A new state tax incentive called The Agricultural Irrigation Systems Tax Credit was signed into law on May 14, which provides farmers who install new irrigation systems or improve existing systems, a one-time tax credit up to 20% of the cost, with a maximum of $10,000 per farm. That's tax CREDIT, not deduction, so it [...]
The Agricultural Irrigation Systems Tax Credit was signed by Governor Robert Bentley on May 14th. This new tax incentive provides Alabama farmers a credit of up to 20% of the cost of new or improved irrigation systems with a cap of $10,000 per farm. Decades of research gave rise to the legislation with hopes that the increased agricultural [...]
Many taxpayers have recently received e-mail messages claiming to be from the IRS. In many instances these e-mails are referencing tax refunds or other entitlements urging the recipient to provide information, click on a link in the message, or to open an attachment. If you receive a similar message, DO NOT OPEN IT. Do not reply to [...]
It has been almost a year since the deadly tornados of April 2011 swept across the Southeast. And, unfortunately, we have had additional storms since then. If you were personally affected by these storms and suffered damages, you are now faced with trying to determine if you have any tax losses (or even gains) to [...]
This blog post is probably more timely if it were 2009, given the recent positive news on the job front, but it some ways, this question is timeless. If you lose your job, there are multiple considerations that you have to address almost immediately. Quick action can save you considerable money and headaches. First [...]
Family businesses are different from closely-held businesses in that the two or more family members own more than 15% of the equity of the business, family members are employed or manage the business, and the intent of the members is to retain ownership. Per the Family Enterprise USA in 2011, there are 5.5 million family [...]
IRS has made available the new Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates for the first half of 2012 (January 1 through June 30). The SIFL formula is used in certain instances to determine the value of a noncommercial flight for employment tax purposes. The terminal charge has increased to $44.88 (previously, $43.79). The rate for the first [...]
There is a new Veterans Tax Credit which was included in the The VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (enacted 11/21/11) expanded the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), for businesses that hire eligible unemployed veterans on or before 12/31/12. The credit maximum is $9,600 per veteran for for-profit businesses depending on the length of [...]
Recently Forbes ran a great article titled, "How To Avoid -- Or Win -- An IRS Audit or Court Battle" after the IRS posted its annual report to Congress by the National Taxpayers Advocate. The top litigation areas highlights where the IRS is focusing most of its enforcement effort, especially directed at individuals and small [...]
Taxpayers can check refunds, get tax information WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled IRS2Go, its first smartphone application that lets taxpayers check on their status of their tax refund and obtain helpful tax information. "This new smart phone app reflects our commitment to modernizing the agency and engaging taxpayers where they want when [...]