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Have you heard the terms “Section 199A” or “QBI Deduction” this tax season and wondered what they meant, or whether they will impact your taxes? You’re not alone.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) created a new tax deduction for business owners and others, called the Section 199A Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction. Since its release, there has been much confusion about the rules of this deduction, even in the tax world. In August, the IRS and the Department of the Treasury released some additional guidance, and in October, held a public hearing to field comments and questions.

On January 18, 2019, The IRS and the Treasury issued final regulations to clarify and update the proposed rules. Here’s a high-level overview:

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is the most comprehensive tax reform our country has seen in more than 3 decades, bringing broad and complex changes to businesses in every industry.

With more and more technology firms calling the Boston area home, I thought it might be helpful to discuss some of the implications of the TCJA specific to the tech world.

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.

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".

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!

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.

So you've decided to start your own law practice - congratulations! Wondering where to start? The entity selection process is one of the first steps in the formation of any new business, and law firms have several entities to choose from. There are legal, tax, and general business implications of each type of entity that must be carefully evaluated.

We are nearing the end of tax season, and one recent tax change could impact your business' bank account sooner than you think. In 2014, Massachusetts enacted a supplemental tax called the Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC), which is used to fund health insurance programs in the Commonwealth. In 2017, an Act Further Regulating Employer Contributions to Health Care was passed, temporarily changing the existing EMAC, creating a temporary supplemental contribution, and modifying the unemployment insurance rate schedule.

In part one of this blog, I outlined the top 11 changes in Trump's Tax Cuts & Jobs Act that will impact individual taxpayers. In Part 2, I'm discussing the top 9 changes that may impact your business: