As we approach the final stretch of 2023, individuals eager to optimize their tax savings are exploring strategic financial avenues. One particularly promising option gaining traction is making last-minute vehicle purchases. Acquiring a vehicle before the year concludes can yield substantial benefits, provided one navigates the process with a keen eye on tax implications and takes advantage of available opportunities.
1. Section 179 Deduction
A key strategy in this endeavor is leveraging the Section 179 deduction, a provision that allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment, including vehicles, in the year of acquisition. This deduction provides a direct reduction in taxable income, serving as a powerful tool for businesses looking to make significant purchases while benefiting from immediate tax advantages. It’s crucial to note that there are annual limits, making timely action crucial for maximizing the potential of this deduction.
2. Bonus Depreciation
In addition to the Section 179 deduction, another avenue worth exploring is bonus depreciation. In 2023, businesses can depreciate 100% of the cost of qualified property, including new and used vehicles, in the first year. This generous depreciation rate offers a substantial reduction in taxable income, making it an attractive option for those looking to minimize their tax liability. Understanding the specific rules and limitations surrounding bonus depreciation is essential to fully capitalize on its benefits.
3. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
With an increasing emphasis on sustainability, investing in electric or hybrid vehicles can bring additional perks beyond environmental considerations. Federal tax credits are often available for those making eco-friendly choices, providing not only financial gains but also contributing to a greener footprint. Exploring the potential tax benefits associated with electric or hybrid vehicles can be a strategic aspect of last-minute vehicle purchases.
4. Consider Business Use
For individuals planning to use the vehicle for both personal and business purposes, there may be opportunities for deductions related to the business percentage. Maintaining detailed records is crucial to substantiate these claims and ensure compliance with tax regulations. Consulting a tax professional becomes particularly valuable in navigating the complexities of these deductions and optimizing the overall tax strategy.
5. Financing Considerations
When contemplating a last-minute vehicle purchase, exploring various financing options is a critical step. The interest paid on a vehicle loan may be deductible, providing an additional avenue for reducing taxable income. Evaluating the terms and interest rates of financing options can help individuals make informed decisions that align with their financial goals.
6. Consult with a Tax Professional
Before finalizing any significant financial decisions, especially those with tax implications, it’s advisable to consult with a qualified tax professional. They can provide personalized advice based on an individual’s unique financial situation, ensuring that decisions align with current tax laws and maximize available benefits.
7. State Tax Considerations
Beyond federal tax implications, it’s crucial to consider state-specific tax regulations. Some states offer additional incentives or have different rules regarding vehicle-related tax benefits. Researching and understanding these state-level considerations can provide further insights into maximizing overall tax savings.
8. Timing and Delivery
The timing of your vehicle purchase can impact your tax benefits. Consider the delivery date of the vehicle – it’s not always the purchase date that matters for tax purposes. Understanding the nuances of when the vehicle is placed in service and available for use is essential for accurate tax planning.
9. Record-Keeping Requirements
Accurate record-keeping is the backbone of successful tax planning. Ensure that you maintain comprehensive records of the vehicle purchase, including receipts, invoices, and any relevant communication. This documentation not only supports your tax claims but also simplifies the process in case of an audit.
10. Evaluate Your Business Structure
For business owners, the structure of your business can influence the tax benefits associated with a vehicle purchase. Sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations may have different rules and limitations regarding depreciation and deductions. Understanding how your business is structured can help tailor your approach to maximize tax advantages.
11. Leasing vs. Buying
The decision between leasing and buying a vehicle can have different tax implications. Lease payments are typically deductible as a business expense, while owning a vehicle provides opportunities for depreciation deductions. Assessing the long-term financial impact and tax advantages of leasing versus buying is a critical consideration.
12. Utilize Tax Software
Leveraging tax software or consulting with tax professionals who use advanced software tools can streamline the process of calculating deductions and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. These tools can provide accurate projections of potential tax savings based on different scenarios, aiding in informed decision-making.
13. Explore State and Federal Incentives
In addition to potential federal incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles, some states offer their own incentives. These can include rebates, tax credits, or reduced registration fees for environmentally friendly vehicles. Researching and taking advantage of these incentives can enhance overall tax savings.
14. Plan for Future Tax Years
A well-thought-out vehicle purchase can have lasting tax benefits beyond the current tax year. Consider your long-term financial goals and how the chosen vehicle aligns with your business or personal needs. Planning for future tax years ensures that your investment continues to provide favorable tax outcomes.
15. Be Mindful of Personal Use
If you use the vehicle for both business and personal purposes, it’s essential to separate and accurately document personal use. The tax treatment of expenses and deductions may vary based on the percentage of business use, and maintaining clear records is vital for compliance.
