Showing posts with label michigan tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label michigan tax. Show all posts

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Doeren Mayhew’s 2nd Annual Food Drive a Success

Doeren Mayhew’s 2nd Annual Food Drive a Success

2 Extra Days to File This Year – Tax Deadline Extended

2 Extra Days to File This Year – Tax Deadline Extended

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Fate of Bush-era tax cuts derails super committee

Doeren Mayhew

Fate of Bush-era tax cuts derails super committee

Congress' Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the so-called "super committee") failed to reach an agreement by its November 23 deadline after weeks of sparring over the Bush-era tax cuts. The Budget Control Act of 2011 created the bipartisan super committee in August and instructed it to develop proposals to reduce the federal budget deficit by November 23. The super committee held many meetings and reportedly debated several proposals, all behind closed doors, to reform the Tax Code and entitlement programs. In the end, however, Democrats and the GOP remained far apart on taxes and entitlement programs and announced they could not agree on a final proposal.

Bush-era tax cuts

One tax item in particular appeared to frustrate the progress of the super committee: the fate of the Bush-era tax cuts. Last year, the White House and Congress agreed to extend the Bush-era tax cuts through 2012. Under current law, the following Bush-era tax cuts (not an exhaustive list) will expire after 2012 unless extended:

Reduced individual income tax rates (10, 15, 28, 33, and 35 percent)
Reduced capital gains and dividends tax rates
Marriage penalty relief (expanded 15 percent tax bracket for joint filers and standard deduction for married couples twice that of single individuals)
Repeal of the limitation on itemized deductions for higher income taxpayers
Repeal of the phase out of personal exemptions for higher income taxpayers
In September, President Obama sent the super committee a plan that would have extended the Bush-era tax cuts for lower and moderate income individuals but not for higher income taxpayers (which the White House defines as single individuals with incomes over $200,000 and married couples with incomes over $250,000). The House GOP presented a plan that would have lowered the maximum individual and corporate tax rates to 25 percent. Several committees and individual lawmakers also sent deficit reduction plans to the super committee.

In the days leading up to the November deadline, Democratic and Republican members of the super committee acknowledged that they had reached little common ground over the fate of the Bush-era tax cuts. On November 21, the co-chairs of the super committee announced that that they "[had] come to the conclusion that it will not be possible to make any bipartisan agreement available to the public before the committee's deadline."

With the super committee sidelined, the fate of the Bush-era tax cuts moves to Congress and the White House. The GOP-controlled House could try to extend the Bush-era tax cuts in stand-alone legislation but any bill would likely fail to pass the Senate. Additionally, President Obama has repeatedly said he will veto legislation that extends the Bush-era tax cuts for higher income taxpayers.

Payroll tax cut

More immediately, the ?White House and Congress are currently debating the fate of extending for another year the 2011 payroll tax cut. Wage earners and self-employed individuals took home more pay in 2011 because of a temporary reduction in the employee-share of old age, survivors and disability (OASDI) taxes. The employee-share of OASDI taxes was reduced from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent for calendar year 2011 (with similar relief provided to self-employed individuals). ). Although both sides of the aisle in Congress agree that an extension through 2012 is desirable, consensus must be achieved in agreeing to ways to pay for its $263 billion price tag. An agreement is expected sometime in December, although prospects are not entirely certain.?

Budget cuts

The super committee's failure to deliver a deficit reduction plan automatically triggers spending cuts after 2012. Under the Budget Control Act, the spending reductions will be achieved through a combination of sequestration (for FY 2013) and the downward adjustment of discretionary spending limits for FY 2014-FY 2021. This means that Congress must determine the manner in which reductions are made to the federal government's budget, including the IRS, through the annual appropriations process each year. However, some programs, such as Social Security and Medicaid, are exempt from the budget cuts.

President Obama and Congress could agree to modify the spending reductions under the Budget Control Act. On November 21, President Obama said he will veto any bills that remove the automatic triggers in the Budget Control Act. President Obama is reportedly using the veto threat to keep pressure on Congress to reach an agreement over the fate of the Bush-era tax cuts and entitlement spending.

If you have any questions about the super committee, the Bush-era tax cuts or the prospects for tax reform, please contact Doeren Mayhew.


