evaluation criteria and training.   Second, the financial test looks at who controls the economics of the worker’s job.  Being able to work for multiple firms and providing your own tools needed for the job are indicative of independent contractor status.  Some factors favoring employee status are eligibility for reimbursement of travel costs and payment based on hours worked.  And third, the type-of-relationship test examines how the parties perceive each other.  Evidence of an employer-employee setup includes giving paid sick days, vacation days, and retirement benefits, as well as hiring the worker to render services indefinitely, rather than for a specific time period or project.  Written language in a contract stating the worker is an independent contractor isn’t the determinative under this factor. Businesses must weigh all these factors when determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor.  With these three test in mind, some factors may indicate the worker is an employee, while other factors indicate that the worker is an independent contractor.  There is no “magic” or set number of factors that “makes” the worker an employee or an independent contractor and no one factor stands alone in making this determination.  Also, factors which are relevant in one situation may not be relevant in another.  If it is still unclear whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor after reviewing the three categories of evidence, you may file the Form SS-8, Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding, with the IRS for their review.  The form may be filed by either the business or the worker.  The IRS will review the facts and circumstances and officially determine the worker’s status.  The Labor Dept. is also getting aggressive about worker classification.  It issued a tougher interpretation of the classification rules for workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  The proposed regs would rescind previous rules published by the Trump administration in early January 2021.  The new proposal, which focuses on the totality of the circumstances, has a nonexhaustive list of factors for a firm to consider in determining whether its workers are employees or contractors. The rule, if finalized as proposed, is expected to increase the number of workers that are classified as employees when compared with the 2021 regulations.  In closing, to our clients, THANK YOU!!!.  Because of you, our office had another successful tax season.  Also, to the many of you who read my articles, THANK YOU.  I hope it helps.  For additional details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, contact your tax advisor or call us at your earliest convenience.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants.

During tax season I have been finding a number of taxpayers are wondering why they are only getting a couple hundred dollars as a refund, if they’re lucky.  Well, the new calculation method for your W-4 is to reduce your withholding requirements and it brings your tax filing results to a minimum amount of refund.  This also means the large refunds, you normally received, from tax credits when you did your taxes, is now reducing your normal withholding tax requirements.  The credits are being paid to you in advance over the course of the year in your paycheck.  Well, the end result is there isn’t any more large refunds to pay the real estate taxes, buy a new lawn mower or refrigerator, replace the privacy fence, etc.  Additionally, it has a significant impact to divorced parents when they claim their dependent every other year.  This means each parent will need to file a new W-4, each year, to change the dependent information in Step 3, for proper withholding requirements for the coming year.  If you really didn’t like the outcome to your refund this year and would like to increase it to where it was.  You may remain compliant with the proper filing of you W-4 and elect to have an additional amount withheld by entering the amount on Step 4, line c.  In other words, if you were expecting a $2,000 child tax credit, you could divide the $2,000 by the number paychecks you will receive for the year.  This would give you the amount to have extra withheld.  For example: $2,000 divided by 52 paychecks for the year equals approximately $40 a paycheck extra needs to be withheld and resulting in you getting your $2,000 at the end of the year.  This is your choice, get it now through the year with a minimum refund, or adjust it for the larger refund for the end of the year.  I know it’s confusing and you may need to talk with a tax professional to help you understand this better.  On another note, this also means there isn’t any funds available to cover unexpected taxable income when there isn’t any tax withholding done.  This may result in an estimated tax payment requirement to avoid the underpayment of estimated tax penalty.  One other thing to remember, when you take a distribution from a 401(k) there is a requirement to have up to 20% withheld for taxes.  This gives you the false pretense this will cover the tax on this distribution.  This is not correct if you’re under 59 ½.  The distribution is subject to withholding tax and a majority will be at 12% or 22%.  There is also a 10% premature distribution penalty for being under 59 ½.  Add the two together, the tax liability resulting is 22% or 32% and with only 20% withheld, you can see more will be owed on the distribution.  The problem is, since there isn’t any extra refund dollars to cover the difference.  So, evaluate your circumstances when the funds are distributed or you may a have a surprise when you do your taxes.  That’s it for this month.  More good tax stuff next month.  Remember, this is a very brief overview.  It is your responsibility to discuss any tax and financial changes with your professional advisor for assistance in evaluating your situation.  For details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, you may contact our office at your earliest convenience or contact your advisor.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants.

