There have been a number of challenges to the requirement for physical damages in business interruption insurance policies, and this week we see a court ruling in North Carolina that CVOID-related restrictions were enough to meet the test for physical damages because they prevented the policyholder from using their property. More on this in Tax Facts, and also at our sister site FC&S. Also, if you missed the late November webinar on “The Biggest Tax Implications for 2021” you can still register and view the recording at the link below. William Byrnes and Robert Bloink walked us through an hour of what the CARES Act and FFCRA changes may look like in 2021. Tune in!
ACA Likely To Withstand Latest Challenge The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments that will be instrumental in determining the fate of the Affordable Care Act. Since the 2017 tax reform legislation reduced the individual mandate to $0, many challenged whether the ACA was constitutional–in other words, whether it could be considered a valid exercise of Congress’ power to tax. Confirmation of new Supreme Court justice Amy Barrett created the real possibility that the ACA could be overturned. However, after hearing oral arguments, two conservative justices–Roberts and Kavanaugh–indicated their support for severance. If that happens, the individual mandate portion of the ACA would be severed from the remainder of the law. For more information on the ACA, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More. Read More
State Court Rules in Favor of Restaurants in Business Interruption Insurance Case A North Carolina court has ruled in favor of a group of restaurants and required the insurance company to provide business interruption coverage. The court agreed with the plaintiffs that government stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions caused the restaurants to suffer a physical loss because they lost physical use and physical access to their businesses. The policy at issue defined “loss” as “accidental physical loss or accidental physical damage,” but did not define “direct”, “physical loss”, or “physical damage.” The court agreed that the businesses lost the full use and advantage of their business premises. The court rejected the insurance company’s argument that tangible physical loss was required because, even if true, that rendered the policy language ambiguous. Despite the fact that this was a state-level case, other courts may find the reliance on standard contract interpretation principles persuasive. For more information on business insurance issues, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
DOL Releases Final Rule on Considering Non-Financial Factors in Selecting Retirement Plan Investments The DOL has released a final rule on whether environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors can be considered when retirement plan fiduciaries are selecting plan investments without violating their fiduciary duties. Plan fiduciaries are obligated to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries when making investment decisions. The final rule confirms the DOL position that plan fiduciaries must select investments based on pecuniary, financial factors. Fiduciaries are required to compare reasonably available investment alternatives–but are not required to scour the markets. The rule also includes an “all things being equal test”–meaning that fiduciaries are not prohibited from considering or selecting investments that promote or support non-pecuniary goals, provided that they satisfy their duties of prudence and loyalty in making the selection. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Texas A&M, an annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020) and $1 billion of research grants/budget, is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!
Rank 11th “Best Public Colleges” Money’s Best Colleges Report, 2019
Texas A&M ranks #1 in Texas, #1 in the SEC, and #12 in the U.S. in Washington Monthly’s 2020 overall college rankings based on the quality of education, accessibility, graduation rates, student involvement, and research: see tx.ag/WashMonth20
This week we look at the three sets of updates from the IRS regarding various SECURE Act changes (subscribers will find our coverage the same week as the release in Tax Facts Online). First, we have guidance for employers on vesting schedules for long-term part-time employees. Next is an update on how QCDs are affected by (newly) deductible qualified plan contributions made after age 70½. Finally, we have guidance that accepting contributions from plan holders who are past age 70½ is not mandatory, and may be disallowed by financial institutions.
IRS Offers Guidance on Vesting Rules for Long-Term, Part-Time Employees Post-SECURE Act
The SECURE Act generally amends the 401(k) qualification rules to allow participation for certain long-term, part-time employees. IRC Section 401(k)(15)(B)(iii) provides special vesting rules for employees who become eligible to participate solely by reason of having completed three consecutive 12-month periods where the employee completed at least 500 hours of service (long-term, part-time employee). The rule providing that 12-month periods beginning before January 1, 2021 are not taken into account does not apply for purposes of the vesting rules. Generally, all years of service with the employer maintaining the plan must be taken into account for purposes of determining a long-term, part-time employee’s nonforfeitable right to employer contributions under the special vesting rules in § 401(k)(15)(B)(iii). For purposes of determining whether a long-term, part-time employee has a nonforfeitable right to employer contributions (other than elective deferrals), each 12-month period for which the employee has at least 500 hours of service is treated as a year of service. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Provides Details on Reducing Excludable QCDs Caused by Deductible Post-70½ Contributions
The SECURE Act amended the rules governing qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), which are distributions from an individual’s IRA, made directly to charity on or after age 70½. The amendment provides that the excludable amount of QCDs for a taxable year is reduced by the aggregate amount of IRA contributions deducted for the year and any earlier taxable years in which the individual was age 70½ or older by the last day of the year (post-age 70½ contributions). The excludable amount of QCDs for a taxable year is not reduced by the amount of post-age 70½ contributions that caused a reduction in the excludable amount of QCDs for earlier taxable years. For more information on the IRS guidance, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Provides Clarity on SECURE Act Post-70½ IRA Contributions
The IRS has released guidance clarifying that while the SECURE Act removed the age 70½ restriction on making traditional IRA contributions, the provision is not mandatory. In other words, financial institutions can choose whether or not to accept IRA contributions after the account owner has reached age 70½. If the financial institution does choose to accept post-70½ contributions, the institution must amend its contracts to provide for the change. The IRS has announced that it plans to release revised model IRAs and prototype language to help reflect these changes. Further, the IRS guidance clarifies that post 70½ contributions cannot be used to offset RMDs—the contributions and distributions are treated as separate transactions. For more information on the IRA contribution rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Texas A&M, annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020), is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!
Rank 11th “Best Public Colleges” Money’s Best Colleges Report, 2019
Texas A&M ranks #1 in Texas, #1 in the SEC, and #12 in the U.S. in Washington Monthly’s 2020 overall college rankings based on the quality of education, accessibility, graduation rates, student involvement, and research: see tx.ag/WashMonth20
There is an updated self-certification process for taxpayers who miss the 60-day rollover deadline. The new process is easier than obtaining a PLR, but it is still only available in a limited set of circumstances. Notably, one of those circumstances is an extreme illness of the taxpayer or a family member, so there may be some COVID-related relief available. Also, we have the new 2021 inflation-adjusted tax numbers! Many of them stayed the same in our current low-inflation environment, but the estate tax exemption is up to $11.7 million.
