Earlier Filing Deadlines in 2017 for Forms W-2 and 1099

Starting in 2017 employers and small businesses face an earlier filing deadline of January 31 for Forms W-2. The new January 31 filing deadline also applies to certain Forms 1099-MISC reporting non-employee compensation such as payments to independent contractors. Also of note is that the IRS must also hold some refunds until February 15. 

A new federal law, aimed at making it easier for the IRS to detect and prevent refund fraud, will accelerate the W-2 filing deadline for employers to January 31. For similar reasons, the new law also requires the IRS to hold refunds involving two key refundable tax credits until at least February 15 (also new). Here are details on each of these key dates.

New January 31 Deadline for Employers

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, enacted last December, includes a new requirement for employers. They are now required to file their copies of Form W-2 submitted to the Social Security Administration, by January 31, as well as Forms 1099-MISC. 

In the past, employers typically had until the end of February (if filing on paper) or the end of March (if filing electronically) to submit their copies of these forms. In addition, there are changes in requesting an extension to file the Form W-2. Only one 30-day extension to file Form W-2 is available, and this extension is not automatic. 

If an extension is necessary, a Form 8809 Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns must be completed as soon as you know an extension is necessary, but by January 31. Please carefully review the instructions for Form 8809, and call the office if you need more information.

The new accelerated deadline will help the IRS improve its efforts to spot errors on returns filed by taxpayers. Having these W-2s and 1099s earlier will make it easier for the IRS to verify the legitimacy of tax returns and properly issue refunds to taxpayers eligible to receive them. In many instances, this will enable the IRS to release tax refunds more quickly than in the past.

The January 31 deadline has long applied to employers furnishing copies of these forms to their employees and that date remains unchanged.

Some Refunds Delayed Until at Least February 15

Due to the PATH Act change, some people will be getting their refunds later than they have in the past. The new law requires the IRS to hold the refund for any tax return claiming either the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) until February 15.

Furthermore, by law, the IRS must hold the entire refund, not just the portion related to the EITC or ACTC.

Even with this change, taxpayers should file their returns as they normally do. Whether they are claiming the EITC or ACTC or not, taxpayers should not count on getting a refund by a certain date, especially when making major purchases or paying other financial obligations. Typically, the IRS issues more than nine out ten refunds in less than 21 days; however, some returns may be held for further review.

Please call if you have any questions about the earlier filing deadlines for Forms W-2 or 1099.

Www.SchaumburgCPA.Info is an official blog of Manen Kothari CPA. To ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. One should consult their tax advisor before any of the information contained herewith applied to their individual tax situations. SK Tax Associates, Schaumburgcpa.info, or Manen Kothari cannot be held responsible for any general information stated above.

Manen Kothari, CPA serves in Schaumburg, Mount Prospects, Glendale Heights, Bartlett, Barrington and Chicago as well as other areas of Rolling Meadows, Naperville, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Skokie and Addison, Downers Grove CPA. We are also efficient in showing you the detailed deductions that can help you to limit your tax liabilities for the next few years to come as long as we are at union with your business.

Contact us now: 847.524.0001

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Is Canceled Debt Taxable?

Generally, debt that is forgiven or canceled by a lender is considered taxable income by the IRS and must be included as income on your tax return. Examples include a debt for which you are personally liable such as mortgage debt, credit card debt, and in some instances, student loan debt. 

When that debt is forgiven, negotiated down (when you pay less than you owe), or canceled you will receive Form 1099-C, Cancellation of Debt, from your financial institution or credit union. Form 1099-C shows the amount of canceled or forgiven debt that was reported to the Schaumburg IRS Audit. If you and another person were jointly and severally liable for a canceled debt, each of you may get a Form 1099-C showing the entire amount of the canceled debt. Give the office a call if you have any questions regarding joint liability of canceled debt. 

Creditors who forgive $600 or more of debt are required to issue this form. If you receive a Form 1099-C and the information is incorrect, contact the lender to make corrections.

If you receive a Form 1099-C, don't ignore it. You may not have to report that entire amount shown on Form 1099-C as income. The amount, if any, you must report depends on all the facts and circumstances. Generally, however, unless you meet one of the exceptions or exclusions discussed below, you must report any taxable canceled debt reported on Form 1099-C as ordinary income on:

• Form 1040 or Form 1040NR, if the debt is a non business debt;
• Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040), if the debt is related to a nonfarm sole proprietorship;
• Schedule E (Form 1040), if the debt is related to non-farm rental of real property;
• Form 4835, if the debt is related to a farm rental activity for which you use Form 4835 to report farm rental income based on crops or livestock produced by a tenant; or
• Schedule F (Form 1040), if the debt is farm debt and you are a farmer.