In summary, navigating the landscape of last-minute vehicle purchases for tax savings involves a multifaceted approach. By understanding federal and state regulations, considering timing, maintaining meticulous records, and exploring various incentives and structures, individuals and businesses can unlock substantial tax benefits. Leveraging technology, seeking professional advice, and planning for the future contribute to a comprehensive strategy that extends beyond immediate tax savings, positioning individuals for financial success in the years to come.
Filing taxes can be a daunting task for many individuals, but it is a necessary part of managing your personal finances. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about filing taxes for 2022.
Know Your Filing Status
Your filing status is an important consideration when filing taxes. There are five filing statuses: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) with dependent child. Each status has different tax brackets and deduction limits. Choose the status that best reflects your situation.
Gather Your Documents
Before you start filing taxes, you will need to gather all the necessary documents. These include your W-2, 1099s, and any other income or tax statements. If you have any deductions, make sure you have the relevant receipts and documentation for every deduction.
Understand Tax Deductions and Credits
Tax deductions and credits can help reduce the amount of taxes you owe. Deductions are expenses that reduce your taxable income, while credits directly reduce the amount of taxes you owe. For the everyday American, some common deductions include mortgage interest, charitable donations, and student loan interest. Although, most taxpayers will take the “standard” deduction. Common tax credits include the earned income tax credit and child tax credit.
Choose the Right Tax Preparation Method
There are several ways to prepare and file your taxes. You can use tax preparation software, hire a tax professional, or file by paper. The method you should go with depends on your situation. For the most accurate and best result, we always recommend hiring a tax professional that can ensure everything is filed correctly. If you owe back taxes from other years, then we highly recommend hiring a tax resolution specialist to look into your case to ensure you the IRS does not garnish your wages or put a tax levy on your assets.
File on Time
The tax filing deadline for 2022 is April 18, 2023. Make sure you file your taxes on time to avoid penalties and interest. If you are unable to file by the deadline, you can request an extension. But, remember an extension only relates to the filing of the return. If you owe for 2022, and you file an extension, what you owe must be paid in with the extension to avoid failure to pay penalties.
Pay Any Taxes Owed
If you owe taxes, make sure you pay them on time. The IRS offers several payment options, including online payment plans, direct debit, check or money order. Failure to pay taxes owed can result in penalties, interest charges, and worse case scenario, tax liens and gransihments.
Keep a Copy of Your Tax Return
Make sure to keep a copy of your tax return for your records. You may need it for future reference or to apply for loans or financial aid.
What to Do If You Owe Back Taxes
If you owe back taxes, the most important thing you can do is take action. Ignoring your tax debt will only make the situation worse, as the IRS will continue to assess penalties and interest on the amount owed. Contact a tax resolution specialist to look over your case, and let them guide you through the process to ensure you don’t jeopardize your financial future.
Our firm specializes in tax resolution. We have CPAs, EAs, and attorneys who can represent you before the IRS. We serve clients virtually so don’t hesitate to reach out. If you want an expert tax resolution specialist who knows the “ins and outs’ and knows how to navigate the IRS maze, reach out to our firm and we’ll schedule a no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premierbusinessstrategist/virtualconsult
In conclusion, filing taxes can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding your filing status, gathering necessary documents, taking advantage of deductions and credits, filing on time, paying any taxes owed, and keeping a copy of your tax return, you can ensure a successful tax filing experience in 2023.
When you owe back taxes and can’t afford to make any payments, then it may be time for a special tax status known as currently not collectible. This means that your debt is still considered valid even though there’s no chance of recovery right now. When you’re approved for currently not collectible status, the IRS can no longer garnish your wages or seize any property.
Now, don’t forget about these debts because the IRS is still looking for payment.
The IRS will place your account in currently not collectible status if you can’t pay both back taxes and reasonable living expenses. You may request this by submitting the proper form with documentation that proves how much income you have left over that is available to make a payment, along with any assets that have been sold recently to cover mounting debts – like homes!
To qualify for the currently not collectible status, you will need to put together a case that you will present to the IRS. Gather copies of your bills, proof of your income (pay stubs, bank statements, alimony, etc), and your investments. It is important to document your inability to pay so that if the IRS determines you cannot afford your necessary expenses, it can grant you status.
When dealing with the IRS, it is best to have a professional in your corner. The IRS can be very intimidating and might ask invasive questions that could land you deeper into trouble than before if you do not know how to answer properly. Remember – they are not friends of yours; their job entails collecting what they believe you owe them so make sure any interaction stays as simple and effective as possible. That is why it is crucial to reach out for help from one of our tax resolution specialists.