If and only to the extent that this publication contains contributions from tax professionals who are subject to the rules of professional conduct set forth in Circular 230, as promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury, the publisher, on behalf of those contributors, hereby states that any U.S. federal tax advice that is contained in such contributions was not intended or written to be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by the Internal Revenue Service, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer for such purpose.

New law repeals 3% government withholding, provides hiring credits for veterans, and more

Doeren Mayhew

New law repeals 3% government withholding, provides hiring credits for veterans, and more

On November 21, President Obama signed into law the 3% Withholding Repeal and Job Creation Act. The new law does much more than merely repeal withholding on government contractors. The new law enhances the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, expands the IRS' continuous levy authority, and more.

Government withholding

The Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 (2005 Tax Act) created a new withholding requirement for government agencies. The federal government, and every state and local government, would be required to withhold income tax at the rate of three percent on certain payments to persons providing any property or services. Some payments, such as payments of interest, were exempt.

The government withholding requirement was originally scheduled to apply to payments made after December 31, 2010. Congress delayed the effective date to payments made after December 31, 2011. The IRS issued final regulations in 2011, further delaying the effective date to payments made after December 31, 2012.

Since passage of the 2005 Tax Act, momentum for the repeal of withholding on government contractors has grown. The Senate approved the 3% Repeal Act unanimously on November 10, and the House voted 422-0 in favor of the bill on November 16. The 3% Repeal Act repeals government withholding as if it had never been enacted.

Veterans

The WOTC provides employers an incentive to hire individuals from various target groups, including veterans, The 3% Repeal Act modifies the WOTC for qualified veterans. The WOTC enhancements for veterans are called the Returning Heroes Tax Credit and the Wounded Warrior Tax Credit.

Returning Heroes Tax Credit. The Returning Heroes Tax Credit encourages employers to hire unemployed veterans. Employers hiring short-term unemployed veterans (generally veterans who have been unemployed for at least four weeks but less than six months) may be eligible for a credit of up to $2,400 per employee. The credit reaches $5,600 per employee if the employer hires a veteran who has been unemployed for longer than six months.

Wounded Warriors Tax Credit. The Wounded Warriors Tax Credit rewards employers that hire unemployed veterans with service connected disabilities. The credit reaches $9,600 per employee for employers that hire long-term unemployed veterans with service connected disabilities and $4,800 per employee for employers that hire short-term unemployed veterans with service-connected disabilities.

The 3% Repeal Act also extends the current WOTC for qualified veterans who receive food stamps through the end of 2012. The credit for qualified veterans in this target group can reach $2,400 per employee. Additionally, the 3% Repeal Act makes the WOTC for qualified veterans available to tax-exempt employers and streamlines the certification process.

The changes to the WOTC under the 3% Repeal Act are effective for veterans who begin work for an employer after November 21, 2011 (the date of enactment of the new law). The 3% Repeal Act, however, is temporary and its enhancements to the WOTC for veterans will expire after 2012 unless extended by Congress.

IRS continuous levy

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 authorized the IRS to collect overdue tax debts of individuals and businesses that receive federal payments by levying up to 15 percent of each payment until the debt is paid. In 2004, Congress increased the percentage to 100 percent in case of certain payments due to vendors of services or goods sold or leased to the federal government. The 3% Repeal Act authorizes the IRS to continuously levy at 100 percent on payments for goods, services and property due to vendors of the federal government. This change is effective for levies issued after November 21, 2011 (the date of enactment of the new law).

More provisions

The 3% Repeal Act also:

Changes the definition of modified adjusted gross income for purposes of the Code Sec. 36B health insurance premium assistance tax credit and certain other federal health care programs
Extends information sharing between the IRS and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Enhances federal job training programs for veterans
Directs the Treasury Department to prepare a report on the tax gap and government contractors
If you have any questions about the 3% Withholding Repeal Act, please contact Doeren Mayhew.


If and only to the extent that this publication contains contributions from tax professionals who are subject to the rules of professional conduct set forth in Circular 230, as promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury, the publisher, on behalf of those contributors, hereby states that any U.S. federal tax advice that is contained in such contributions was not intended or written to be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by the Internal Revenue Service, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer for such purpose.