Retirement Plan Contribution Limits for 2021 Remain Steady; Estate Tax Exemption Soars
The IRS has released the 2021 inflation-adjusted figures to be used for determining deductible retirement plan contributions, tax brackets and a number of other relevant figures. In the retirement arena, contribution limits will remain steady–401(k) pre-tax contribution limits remain at $19,500 and catch-up limits remain at $6,500. IRA contribution limits similarly remain at $6,000. For 2021, every individual can exempt up to $11.7 million from the federal estate tax (up from $11.58 million). The annual $15,000 gift tax exclusion remained unchanged. For more information on the rules on deductible retirement contributions, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Instructions for 2020 Forms 1094/1095 Contain New ICHRA Reporting Information
The instructions for Forms 1094 and 1095 contain reporting information for clients who have decided to offer individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements (ICHRAs) beginning in 2020. ICHRAs allow employers to reimburse employees for the cost of individual health insurance premiums without violating the ACA market reform rules. Forms 1095-B and 1095-C are provided to both the IRS and the employee who receives coverage. The employee’s ICHRA contributions now count for purposes of determining whether the employee’s contribution is affordable. For more information on ICHRAs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Updates Self-Certification Process for Taxpayers Who Miss Retirement Plan Rollover Deadline
Missing the 60-day rollover deadline for tax-free transfers between retirement accounts can cause considerable problems for a client. In the past, the only way to correct a delayed rollover was to obtain a private letter ruling (PLR) directly from the IRS. Now, certain clients are eligible to self-certify to avoid the time and expense of obtaining a PLR. Circumstances that qualify for a waiver via self-certification include: (1) an error was committed by the financial institution, (2) the distribution check was misplaced and never cashed, (3) the taxpayer’s principal residence was severely damaged, (4) a member of the taxpayer’s family died, (5) the taxpayer or a member of his or her family was severely ill, (6) a postal error occurred or (7) restrictions were imposed by a foreign country. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Texas A&M, annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020), is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!
Rank 11th “Best Public Colleges” Money’s Best Colleges Report, 2019
Texas A&M ranks #1 in Texas, #1 in the SEC, and #12 in the U.S. in Washington Monthly’s 2020 overall college rankings based on the quality of education, accessibility, graduation rates, student involvement, and research: see tx.ag/WashMonth20
New RMD tables! SECURE Act 2.0? Should you defer SALT expenses until 2021? Tune into Tax Facts Online this week for these exciting updates! Also, check it out, we’re having a webinar today at 2pm CST (Dallas/Chicago time)
Between an election year and a worldwide pandemic, 2020 has left tax and financial planners with a LOT to consider, and the new year is just around the corner. Join the expert-authors behind Tax Facts in this free, live webinar as they discuss important questions many will have about the state of tax in 2021, including potential changes, implications, and more. Register Here
New retirement legislation with bipartisan support would expand upon the changes made by the 2019 SECURE Act to promote more options and greater retirement security for millions of Americans. Importantly, if passed, the law would increase the required minimum distribution age from 72 to 75. It would promote auto-enrollment in new employer retirement plans and also provide an expanded tax credit for small business owners who offer a retirement savings option. The law would provide more options for clients approaching retirement age by allowing greater “catch up” options for clients who are at least 60. Employers would also be able to provide an employer matching contribution to employees who are unable to contribute to retirement accounts, but instead use funds to pay down student loans. The law would also ease the burden for clients who make honest mistakes while managing their own IRAs. For more information about some of the sweeping changes made by the SECURE Act late in 2019, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Updated RMD Tables
Although RMDs were waived for 2020, the IRS recently released final and updated tables that are used in calculating taxpayers’ required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional retirement accounts. However, the IRS has also announced that the new tables won’t apply in calculating 2021 RMDs (existing tables remain in effect for 2021). Starting in 2022, savers who have reached age 72 (up from age 70 1/2 prior to 2020) will be entitled to use the updated life expectancy tables. For more information on the RMD rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Defer SALT Expenses Until 2021?
By this point, we’re all familiar with the cap on the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) that was put into place for 2018-2025. With the uncertainty of an election year looming, some taxpayers might wonder whether they can take any steps to maximize the value of these deductions. The answer is: maybe. For more information on the SALT cap, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Byrnes & Bloink’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience: Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. All four volumes of Tax Facts in print PLUS
Tax Facts Intelligence weekly newsletters
weekly strategy articles for client advisory
weekly transcribed debate discussion for client soft-skill discussion
among other weekly client advisory critical updates
Between an election year and a worldwide pandemic, 2020 has left tax and financial planners with a LOT to consider, and the new year is just around the corner. Join the expert-authors behind Tax Facts in this free, live webinar as they discuss important questions many will have about the state of tax in 2021, including potential changes, implications, and more.
It can be difficult to keep up with the latest industry changes – make sure you’re prepared for next year and how certain policies may affect your clients and their retirement plans, both immediately and long-term!
Byrnes & Bloink’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience: Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. All four volumes of Tax Facts in print PLUS
Tax Facts Intelligence weekly newsletters
weekly strategy articles for client advisory
weekly transcribed debate discussion for client soft-skill discussion
among other weekly client advisory critical updates
From Tax Facts OnlineQ3757. What is the limit on elective deferrals to employer-sponsored plans?
By way of example, here is the recently updated Tax Facts Q&A on the 2021 retirement plan contribution limits. Look for more great updates from Tax Facts soon! Read More
From Tax Facts Weekly September 10, 2020: The Trump payroll tax deferral has been announced, and we have details below. It’s optional, and there are a lot of questions about how it will work now and in early 2021 when the deferred payroll taxes would be due (assuming no legislative changes occur between now and then). We also have an interesting update from the DOL on how schools’ reopening plans might impact employees’ right to paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Given the wide variety in schools’ opening plans there may be some interesting scenarios to play out related to staff paid leave if they are affected by the Corona virus.
