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.
Update: IRS Offers Penalty and Filing Relief Related to Section 965 Transition Tax
The IRS recently announced that it will waive certain late-payment penalties related to the Section 965 transition tax. In addition, the IRS provided additional guidance for individuals subject to the Section 965 transition tax regarding the due date for relevant...
The tax impact of the TCJA on estate planning
The massive changes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made to income taxes have garnered the most attention. But the new law also made major changes to gift and estate taxes. While the TCJA didn’t repeal these taxes, it did significantly reduce the number of taxpayers...
Update: TCJA Affects Reporting Options for Professors on Sabbatical Overseas
In a previous post, "What Happens When a Professor Goes Overseas on Sabbatical?", we discussed an example of a professor on sabbatical and looked at two options available to her: 1) use the foreign earned income exclusion, or 2) report all income as taxable and deduct...
Qualified Small Business Stock for Investors and Entrepreneurs
If you are the founder of a start-up company, or have invested in one, you may have already heard about Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) and the gain exclusion available under IRS Code Section 1202. It has been a hot topic for investors and entrepreneurs for the...
Factor in state and local taxes when deciding where to live in retirement
Many Americans relocate to another state when they retire. If you’re thinking about such a move, state and local taxes should factor into your decision. Income, property and sales tax Choosing a state that has no personal income tax may appear to be the best option....
Totalization Agreements: Avoiding Dual Taxation When Working Abroad
The United States has almost 70 tax treaties with foreign countries covering income taxes and capital gains tax. These treaties delineate which country is entitled to tax an individual or entity in cross-border situations. But income taxes are only part of the tax...
Saving tax on restricted stock awards with the Sec. 83(b) election
Many employees receive stock-based compensation from their employer as part of their compensation and benefits package. The tax consequences of such compensation can be complex and subject to ordinary-income, capital gains, employment and other taxes. But if you...
The TCJA changes some rules for deducting pass-through business losses
It is not uncommon for businesses to sometimes generate tax losses. But the losses that can be deducted are limited by tax law in some situations. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) further restricts the amount of losses that sole proprietors, partners, S corporation...
New IRS Tool Provides Helpful Information for Donating to Charities
In a previous blog post, we provided guidance on checking charity legitimacy before donating to help hurricane and other natural disaster victims. We discussed the official IRS website tool, Select Check, to determine if the charity is registered, which was useful but...
Be aware of the tax consequences before selling your home
In many parts of the country, summer is peak season for selling a home. If you’re planning to put your home on the market soon, you’re probably thinking about things like how quickly it will sell and how much you’ll get for it. But don’t neglect to consider the tax...