Business Strategies

Closing the Tax Gap – An Enticing Alternative to Raising Taxes

The tax hikes on wealthy Americans included in President Biden’s economic recovery plan last spring have been a battleground for bipartisan debate for most of 2021. Now, the Senate Republicans have pushed aside the administration's proposal to increase funding for the Internal Revenue Service, for the moment. We will take a closer look at the proposed IRS funding, the reasons it is necessary, and how the same wealthy Americans could end up the most impacted by the proposal.

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Think Outside the Tax Box provides tax reduction strategies along with practical implementation advice in order to reduce your clients’ federal tax bill with ease.

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CURRENT EDITION

IRC Section 121 Exclusion: Nuances That Make a Big Difference

Joshua Youngblood

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

Matt Metras, EA

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

Jeff Stimpson

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?