Here we are again and tax season under way.  So far, I have been upfront with providing clients with an estimate for their tax preparation fees.  And as usual, I have already heard comments of dissatisfaction as to why we are charging so much; wow!; that’s not what I paid last year; I’ll just do them myself; or they just hang up.  I want to know, when you go to the grocery store, do you go up to the manager and provide him with a list of your groceries and evaluate if you’re going to buy them at that store, and do you go to another store and do the same to evaluate where you’re going to buy your groceries.  When you need gas, do you evaluate whether you’re going to pay the price or go without.  There isn’t any negotiating.  So, why does everyone think tax preparation haggling is appropriate. On behalf of all the Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants, and Attorney’s, you need to understand what it takes and why a deserving reasonable fee is appropriate.  Your advisor is a well-educated individual and we use the U.S. Master Tax Guide (the Guide), the Tax Code, and many other resource documents when preparing a tax return.  In 1995, the Guide has 669 pages, in 2003, the Guide has 768 pages, and now the 2023 Guide has 944 pages.  This is due to all annual tax law changes dealing with COVID, retirement distributions, depreciation, itemized deductions changing to possibly the standard deduction, child tax credit, earned income credit, education credits, filing status, divorce issues, head of household filing status, health care premium tax credit, and gift tax, estate, and trust tax returns, corporate returns, partnership returns, bit coin, sell of real estate, capital gain tax, and you wonder why our charge is what it is.  The complexity of the law is at hand, it’s all you have to do is enter the information on a form.  It’s why we enter the information on the form and what line.  You are buying knowledge.  When someone gives you a fee that is substantially lower than ours, you better ask yourself why.  Does this preparer have the knowledge need to prepare my tax return, how many tax returns do they prepare, how many years of experience do they have, will they be able to represent you in audits, how many hours of continuing education do they take annually, will they meet with you to permit you a chance to build your trust and confidence having them become your preparer?  So, when they are upfront and give you their estimated $520 tax preparation fee, remember, you are buying knowledge, you are buying a valuable service, and you are buying trust.  When you ask them a question, the answer may be saving you thousands of dollars or costing you thousands of dollars, if you get the wrong information, it’s your lost, not theirs.  So, be careful, don’t risk a reasonable fee to get the knowledge, value, and trust you are receiving when the event comes about.  Be advised, like everywhere else, inflation is pumping up tax prep costs and it’s worth every penny for the tax preparer’s knowledge, value, and trust.  On a last note, ask your friends, your colleagues, and your parents, for a referral for a tax advisor, meet with them, have your questions ready, and make sure you’re confident they will provide the services you feel comfortable in receiving.  This is a very brief overview.  For details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, call us at your earliest convenience or contact your tax advisor.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants. 