Year-end investment strategies for 2011 worth a look

Doeren Mayhew

Year-end investment strategies for 2011 worth a look

As 2011 winds down, investors should consider several last-minute strategies to improve their bottom line tax liability. Many of these strategies follow traditional advice applicable to any year-end. Others, however, are unique to 2011, not only because of the continuing impact of the economy but also because of major tax changes that are threatening for 2013, which is just a little more than a year away.

Long- and short-term gains

Long-term stock gains and qualified cash dividends continue to be taxed at the favorable maximum rate of 15 percent in 2011 and again in 2012. For lower-income investors in the 10 and 15 percent income tax brackets, a zero rate applies to stock gains and dividend income. Long-term capital gains rates apply to stock (and other investments) held for more than one year. Qualified dividend rates apply for stock held more than 60 days of a prescribed period around the dividend's record date. Short-term gains are taxed at ordinary income rates and apply to stock held for one year or less.

If your stock has declined in value, it may make sense to sell it and recognize the loss. Capital losses have to be netted against capital gains, but net capital losses can be deducted dollar-for-dollar against ordinary income, up to $3,000 a year ($1,500 for married individuals filing separately). Excess capital losses above $3,000 are carried over to the following year and can be deducted against another $3,000 of ordinary income (after netting with any capital gains in the succeeding year).

Wash sale rules

If you expect the market to improve, you may want to hold on to your stock, even if it has dropped in value. It may be tempting to sell the stock, to recognize the loss, and then repurchase the same stock;however, the tax code under its so-called wash sale rules will not let you take the loss if you purchase identical stock within 30 days before or after you sell your shares. Another option is to sell your shares, wait 31 days, and then repurchase the stock.

Timing

Stock traded in an over-the-counter market or on a regulated national securities exchange is generally treated as sold on the date the taxpayer enters into a binding contract to sell the stock. This is the trade date, in contrast to the settlement date, when deliveries of the stock certificate and payment are made (generally the fifth business day after the trade date). The trade date is also the end of the selling taxpayer's holding period for purposes of determining long- or short-term gain.

For short sales, however, the IRS insists on following a rule with a slight twist. If the stock price falls and a gain will result, the gain is realized on the trade date, when the seller directs his or her broker to purchase shares. On the other hand, if the price rises and a loss will result, the loss is not realized until the stock is delivered on the settlement date.

In either case, remember that for 2011, December 31 falls on a Saturday, making December 30, 2011 the last day on which the public stock exchanges are open.

Long-term holding period

This year, year-end tax selling strategies should also be coordinated with year-end tax buying. In addition to the traditional attention given to the wash-sale rules on the repurchase of securities, investors should be aware that the rates on long-term capital gains quite possibility will be going up dramatically after 2012, when the Bush-era tax rates end. In default of Congressional action, the maximum rate on net long-term capital gains will rise from 15 percent to 20 percent. Since long-term gain is available only on assets held for more than one year, investors should be aware that the gain on stock and other capital assets purchased after 2011 quite likely will be subject to a higher tax rate. Year-end 2011 should therefore present an opportunity to get your long-term investment strategies in order so that, if forced to sell at year-end 2012 before a 2013 rate increase, you will be able to take advantage of the lower long-term rates.

If you would like to further refine your year-end investment strategies, please do not hesitate to contact Doeren Mayhew.


If and only to the extent that this publication contains contributions from tax professionals who are subject to the rules of professional conduct set forth in Circular 230, as promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury, the publisher, on behalf of those contributors, hereby states that any U.S. federal tax advice that is contained in such contributions was not intended or written to be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by the Internal Revenue Service, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer for such purpose.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The tricky distinction between employees and independent contractors

Doeren Mayhew

The tricky distinction between employees and independent contractors

In light of the IRS's new Voluntary Worker Classification Settlement Program (VCSP), which it announced this fall, the distinction between independent contractors and employees has become a "hot issue" for many businesses. The IRS has devoted considerable effort to rectifying worker misclassification in the past, and continues the trend with this new program. It is available to employers that have misclassified employees as independent contractors and wish to voluntarily rectify the situation before the IRS or Department of Labor initiates an examination.