Exceptions and Exclusions

If you had debt forgiven or canceled last year and receive a Form 1099-C, you might qualify for an exception or exclusion. If your canceled debt meets the requirements for an exception or exclusion, then you don't need to report your canceled debt on your tax return. Under the federal tax code, there are five exceptions and four exclusions. Here are the five most commonly used:

Note: The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007, which applied to debt forgiven in calendar years 2007 through 2014, allowed taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. The PATH (Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes) Act extended this relief through the end of 2016.

Up to $2 million of forgiven debt was eligible for this exclusion ($1 million if married filing separately) and debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, also qualified for the relief.

1. Amounts specifically excluded from income by law such as gifts, bequests, devises or inheritances

In most cases, you do not have income from canceled debt if the debt is canceled as a gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance. For example, if an acquaintance or family member loaned you money (and for whom you signed a promissory note) died and relieved you of the obligation to pay back the loan in his or her will, this exception would apply.

2. Cancellation of certain qualified student loans

Certain student loans provide that all or part of the debt incurred to attend a qualified educational institution will be canceled if the person who received the loan works for a certain period of time in certain professions for any of a broad class of employers. If your student loan is canceled as the result of this type of provision, the cancellation of this debt is not included in your gross income.

3. Canceled debt, that if it were paid by a cash basis taxpayer, would be deductible

If you use the cash method of accounting, then you do not realize income from the cancellation of debt if the payment of the debt would have been a deductible expense. 

For example, in 2015, you obtain accounting services for your farm using credit. In 2016, due to financial troubles you were not able to pay off your farm debts and your accountant forgives a portion of the amount you owe for her services. If you use the cash method of accounting you do not include the canceled debt as income on your tax return because payment of the debt would have been deductible as a business expense.

4. Debt canceled in a Title 11 bankruptcy case

Debt canceled in a Title 11 bankruptcy case is not included in your income.

5. Debt canceled during insolvency

Do not include a canceled debt as income if you were insolvent immediately before the cancellation. In the eyes of the IRS, you would be considered insolvent if the total of all of your liabilities was more than the FMV of all of your assets immediately before the cancellation. 

For purposes of determining insolvency, assets include the value of everything you own (including assets that serve as collateral for debt and exempt assets which are beyond the reach of your creditors under the law, such as your interest in a pension plan and the value of your retirement account).

Here's an example. Let's say you owe $25,000 in credit card debt, which you are able to negotiate down to $5,000. You have no other debts and your assets are worth $15,000. Your canceled debt is $20,000. Your insolvency amount is $10,000. Because you are insolvent at the time of the cancellation, you are only required to report the $10,000 on your tax return. 

If you exclude canceled debt from income under one of the exclusions listed above, you must reduce certain tax attributes (certain credits, losses, basis of assets, etc.), within limits, by the amount excluded. If this is the case, then you must file Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness (and Section 1082 Basis Adjustment), to report the amount qualifying for exclusion and any corresponding reduction of those tax attributes. 

Exceptions do not require you to reduce your tax attributes.

Questions?

Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions about whether you qualify for debt cancellation relief.

Www.SchaumburgCPA.Info is an official blog of Manen Kothari CPA. To ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. One should consult their tax advisor before any of the information contained herewith applied to their individual tax situations. SK Tax Associates, Schaumburgcpa.info, or Manen Kothari cannot be held responsible for any general information stated above.

Contact us now: 847.524.0001

For More Information Visit:  http://schaumburgcpa.info/

Ensuring Financial Success for Your Business

Can you point your company in the direction of financial success, step on the gas, and then sit back and wait to arrive at your destination?

Not quite. You can't let your business run on autopilot and expect good results. Any business owner knows you need to make numerous adjustments along the way - decisions about pricing, hiring, investments, and so on. 

So, how do you handle the array of questions facing you?

One way is through cost accounting.

Cost Accounting Helps You Make Informed Decisions

Cost accounting reports and determines the various costs associated with running your business. With cost accounting, you track the cost of all your business functions - raw materials, labor, inventory, and overhead, among others.

Note: Cost accounting differs from financial accounting because it's only used internally, for decision making. Because financial accounting is employed to produce financial planner for external stakeholders, such as stockholders and the media, it must comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Cost accounting does not.

