- Preparing for the New Surtax
- As part of the Affordable Care Act (the new health care legislation), a new tax kicks in this year. The official name of this tax is the Unearned Income Medicare Contribution Tax, and even though the name implies it is a contribution, don’t get the idea that it is voluntary or that you can deduct it as a charitable contribution. It is actually a surtax levied on the net investment income of taxpayers in the higher income brackets. And although it is perceived as an additional tax on higher-income taxpayers, it can affect even those who normally don’t have higher income if they have a large income from the sale of real estate, stocks, or other investments.
- So You Want To Deduct Your Gambling Losses?
- Good news... you can! However, the bad news is that gambling losses are only deductible up to the amount of your winnings. This means that you can use your losses to offset your winnings, but you can never show a net gambling loss on your tax return.
- Who Gets Your IRA
- The designated beneficiary listed on your IRA account beneficiary form determines who gets your IRA. This is true even if your will or trust names different beneficiaries. You may have filled out that beneficiary form long ago and no longer remember who you designated as your beneficiary. Perhaps your family circumstances or marital status have changed. Whenever your family circumstances change, you need to review your beneficiary designations. You may have named an ex-spouse as your beneficiary and now may not want him or her to receive your IRA.
- Partnership, S-Corp and Trust Extensions End September 16
- If you have a calendar year 2012 partnership, S-corporation, or trust return on extension, don’t forget the extension for filing those returns ends on September 16, 2013.
- Tips for Employers Who Outsource Payroll Duties
- Many employers outsource their payroll and related tax duties to third-party payers such as payroll service providers and reporting agents. Reputable third-party payers can help employers streamline their business operations by collecting and timely depositing payroll taxes on the employer's behalf and filing required payroll tax returns with state and federal authorities.