William Byrnes' Tax, Wealth, and Risk Intelligence

William Byrnes (Texas A&M) tax & compliance articles

Posts Tagged ‘Politics’

More States Moving to Estate Tax Repeal

Posted by William Byrnes on November 18, 2011


In recent times, federal estate tax is receiving most of the attention. Nevertheless, most of the death tax activity affecting Americans occurs at the state level.

The reality is, fewer states (twenty-two plus D.C) currently have a “death tax”—referring collectively to estate and inheritance taxes. Recently,  a number of those states  increased their exemption amount to exclude a large majority of their residents from the tax. One state—Ohio—is on the verge of repealing its estate tax altogether.

Read this complete analysis of the impact at AdvisorFX (sign up for a free trial subscription with full access to all the planning libraries and client presentations if you are not already a subscriber).

For previous coverage of Obama’s tax agreement, including its estate tax provisions, in Advisor’s Journal, see Obama Tax Agreement Faces Stiff Resistance in Congress (CC 10-112) and Obama Tax Agreement Passed by House (CC 10-117).

Posted in Wealth Management | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Health Care Reform Causes an Avalanche of 1099s

Posted by William Byrnes on November 11, 2010


Seal of the Internal Revenue Service

Image via Wikipedia

The Health Care Act includes many provisions that are not directly related to health care but which are intended to fund the colossal government expenditure necessitated by the Act. One of the most burdensome changes imposed by the Health Care Act is the massive expansion of the payees and payment types that require a 1099. The new requirements will trigger a flood of paperwork for everyone involved, including payors, payees, and the IRS.

The new information reporting requirement will kick in on January 1, 2012. But the IRS will not be releasing guidance on the changes right away, so the time for taxpayers to implement the new requirements may run short. The comment period preceding the IRS’s release of proposed regulations passed at the end of September, so we can expect proposed regulations in the coming months. Advisor’s Journal will keep you informed as the IRS implements these new rules.   Read this complete article at AdvisorFX (sign up for a free trial subscription with full access to all of the planning libraries and client presentations if you are not already a subscriber).

For previous coverage of the Health Care Act in Advisor’s Journal, see Changes Affecting Individuals in the 2010 Health Reform Law (CC 10-15), Changes Affecting Business in the 2010 Health Reform Law (CC 10-16), and Changes Affecting Large Employers in the 2010 Health Reform Law (CC 10-17).

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CAN I GET YOUR 1099 INFO WITH MY TO GO ORDER?

Posted by William Byrnes on October 14, 2010


By Associate Dean William H. Byrnes, IV and Professor Hannah Bible of the of the International Tax and Financial Services Graduate Program of Thomas Jefferson School of Law

I. CAN I GET A 1099 WITH THAT?

On January 1, 2012 Mr. Irk pulls up to his local McDonalds drive thru in his new hydro car, being the general public conscious man he is.

Id like a Big Mac, a small order of fries, and a signed 1099 Form on the side please. With speaker hiss overshadowing, a voice responds, OK thats a Big Mac, a small fry, and a fried small apple pie. No, Mr. Irk responds, a signed 1099 form. Again barely understandable over the hiss of the speaker, eh, so you want four fried small apple pies? Mr. Irk, living up to his namesake, responds no no, not four, form.

Sir, I aint got no idea what you talkin bout. Clearly the local McDonalds counsel did not advise his client on the most recent changes in tax law.

Unless the Treasury takes great prerogative and creativity in the writing of regulations applicable to the recent Amendments set out in I.R.C. 6041, throughout 2011 attorneys and consultants should be preparing clients on how to comply with the new reporting requirements.

Starting in 2012 all gross proceeds,  in addition to the previously required gains, profits, and income currently required to be reported, will need to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Form 1099-MISC (or an applicable 1099 form within the 1099 series) from any amount received in consideration of …. Thus, starting January 1, sales of tangible goods will now require reporting by the purchaser.

Please read this 10 page detailed analysis of how to advise your clients and practice advice at Mertens Developments & Highlights via your Westlaw subscription (<– click there) or order via Thomson-West (<– click there).

Posted in Taxation | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Bush Tax Cuts Linger Long After Sunset

Posted by William Byrnes on September 16, 2010


Why is this Topic Important to Wealth Managers? Provides an overview of how the pending tax cut provisions will affect the national economy and your clients as a part of it.  Discusses generally the relationship between tax and Congressional budget as they relate to the taxpayer burdens.

In the face of bailouts, new legislation and regulation, and a stalling economy, one area, taxes, is certainly being discussed among the public scuttlebutt.  Specifically, the Bush Era Tax Cuts are the center of attention because they will sunset or expire, without further legislative action by the end of this year.

Read the full analysis at AdvisorFYI

Posted in Tax Policy, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

What’s the Correlation Between Capital Gains Rates and GDP?

Posted by William Byrnes on September 15, 2010


Although, Reagan’s administration saw higher growth in total, and annually, on average, than  that of the previous and post 8 years of his term, his administration’s numbers are still below the 50 year trend, as well as the terms of some other Presidents, notwithstanding the unsupportive data on the short term effects of the tax cuts.  However, there is a lack of conclusive evidence, therefore, to determine that a decrease in capital gains tax rates will have the short or long term affect of increasing total GDP.  Yet, neither will an increase in the rate increase tax revenues.

We invite you to read the study and analysis at AdvisorFYI

Related Articles Dividends and capital gains hostage to tax impasse (reuters.com)

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Estate and Gift Taxes, Tax Cuts and More

Posted by William Byrnes on September 14, 2010


Why is this Topic Important to Wealth Managers?  Author Ben Terner of the Panel of Experts offers detailed information that has a direct affect on clients’ planning objectives as it relates to estate and gift tax.   Provides a general discussion as well as detailed analysis of the current law and the affect of Congress’ current indecision.

Generally, “[g]ross income does not include the value of property acquired by gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance.” [1] Which means gift income or inheritance income received by the beneficiary is not taxable income to the individual who receives property by such gift, bequest, devise, or inheritance. [2] “Although the donated or inherited property itself is not taxable, income derived from such property is includable in gross income.” [3]

Read the analysis at AdvisorFYI

Posted in Tax Policy | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

 
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