Welcome to THINK OUTSIDE THE TAX BOX, the premier on-line publication for tax reduction information!
Here at TOTTB, we produce in-depth, easy to understand, exhaustively cited, essays on the topic of tax reduction for our subscribers! And, every two weeks, we add more articles and more features like our live webinar events, private Facebook group, downloadable “Client Alerts” and Infographics, features like our blog, Around the Tax World, an aggregator of all the news happening in the tax world!
If you aren’t a subscriber yet, please understand that this blog is a very small part of what we do. If you really want to dig in, SUBSCRIBE! (We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose!)
Around the Tax World- November 22, 2024
In The Headlines Biden rushes to roll out his chip manufacturing program—will Trump reverse it?
What's New In The Tax World?Saying hello to the next Trump administration may mean goodbye to Biden’s EV tax credit.
State-By-State UpdatesCalifornia may up its tax credit offerings to the film and television industry.
Tax Planning TipsWill overtime pay taxes disappear under the Trump administration? And how much will that impact workers?
READ MOREAround The Tax World- June 9, 2023
World NEWS - Alaska is making plans to tax online car sharing platform Turo…
U.S. NEWS - Cities in Tennessee, Texas, and Oklahoma rank as the most tax-friendly for high-income earners
STATE NEWS - New Jersey debates expanding property tax relief for seniors…
TAX PLANNING - Taxpayers who withdrew IRA funds during COVID-19 are running out of time to claim a tax refund.
Around The Tax World- May 25, 2023
World NEWS - The Supreme Court rules that the IRS does not need to give notice to third parties when requesting bank records…
U.S. NEWS - The IRS is developing a free electronic tax filing system that could replace commercial options
STATE NEWS - Texas legislators advance a bill that would change property tax limits…
TAX PLANNING - In 2023, the IRS flagged over 1 million tax returns as potentially fraudulent.
Around The Tax World- May 9, 2023
World NEWS - A group of U.S. Senators push the IRS to take action against AI-generated tax scams…
U.S. NEWS - New York and California tax revenue took a hit during COVID-19 as high-income earners moved to low-tax states
STATE NEWS - The Minnesota Senate passed a $4 billion tax bill…
TAX PLANNING - The deadline is approaching for the 1.5 million taxpayers with an unclaimed 2019 tax refund to file their return.
Around The Tax World- April 20, 2023
World NEWS - President Joe Biden proposes increased taxes on the wealthy to fund Medicare…
U.S. NEWS - The Biden administration released new rules limiting which electric vehicles are eligible for tax credits
STATE NEWS -Massachusetts advances a $1.1 billion tax package…
TAX PLANNING - Early filers may need to file an amended tax return if they reported certain 2022 state refunds as taxable income.
Around The Tax World- April 10, 2023
World NEWS - The IRS has extended this year’s tax deadline for state disaster areas…
U.S. NEWS - The IRS releases its list of 2023 “Dirty Dozen” tax scams
STATE NEWS - Chicago’s recently-elected mayor proposed $800 million in new taxes…
TAX PLANNING - Social Security benefits may be taxed due to the 2022 cost-of-living adjustment.
Around The Tax World- March 28, 2023
World NEWS - Tesla’s lowest-price vehicle may soon lose eligibility for the EV tax credit…
U.S. NEWS - The U.S. Treasury is set to publish updated guidance for the EV tax credit before the end of March
STATE NEWS - Texas advances a new $16.5 billion proposal that includes property tax cuts…
TAX PLANNING - Student loan borrowers may see fewer deductions in the 2023 tax season.
Around The Tax World- March 7, 2023
World NEWS - Tax experts step up to refute social media claims that income taxes are not legally required…
U.S. NEWS - The federal government is opting not to tax one-time state-level payments to residents
STATE NEWS -The Michigan Senate eliminates a plan to remit $180 checks to residents…
TAX PLANNING - Taxpayers looking to boost this year’s tax refund could benefit from claiming a dependent—if they are eligible.
Around The Tax World- February 21, 2023
World NEWS - Oakland-area small business owners rally in support of the suspended police chief…
U.S. NEWS - Amazon’s average cut of small business sales surpasses 50%
STATE NEWS - Iowa small business owners join the Small Business Voices to petition Congress…
TAX PLANNING - Intuit purchases $1 million in goods from local small businesses to be donated to nonprofits
NOT A MEMBER YET?
SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL OF OUR
GREAT ARTICLES AND RESOURCES!
CURRENT EDITION
IRC Section 121 Exclusion: Nuances That Make a Big Difference
With the sale of a client’s primary residence, many tax professionals are familiar with the Section 121 exclusion, which allows taxpayers to exclude up to $500,000 ($250,000 for single – $500,000 for married filing jointly) on capital gains for the sale. Often, the only criteria mentioned is that the taxpayer must have owned and occupied the home for two of the most recent five years. However, this barely scratches the surface of Section 121; there’s much more money-saving potential in this portion of the tax code.
Exploring the Final 1099-DA (Digital Asset) Regulations
One of the IRS’ favorite ways to entertain itself is to release new and important guidance at 5 pm on a Friday. They self-award bonus points if it is the Friday before a holiday. They hit “publish” and immediately shut down the office before anyone can react. When it comes to digital asset guidance, I speculate they also have access to my vacation calendar to release it at the most inconvenient time possible. Last summer, they released the temporary regulations on 1099 crypto reporting while I was on vacation in South Africa. This year, at 4:45 pm on the Friday before the 4th of July, they released the final regulations. I then had to spend the rest of the summer dodging my editors at TOTTB because this article was really harshing on my vacation plans.
Advising Clients About Prenups
To have and to hold and happily ever after is a nice dream, but into every married life a little reality about money must fall. Enter the prenuptial agreement, aka the prenup. This contract between prospective spouses clarifies the rights and obligations of the parties during their marriage – and during the sometimes-ugly aftermath should they separate, divorce, annul the marriage, or die. Prenups can help couples set financial expectations for the marriage, including whether they’ll have a joint bank account and file taxes together, among many other matters.
Given the sensitive nature of these conversations, it’s important to know how to advise on such an important document. What do your clients need to know?