I want to start this month’s article with options involving identity protection the Internal Revenue Service Center (IRS) provides.  They have tools you may access by signing into your account.  You will be requested to provide your sign-in utilizing your ID.me account.  Taxpayers using the new verification procedure, which is also mobile friendly, can gain entry to existing IRS online services such as the Child Tax Credit Update Portal, Online Account, Get Transcripts Online, Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) and Online Payment Agreement. Additional IRS applications will transition to the new method over the next year.  Be advised, there are a number of tax changes coming up beginning January 1, 2023.  One item is dealing with Inherited Retirement Arrangements.  In prior years a beneficiary was permitted to take the required minimum distributions over their life expectancy.  Well, the Secure Act of 2019 changed this rule.  Now, a majority of beneficiaries will have to distribute the entire amount the retirement account within ten (10) years.  In 2021 and 2022, the interpretation of the law was thought to be any amount and anytime during this period.  This has now been determined as incorrect.  Recently, IRS issued a clarification and has stated a required minimum distribution is required each year during the ten (10) year period and IRS will provide a table detailing the distribution requirements in early 2023.  Now, if you didn’t take any distributions during 2021 and 2022, that’s okay.  IRS has stated no penalty will be assessed due to this misunderstanding on the intent and requirement of the law.  Next, let’s talk about who prepares your taxes.  Did you know, anyone can be a paid tax return preparer, as long as they have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN).  However, these PTIN preparers have differing levels of skills, education and expertise.  Also, they may prepare your tax return, but they can’t represent you in audit or any inquiry by IRS, unless they prepared the return.  You may pay more for an Enrolled Agent, CPA, or an Attorney, but it’s worth it in the long run.  Their continuing education requirements can be invaluable.  If you want, at irs.gov, there is a “Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications” where it can help you find preparers in our area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record Completion.  You can also check with professional organizations where many tax preparers are members.  It is in your best interest to learn about your tax preparer’s las credenciales y calificaciones before your appointment and make sure you’re comfortable to trust them to prepare your tax return.  Remember, you are ultimately responsible for the return, not your preparer or friend.  In closing, we wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!  This is a very brief overview. For details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, call us at your earliest convenience or contact your tax advisor.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants.   

This month I want to remind everyone how to protect yourselves from fraudulent filing of your tax return. The IRS has a procedure enabling you to acquire a Personal Identification Number (PIN).  The procedure is simple, and you use it while you file your return so that your identity can be confirmed. The IP PIN is a six-digit number known only to you and IRS. After you apply, the IRS will send you a new IP PIN each year.  From IRS.gov use the “Get an IP Pin” tool. If you don’t have an account on IRS.com you will need to register first. The IP PIN tool is generally available starting in mid-January through mid-November, so you may want to set a reminder on your calendar. You can also obtain an IP PIN for your spouse and dependents. In the event you lose it, you will be able to retrieve it by signing back and follow the instructions under “retrieve your IP now.”  Next the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the inflation-adjusted marginal rates and brackets for 2023, and you find higher take-home pay in the new year as less tax is withheld from their paychecks. The standard deduction will increase by $900 to $13,850 for single taxpayers, $1,800 for married couples, to $27,700., and for heads of household, it will increase $1,400 to $20,800. That's an increase of $1,400.  The marginal tax rates have been adjusted to reduce the tax on your taxable income approximately 10%, for the 10% bracket and it flows out from there. The maximum Earned Income Tax Credit will be $7,430 for those who have three or more qualifying children. The maximum contribution to a health care flexible spending account is also increasing, from $2,850 to $3,050.  Every individual is permitted an annual exclusion for gifts and it will increase to $17,000, that’s $34,000 for married couples.  Don’t forget all Social Security Benefit recipients will receive an increase of 8.7% and the premium for your Part B coverage will drop from $170.10, monthly, to $164.90, beginning January 1, 2023.  Your contributions to your 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased to $22,500, up from $20,500.  Individual IRA’s has increased to $6,500, up from $6,000. Catch up contribution for your IRA  remains at $1,000, if aged 50 or over.  However, for your 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is increased to $7,500, up from $6,500.  And, the catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in SIMPLE plans is increased to $3,500, up from $3,000.  Also, as we close out the year, you may need to evaluate Required Minimum Distributions from inheritance, contributions to your retirement arrangements, review your investments and be sure to evaluate your tax preparer assistance credibility, years in practice, credentials, and most of all, ask around to see who they trust when making this decision. In closing, myself, and my staff, wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season, with success and love in the New Year. God Bless!  This is a very brief overview.   For details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, call us at your earliest convenience or contact your tax advisor.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has now provided additional clarification on the required minimum distributions on Inherited Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRA) for non-spouse beneficiaries.  