accountants, isler northwest, portland

Tax Reform Eases the Alternative Minimum Tax – But It’s Still There

, ,
Although Congress has been promising to repeal the alternative minimum tax (AMT), they failed to do that when they passed tax reform in 2017. Instead, they lessened the effects of the AMT by increasing AMT exemptions (an amount of income exempt…
133,000 Injured Veterans Entitled to Tax Refunds

133,000 Injured Veterans Entitled to Tax Refunds

,
As a result of the 2016 Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act, more than 133,000 injured veterans may qualify for a federal tax refund. The minimum refund is estimated at $1,750, meaning the government will be paying out an estimated minimum…
Offer in Compromise

Offer in Compromise

,
Offer in Compromise FAQs We’re all responsible for paying our fair share of taxes each year. But what happens when the amount that you owe is simply out of reach? What happens if you failed to make payments in a timely manner and your financial…
IRS Clergy Tax Changes

Clergy Tax Benefits Under Fire

,
Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that a minister of the gospel’s gross income doesn’t include the rental value of a home (parsonage) provided; if the home itself isn’t provided, a rental allowance paid as part of compensation…
Big Changes to the Kiddie Tax

Big Changes to the Kiddie Tax

,
Years ago, to prevent parents from transferring their investment accounts into their children’s name to avoid taxes, Congress created what is referred to as the kiddie tax. This counteracted the strategy of taking income from the parents’…
Taxpayers Find Gift Tax Reporting Confusing

Taxpayers Find Gift Tax Reporting Confusing

, , ,
Gift taxes were created to prevent wealthy taxpayers from transferring their estates to their beneficiaries via gifts and thus avoid estate taxes when they pass away. But that does not mean only wealthy taxpayers need to be concerned with the…
A Mid-Year Tax Checkup May Be Appropriate

A Mid-Year Tax Checkup May Be Appropriate

Taxes are similar to vehicles, in that they sometimes need a check-up to make sure they are performing as expected. That is especially true for 2018, with all of the changes brought about by tax reform. One area of major concern is the…
Moving Deductions are Kaput

Moving Deductions are Kaput

Prior to the passage of tax reform, individuals who moved as the result of a job change or job relocation could deduct their unreimbursed moving expenses if the driving distance from their home to the new job location was at least 50 miles more…
Is Inheritance Taxable?

Is an Inheritance Taxable?

, ,
A frequent question is whether inheritances are taxable. This is a frequently misunderstood question related to taxation and can be complicated. When someone passes away, all of their assets will be subject to inheritance taxation, and whatever…
tax tips, portland, oregon

How Long Should You Hold On To Old Tax Records?

,
Article Highlights: The general statute: 3 years Longer durations in some states Fraud, failure to file and other issues that extend the statute’s duration Keeping the actual return Ordering copies of previously filed returns This…