Trump Payroll Tax Deferral Program Now Available
Beginning September 1, employers have the option of deferring the employee portion of the payroll tax through December 31, 2020. Employers can choose to stop withholding the 6.2% employee portion of the Social Security tax for employees who earn less than around $4,000 bi-weekly (pre-tax), but are required to continue contributing the employer half. However, employees should note that under current IRS guidance, deferred payroll taxes must be repaid during the period beginning January 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2021. Taxes that are not repaid during that period will accrue interest and penalties, and employers can pass those amounts on to employees who have not repaid their deferral amounts. While it remains possible that Congress could pass legislation to forgive any payroll taxes that are deferred during 2020, it is far from certain. For more information on payroll tax relief provided in response to COVID-19, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
DOL Releases New Guidance in Response to School Reopening Plans
The DOL has released additional FAQ on how a school’s reopening plans might impact employees’ right to paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The IRS examined various scenarios and provided clarification on each. If the child’s school remains closed to in-person instruction (so that only remote learning is offered), the employee has a qualifying reason to take FFCRA leave. If the school offers a hybrid program, so that students attend school in-person on certain days and receive remote instruction on other days, employees have a qualifying reason, but only with respect to the days that their children are not eligible for in-person instruction. If it is completely up to the family whether to send the child to school every day or keep the child home for remote instruction, the employee does not have a qualifying FFCRA leave reason. This is true regardless of whether the family keeps the child home out of fear of contracting COVID-19. For more information on the availability of FFCRA leave, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Provides Relief for Victims of Hurricane Laura
The IRS has extended various deadlines for victims of Hurricane Laura. Victims located in FEMA-designated disaster areas qualify to extend tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting August 22, 2020 through the end of the year. Taxpayers who extended their 2019 federal income tax filing deadline to October 15 now have until December 31, 2020. For information on the casualty loss rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Apply now for fall courses that begin in August: Enterprise Risk Analytics; Information Security Risk Management; Terrorism Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics II; International Tax & Tax Treaties I and II; Securities Regulation; Investment & Portfolio Management; Financial Innovation (and Risk)
Texas A&M University is a public university, ranked in the top 20 universities by the Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education university rankings, and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).
This week the new ERISA E-disclosure safe harbor was finalized, we have some news on GRATs, and some additional COVID-related updates pertaining to PTO donations and the always loved (but often misunderstood!) home office deduction. How goes the home office for you, dear reader?
DOL Finalizes E-Disclosure Safe Harbor
The DOL finalized its e-disclosure safe harbor proposal, allowing electronic distribution of notices and disclosures required by ERISA. Under the safe harbor documents, retirement plans can deliver documents electronically by posting required documents on the plan sponsor’s website and furnishing notice of internet availability to participants via email. The sponsor can also send the documents directly via email to plan participants, whether in an attachment or in the body of the email. For more information on the new e-disclosure safe harbor, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
9th Circuit Affirms GRAT Included in Decedent’s Estate
The Ninth Circuit recently confirmed that a decedent’s estate included the value of a grantor retained annuity trust because the decedent received annuity payments up until the date of her death. The decedent in this case died before the GRAT terminated, meaning that there was no actual transfer of the trust property. She had created the GRAT structure to transfer interests in a family business to her daughters, receiving a $302,529 annuity payment annually for 15 years. The business generated enough income so that the value of the partnership interest was not decreased by the monthly annuity payments. Under IRC Section 2036(a), because the decedent was still enjoying the economic benefit of the property at death, the entire value was included in her gross estate. The court rejected the argument that the value should be excluded because the statute does not specifically list “annuities” as property that may be pulled into the estate. For more information on the use of GRATs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Home Office Deductions in the Age of Covid-19
With so many taxpayers working from home–some indefinitely–do to Covid-19, many are likely wondering whether they can deduct their home office expenses. In short, traditional W-2 employees cannot deduct their home office expenses regardless of whether they would otherwise qualify for the deduction. The 2017 tax reform legislation eliminated this deduction for 2018-2025. Self-employed taxpayers can deduct expenses associated with maintaining a home office if the office is used regularly and exclusively as the taxpayer’s principal place of business (if the office is within the dwelling unit). A home office deduction is permitted for self-employed taxpayers with separate structures if the office/workspace is used “in connection with” the trade or business. For more information on the home office deduction, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Provides Relief for Employee Donations of Unused Sick, Vacation & PTO
The IRS has provided relief so that employees can forgo sick, vacation or personal leave because of the COVID-19 pandemic without adverse tax consequences. Under the guidance, an employer can make cash payments to charitable organizations that provide relief to victims of the COVID-19 pandemic in exchange for sick, vacation or personal leave which their employees forgo. Those amounts will not be treated as compensation and the employees will not be treated as receiving the value of the leave as income. For more information on the charitable contributions, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Byrnes & Bloink’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone.
all Tax Facts books
Tax Facts Intelligence weekly newsletters
weekly strategy articles for client advisory
weekly transcribed debate discussion for client soft-skill discussion
among other weekly client advisory critical updates
Apply now for fall courses that begin in August: Enterprise Risk Analytics; Information Security Risk Management; Terrorism Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics II; International Tax & Tax Treaties I and II; Securities Regulation; Investment & Portfolio Management; Financial Innovation (and Risk)
Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).
Yes, there are new PPP Rules that allow a lot more flexibility in qualifying for forgiveness. But this week we also have a number of new rules on employee benefits and compensation issues, including a Supreme Court decision on a defined benefits case.