The Secure Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) of 2019, changed the distribution rules from over the beneficiary lifetime to a distribution of ten (10) years.  The industry interpretation was understood the distributions could occur all at once or in multiple distributions and all funds had to be distributed on or before the tenth (10) anniversary of receiving the inheritance.  Well, in February 2022, the IRS issued a proposed regulation surprising the tax preparation industry and stated the required minimum distribution was required each year based on the beneficiary life expectancy, if they were 72 years or older.  So, in 2021 and 2022, if you didn’t take your required minimum distribution on the Inherited IRA, you have until 2023 to take your first required minimum distribution or perhaps later, when final regulations are issued.  Now, what this means is anyone 72, or older, is required to take their required minimum distributions on the inherited IRA for the years remaining and you still have to distribute all of the inherited IRA funds within ten (10) years.  One other note, if you should die before reaching the tenth-year anniversary, then your beneficiary(ies) will be required to still meet the tenth-year anniversary full distribution requirement.  I know, you need to be a tax professional to understand this, and I highly recommend seeking advice on this issue.  What about the penalty for not taking out the required minimum distributions for 2021 and 2022.  The IRS has stated no penalties will be assessed for failure to take the distributions, since there was substantial confusion on the requirement and if you did pay the penalty, you may request a refund of the penalty paid.  Final regulations are expected by the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023.  On a business note, if you applied for a Payroll Protection Program loan is forgiven based upon misrepresentations or omissions, the business will not be eligible to exclude the forgiveness from income and are required to file amended returns to be compliant.  Remember, taxes are complicated, and I recommend you seek adequate advice on any issue you are not familiar with.  It can result in a substantial tax liability, as easy as checking a box incorrectly.  I also want to express how thankful I am to provide my monthly article for you.  Our office hopes you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and grateful for what you have.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!  See you in the Christmas Parade!!! This is a very brief overview.   For details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, call us at your earliest convenience or contact your tax advisor.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants.

I took most of this from the Internal Revenue Service Center Tax Tips.  This information is covering the question if your hobby activity is for-profit or a not-for-profit.  So of us, from collecting stamps and woodworking to crafting and quilting, we have all kinds of hobbies – and most of these hobbies will never turn a profit.  For hobbies that do earn income, you should know you are required to report it on your tax return.  You should also be mindful that your hobby might be a business.  You need to determine whether you should classify the activity as a hobby or a business and this can be confusing.  However, the bottom line is when a business operates to make a profit, it requires reporting. Most of the time where you hobbies for sport or recreation is usually not-for-profit.  With that, no single consideration is the deciding factor, but you should review all of these when determining whether your activity is a business.  Here are the things you should evaluate to decide whether you have a hobby or a business:  Is your activity carrying out the activity in a businesslike manner and you maintain complete and accurate books and records?  Does your time and effort in the activity show you intend to make it profitable?  Do you depend on income from the activity for your livelihood?  Are any losses due to circumstances beyond your control or are normal for the startup phase of this type of business?  Do you take the action to change methods of operation to improve profitability?  Do you have the knowledge or have consulted with another professional to attain the knowledge needed to carry out the activity as a successful business?  Have you been successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past?  Does the activity make a profit in some years and how much profit does it make?  Do you expect your activity to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.  As you can see, it really isn’t easy to determine whether your activity is for-profit or not-for-profit and I would recommend you discuss your circumstances with your tax adviser in making your decision.  Next, I want to address a response from one of our readers, sent to the editor, since my last article.  I want to say thank you for providing your feedback.  After writing articles for something like 3 decades, it makes me feel good someone is actually reading what I offer each month.  So, with that, thank you for reading and I hope everyone continues to read it in the future.  God Bless America and the First Amendment - Freedom of Speech.  On another note – Medicare Annual Enrollment Period begins October 15, 2022, through December 7, 2022.  Anyone covered by a Medicare Advantage Prescription Plan or Prescription Drug Plans needs to determine if the one they have is still the best one for them.  All insurance companies make changes to the formularies, copays, and premiums and some issue new plans, every year.  Take my advice and consult with your insurance agent.  If you don’t have one, call my office for an appointment, it’s free.  This is only brief overview.  It is your responsibility to discuss anything in this article, prior to making any changes, with your professional advisor to assist you in evaluating your situation.  For details and specific assistance in applying the general information in this article, call us at your earliest convenience or contact your professional advisor.   Provided by Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, a member of the National Society of Accountants.

Hace un año, mi artículo comenzaba con esto. “Recién llegado de las Divisiones de Pequeñas Empresas y Criminal del Servicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS). La división ha declarado que contratará a miles de auditores para septiembre. Esto fue puesto a disposición por el presidente Biden y el Comité de Asignaciones de la Cámara para proporcionar $ 1.7 mil millones adicionales para el presupuesto del IRS del año fiscal 2022. Cita: “Los co-comisionados del IRS SB/SE De Lon Harris y Darren Guillot hablaron en la conferencia. “Vamos a estar listos para comenzar, tan pronto como llegue el presupuesto... para comenzar a traer lo que podría ser el doble de la cantidad de personas que estamos buscando traer este año, solo para el examen”. Señalaron que planean contratar 1300 oficiales de ingresos de campo, 400 oficiales de cumplimiento tributario que estarán disponibles para "auditorías en persona" (anteriormente llamadas "auditorías de oficina") y 518 representantes telefónicos del sistema de cobro automatizado (ACS). Ahora, tienen la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación de 2022. En esta Ley, el IRS está recibiendo $ 80 mil millones de dólares adicionales para la financiación de la aplicación de impuestos del IRS. Simplemente no entiendo a dónde va todo el dinero y todavía no pueden contestar el teléfono de manera oportuna , procesar devoluciones de firma húmeda y solicitar de manera oportuna, y la lista continúa. De todos modos, si este es el plan para contratar y 87,000 nuevos agentes adicionales, los nuevos auditores tardarán seis meses en completar su capacitación y se espera que casos de auditoría por valor de menos de decenas de millones de dólares. En general, entre los años fiscales 2015 y 2019, las auditorías se redujeron alrededor del 44%. con una puntuación numérica. Según la puntuación, es más probable que se inicie una auditoría. O posiblemente, el sistema puede marcar una devolución debido a deducciones o créditos que se encuentran fuera de los rangos aceptables. Por lo tanto, el mejor consejo que puedo darle es que se asegure de tener sus recibos para corroborar los montos informados en su declaración. Otros artículos incluidos en la ley son la derogación de las reglas de reembolso de medicamentos de la era Trump por $ 120 mil millones, el tope de inflación de precios de medicamentos por $ 100 mil millones, la negociación de ciertos precios de medicamentos por $ 100 mil millones, la fabricación de vehículos limpios por $ 20 mil millones, la tecnología de energía limpia por $ 30 mil millones, Reducción de las primas de seguro médico por $64 mil millones y otras exenciones fiscales que no afectan a la mayoría de los contribuyentes. Finalmente, se negociaron muchas políticas clave que cubren planes para nuevos programas de cuidado de niños, vivienda, cuidado de ancianos y licencias pagadas. Mi mi. Ah, y para que conste, el título de la ley nuevamente es Ley de Reducción de la Inflación de 2022. No encontré nada que abordara la inflación que estamos experimentando. Esto incluso fue reconocido y enfatizado por Bernie Sanders. ¡¡¡Guau!!! ¿Qué pensarán el Congreso y nuestro querido presidente a continuación? Se acercan las elecciones intermedias. Le recomiendo que lo piense seriamente y no reelija a los políticos de carrera y limpie nuestra arena política con representantes para la gente y no solo para los líderes de los partidos afiliados.   

Este es un resumen muy breve. Para obtener detalles y asistencia específica en la aplicación de la información general de este artículo, llámenos lo antes posible o comuníquese con su asesor fiscal. Proporcionado por Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, miembro de la Sociedad Nacional de Contadores.

Comencemos este mes con un anuncio que el Centro de Servicio de Impuestos Internos (IRS) hizo recientemente para los dueños de negocios y los contribuyentes correspondientes. Durante los últimos seis meses de 2022, la tarifa estándar por milla aumentará a 62.5¢ por milla. Los contribuyentes pueden usar la tarifa de millaje estándar opcional para calcular los costos deducibles de operar un automóvil con fines comerciales y otros. Además, habrá un aumento a 22¢ por milla para gastos médicos o de mudanza. Ahora, quiero cambiar de dirección y discutir, brevemente, las circunstancias dependientes del niño. Cuando se reclama a un hijo como dependiente y los padres están divorciados, separados o viven separados, se deben seguir ciertas reglas. Solo una persona puede reclamar los beneficios fiscales relacionados con un hijo dependiente, que cumpla con las reglas de hijo calificado. Los padres no pueden compartir o dividir los beneficios fiscales, para el niño, en sus respectivas declaraciones de impuestos. Es importante que cada padre comprenda quién reclamará a su hijo en su declaración de impuestos. Si dos personas intentan reclamar al mismo hijo, en declaraciones de impuestos diferentes, el tiempo de procesamiento será más lento, ya que el IRS no emitirá ningún reembolso hasta que determinen qué reclamo de padre tiene prioridad. Normalmente, el padre con custodia conocerá al hijo calificado debido a la prueba de residencia. También existe un acuerdo en el que ambos padres tienen al niño por igual, entonces el padre con ingresos brutos ajustados más altos se determinaría como el contribuyente apropiado para reclamar al niño. Sin embargo, el padre sin custodia puede ser elegible para reclamar al niño si el padre con custodia proporciona un Formulario 8332 de exención de liberación de dependencia, Liberación/Revocación de liberación de reclamo de exención para un niño por parte del padre con custodia, y el padre sin custodia debe incluir una copia de este formulario completo con su declaración de impuestos para reclamar al niño. Además, esto también se aplica a algunos beneficios fiscales, incluido el crédito fiscal por hijos, el crédito fiscal adicional por hijos y el crédito por otros dependientes. No se aplica a otros beneficios fiscales, como el crédito por ingreso del trabajo, el crédito por cuidado de dependientes o el estado civil de cabeza de familia. Se requiere una comprensión profunda de las reglas, una evaluación adecuada y una comunicación clara entre los padres. El próximo elemento de importancia este mes es donde el IRS anunció que quiere contratar a 470 agentes de ingresos. Estos puestos requerirán conocimientos en auditoría o fiscalización de contribuyentes individuales y/o empresariales. A lo largo de julio de 2022, el IRS llevará a cabo una serie de sesiones informativas virtuales para los solicitantes interesados. Visite IRS.gov para obtener más información sobre los trabajos, cómo calificar y cómo asistir a una sesión de información virtual. Encontrará que la mayoría de los puestos están ubicados fuera de Florida, pero el ingreso anual para la mayoría de los puestos iniciales es de $111,000. Supongo que esto debería dar una idea de lo que esperan aumentar la actividad en el próximo año. Esté preparado para conservar sus recibos, registros y poder justificar su posición en su declaración de impuestos. Espero que todos hayan disfrutado los fuegos artificiales que puso nuestra comunidad este año. ¡Fue increíble y SÚPER GRACIAS a todos los que contribuyeron con fondos, sudor y esfuerzo para que esto sucediera! Esto es solo una breve descripción. Se pueden obtener más detalles y preguntas específicas poniéndose en contacto con su asesor fiscal o con nuestra oficina. Proporcionado por Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, miembro de la Sociedad Nacional de Contadores.

