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.
Infographic: Hobby or Small Business?
Casualty losses can provide a 2017 deduction, but rules tighten for 2018
If you suffered damage to your home or personal property last year, you may be able to deduct these casualty losses on your 2017 federal income tax return. For 2018 through 2025, however, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act suspends this deduction except for losses due to an...
PFICs: Taxation Methods
In our last post we introduced the complex international tax issues of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) and gave a brief background on the regulations. In this blog post we'll briefly discuss the various methods of taxation and how to make certain...
Size of charitable deductions depends on many factors
Whether you’re claiming charitable deductions on your 2017 return or planning your donations for 2018, be sure you know how much you’re allowed to deduct. Your deduction depends on more than just the actual amount you donate. Type of gift One of the biggest factors...
Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs)
Most tax issues can be difficult to navigate and understand; however, there is one set of regulations in particular that is especially complex. In the realm of international tax issues are the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) regulations, which came about as...
Sec. 179 expensing provides small businesses tax savings on 2017 returns—and more savings in the future
If you purchased qualifying property by December 31, 2017, you may be able to take advantage of Section 179 expensing on your 2017 tax return. You’ll also want to keep this tax break in mind in your property purchase planning, because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA),...
Tax deduction for moving costs: 2017 vs. 2018
If you moved for work-related reasons in 2017, you might be able to deduct some of the costs on your 2017 return—even if you don’t itemize deductions. (Or, if your employer reimbursed you for moving expenses, that reimbursement might be excludable from your income.)...
Foreign Reporting – The Traveling Professor
For the past few weeks, we have been looking at foreign account reporting requirements as they relate to the FBAR and Form 8938. This week, we will look at our final example: the fictional case of Susan, a professor who taught in Australia. Susan is single and a U.S....
Families with college students may save tax on their 2017 returns with one of these breaks
Whether you had a child in college (or graduate school) last year or were a student yourself, you may be eligible for some valuable tax breaks on your 2017 return. One such break that had expired December 31, 2016, was just extended under the recently passed...