Houston Tax Attorney Keith Cothroll words to live by.
Understanding the new 1040 form for 2018
The brand new 1040 form both simplifies your return, but also complicates it in the sense that there are six new schedules that take the place of line items that used to be on the two page return. This article is mostly about what those six new schedules are. You...
The mousetrap of refunds during tax season. When choosing the wrong tax preparer can really hurt you.
I’ve discussed the perils of using the wrong tax preparer before in a former blog, but I wanted to reiterate it today because I know there is a lot of news out there regarding refunds and taxpayers getting a smaller refund than normal. The writers of this...
Can you take advantage of the new 199A 20% deduction if you have a rental real estate business?
I discussed earlier the new 20% deduction for businesses under 199A https://cothlaw.com/cothlaw-blog/new-business-deduction-20-of-qualified-business-income-may-be-available-to-you/ The rental real estate enterprise business is something that touches a lot of...
What is the IRS doing now that we have a government shutdown??
Happy New Year! Well, the good news according to news sources is that you will still get your refunds when you file your return, but the bad news is just about everything else. I would suggest that if you owe taxes and are on a payment plan, you should still continue...
IRS has changed excess business and net operating losses
What is an excess business loss? To determine an excess business loss, you look to the extent that the total deductions from all trades or businesses exceed the total gross income and gains from those trades or businesses plus a certain amount depending on your...
Special Rule in 2018 For Required Minimum Distributions for Certain Retirees
In most cases, retirees who are 70 1/2 must make required minimum distributions by the end of the calendar year, but there is a special rule for this year that allows the taxpayer to delay the RMD until April 1, 2019. Taxpayers born after June 30, 1947, and before...
Identity Theft and the IRS: What options do you have when you are a victim of identity theft?
Identity theft comes in all shapes and sizes and I’ve seen it all in my practice. Typically, I’ve seen cases where someone’s social security number is stolen and someone else uses it to gain employment. 1099’s or W-2’s are generated and...
Employers who provide paid family and medical leave can take advantage of a new tax credit!!
The credit will be available from the 2017 tax year and be phased out currently in the year 2020. ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for the credit, there must be a written policy that includes at least two weeks of paid family and medical leave for full time employees and...
New Tax Scam Alert! Emails from the “IRS” discussing tax transcripts
The IRS has issued a new alert about the latest tax scam in which an email which purports to be from them is asking the taxpayer to follow a link in order to get a tax transcript. THE IRS NEVER EMAILS TAXPAYERS DIRECTLY!!!! IT IS A FAKE!! So, be mindful of any emails...
Child Tax Credit increased and new credit for other dependents in 2019
The IRS has made some favorable changes to the Child Tax Credit for 2019 and simplified a credit for other dependents as adult children and your elderly parents. CHILD TAX CREDIT INCREASED TO BENEFIT HIGHER INCOME TAXPAYERS The IRS has increased the AGI phaseout for...