Este mes quiero discutir los aspectos de vender su casa principal. ¿Sabe que puede calificar para excluir la totalidad o parte de cualquier ganancia de la venta? Bueno, debe considerar los siguientes hechos para determinar cuánto se excluye. Debe tener la propiedad y el uso de la misma como su residencia principal, durante al menos 2 años del último período de cinco años. Entonces, ¿cuánto de la ganancia puede excluir? La cantidad es de hasta $250,000 para contribuyentes solteros y hasta $500,000 para contribuyentes casados que presentan una declaración conjunta, sin tener que reinvertir en otra vivienda. Los contribuyentes a los que se les permite excluir todas sus ganancias no necesitan informar la venta en su declaración de impuestos, a menos que se haya emitido un Formulario 1099-S. Los contribuyentes que no califican para excluir toda la ganancia gravable de sus ingresos, deben informar la ganancia de la venta de su casa cuando presenten su declaración de impuestos y cualquier persona que opte por no reclamar la exclusión, debe informar la ganancia gravable en su declaración de impuestos. declaración de impuestos utilizando el Formulario 8949 y el Anexo D. Además, los contribuyentes que reciben el Formulario 1099-S, Producto de Transacciones de Bienes Raíces, deben informar la venta en su declaración de impuestos, incluso si no tienen ganancia gravable, y seguir el procedimiento para excluir la ganancia gravable. ganancia, si así se permite. Ahora, ¿qué pasa si tienes una pérdida? Una pérdida es cuando su casa principal se vende por menos de su base y esto no es deducible. ¿Qué es la base? Este es el precio de compra de la casa y el terreno, parte del costo de cierre de la compra, mejoras y reparaciones importantes, y parte de los costos de cierre de la venta. Esta base se resta del precio de venta para llegar a su ganancia. Oh, su préstamo original, refinanciamiento y préstamos con garantía hipotecaria no son parte de la ecuación para determinar la ganancia o pérdida en la venta de la residencia. Recuerde, los contribuyentes que son propietarios de más de una vivienda, sólo pueden excluir la ganancia por la venta de su vivienda principal donde hayan vivido dos de los últimos cinco años. Cualquier otra venta de casas estará sujeta a impuestos. A continuación, ¿qué sucede si no vivió en esta casa dos de los últimos cinco años? Bueno, se le permite tomar una parte proporcional del período de dos años. Digamos que vivió en la casa exactamente un año de los últimos cinco. Entonces se le permitiría tomar una exclusión del 50% de la ganancia. En otras palabras, 365 días divididos por 730 días equivalen al 50%. Es el número de días como residencia principal, dividido por 730 días, para llegar al porcentaje de exclusión correcto. ¿Qué pasa si compró y vendió más de una casa principal dentro del período de cinco años? ¡Llama a tu asesor fiscal! Hay otras excepciones a lo que he dicho en este breve resumen para los contribuyentes con discapacidades, ciertos miembros de las fuerzas armadas, la comunidad de inteligencia, los trabajadores del Cuerpo de Paz y los desastres naturales. Nuevamente, si se encuentra dentro de una de estas excepciones, deberá consultar a su asesor fiscal. Para obtener información adicional, puede revisar la Publicación 523, Cómo vender su casa. Por último, espero que todos hayan disfrutado los fuegos artificiales del 4 de julio, ¡¡¡Trueno sobre el río Indian!!! Apreciamos la oportunidad de ser un patrocinador principal y quiero agradecer a los miembros de Port St. John Community Foundation, Inc. por sus esfuerzos para hacer de nuestra comunidad una de las mejores para vivir. Especialmente, Randy Rodriguez, Supreme Pyromaniac. ¡Asegúrate de hacérselo saber! Este es un resumen muy breve. Se pueden obtener detalles adicionales y asistencia específica para aplicar la información general de este artículo poniéndose en contacto con su asesor fiscal o con nuestra oficina. Proporcionado por Tracey C. Higginbotham, E.A., (321) 632-5726, miembro de la Sociedad Nacional de Contadores.