Increased Flexibility for PPP Recipients
PPP loan forgiveness is determined based on how the small business client spent the loan proceeds. Under the PPPFA, at least 60 percent of the loan must be used for payroll costs (this 60 percent threshold was reduced from 75 percent under the CARES Act The PPPFA extended the eight-week period to twenty-four weeks from the date the lender made the first loan payment to the small business owner. Unless Congress acts again, the funds must all be spent by December 31, 2020 in order to be eligible for forgiveness. The amount forgiven can also be reduced if the employer made certain staffing cuts or cut employee compensation levels. The PPPFA gives employers until December 31, 2020 to bring workers back to work/restore wage levels and continue to qualify for loan forgiveness (extended from prior law, which set the deadline at June 30)). Read More
U.S. Supreme Court: DB Participants Lack Standing to Sue Fiduciaries When Payments are Unaffected
The U.S. Supreme Court has now ruled that ERISA-governed defined benefit plan participants lack standing to sue plan fiduciaries in situations where the participants’ own payments were not impacted. In this case, the plaintiffs sued alleging mismanagement of plan funds and self-dealing. However, the plaintiffs’ own fixed pension payments continued to be paid (the plan in this case was overfunded). The Court held that because the plaintiffs would not be impacted financially by the outcome of the case, they lacked standing to sue under Article III of the U.S. constitution. For more information on DB plan funding requirements, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
New Foreign Earned Income Exclusion Rules
The bona fide residence test and physical presence test generally provide specific time requirements that apply to individuals claiming a tax exclusion for foreign-earned income. An otherwise qualified individual may still exclude foreign earned income for the period in which the individual was actually present in the foreign country even if the individual fails to meet the time requirements. For more information, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
IRS Waives Physical Presence Requirement for Spousal Consent to Participant Benefit Elections
IRC Section 417 generally requires spousal consent to a waiver of a qualified joint and survivor annuity (QJSA), which includes the waiver of a QJSA as part of a participant’s request for a plan distribution or a plan loan (the availability of which were expanded under the CARES Act). The spousal consent must generally be witnessed by a plan representative or a notary public in person (the physical presence requirement). Notice 2020-42 provides relief in permitting remote electronic notarization executed via live auto-video technology that satisfies any state-level requirements that apply to a notary public. For more information on spousal consent requirements, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
Byrnes & Bloink’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone.
all Tax Facts books
Tax Facts Intelligence weekly newsletters
weekly strategy articles for client advisory
weekly transcribed debate discussion for client soft-skill discussion
among other weekly client advisory critical updates
Apply now for fall courses that begin in August: Enterprise Risk Analytics; Information Security Risk Management; Terrorism Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics II; International Tax & Tax Treaties I and II; Securities Regulation; Investment & Portfolio Management; Financial Innovation (and Risk)
Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).
This week’s updates are primarily focused on employee benefits issues that have taken a turn during the COVID 19 era. First, dependent care FSAs can play an increasingly important role for employees who are facing dependent care costs that may be drastically different than what they had anticipated when they were considering their benefit elections in late 2019. New rules allow for mid-year changes to those elections. Also, employers who continue to pay for healthcare coverage for furloughed employees may be able to take advantage of certain tax credits. All this and more and your weekly TaxFacts Online updates!
New PPP Guidance
The Treasury has updated its guidance related to the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness requirements. The Treasury now notes that most companies with adequate sources of alternative liquidity are likely not eligible for the program. In order to qualify for the loans, PPP borrowers are now required to provide a good faith certification stating that current economic conditions and uncertainty make the loan necessary to support ongoing operations. PPP borrowers who find they cannot make the certification in good faith are permitted to return the funds. For more information on the PPP loan rules, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
Required Business Expense Reimbursement in the Age of COVID-19
Some employers are now permitting employees to work from home–while others are requiring it. In some jurisdictions (California and Illinois, for example) employers are required to reimburse employees for employment expenses. This may create the need for employers to reimburse employees for the cost of maintaining a home office. Further, the FLSA does not permit an employer to require an employee to pay for business expenses if doing so would reduce the employee’s earnings to below the minimum wage. For more information on the impact of reimbursing business expenses, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
New Proposed Regs on UBTI Calculations for VEBAs and SUBs
The IRS proposed regulations address the treatment of unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) for certain tax-exempt entities, including VEBAs and SUBs. UBTI is income generated from an activity unrelated to the tax-exempt purpose of the entity. For more information, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
Byrnes & Bloink’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone.
all Tax Facts books
Tax Facts Intelligence weekly newsletters
weekly strategy articles for client advisory
weekly transcribed debate discussion for client soft-skill discussion
among other weekly client advisory critical updates
Apply now for fall courses that begin in August: Enterprise Risk Analytics; Information Security Risk Management; Terrorism Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics II; International Tax & Tax Treaties I and II; Securities Regulation; Investment & Portfolio Management; Financial Innovation (and Risk)
Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).
This week we have more information about the CARES Act, including details on qualified plan loans and health expenses paid by employers for furloughed workers. We also have the annual updates to the HSA numbers that will be in effect for 2021. How was your Memorial Day?
Calculating CARES Act Qualified Plan Loans & The One-Year Look-back Rule
The CARES Act allows plan sponsors to double the qualified plan loan limit for qualified individuals. Plan loans made between March 27, 2020 and September 23, 2020 are limited to the lesser of (1) $100,000 or (2) 100% of the participant’s vested account balance. Despite this, even if the individual is qualified, plan sponsors must remain aware of the one-year look-back rule For more information on the qualified plan loan rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2021 HSA Inflation-Adjustments
The IRS has released Revenue Procedure 2020-32 with the 2021 inflation adjusted amounts for taxpayers who contribute to health savings accounts (HSAs). For more information on the contribution limits that apply to HSAs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Treasury Allows Tax Credit for Health Expenses of Furloughed Workers
Clearing up confusion (and revising initial guidance), the Treasury has announced that if an employer continues to pay an employee’s health insurance costs during a furlough period, the employer is entitled to claim a tax credit with respect to those expenses. This is the case even if the employer is not currently paying the employee’s wages. For more information on the employee retention tax credit, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-087
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Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its online wealth management, risk management, and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals. Apply now for Summer courses that begin May: Legal Risk Management; Intro to Risk Management; FATCA & CRS Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics I Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).
The devil is in the details, but where exactly? This week we are starting to see how the broad changes in the recent spate of COVID-19 legislation will be administered. We have new notices on loan forgiveness procedures (did you get your PPP loan yet?), COBRA and Medicare, and FFCRA paid leave issues.
