Sciarabba Walker Blog
The information in these blog posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for accounting, tax, or financial advice from a professional accountant. While we use reasonable efforts to furnish accurate and up-to-date information, we do not warrant that any information contained in or made available through this blog is current or error free. No part of this communication is intended to be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties under U.S. federal tax law.
Could “bunching” medical expenses into 2018 save you tax?
Some of your medical expenses may be tax deductible, but only if you itemize deductions and have enough expenses to exceed the applicable floor for deductibility. With proper planning, you may be able to time controllable medical expenses to your tax advantage. The...
ITIN Expiring? Renew Now to Avoid Potential Delays
The IRS issues Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have (and are not eligible to obtain) a Social Security number. Certain ITINs expire at the end of each year,...
Consider all the tax consequences before making gifts to loved ones
Many people choose to pass assets to the next generation during life, whether to reduce the size of their taxable estate, to help out family members, or simply to see their loved ones enjoy the gifts. If you’re considering lifetime gifts, be aware that which assets...
Sciarabba Walker Makes IPA List of Top 400 Accounting Firms
Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP is pleased to announce its ranking among the top 400 accounting firms in the United States by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA). For nearly 30 years, IPA has compiled annual IPA 100, IPA 200, and IPA 300 lists; this is the first ever...
Tax-free fringe benefits help small businesses and their employees
In today’s job market, to attract and retain the best employees, small businesses need to offer not only competitive pay, but also appealing fringe benefits. Benefits that are tax-free are especially attractive to employees. Let’s take a quick look at some popular...
New Sexual Harassment Training Requirements for New York State Employers
The New York State Department of Labor and the Division of Human Rights recently finalized guidance regarding the new law requiring all New York State employers to provide a sexual harassment policy, complaint form, and sexual harassment training program to all...
Charitable IRA rollovers may be especially beneficial in 2018
If you are age 70½ or older, you can make direct contributions—up to $100,000 annually—from your IRA to qualified charitable organizations without owing any income tax on the distributions. This break may be especially beneficial now because of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act...
Understanding the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion
In a previous blog post, we discussed some of the tax options available when a U.S. taxpayer goes overseas for employment. A popular option is to use the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE). The FEIE is especially useful now that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)...
Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program Ending This Week
As we previously reported, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will close the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP) on September 28, 2018. The OVDP was launched in 2009 to encourage compliance with foreign asset reporting, allowing U.S. taxpayers a way to avoid...
Five Things to Know About Digital Currency
It seems like you can’t go a single day without hearing something about bitcoin, litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and, at last count, at least 1,500 other known digital currencies (or “cryptocurrencies”). In light of Bitcoin’s recent meteoric rise to $16,000 per coin...