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.
IRS to the Rescue: Form 2350
U.S. citizens and permanent residents who reside outside the United States can find themselves facing reporting and tax filing requirements that often seem daunting. Fortunately, the IRS has provided ways to make life just a little bit easier for these individuals....
How You Might Be Able to Benefit from the 0% Long-Term Capital Gains Rate
We’re entering the giving season, and if making financial gifts to your loved ones is part of your plans—or if you’d simply like to reduce your capital gains tax—consider giving appreciated stock instead of cash this year. Doing so might allow you to eliminate all...
New York State Paid Family Leave Program
The New York State Paid Family Leave (PFL) Program will take effect on January 1, 2018. Any employer in New York State that has at least one employee and currently offers disability insurance will now be mandated to offer Paid Family Leave to its eligible employees....
You may need to add RMDs to your year-end to-do list
As the end of the year approaches, most of us have a lot of things on our to-do lists, from gift shopping and donating to our favorite charities to making New Year’s Eve plans. For taxpayers “of a certain age” with a tax-advantaged retirement account, as well as...
Foreign-Owned Disregarded Entities: Really, Another Reporting Requirement?
Foreign persons utilize U.S. disregarded entities for a variety of reasons: for limited liability protection, as a holding vehicle for business conducted entirely outside the United States, to shield certain activities and owners from disclosure, or simply to make it...
Legislative Alert: House Passes Tax Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives has just passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill, H.R. 1, by a margin of 22 votes. The Senate Finance Committee is still working on its own version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. There has been a lot of talk on national media about...
Why you may want to accelerate your property tax payment into 2017
Accelerating deductible expenses, such as property tax on your home, into the current year typically is a good idea. Why? It will defer tax, which usually is beneficial. Prepaying property tax may be especially beneficial this year, because proposed tax legislation...
Fun fact: Phone service was taxed early and has been taxed often ever since
The Disappearing ITIN
For individuals with U.S. tax filing obligations who are not eligible for a Social Security Number, the IRS issues a similar number called an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). ITINs are distinguished from Social Security Numbers in that they begin with...
2017 might be your last chance to hire veterans and claim a tax credit
With Veterans Day on November 11, it’s an especially good time to think about the sacrifices veterans have made for us and how we can support them. One way businesses can support veterans is to hire them. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) can help businesses do...