The Finer Points of PPP Loan Forgiveness
Loan forgiveness offers powerful assistance to those small businesses who were actually able to receive Paycheck Protection Program loan funds. However, loan forgiveness is not without its costs. While amounts forgiven will not be included in income under the usual cancellation of indebtedness rules, business owners may not be entitled to their typical business deductions either. Notice 2020-32 clarifies that otherwise allowable deductions are disallowed if the payment of the expense (1) results in loan forgiveness under the PPP loan program and (2) the income associated with the loan forgiveness is excluded from income under CARES Act Section 1106(i). For more information on implications of loan forgiveness, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
New Q&A on CARES Act Qualified Plan Loans & Distributions
The IRS released the first Q&A in what is likely to be a series of guidance on the CARES Act retirement-related provisions. One overarching issue is the IRS confirmation that plan sponsors can rely upon past guidance issued in response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the RMD waiver in 2009 for help implementing the CARES Act provisions. Under initial guidance, individuals are only eligible for COVID-19 related distributions or loans if they themselves are impacted (qualification cannot currently be based on a spouse or dependent’s job loss). The Q&A also clarifies that increased loan limits are currently available between March 27, 2020 and September 22, 2020. Further, the guidance confirms that the loan and distribution relief is optional for plan sponsors–and sponsors can elect to adopt one provision and not another (including the loan repayment option). For more information on the CARES Act loan provisions, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
New COBRA Notice in Light of Growing Employment Litigation
The DOL released a revised COBRA general notice and election notice on May 1, 2020, in response to increasing furloughs and layoffs in the wake of COVID-19–and a growing risk of employment litigation. Employers are not required to post the new notices, but may wish to in light of the evolving situation. These new notices add information about how Medicare eligibility impacts COBRA eligibility (highlighting the fact that COBRA coverage is usually secondary to Medicare). Employers who use the model notices are deemed to comply with COBRA notice requirements. For more information on COBRA coverage election requirements and COVID-19, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Moving to Reopen, Employers Begin Evaluating FFCRA Leave Provisions
Now that many more employers are beginning to evaluate whether to reopen as governments relax restrictions, those who have been closed for upwards of two months will have to evaluate whether they must provide paid leave under the FFCRA as COVID-19 continues to spread. The FFCRA paid sick leave and expanded FMLA provisions only applied to employers who continued to operate in the wake of the pandemic–employees who were simply laid off or furloughed were required to seek unemployment benefits. Upon first glance, the new paid leave requirements under the FFCRA seem to provide 12 weeks of paid time off for most small business employees. However, the benefit triggers differ depending on whether the employee is claiming (1) 80 hours paid sick leave or (2) expanded relief under the FMLA. For more information on the benefit triggers, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
More significant information about two of the most important changes to come out of the new legislation related to COVID-19.
The first update is an FAQ from the Department of Labor about the exemption from the expanded FMLA paid leave requirements for staff who are out of work for reasons related to a corona virus infection. The new law only applies to businesses with under 500 employees, but contains a vaguely-worded exemption for very small businesses with less than 50 employees and for whom the paid leave requirement would pose a hardship. While some commentators have thought that the exemption might be loosely interpreted to the point of being nearly automatic, the new FAQs require very small businesses to show particular kinds of challenges before the exemption applies.
We also have an update on the definition of “payroll costs” for small businesses applying for PPP loans. This definition is important because the calculation of those costs determine how large of a loan (which is potentially forgivable if certain requirements are met) the business is eligible for.
FFCRA Exemption for Very Small Business Clients
Generally, business owners with fewer than 50 employees can claim an exemption from the paid sick leave and expanded FMLA law if they can show that payment would jeopardize their business as a going concern. DOL FAQ have provided new details, which substantially narrow the availability of the exemption. For more information on the FFCRA paid leave requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Telehealth Coverage and HDHP/HSA Eligibility
In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act further expands the pre-deductible services high deductible health plans (HDHPs) may offer. HDHPs are now permitted to cover the cost of telehealth services without cost to participants before the HDHP deductible has been satisfied. For more information on the HDHP qualification rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Defining “Payroll Costs” for PPP
Taxpayers with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for new “payroll protection loans” administered via the Small Business Administration. In general, the loans may be forgiven (and amounts excluded from income for tax purposes) if used to cover payroll costs. For more information about how “payroll costs” are defined and calculated, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
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Over the past few weeks Tax Facts has seen a tremendous number of updates that cover the new COVID-19 legislation and related administrative developments. Undoubtedly we will continue to see more of these updates in the weeks and months to come, but we thought now was good time to help our readers catch their breath a little bit by providing a summary of the changes that have been made. This special Tax Facts newsletter is intended to help you navigate through the entirety of the changes that have been made so that you can understand the full breadth of the new tax landscape.
These updates cover (1) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, (2) the CARES Act, (3) IRS Notices related to the new legislation, and (4) newly released IRS and DOL FAQs that help taxpayers understand how the new rules will be implemented.
