You've likely heard about the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the South Dakota vs. Wayfair, Inc. case, and its impacts on the e-commerce industry, consumers, and state and local governments. The June 2018 ruling overturned decades of precedent when it comes to the taxation of revenue from out-of-state sales, allowing states to collect tax where they previously could not.
But did you know that the ruling will also impact buyers and sellers of businesses?
Tax planning is always a good idea, but this year it is especially critical. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) making sweeping changes that impact virtually every taxpayer, and looming additional legislative action following the mid-term elections, new strategies should be considered to maximize your tax savings.
If you receive a paycheck, you have probably noticed an increase in take home pay this year. No, it's not from an unexpected raise, but rather a decrease in the amount of income tax withheld. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made sweeping changes to the tax law, not the least of which is new lower income tax withholding rates. But before you go out and spend all of that extra money, keep in mind that withholding only represents the amount of tax paid to the IRS on your behalf, not necessarily the amount you owe.
Starting a new job is exciting, but it can also be stressful, especially when it comes to transitioning your benefits package. I've put together a list of tips to help make this transition as seamless as possible and keep your financial plan on track.
Almost all businesses have employees who incur expenses while on the job—everything from office supplies, to travel and business dinners. But not all business owners are sure how to best handle the reimbursement of these expenses. We frequently get questions from our clients on this subject—should reimbursements be included in the employee's income? Are they tax deductible?
In order for an expense to be tax deductible to the business, and received tax-free by the employee, it must be reimbursed under an "accountable plan".
If you have worked at the same company for a long time, or received a large inheritance, it's likely that a significant portion of your wealth is tied up in a concentrated stock position. While this can certainly have monetary benefits when the company stock is rising, it also comes with a certain level of risk. A concentrated position means that you are reliant on the success of a single company—while the market as a whole might bounce back from a decline, an individual stock might not. Additionally, selling the entire stock position may result in a large capital gains tax bill.
There are several options for mitigating this risk. If you are charitably inclined, a donor-advised fund may be an attractive solution, because of its ease, convenience, and overall benefits.
Is your business taking advantage of all of the tax credits available to you? There are tax credits available at both the federal and state level that are designed to reward employers who hire certain types of employees—for example, workers who, for reasons that are unrelated to their skill set or qualifications, have a hard time gaining employment. By hiring these workers, you are supporting the economy, and you can be rewarded for it!
If you're like most people, you've saved for retirement in multiple ways, including employer plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). As you approach retirement, it may make sense to consolidate all of your savings into one account to achieve a coordinated investment plan.
2018 has certainly been a year of change in the tax world. The most recent change, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of South Dakota vs. Wayfair Inc., has overturned decades of precedent when it comes to the taxation of goods sold by out-of-state sellers.
Wondering what this means for online retailers and other remote sellers? You’re not alone—the Wayfair case is complex, and many are waiting to see how individual states will choose to respond.
