Tax Guru – Ker$tetter Letter

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Archive for January 28th, 2007

SUV Shopping By Weight

Posted by taxguru on January 28, 2007

 

Q-1:

Subject: Corp. tax deduction
 
Hello Kerry,
 
Is this vehicle rated ok for a one time full purchase price tax deduction for our corporation?
 
Model
TK10906 -2007 YUKON XL DENALI -AWD
 
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
3360 kg (7409 lb)
 
Purchase price of 2007 Yukon XL is approx. $55,900.00.
 
Thanks for your help,

 

A-1:

Since the Denali is an SUV, its first year Section 179 deduction is limited to $25,000.  If it were a pickup truck, the maximum would be $108,000.

The rest of the cost over the first $25,000 would be depreciated over five years.

On a related note, I checked on the info that the local Chevy dealer was passing on in their ads.  They weren’t saying that the tax law changed as of 12/31/06. They were only pointing out the obvious fact that calendar year taxpayers had to buy a new vehicle by 12/31/06 in order to claim it on their 2006 tax returns.  Since your corp tax year doesn’t end until later, your deadline is later than those who use December 31 for their tax year.

I hope this helps.

Kerry

 

Q-2:

Hello Kerry,

 Is a Chevrolet Avalanche Truck ok as a one time full purchase price tax deduction for our corporation?

 Is an open bed truck the only kind of a vehicle that is ok for an one time full purchase price tax deduction?

 Thanks for your help,

 

A-2:

The rules for which vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds are subject to the $25,000 Section 179 limit are on my blog here.

“To not be subject to the limit:
I) is designed to have a seating capacity of more than 9 persons behind the driver’s seat,

`(II) is equipped with a cargo area of at least 6 feet in interior length which is an open area or is designed for use as an open area but is enclosed by a cap and is not readily accessible directly from the passenger compartment, or

`(III) has an integral enclosure, fully enclosing the driver compartment and load carrying device, does not have seating rearward of the driver’s seat, and has no body section protruding more than 30 inches ahead of the leading edge of the windshield.’.”

With the Avalanche, it would need to weight over 6,000 pounds and have an open bed at least 6 feet long.

This sounds similar to a discussion we had last year about a Denali, which I actually posted on my blog.

Good luck.

Kerry

 

 

TaxCoach Software: Are you giving your clients what they really want?

 

Posted in 179 | Comments Off on SUV Shopping By Weight

Posting Stocks in QuickBooks

Posted by taxguru on January 28, 2007

Q:

Subject: Stocks

 
Kerry,
 
I have made the dividend entries as I understand your instructions.  Of course the balance in QuickBooks does not agree with the balance on the statement for this account.  Since I only pay tax on the dividend income, I assume this in not a problem.
  
P.S.  I see my question made your newsletter so I don’t feel too dumb!


A:

Most non-accountants are confused as to the proper way of handling reinvested dividends; so I thought your question was perfect for educating others.

If you are referring to the market value of the shares, you are correct that the stockbroker’s statement will not match the figures in your QB because QB is strictly a record of your cost basis, or what you have invested into the shares.

However, the dividend income reported by the stockbroker for the previous year should match what you have in your QB and is the most important way we have of double-checking the accuracy of the QB data.

Kerry


Follow-Up:

Kerry,
 
My dad just had his 88th birthday.  He is a retired accountant so I thought you might enjoy seeing his reply.

He is much better on the computer than I am.  He teaches classes at the senior center!

Thanks for sending Kerry’s reply.  I am impressed with him and his explanation.

Your QB is more detailed and accurate, as he said.

Over the years I have become accustomed to the automatic steps taken by
Quicken and MS Money and forgot I ever used a General and other Journals.

In MS Money,  my portfolio page shows in each investment the number of
shares owned,  The total value as of the last entry date and the amount
of gain.  This is a backward way to arrive at the investment cost, but
arrives at the same answer.
 
 

The best book on QuickBooks Premier Editions

 

Posted in QB | Comments Off on Posting Stocks in QuickBooks