Take a look, and as always, check in with Tax Facts the absolute latest in the tax issues affecting insurance, investments, and employee benefits.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Paid Sick Leave Benefits for Small Business Employees
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act applies to private employers with fewer than 500 employees (and government employers), and makes several key changes to paid time off laws. The bill: (1) provides eighty hours’ additional paid sick leave for employees (pro-rated for part-time workers) and (2) expands FMLA protections. The additional paid sick leave is capped at $511 per day (total of $5,110) for employees who cannot go to work or telecommute because they (1) are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a diagnosis, or (2) are subject to government-mandated quarantine or a recommendation to self-quarantine. The additional paid sick leave is capped at 2/3 of the employee’s pay rate, subject to a maximum of $200 per day or $2,000 total if the employee (1) is caring for or assisting someone subject to quarantine, (2) caring for a child whose school or care provider is unavailable or (3) experiencing “substantially similar conditions” specified by HHS. For more information on the family and medical leave tax credit available for business owners, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Tax Relief for Small Business Owners
The law contains a tax credit to help small business owners subject to the new paid sick leave and expanded FMLA requirements. The tax credit is computed each quarter, and allows as a credit (1) the amount of qualified paid sick leave wages paid in weeks 1-2, and (2) qualified FMLA wages paid (in the remaining ten weeks) during the quarter. The credit is taken against the employer portion of the Social Security tax. Amounts in excess of the employer Social Security taxes due will be refunded as a credit (in the same manner as though the employer had overpaid Social Security taxes during the quarter). The Act also provides a tax credit for qualified health plan expenses that are allocable to periods when the paid sick leave or family leave wages are paid. For more information on refundable tax credits, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
CARES Act: RMDs Suspended for 2020, Penalty Waived for Coronavirus Distributions
The CARES Act suspended the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for 2020–a suspension that applies to all 401(k), 403(b), and certain 457(b) deferred compensation plans maintained by the government, as well as IRAs. The law also contains a provision waiving the 10 percent early distribution penalty that applies to retirement account withdrawals. The relief generally mirrors the relief commonly granted in more localized natural disaster situations. The Act allows employees to take up to $100,000 in distributions from an employer-sponsored retirement plan (401(k), 403(b) or defined benefit plan) or an IRA without becoming subject to the penalty. Unless the participant elects otherwise, inclusion of the distribution in income is spread over three years, beginning with the tax year of distribution. The Act also provides a repayment option, where the participant has the option of repaying the distribution over the three-taxable year period beginning with the tax year of distribution. In this case, the distribution will be treated as an eligible rollover made in a trustee-to-trustee transfer within the sixty-day window. For more information on expanded access to retirement funds, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
CARES Act: NOL Relief for Struggling Businesses
The CARES Act allows corporations to carry back net operating losses (NOLs) incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 for five years (excluding offset to untaxed foreign earnings transition tax). Post-tax reform, these NOLs could only be carried forward. For tax years beginning prior to January 1, 2021, businesses can offset 100% of taxable income with NOL carryovers and carrybacks (the 80 percent taxable income limitation was lifted). With respect to partnerships and pass-through entities, the CARES Act amended the effective date for the new excess business loss rules created by the 2017 tax reform legislation. The new rules will only apply beginning in 2021 (rather than 2018). Pass-through taxpayers who have filed a return reflecting excess business losses will presumably be entitled to refund by filing an amended return, absent guidance to the contrary. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
CARES Act: Penalty-Free Payroll Tax Deferral for Employers
The CARES Act allows both employers and independent contractors to defer payment of employer payroll taxes without penalty. Importantly, employers with fewer than 500 employees are entitled to withhold payroll taxes as an advance repayment of the tax credit for paid sick leave and expanded FMLA leave under the FFCRA. Under the CARES Act payroll tax deferral, employers are permitted to defer the employer portion of the payroll tax on wages paid through December 31, 2020 for up to two years. Payroll taxes are generally due in two installments under CARES: 50 percent by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50 percent by December 31, 2022. Economic hardship is presumed, meaning the employer does not have to produce documentation establishing that COVID-19 impacted the business. Payroll tax deferral options apparently apply to all employers, regardless of size. However, employers who have loans forgiven under the CARES Act Payroll Protection Loan program are not eligible for the deferral. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
CARES Act: Employee Retention Tax Credit
The CARES Act creates a new refundable tax credit designed to help employers who retain employees during the COVID-19 health crisis. The credit is taken against employment taxes and is equal to 50 percent of the first $10,000 of qualified wages paid to the employee. The credit is available for calendar quarters where either (1) operations were either fully or partially suspended because of a government-issued order relating to COVID-19 or (2) the business’ gross receipts declined by more than 50 percent when compared to the same calendar quarter in 2019. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Notice 2020-15: HDHPs Can Pay Coronavirus Costs
The IRS announced that high deductible health plans are permitted to cover the costs associated with the coronavirus. HDHPs can cover coronavirus-related testing and equipment needed to treat the virus. Generally, HDHPs are prohibited from covering certain non-specified expenses before the covered individual’s deductible has been met. Certain preventative care expenses are excepted from this rule. HDHPs will not jeopardize their status if they pay coronavirus-related expenses before the insured has met the deductible, and the insured will remain HSA-eligible. The guidance applies only to HSA-eligible HDHPs. For more information on the rules governing HDHPs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Notice 2020-18: 90-Day Extension of the Federal Tax Payment Deadline
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS has announced that it will extend the tax payment deadline from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Interest and penalties during this period will also be waived. The April 15 filing deadline was also extended to July 15, although in separate guidance. Individuals and pass-through business entities owing up to $1 million in federal tax are eligible for the relief, as are corporations owing up to $10 million in federal tax. Individuals who do not anticipate being able to file by July 15 should be aware of their option for requesting a six-month filing extension to October 15. The extension is available by filing Form 4868. For more information on federal tax filing requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Notice 2020-23: IRS Expands COVID-19 Extensions
