If your company maintains flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) for the healthcare expenses of employees, an important deadline may be looming: March 15, 2019. For many healthcare FSAs, this is the last day you can withdraw funds from the balance in your account for 2018. Background: An FSA is funded with pre-tax dollars, so there are [...]
In lieu of deducting actual expenses, the IRS permits qualified taxpayers to deduct a flat rate based on miles traveled, plus related tolls and parking fees. These standard mileage rates are updated annually. For 2019, the rates are: 58 cents per mile driven for business driving (up 3.5 cents from 2018); 20 cents per mile [...]
What’s the biggest tax deduction on your 2018 return? For many itemizers, it is the write-off for charitable donations on Schedule A. But these deductions are not automatic if you do not have the proper records to back up your claims. Here are several important reminders for this year’s tax filing season. Monetary contributions: Deductions [...]
The IRS has provided some estate planning comfort for well-to-do individuals. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the estate tax exclusion was raised to $10 million, indexed for inflation. That provides plenty of leeway for most families. However, like many other TCJA changes for individuals, this provision is scheduled to “sunset” after 2025. [...]
Form 1040 has a different look this year. Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the standard deduction has essentially been doubled while certain deductions have been modified or eliminated. Due to these changes, which are generally effective for 2018 through 2025, you may be better off claiming the standard deduction on your [...]
The IRS generally requires taxpayers to shoulder recordkeeping burdens. If you have not kept the necessary tax records in the past— or if your methods have been inadequate— make it a New Year's resolution to improve in 2019. The process will undoubtedly go smoother if you organize your records in a logical fashion. Also, [...]
The following article was written by JMF Shareholder Kim Smith for the Alabama Retail Association's February issue of Alabama Retailer magazine. We are re-posting it here with their permission. Wayfair Printable Story AL Retailer February 2019 By: Kim Smith, CPA, Tax Shareholder Kim is a shareholder, a member of the JMF Tax Department and in charge of [...]
Many music lovers were dismayed by the recent death of Aretha Franklin, the famous recording artist. Also dismaying: The “Queen of Soul” passed away without a legally enforceable will. This could lead to serious complications. What about you? If you do not have a will in place, do not wait any longer. There are numerous [...]
The IRS recently announced annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain retirement plans for 2019. See the chart below for several key changes. Limit for 2018 Limit for 2019 Maximum annual dollar benefit for a defined benefit plan $220,000 $225,000 Maximum dollar limit on additions to a defined contribution plan $55,000 $56,000 Maximum amount of [...]
This is the time of year when you traditionally step up donations to charities. Generally, you can deduct your contributions in the tax year in which they are made, subject to certain limits. But there are additional complications in 2018. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the standard deduction is essentially doubled [...]