The distinction between independent contractors and employees is significant for employers, especially when they file their federal tax returns. While employers owe only the payment to independent contractors, employers owe employees a series of federal payroll taxes, including Social Security, Medicare, Unemployment, and federal tax withholding. Thus, it is often tempting for employers to avoid these taxes by classifying their workers as independent contractors rather than employees.

If, however, the IRS discovers this misclassification, the consequences might include not only the requirement that the employer pay all owed payroll taxes, but also hefty penalties. It is important that employers be aware of the risk they take by classifying a worker who should or could be an employee as an independent contractor.

"All the facts and circumstances"

The IRS considers all the facts and circumstances of the parties in determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. These are numerous and sometimes confusing, but in short summary, the IRS traditionally considers 20 factors, which can be categorized according to three aspects: (1) behavioral control; (2) financial control; (3) and the relationship of the parties.

Examples of behavioral and financial factors that tend to indicate a worker is an employee include:

The worker is required to comply with instructions about when, where, and how to work;
The worker is trained by an experienced employee, indicating the employer wants services performed in a particular manner;
The worker's hours are set by the employer;
The worker must submit regular oral or written reports to the employer;
The worker is paid by the hour, week, or month;
The worker receives payment or reimbursement from the employer for his or her business and traveling expenses; and
The worker has the right to end the employment relationship at any time without incurring liability.
In other words, any existing facts or circumstances that point to an employer's having more behavioral and/or financial control over the worker tip the balance towards classifying that worker as an employee rather than a contractor. The IRS's factors do not always apply, however; and if one or several factors indicate independent contractor status, but more indicate the worker is an employee, the IRS may still determine the worker is an employee.

Finally, in examining the relationship of the parties, benefits, permanency of the employment term, and issuance of a Form W-2 rather than a Form 1099 are some indicators that the relationship is that of an employer-employee.

Conclusion

Worker classification is fact-sensitive, and the IRS may see a worker you may label an independent contractor in a very different light. One key point to remember is that the IRS generally frowns on independent contractors and actively looks for factors that indicate employee status.

Please do not hesitate to call our offices if you would like a reassessment of how you are currently classifying workers in your business, as well as an evaluation of whether IRS's new Voluntary Classification Program may be worth investigating.

Contact Doeren Mayhew for more information.


If and only to the extent that this publication contains contributions from tax professionals who are subject to the rules of professional conduct set forth in Circular 230, as promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury, the publisher, on behalf of those contributors, hereby states that any U.S. federal tax advice that is contained in such contributions was not intended or written to be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by the Internal Revenue Service, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer for such purpose.

Year-end charitable giving can benefit your 2011 tax bottom-line

Doeren Mayhew

Year-end charitable giving can benefit your 2011 tax bottom-line

Charitable contributions traditionally peak at the end of the year-end. While tax savings may not be your prime motivator for making a gift to charity, your donation could help your tax bottom-line for 2011. As with many tax incentives, the rules for tax-deductible charitable contributions are complex, especially the rules for substantiating your donation. Also important to keep in mind are some enhanced charitable giving incentives scheduled to expire at the end of 2011.

Tips

The IRS has posted tips for deducting charitable contributions on its website. The tips are a good refresher of the fundamental rules for deducting charitable contributions:

--To be tax-deductible, a contribution must be made to a quailed qualified organization.

--To deduct a charitable contribution, you must file Form 1040 and itemize deductions on Schedule A.

--If you receive a benefit because of your contribution such as merchandise, tickets to a ball game or other goods and services, then you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of the benefit received.

--Donations of clothing and household items must generally be in good used condition or better to be tax-deductible.

--Special rules apply to donations of motor vehicles.

--Many donations must be substantiated; the substantiation rules vary for different donations.

Qualified organizations

Some individuals are surprised to learn that their donation is not tax-deductible because the recipient is not a qualified charitable organization. Generally, churches, temples, synagogues, mosques, and other religious organizations are qualified charitable organizations. Nonprofit community service, educational, and health organizations are also generally qualified charitable organizations. Special rules apply to foreign charities. If you have any questions whether the organization is a qualified charitable organization, please contact our office.