Notice 2020-23 provides expanded relief for taxpayers with a filing or payment obligation arising after April 1, 2020 and before July 15, 2020. Specifically, deadlines are extended to July 15, 2020 for actions required with respect to (1) estate and trust income tax payments and return filings, (2) estate and generation-skipping transfer tax payments and return filings on Form 706 and related forms, (3) gift and generation-skipping transfer tax payments and return filings on Form 709 and related forms, (4) estate tax payments of principal or interest due as a result of an election made under IRC sections 6166, 6161, or 6163 and annual recertification requirements under section 6166. Similarly, taxpayers who faced deadlines with respect to Tax Court actions between April 1 and July 15 have their deadlines postponed until July 15. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS FAQ: COVID-19 Filing, Payment Extensions
The IRS FAQ clarifies that the filing and payment extensions (from April 15 to July 15) apply regardless of whether the taxpayer is actually sick or quarantined because of COVID-19. For fiscal year taxpayers with 2019 returns due April 15, the deadline is extended to July 15 regardless of whether April 15 is an original or extended filing deadline. Taxpayers facing filing or payment deadlines that are not April 15 must note that their deadlines have not generally been extended. The relief also does not apply to payroll or excise tax payments (deposit dates remain unchanged, but employers may be eligible for the new paid sick leave tax credit, see Tax Facts Q8550). Taxpayers do not have to do anything to take advantage of the extension—they simply file their returns and make required payments by the new July 15 deadline. Taxpayers who filed and schedule a payment for April 15 must, however, take action to reschedule their payment for July 15 if they wish (by contacting the credit or debit card company if the payment was scheduled directly with the card issuer). For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
DOL FAQ: Counting Employees for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave & FMLA Expansion Purposes
A newDOL FAQ provides that an employer is subject to the expanded paid sick leave and FMLA rules if the employer has fewer than 500 full-time and part-time employees. Employees on leave and temporary employees should be included, while independent contractors are not included in the count. Each corporation is usually a single employer. When a corporation has an ownership interest in another corporation, the two are separate employers unless they are joint employers for Fair Labor Standards Act purposes. Joint employer status is based on a facts and circumstances analysis, and is generally the case when (1) one employer employs the employee, but another benefits from the work or (2) one employer employs an employee for one set of hours in a workweek, and another employer employs the same employee for a separate set of hours in the same workweek. For more information on the details provided by current DOL guidance, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
DOL FAQ: Calculating Sick Pay for Part-Time and Variable Hour Workers Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
With respect to the FMLA extension, the rate of pay for part-time employees is based upon the number of hours they would normally be scheduled to work. For employees with variable schedules, pay is based upon a number equal to the average number of hours that the employee was scheduled per day over the 6-month period ending on the date on which the employee takes such leave, including hours for which the employee took leave of any type or (2) if the employee did not work over such period, the reasonable expectation of the employee at the time of hiring of the average number of hours per day that the employee would normally be scheduled to work. As of now, the law provides that leave may not be carried over into 2021. For more information on the law’s requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2020’s Weekly Updated Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience for Financial Advisors and Tax Professionals
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
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Today we have three big updates from the newly-passed CARES Act. The first allows NOLs for tax years 2018 through 2020 to be carried back five years. This give business who had NOLs and were waiting to carry them forward to future tax years to apply them to past years, potentially resulting in additional tax refunds. The other two updates relate to deferrals and tax credits for payroll taxes in 2020.
CARES Act Provides NOL Relief for Struggling Businesses
The CARES Act allows corporations to carry back net operating losses (NOLs) incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 for five years (excluding offset to untaxed foreign earnings transition tax). Post-tax reform, these NOLs could only be carried forward. For tax years beginning prior to January 1, 2021, businesses can offset 100% of taxable income with NOL carryovers and carrybacks (the 80% taxable income limitation was lifted). With respect to partnerships and pass-through entities, the CARES Act amended the effective date for the new excess business loss rules created by the 2017 tax reform legislation. The new rules will only apply beginning in 2021 (rather than 2018). Pass-through taxpayers who have filed a return reflecting excess business losses will presumably be entitled to refund by filing an amended return, absent guidance to the contrary. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
CARES Act Permits Penalty-Free Payroll Tax Deferral for Employers
The CARES Act allows both employers and independent contractors to defer payment of employer payroll taxes without penalty. Importantly, employers with fewer than 500 employees are entitled to withhold payroll taxes as an advance repayment of the tax credit for paid sick leave and expanded FMLA leave under the FFCRA. Under the CARES Act payroll tax deferral, employers are permitted to defer the employer portion of the payroll tax on wages paid through December 31, 2020 for up to two years. Payroll taxes are generally due in two installments under CARES: 50% by December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% by December 31, 2022. Economic hardship is presumed, meaning the employer does not have to produce documentation establishing that COVID-19 impacted the business. Payroll tax deferral options apparently apply to all employers, regardless of size. However, employers who have loans forgiven under the CARES Act Payroll Protection Loan program are not eligible for the deferral. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
CARES Act Employee Retention Tax Credit
The CARES Act creates a new refundable tax credit designed to help employers who retain employees during the COVID-19 health crisis. The credit is taken against employment taxes and is equal to 50% of the first $10,000 of qualified wages paid to the employee. The credit is available for calendar quarters where either (1) operations were either fully or partially suspended because of a government-issued order relating to COVID-19 or (2) the business’ gross receipts declined by more than 50% when compared to the same calendar quarter in 2019. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its online wealth management, risk management, and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals. Apply now for Summer courses that begin May: FATCA & CRS Risk Management; International Tax Risk Management, Data, and Analytics I Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018). To apply for Summer, call or fill in the form https://law.tamu.edu/distance-education/
William H. Byrnes, J.D.
Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.
Today we are seeing our first concrete responses to the COVID-19 virus in the tax field. First, the IRS has now formally extended the income tax filing deadline for tax year 2019 to July 15. Because this is an extension of the actual filing deadline (not just an extension of time to pay owed taxes) it also pushes a number of related deadlines (e.g. for qualified plan contributions) back to July. President Trump also signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which creates a paid sick leave program and related tax credits for small businesses.
