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Ways to manage the limit on the business interest expense deduction
March 27, 2025
Categories: Business Related Expenses, Deductions, Section 163(j), TCJA
Prior to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), businesses were able to claim a tax deduction for most business-related interest expense. The TCJA created Section 163(j), which generally limits deductions of business interest, with certain exceptions. If your business has significant interest expense, it’s important to understand the impact of the deduction limit on your tax bill. The good news is there may be ways to soften the tax bite in 2025. The nuts and bolts Unless
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How a business owner’s home office can result in tax deductions
March 19, 2025
Categories: expenses, Home Office, tax deduction, TCJA
As a business owner, you may be eligible to claim home office tax deductions that will reduce your taxable income. However, it’s crucial to understand the IRS rules to ensure compliance and avoid potential IRS audit risks. There are two methods for claiming this tax break: the actual expense method and the simplified method. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the tax break. Who qualifies? In general, you qualify for home office deductions if part of your home is used
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Financial relief for families: The benefits of the Child Tax Credit
February 14, 2025
Categories: TCJA
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) has long been a valuable tax break for families with qualifying children. Whether you’re new to claiming the credit or you’ve benefited from it for years, it’s crucial to stay current on its rules and potential changes. As we approach the expiration of certain provisions within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) at the end of 2025, here’s what you need to know about the CTC for 2024, 2025 and beyond. Current state of the credit Under the TCJA,
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Looking ahead to 2025 tax limits as you prepare to file your 2024 return
February 5, 2025
Categories: charitable giving, Itemized deductions, Tax rates, TCJA
Chances are, you’re more concerned about your 2024 tax return right now than you are about your 2025 tax situation. That’s understandable because your 2024 individual tax return is due to be filed by April 15 (unless you file for an extension). However, it’s a good time to familiarize yourself with tax amounts that may have changed for 2025 due to inflation. Not all tax figures are adjusted annually for inflation, and some amounts only change when Congress passes new laws. In
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When can you deduct business meals and entertainment?
November 26, 2024
Categories: Business Related Expenses, TCJA
You’re not alone if you’re confused about the federal tax treatment of business-related meal and entertainment expenses. The rules have changed in recent years. Let’s take a look at what you can deduct in 2024. Current law The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated deductions for most business-related entertainment expenses. That means, for example, that you can’t deduct any part of the cost of taking clients out for a round of golf or to a football game. You can still
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You don’t have to be in business to deduct certain vehicle expenses
October 30, 2024
Categories: mileage, TCJA, Vehicles
When you think about tax deductions for vehicle-related expenses, business driving may come to mind. However, businesses aren’t the only taxpayers that can deduct driving expenses on their returns. Individuals may also be able to deduct them in certain circumstances. Unfortunately, under current law, you may be unable to deduct as much as you could years ago. How the TCJA changed deductions For years before 2018, miles driven for business, moving, medical and charitable purposes were
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Is your money-losing activity a hobby or a business?
October 16, 2024
Categories: Small business, TCJA
Let’s say you have an unincorporated sideline activity that you consider a business. Perhaps you offer photography services, create custom artwork or sell handmade items online. Will the IRS agree that your venture is a business, not a hobby? It’s an essential question for tax purposes. If the expenses from an activity exceed the revenues, you have a net loss. You may think you can deduct that loss on your personal federal income tax return with no questions asked. Not so fast! The
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Cash or accrual accounting: What’s best for tax purposes?
September 11, 2024
Categories: GAAP, Small business, TCJA
Your businesses may have a choice between using the cash or accrual method of accounting for tax purposes. The cash method often provides significant tax benefits for those that qualify. However, some businesses may be better off using the accrual method. Therefore, you need to evaluate the tax accounting method for your business to ensure that it’s the most beneficial approach. The current situation “Small businesses,” as defined by the tax code, are generally eligible to
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The possible tax landscape for businesses in the future
September 3, 2024
Categories: QBI, Section 199A, TCJA
Get ready: The upcoming presidential and congressional elections may significantly alter the tax landscape for businesses in the United States. The reason has to do with a tax law that’s scheduled to expire in about 17 months and how politicians in Washington would like to handle it. How we got here The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which generally took effect in 2018, made extensive changes to small business taxes. Many of its provisions are set to expire on December 31, 2025. As
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When do valuable gifts to charity require an appraisal?
July 23, 2024
Categories: Appraisal, charitable giving, Form 8283, Itemized deductions, TCJA
If you donate valuable items to charity and you want to deduct them on your tax return, you may be required to get an appraisal. The IRS requires donors and charitable organizations to supply certain information to prove their right to deduct charitable contributions. How can you protect your deduction? First, be aware that in order to deduct charitable donations, you must itemize deductions. Due to today’s relatively high standard deduction amounts, fewer taxpayers are itemizing deductions