Cost accounting allows you to understand the following:

1. Cost behavior. For example, will the costs increase or stay the same if production of your product goes up?
2. Appropriate prices for your goods or services. Once you understand cost behavior, you can tweak your pricing based on the current market.
3. Budgeting. You can't create an effective budget if you don't know the real costs of the line items.

Is It Hard?

To monitor your company's costs with this method, you need to pay attention to the two types of costs in any business: fixed and variable.

Fixed costs don't fluctuate with changes in production or sales. They include:

• rent
• insurance
• dues and subscriptions
• equipment leases
• payments on loans
• management salaries
• advertising

Variable costs DO change with variations in production and sales. Variable costs include:

• raw materials
• hourly wages and commissions
• utilities
• inventory
• office supplies
• packaging, mailing, and shipping costs

Tip: Cost accounting is easier for smaller, less complicated businesses. The more complex your business model, the harder it becomes to assign proper values to all the facets of your company's functioning.

If you'd like to understand the ins and outs of your business better and create sound guidance for internal decision making, consider setting up a cost accounting system.

Need Help?

Please call if you need assistance setting up cost accounting and inventory systems, preparing budgets, cash flow management or any other matter related to ensuring the financial success of your business.

Www.SchaumburgCPA.Info is an official blog of Manen Kothari CPA. To ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. One should consult their tax advisor before any of the information contained herewith applied to their individual tax situations. SK Tax Associates, Schaumburgcpa.info, or Manen Kothari cannot be held responsible for any general information stated above.

Contact us now:  847.524.0001

For More Information Visit:  http://schaumburgcpa.info/

Indian Tax Preparer in Frisco

U.S. assess law is famously entangled both to laymen and the individuals who work in fund yet may not spend significant time in duty arrangement. On account of this current, it's frequently justified, despite all the trouble to enroll the assistance of an assessment master who has a broad expansiveness of learning with respect to the expense code and experience taking care of various business and individual tax planning & preparation circumstances. 

There are couple of fundamental choices which charge filers in the U.S. pick while setting up their yearly government forms: documenting charges all alone electronically with the assistance of assessment arrangement programming, enlisting an authorized proficient, for example, an affirmed open bookkeeper Frisco (CPA), or strolling into a customer facing facade impose readiness business. Every one of the three get ready assessments for a charge as a byproduct of master meeting. Furthermore, obviously, the higher the ability required, the higher the expenses. 

Tax Associates is one of the fastest growing full service CPA firm providing accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services. We offer – Bookkeeping, tax assessment, US and international Business tax planning & compliance, entity planning, Incorporation, IRS / State representation, sales tax, Frisco payroll and consulting services for diversified industries. Most of the tax benefits that large corporation claims may be overlooked by small businesses. We are committed to make sure that all our clients, small or large businesses, get all tax benefits that they are entitled to.

For this situation, acquiring charge planning programming & Accounting Tx Firm is frequently the most reasonable course. Be that as it may, at last, it's practically identical to documenting your own particular charges. In view of this, numerous filers feel more certain having their duties arranged by a genuine live individual (other than themselves). To this end, numerous filers ponder whether it is ideal to get a CPA or contract an administration like H&R Piece. The answer is (as is run of the mill with money related matters): "It depends." 

A Indian CPA is somebody who has had a thorough instruction and has been prepared to meet high expert norms and take after a strict code of morals to get authorized by the American Establishment of Affirmed Open Bookkeepers. CPAs have broad learning and years of involvement with expense law, including state charge law (for instance, a Seattle-or Bellevue-based CPA is required to pass examinations appropriate to Washington state assess codes). 

The Human Touch 

As you probably are aware, PC innovation has made considerable progress, and most bookkeepers utilize programming to help them carry out their occupations. Yet, there is basically not a viable replacement for having a prepared monetary master looking your assessment form over. This procedure may include requesting extra data that most PC projects skirt, or it might be some basic inquiries that you need to reply. Whichever way working with an accomplished CPA in Frisco on your duties more often than not brings about bigger returns or lower installments. 

Consider your auto. You may believe a PC framework to give it a brisk output to search for issues, yet you don't believe the genuine support or repairs to anybody not exactly a qualified technician. Similarly, you need a talented expert handle your expense arrangement. The bookkeeper you do your expenses will have the capacity to approach the correct inquiries and burrow for the correct data to get the most ideal outcomes for you when impose day comes around.

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