Tag: IRS

Filing Tax Forms: Schedule C -Used to report the profit or loss from business.

The Schedule C may be required to report certain types of income and expenses. Receiving form 1099-Misc or 1099-Nec may be an indication that the Schedule C is required. The schedule C is used to report the amount of expenses needed to earn the revenue. Gross revenue – expenses= Net revenue. Tracking the income and expenses throughout the year simplifies the process and increases accuracy so that a Profit/Loss or Income Statement can be produced at the end of the year, or at any time throughout the year, for multiple purposes.

Schedule C Provisions since TY2017

Entertainment Expenses
In prior years, a taxpayer generally could deduct expenses for activities considered to be
entertainment, amusement, or recreation if the expenses were directly related or associated with the active conduct of the taxpayer’s trade or business. For amounts incurred or paid after December 31, 2017, deductions for entertainment expenses are disallowed.

The TCJA deemed entertainment expenses as nondeductible regardless of the relationship of the expenses to the business activity, including meals purchased during entertainment activities. There are a few exceptions outlined in Code Sec. 274(e) including:

  •  Expenses for goods, services, and facilities that are treated as compensation to an
    employee
  • Expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer in connection with the performance of
    services for another person, under a reimbursement or other expenses allowance
    agreement
  • Expenses for recreational, social, or similar activities primarily for the benefit of the taxpayer’s employees, other than highly compensated employees
    Businesses can still deduct 50% of amounts paid for meals associated with the active conduct of the taxpayer’s trade or business.

For example, employee travel meals are still 50% deductible.

 

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If you “write off” any employee business expenses for yourself or your employee’s, this article may be for you.

Tax reform brings changes to fringe benefits that can affect an employer’s bottom line and what employee’s can actually deduct on their personal returns. 

 

Source: Tax Reform Tax Tip 2018-162: Tax reform brings changes to fringe benefits that can affect an employer’s bottom line

 

As most of you are aware we have a new tax plan in place for tax year’s 2018 – 2026 (as of now).  Among the many changes previously deductible employee business expenses (including fringe benefits) may be excluded or the process has changed.

Continue reading….

 

The IRS reminds employers that several programs have been affected as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed last year. This includes changes to fringe benefits, which can affect an employer’s bottom line and its employees’ deductions.

Here’s information about some of these changes that will affect employers:

Entertainment Expenses & Deduction for Meals
The new law generally eliminated the deduction for any expenses related to activities generally considered entertainment, amusement or recreation.

However, under the new law, taxpayers can continue to deduct 50 percent of the cost of business meals if the taxpayer or an employee of the taxpayer is present, and the food or beverages are not considered lavish or extravagant. The meals may be provided to a current or potential business customer, client, consultant or similar business contact. Food and beverages that are purchased or consumed during entertainment events will not be considered entertainment if either of these apply:

  • they are purchased separately from the entertainment
  • the cost is stated separately from the entertainment on one or more bills, invoices or receipts

Qualified Transportation
The new law also disallows deductions for expenses associated with qualified transportation fringe benefits or expenses incurred providing transportation for commuting. There is an exception when the transportation expenses are necessary for employee safety.

Bicycle Commuting Reimbursements
Under the new law, employers can deduct qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements as a business expense. The new tax law suspends the exclusion of qualified bicycle commuting reimbursements from an employee’s income. This means that employers must now include these reimbursements in the employee’s wages.

Qualified Moving Expenses Reimbursements
Employers must now include moving expense reimbursements in employees’ wages. The new tax law suspends the exclusion for qualified moving expense reimbursements.

There is one exception as members of the U.S. Armed Forces can still exclude qualified moving expense reimbursements from their income if they meet certain requirements.

Employee Achievement Award
Special rules allow an employee to exclude achievement awards from their wages if the awards are tangible personal property. An employer also may deduct awards that are tangible personal property, subject to certain deduction limits. The new law clarifies the definition of tangible personal property.

 

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-Thanks, Stephanie

http://www.paulinestaxservices.com

http://www.sctaxlady.com

http://www.irs.gov

http://www.Colorado.gov/revenueonline