On Wednesday, March 11, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID stimulus package. The ARPA contains a mix of retroactive and prospective tax breaks in the form of credits, exclusions from income, and even new tax-free grant programs. Let’s take a look at the most tax significant items in the bill.

Practically overnight, cryptocurrency has gone mainstream, with more and more investors funneling money into Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and other cryptocurrencies. The IRS has responded with increased interest and scrutiny, demonstrated by the addition of the cryptocurrency question on the front page of 1040. Whether you have invested in cryptocurrency or not, you are required to answer this tax return question. Many investors choose to take the most conservative position to avoid future correspondence from the IRS but trying to avoid a letter is no reason to pay more tax than necessary! After all, the Supreme Court has long held that a taxpayer has the right to do everything possible under the law to reduce tax.

Looking to escape high state taxes? Perhaps the taxpayer wants to leave the gridlock, housing congestion, and cement jungles behind for the likes of slower, less expensive living? COVID-19’s long-term impact on urbanization may be uncertain, but we have already seen people moving to low-tax states because these states offer more land and outdoor space. Along with the people, many businesses are also looking to relocate to low tax jurisdictions. But before packing up that U-haul, consider how to lock in your tax savings; otherwise, there may be a nasty bill waiting for you in that new mailbox.

Question: Can my business still take a deduction for my car if the title is in my name? Answer: If you want to get all the business deductions you are entitled to for your car, it’s better to have the vehicle titled in your business’s name. Most taxpayers continue to use their vehicles for both personal use and business purposes, as a result, most car titles show just the individual’s name as the owner. This can present a big problem and potential lost deductions, especially due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). It is important to review the rules since they have changed recently. You may have deducted expenses on past tax returns as an unreimbursed employee vehicle expense. But under tax reform, the miscellaneous itemized deductions were repealed until 2026, and this is an important rule change. Read on to learn how to still benefit after tax reform and why it can help you go the extra tax mile to title the car in your business’s name.