Substantiation rules

In 2006, Congress significantly revised the rules for substantiating your charitable contributions. Unless a contribution is properly substantiated, the IRS may deny your deduction.

Regardless of the amount, to deduct a contribution of cash, check, or other monetary gift, you must maintain a bank record, payroll deduction records or a written communication from the organization containing the name of the organization, the date of the contribution and amount of the contribution. Remember, this rule applies to all cash contributions, even contributions of small monetary amounts. The IRS will not accept certain personal records. For example, you cannot substantiate a contribution by reference to a diary or notes made at the time of the donation.

In recent years, text message donations have grown in popularity. For text message donations, a telephone bill will meet the record-keeping requirement if it shows the name of the receiving organization, the date of the contribution, and the amount given.

To claim a deduction for contributions of cash or property equaling $250 or more you must have a bank record, payroll deduction records or a written acknowledgment from the qualified organization showing the amount of the cash and a description of any property contributed, and whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the gift.

One document may satisfy both the written communication requirement for monetary gifts and the written acknowledgement requirement for all contributions of $250 or more. If your total deduction for all noncash contributions for the year is over $500, you must complete and attach IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, to your return.

Additional rules apply for donations valued at more than $5,000. These donations generally require an appraisal and you must advise the IRS of that appraisal by filing a special form.

Expiring provisions

Under current law, certain IRA owners can directly transfer tax-free, up to $100,000 annually from the IRA to a qualified charitable organization. The benefit is limited. The IRA owner must be age 70 ½ or older. Additionally, the contribution does not qualify for the deduction for charitable donations. To qualify, the IRA funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to the qualified charitable organization. You can also take advantage of this tax incentive if you itemize or do not itemize deductions.

Unless extended, this incentive is scheduled to expire after December 31, 2011. It is unclear if Congress will extend the incentive into 2012 or beyond. If you are considering a charitable contribution from your IRA, please contact our office so we can review the rules in detail.

Several other enhanced charitable giving incentives are also scheduled to expire at the end of 2011. They include special rules for contributions of food inventory, contributions of computer equipment to schools by corporations, and other special rules for corporations.

Clothing and household items

Cleaning out your closet can help generate year-end tax savings. However, not all charitable contributions of clothing and household items are deductible. Generally, clothing and household items donated to a charitable organization must be in good used or better condition. Other rules also apply to donations of clothing and household items.

Motor vehicles and other types of donations

The tax deduction for a motor vehicle, boat or airplane donated to charity is fraught with complexity. The substantiation requirements depend on the amount of your claimed deduction. If you are considering donating a motor vehicle, boat or airplane to charity, please contact our office so we can help you navigate the substantiation rules to maximize your tax benefits.

The rules for donations of conservation easements, intellectual property and other items likewise require expert planning. Otherwise, you could miss the tax benefit.

Limitations

The Tax Code includes a number of provisions limiting tax-deductible contributions. Limitations may be based on the individual's income, the type of donation and the nature of the recipient organization. Our office can describe how these limitations may impact you.

In past years, a provision known as the limitation on itemized deductions applied to higher-income individuals. This provision reduces the total amount of a higher-income individual's otherwise allowable deductions; however, some deductions are not impacted. For 2011 and 2012, this limitation does not apply.

If you have any questions about the mechanics of tax-deductible charitable contributions, please contact Doeren Mayhew.


If and only to the extent that this publication contains contributions from tax professionals who are subject to the rules of professional conduct set forth in Circular 230, as promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury, the publisher, on behalf of those contributors, hereby states that any U.S. federal tax advice that is contained in such contributions was not intended or written to be used by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer by the Internal Revenue Service, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer for such purpose.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Doeren Mayhew: 2010 year-end tax planning for businesses

2010 year-end tax planning involves consideration of tax laws going into effect in 2011 as much it involves tax provisions effective this year. Some tax incentives that expired for businesses at the end of 2009 have been resurrected for 2010 (and 2011 in some cases), including bonus depreciation and small business expensing. However, with higher tax rates set for 2011, traditional planning techniques, such acceleration and deferral, may require more thought this year especially. This article explores some planning opportunities, challenges, and issues presented by year-end tax planning for 2010.