If your status is approved, it does not mean you do not have to file your current and future taxes. This status only applies to your back taxes that the IRS is looking to collect. The currently not collectible status is simply a bandaid to help you get back on your feet. That way you can put yourself in a better position to make a payment in the future. The IRS may review your status every year or two if it looks like there is potential for repayment. You will only be able to keep the status active if you still can not make a payment on your back taxes.
The IRS is an institution that prides itself on being collections-oriented. They will try to collect outstanding taxes for only 10 years from the date they were assessed against you. Once the 10 years is up, the IRS can no longer collect the back taxes. This also applies if you have the currently not collectible status. If you do not have the status, are in an installment agreement, or have an offer in compromise pending, the IRS can garnish wages and add more penalties to your case making things worse for you as well as your wallet.
In today’s tough economic climate, many families are struggling to make ends meet. If you’re worried about the IRS garnishing your wages or levying bank accounts, or filing liens against your property for non-payment of taxes you owe – then reaching out may give you some peace of mind.
Our firm will help explain all options available in order to relieve any anxiety associated with these situations because we know how intimidating this can be if nothing has been done before. There is a solution to every IRS problem. Connect with one of our tax resolution specialists to see if you qualify for the currently not collectible status or any of the other IRS settlement options you may be eligible for and the best next steps for your situation. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
When it comes to your money, there’s only one person that truly has your best interests at heart – and that person is looking back at you in the mirror. Handling your own finances and making your own decisions can give you peace of mind and help you avoid a costly mistake.
There is a lot to be said for the do-it-yourself approach to your money, yet the go it alone path does have its limitations, especially when it comes to the IRS and back taxes.
We see clients that have tried to handle their taxes on their own, sometimes raising red flags with the IRS, resulting in audits, or getting hit with a big tax bill they can’t pay. They might set up an installment agreement on their own, but oftentimes, the DIY approach just makes the penalties and interest keep stacking up, placing you in an endless loop of compounding interest, penalties and your tax debt growing every month despite making monthly payments. Many of our clients started out by trying to do this on their own or with their current tax preparer and didn’t get the results they were hoping for.
Dealing with the IRS takes a very specialized skill set that most tax preparers and even CPA’s don’t possess. Make sure you have a tax resolution specialist on your side.
So, before you end up in that horror story, here are 3 times when hiring a tax pro or a tax relief firm like ours is the only way to go.
#1 You Just Received a Major Windfall
Even if you know how to handle your finances, receiving a major windfall can throw your plans for a loop. Whether you are the lucky holder of a winning lottery ticket or the recipient of a major inheritance, it pays to seek outside advice.
If you choose the DIY approach and make a mistake, you could end up paying more in taxes than you should, but a high tax bill is not the only danger. Handling your windfall the wrong way could throw off your asset allocation, impact financial aid for your college-bound children and create additional problems down the road.
#2 You Have Existings Tax Problems with the IRS
When you have issues with the IRS, you absolutely cannot afford to go it alone. Attempting to resolve tax issues on your own is unwise in the extreme, and a single slipup could leave you on the hook for even more. I mean, ask yourself if you would go before a judge in court without a lawyer representing you? Probably not. It’s the same here. Representing yourself before the IRS is generally not a good idea. Don’t do it. You most likely will get “creamed”!
If you receive a notice from the IRS, time is of the essence, but you should not let the desire for fast action override the need for professional help and guidance. If you want to resolve your issues fairly without going broke, do yourself a favor and find the right tax resolution firm. Hiring an enrolled agent, CPA or an attorney that is trained in tax relief is the best way to preserve your rights, and you do not want to go it alone.
#3 When You Have Assets You Need to Protect
When you owe taxes, the IRS only cares about one thing, and that is to get paid what they think you owe them.
They’ll levy your bank account, emptying everything you have in there. If you run a business, that means you won’t be able to pay your employees, pay your office rent or keep your lights on, ultimately putting you out of business.
They’ll also garnish your paycheck leaving you about 10% to 25% of your net pay to live on. Good luck with that.
They can also put a lien on your assets, including real estate, personal property and financial assets. This puts in jeopardy everything you’ve worked so hard to attain.
Hiring the right tax relief professional can help you avoid such extreme measures taken by the IRS. They’ll communicate with the IRS on your behalf and can often remove a lien or levy. If you have assets you can’t afford to lose, then hiring a tax relief pro is the only way to go.
The Bottom Line
Even if you are confident in your Do It Yourself (DIY) approach or feel your tax problem isn’t so serious, it never hurts to get a second opinion. If you are doing everything right, that tax resolution specialist’s advice will give you peace of mind. If there are deficiencies in your actions, the advice you get could stop you from making a devastating, and possibly irreversible, mistake. Plus, you may find out that you can settle your back tax liabilities for less than what you owe. Oftentimes, for a fraction of what’s owed!
