Tax Guru – Ker$tetter Letter

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Archive for November, 2008

2008 Fixed Assets

Posted by taxguru on November 20, 2008

Q:

Subject:  2008 section 179

We have a “C” corporation that has a fiscal year ending September 30th. If we purchase equipment between 10/01/08 and 12/31/08, can we still get the addition 179 expense deduction and bonus depreciation?
 
Regards,

A:

That specific provision is currently based on the calendar year of 2008, so any assets that you do place into service from 10/1/08 through 12/31/08 will qualify for that special bonus depreciation on the 1120 you file for the FYE 9/30/09.

Your professional tax preparer’s tax software should pick that up automatically.  I know that my 2007 Lacerte software is automatically claiming the bonus depreciation on any asset that has a 2008 setup date.

There is also the possibility that the provision for the bonus depreciation will be extended for assets placed into service in 2009; but that will be up to our new rulers in 2009.

Good luck.

Kerry Kerstetter

Follow-Up:

Thank you very much .

 

 

Posted in 179 | Comments Off on 2008 Fixed Assets

Section 179 Webinar

Posted by taxguru on November 20, 2008

Since it is one of the largest potential deductions available on income tax returns, the Section 179 expensing election generates a lot of email from people who are confused about it.  In the last few months, I have been receiving at least one each day, often from salespeople who are looking for ways to induce their customers to buy more products.  These sales pitches often include a flyer or short article on the benefits of Section 179. 

I am still plowing through a massive backlog of email, and I noticed one yesterday from a scientific equipment company promoting a free online seminar on December 2 presented by a CPA on what they call “Tax Code 179.”   It appears to be open to anyone and aimed more for small business owners than for tax professionals.  It doesn’t appear to qualify for CPE for tax pros; but it may still be useful for the newer ones.

I have no connection with any of the parties involved and don’t even know how I go on that particular mailing list.  I am passing it along in the hope that some folks will check it out and not need to send me so many repetitive questions on the issues of Section 179.  You can sign up for this webinar at Gerber Scientific Products’ website:
www.gspinc.com/taxcode179/

 

Banner HPage_468x60

 

 

Posted in 179 | Comments Off on Section 179 Webinar

Posted by taxguru on November 17, 2008

Posted in comix, IRS | Comments Off on

Bled taxes?

Posted by taxguru on November 12, 2008

Posted in comix, TaxHikes | Comments Off on Bled taxes?

2008 AMT Exemptions

Posted by taxguru on November 12, 2008

Q:

Subject:  any update on AMT for 2008?

Just trying to get a handle on what my liability will be.  Last year we crept over the line and we subject to AMT for the first time.  I suspect we will be again this year, but would like to get a better fix on how big it will be.

thx

A:

As part of the big bail-out bill that was passed last month, the AMT exemption amounts were increased for 2008 to:

$46,200 for people filing as Single or Head of Household
$69,960 for Married Filing Joint or Qualifying Widow
$34,975 for Married Filing Separate

As it stands now, these amounts will drop for 2009 to:

$33,750 for people filing as Single or Head of Household
$45,000 for Married Filing Joint or Qualifying Widow
$22,500 for Married Filing Separate

Whether those figures will be changed is completely up in the air now that we have an anti-success Socialist administration ready to take over control of the tax code next year.

You can download the complete 24+ page pdf summary of the latest tax bill from The TaxBook at:

www.thetaxbook.com/updates/thetaxauthority_update_service/pdf/bulletin/10-10-2008_update.pdf

Good luck.  I hope this helps.

Kerry Kerstetter

 

Netflix, Inc.

 

Posted in AMT | Comments Off on 2008 AMT Exemptions

Bonus Depreciation – New or Used?

Posted by taxguru on November 12, 2008

Q:

Subject:  Special Bonus Dep and Section 179

Hello:

I saw on your website that used vehicles qualify for section 179 deduction, but will a used vehicle qualify for the 50% special bonus depreciation allowed under the 2008 eco stimulus package…or does it have to be a new vehicle?

Thank you

 

A:

While Section 179 deductions have always been available for business equipment that had been previously owned by unrelated parties, one of the requirements for special first year bonus depreciation has always been that it was only available for the first user of that specific asset.  So, a used vehicle will not qualify for the special bonus depreciation.

Your personal professional tax advisor should be able to give you more specific advice for your unique circumstances.

Good luck.

Kerry Kerstetter

 

Follow-Up:

Super. Great website. Thank you for your response and clarification. Best of luck to you!

 

 

Posted in 4562 | Comments Off on Bonus Depreciation – New or Used?

Posted by taxguru on November 9, 2008

Posted in comix, IRS | Comments Off on

Posted by taxguru on November 8, 2008

Posted in comix, Commies | Comments Off on

Posted by taxguru on November 5, 2008

Taxes: A Fair Share for All – Jonah Goldberg looks at one of the idiotic oxymorons that I have always despised about the tax system in this country, the Progressive tax rate structure that is actually a counter-productive punishment and persecution of success.  Considering that the root of “progressive” tax rates is 0Bambi’s spiritual mentor, Karl Marx, the chances of this going away any time soon are precisely zero.  In fact, it will make the use of the income shifting and smoothing techniques I have been discussing for several decades even more worthwhile.

 

Posted in TaxHikes | Comments Off on

Preparing for 0bambi Tax Increases

Posted by taxguru on November 5, 2008

As I have been telling everyone for months, while the election of an avowed Socialist as President would be absolutely terrible for the future of the United States; it is the best thing possible for those of us in the Tax Minimization profession from a purely selfish viewpoint.  The upcoming full bore assaults on the ability of people to hold onto their own income and assets will require many more planning strategies than ever before.  I am not in the least happy about the results of the election, but we have to find our silver linings wherever we can.

I was checking the info on the TaxCoach website this morning, actually looking for something on the new higher AMT exemptions for 2008. They haven’t yet updated the AMT amounts for the increases that were in the October Bail-Out bill.  However, I checked their Client Alerts and noticed they already had one up for the upcoming changes based on yesterday’s election.

Higher Taxes Are Coming. Count on Us to Help!

It’s official – Democrat Barack Obama has been elected 44th President of the United States. Back in 1800, Thomas Jefferson called his own election a “revolution” because it marked the first time power passed from one party to the other. This election promises to be more revolutionary than most.

Obama has proposed the most sweeping changes to the Tax Code in a generation. He plans to raise the top marginal rate from 35% back up to 39.6%, as well as raise rates on corporate dividends and capital gains. He plans to impose a new employment tax on earned income above $250,000. And he promises to create new tax credits for college tuition, homeowners who don’t itemize, and employers who create new jobs. But who knows how the struggling economy may force him to change plans?

We know you may be worried that the new administration will mean higher taxes. So we’re writing to tell you we’ll be following all of the new administration’s proposals closely to protect you from paying any more than you have to.

We realize there will be no shortage of places where you can learn about coming tax developments, from television news, newspapers and magazines, and the internet. But you can count on us to cut through the hype and clutter, to give you the answers you need for your unique circumstances.

None of these proposals require you to act today. But together they make our tax planning services even more valuable. Call us with your specific questions.

 

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

 

Posted in TaxHikes | Comments Off on Preparing for 0bambi Tax Increases