Accelerating income/deferring deductions
Every year, businesses can take advantage of a traditional planning technique that involves (or alternatively deferring income and accelerating deductions). However, business taxpayers such as passthrough entities (limited liability companies, partnerships, S corporations, sole proprietorships) should consider accelerating business income into the current year and deferring deductions until 2011 (and perhaps beyond) in light of the scheduled 2011 tax rate increases (the top two income tax brackets are set to rise from 33 and 35 percent to 36 and 39.6 percent respectively). Since pass-through entities generally pay tax at the individual income tax rate level, and those levels are expected to rise, this may be a significant factor affecting this year's planning.

For example, limited liability companies, partnerships, and S corporations can avoid or minimize the impact of the scheduled 2011 rate increases by accelerating certain business transactions and thus income into 2010 (and deferring deductions until next year). For instance, if your business is planning to sell certain property, you may want to close the sale in 2010 to avoid the higher 2011 rates. Not only are the ordinary income tax rates scheduled to rise, but too are the capital gains rates. Thus, this strategy can generally help regardless of the type of income generated since rates in both categories are going to rise next year. 

The strategy of accelerating income and deferring deductions may apply to a number of transactions affecting your business, including leasing, inventory, compensation and bonus practices, depreciation and expensing. Pass-through entities need to be particularly sensitive to the scheduled 2011 income tax rate increases and therefore plan accordingly.

Cash basis businesses that expect to be in the same or a higher tax bracket in 2011 should consider moves to shift income into 2010 by accelerating cash collections this year, and deferring deductions until next year. Thus, delay payment of certain expenses until next year, where possible, since deductions are allowed when the expenses are actually paid. If you have outstanding accounts receivable, collect on those payments due to your business in 2010.

Accrual method businesses that anticipate being in higher rate brackets next year may want to accelerate the shipment of products or provision of services into 2010 so that your business's right to the income arises this year.

Take advantage of increased small business expensing
For 2010 and 2011, businesses can benefit from enhanced Code Sec. 179 small business expensing. Congress increased the amount of qualifying property that business that immediately expense to $500,000 (up from $250,000) for tax years beginning in 2010 and 2011. This amount is reduced dollar for dollar to the extent the cost of the qualifying property placed in service during the year exceeds $2 million (increased from $800,000). The increase in the expensing cap from $800,000 to $2 million for 2010 (and 2011) effectively opens up the availability of Code Sec. 179 expensing to many more businesses. If you have bought qualifying property - even computer software qualifies - or plan to buy property, consider doing so now to take advantage of the immediate tax benefit. You can also do so again in 2011, when tax rates are expected to be higher. 

Also included in the definition of qualified Code Sec. 179 property (only temporarily though) is qualified real property, which is defined as qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. However, businesses are limited to expensing of up to $250,000 of the total cost of these properties. The dollar cap applies to the aggregate cost of qualified real property.

Bonus deprecation
Bonus depreciation is not limited by the size of the business, unlike practical access to Code Sec. 179 "small business" expensing. Bonus depreciation allows taxpayers to immediately deduct 50-percent of the cost of qualifying property purchased and placed in service in 2010. Unlike Sec. 179 expensing, bonus depreciation is only available for 2010. Qualifying property must be purchased and placed into service on or before December 31, 2010.

Increased start-up expense deduction
New businesses can take advantage of the increased deduction for start-up expenditures. For 2010, the start-up expense deduction limit has been raised from $5,000 to $10,000. The phaseout threshold is also increased to $60,000 (up from $50,000). Thus, if you have incurred during 2010 costs relating to the creation of an active trade or business, or the investigation of the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business, you may be able to benefit from this increased deduction. Entrepreneurs can recover more small business tart-up expenses up-front, thereby increasing cash flow and providing other benefits.

Additional planning techniques
There are a number of other year-end tax planning strategies you may want to consider utilizing for 2010. These include potentially changing your accounting method to advance income or defer expenses (however, accounting method changes can have a binding elect on taxpayers for future years); accelerating installment sale proceeds or electing out of the installment method; electing slower depreciation methods, deferring payments of accrued bonuses; and determine if you can write-off any bad debts. 

This data is distributed for informational purposes only, with the understanding that Doeren Mayhew is not rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Please contact Doeren Mayhew with any questions.


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