If you do run into tax trouble, reach out to our tax resolution firm and we’ll schedule a free, no-obligation confidential consultation to explain your options in full to permanently resolve your tax problem. https://calendly.com/premiersmlbus/consult
If you are running a small business, you have one unwanted partner that will dig into your pocket every year, it’s the IRS. The IRS wants to know what you are doing, how much you are earning and most importantly how much you are paying in taxes, and the tax agency is becoming increasingly aggressive in this regard. While the audit rate for individual returns has been hovering at far less than 1%, the audit rate for small businesses can be as much as 10 times higher.
It does not matter if you operate as a sole proprietor and use Schedule C to claim your income or if you are set up as a C-corp, S-corp or LLC – the IRS is watching what you do, and if they think you are not paying your fair share they will certainly come calling. When that demand letter from the IRS arrives, knowing what to do next can make all the difference, and the more you educate yourself the easier it will be to deal with, and eliminate, the tax debt.
Note: As a tax resolution firm, we always recommend that you reach out to a professional who knows how to aggressively negotiate and defend you against the IRS on your behalf. If you owe back taxes or are under audit, our firm can help negotiate with the IRS and potentially settle your tax debt. Call us today. Our tax resolution specialists can navigate the IRS maze so that you have nothing to worry about. Set a meeting here.
Small business owners are increasingly the target of enforcement efforts by the IRS, but the IRS does have some programs in place to make paying what those business owners owe easier. In some cases those small business tax relief and tax resolution programs let you settle for less than what you owe but qualifying is not as straightforward as you might think.
For businesses that may be eligible, the assistance of a tax resolution specialist is absolutely critical. These experts can help guide you through the process and make sure you qualify, so you can rest a little easier and get back to building your business.
Payment Plans/Installment Agreements
If the amount your small business owes to the IRS is relatively small and you do not want to deal with additional hassles, it may make sense to pay the entire bill in full. If paying in full would be a hardship, the IRS does offer payment plans, and setting one up can make paying back what you owe easier and more financially palatable.
Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue while the debt remains outstanding, and that is something to think about.
Offer In Compromise
If you’re under a lot of financial hardship, it may make more sense to try for
an offer in compromise (OIC), a special IRS program that could allow you to pay back less than you owe.
The offer in compromise program is a popular one with individual taxpayers and small business owners. If paying the entire amount would create a financial hardship for you, your family or your business, a tax resolution specialist can help you make the case to the IRS that you deserve a break.
What’s the best option?
Each of these options has its pros and cons, and it is important to understand how these programs work and who qualifies to use them. If your small business is in trouble with the IRS, taking the right action right away could reduce the amount you owe, give you some breathing room and allow you to focus on your clients – not on your taxes.
Running a small business has its challenges, but those difficulties are nothing compared to the stress and anxiety small business owners feel when dealing with the IRS. With so many small business owners now in IRS crosshairs, it has never been more important for freelancers, gig workers and the self-employed to have an advocate in their corner.
If you find yourself on the wrong end of an audit, a tax bill or an enforcement action from the IRS, the steps you take next are absolutely critical. Trying to take on the IRS on your own is a dangerous, and potentially expensive, thing to do, and you should always contact a tax resolution firm.
By working with an expert, you can gain access to vital information about small business settlement programs the IRS offers. You can gain access to the expertise you will need to settle your tax bill for less than you owe and get back in the good graces of the IRS. Time is of the essence when the IRS comes calling, and with the interest and penalty clock ticking you do not have one second to waste. So call us, your tax resolution expert, for a case evaluation. Set a meeting here.
If you hire an employee for your Schedule C business, you can qualify for several valuable tax credits. Each credit is different, and certain limitations apply to all or most employer tax credits. Remember, tax credits are the best. They beat deductions. Note the difference below (using the 32 percent bracket):
Many tax credits are not available if you hire a person related to you, including children, stepchildren, a spouse, parents, siblings, step-siblings, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, or in-laws.
Eight Valuable Tax Credits for Business Owners
Below are listed the eight non-refundable tax credits that Schedule C business owners can claim when they hire employees.
The second option is more realistic for smaller businesses. Businesses often partner with childcare companies such as the Learning Care Group, Bright Horizons, and KinderCare to offer this benefit.
Key point. You might be surprised which places the government designates as having high poverty and unemployment. It’s worth checking out.
You can claim a credit equal to 20 percent of the first $15,000 in wages you pay to full- or part-time employees who both live and work in an empowerment zone.
Thus, the maximum credit is $3,000 per employee (20 percent x $15,000). The employees must work for you for at least 90 days.
If you would like to discuss how to take advantage of these or other tax credits, please call us at 757-410-8030.