Avoid Confusion Over IRS 90-Day Extension of the Federal Tax Payment Deadline
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS has announced that it will extend the tax payment deadline from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. Interest and penalties during this period will also be waived. The April 15 filing deadline was also extended to July 15, although in separate guidance. Individuals and pass-through business entities owing up to $1 million in federal tax are eligible for the relief, as are corporations owing up to $10 million in federal tax. Individuals who do not anticipate being able to file by July 15 should be aware of their option for requesting a six-month filing extension to October 15. The extension is available by filing Form 4868. For more information on federal tax filing requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Coronavirus Act Creates Paid Sick Leave Benefits for Small Business Employees
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act applies to private employers with fewer than 500 employees (and government employers), and makes several key changes to paid time off laws. The bill: (1) provides 80 hours’ additional paid sick leave for employees (pro-rated for part-time workers) and (2) expands FMLA protections. The additional paid sick leave is capped at $511 per day (total of $5,110) for employees who cannot go to work or telecommute because they (1) are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a diagnosis, or (2) are subject to government-mandated quarantine or a recommendation to self-quarantine. The additional paid sick leave is capped at 2/3 of the employee’s pay rate, subject to a maximum of $200 per day or $2,000 total if the employee (1) is caring for or assisting someone subject to quarantine, (2) caring for a child whose school or care provider is unavailable or (3) experiencing “substantially similar conditions” specified by HHS. For more information on the family and medical leave tax credit available for business owners, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Coronavirus Response Act: Tax Relief for Small Business Owners
The law contains a tax credit to help small business owners subject to the new paid sick leave and expanded FMLA requirements. The tax credit is computed each quarter, and allows as a credit (1) the amount of qualified paid sick leave wages paid in weeks 1-2, and (2) qualified FMLA wages paid (in the remaining 10 weeks) during the quarter. The credit is taken against the employer portion of the Social Security tax. Amounts in excess of the employer Social Security taxes due will be refunded as a credit (in the same manner as though the employer had overpaid Social Security taxes during the quarter). The Act also provides a tax credit for qualified health plan expenses that are allocable to periods when the paid sick leave or family leave wages are paid. For more information on refundable tax credits, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its International Tax online graduate curriculum for tax professionals. Apply now for Jan 13 – April 19 transfer pricing courses. Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018). To apply for the inaugural cohort opportunity, contact Jeff Green, Graduate Programs Coordinator, T: +1 (817) 212-3866, E: jeffgreen@law.tamu.edu or contact David Dye, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, T (817) 212-3954, E: ddye@law.tamu.edu. Texas A&M Admissions website: https://law.tamu.edu/distance-education/international-tax
Editor’s Note: Ending the Transportation and Parking Tax for Nonprofits, Wrangling the New Form W-4P, and Some SECURE Act Caveats for Inherited IRAs.
We continue to see odds and ends for the new year related to the passage of the SECURE Act. The Act eliminated the Transportation and Parking tax for nonprofits, and we also have an analysis of the caveats for the newly-limited stretch for inherited IRAs.
With the SECURE Act finally passed, the editorial team here at Tax Facts is working hard update all of the relevant content with the new changes. Tax Facts Online content is continually updated, and we will be compiling a white paper for our print customers outlining the changes with the new laws and how they track to the existing Tax Facts Q&As. As always, we strive to make accurate and insightful changes to Tax Facts that reflect the most current tax information available.
Tax-Exempt Entities Wave Goodbye to Tax Reform’s Transportation and Parking Tax
The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2020, which contained the SECURE Act and addressed tax “extender” provisions, also repealed a controversial portion of IRC Section 512(a). Generally, tax-exempt entities were subject to a 21 percent tax on certain benefits, including use of parking facilities, provided to employees beginning in 2018. The new law repeals this expanded definition retroactively to the date of its enactment, to it is essentially as though the UBTI expansion was never enacted. For more information on the issue, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Clears Up Questions on Tax Withholding from Retirement Accounts and Annuity Distributions in 2020
Tax withholding from retirement accounts and annuities is handled differently than ordinary employer income tax withholding. However, unless a taxpayer has opted out, payors of amounts from pensions, annuities and other sources are required to withhold for income taxes under Section 3405(a). The IRS guidance discusses how the new Form W-4P can be used for this, and notes that additional changes in later years may be considered. For more information on retirement plan withholding, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
SECURE Act Limits the Stretch IRA After 2019—with Caveats
In previous years, as retirement accounts have grown in value, the idea of using the account to provide a tax-preferred legacy to future generations had grown in popularity. To offset some of the cost of the SECURE Act, Congress limited the value of the stretch for most taxpayers. Under the new law, most non-spouse account beneficiaries will be required to take distributions over a ten-year period. The new rule has some caveats, and applies for tax years beginning after December 31, 2019. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its International Tax online curriculum for graduate degree candidates. Admissions is open for Jan 13 – April 19 transfer pricing courses. Texas A&M University is a public university and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018). To apply for the inaugural cohort opportunity, contact Jeff Green, Graduate Programs Coordinator, T: +1 (817) 212-3866, E: jeffgreen@law.tamu.edu or contact David Dye, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, T (817) 212-3954, E: ddye@law.tamu.edu. Texas A&M Admissions website: https://law.tamu.edu/distance-education/international-tax
Final 401(k) Hardship Distribution Rules Take Effect January 1, 2020
Plan participants and sponsors should note that the final regulations governing 401(k) hardship distributions take effect in 2020. As of 2020, participants who take a hardship distribution must now be permitted to continue to make deferrals within the six months following the hardship distribution. While some aspects of the new rules are optional, this new requirement is mandatory with respect to qualified plans. For more information on hardship distributions, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Releases Proposed Regs on Accounting for Advance Payments
The IRS has released proposed regulations implementing changes made by the 2017 tax reform legislation that impact the tax treatment of advance payments. The regulations generally adopt the rules contained in Revenue Procedure 2004-34— the approach in place prior to tax reform. For more information on the tax treatment of advance payments, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS FAQ Provides for Specific Identification in Transactions Involving Virtual Currency
The recently released FAQ on the tax treatment of virtual currency confirms that transactions in bitcoin and other forms of virtual currency will be taxed as transactions in property. The guidance goes further and answers the question of whether taxpayers should identify particular virtual currency that is part of a transaction. For more information on the tax treatment of bitcoin, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
2020’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
Texas A&M University School of Law has launched its International Tax online curriculum for graduate degree candidates. Admissions is open for Spring (January) semester for the transfer pricing courses. Texas A&M University is a public university of the state of Texas and is ranked 1st among public universities for its superior education at an affordable cost (Fiske, 2018) and ranked 1st of Texas public universities for best value (Money, 2018).
199A Rental Real Estate Safe Harbor Excludes Certain Businesses
Not all taxpayers will be able to take advantage of the Section 199A safe harbor for rental real estate. While the safe harbor does apply to residential rental real estate, taxpayers are not entitled to rely upon the safe harbor if the taxpayer uses the property as a residence during the tax year. Notably, if the real estate is rented or leased under a triple net lease, the safe harbor remains unavailable under the final rule. When satisfying the “hours of rental real estate services” criteria, only certain activities are counted toward the 250-hour threshold. Activities such as rent collection, advertising the rental, property maintenance, negotiating leases and managing the real property generally count toward the threshold. However, the taxpayer’s activities as an “investor” are not counted. Similarly, if any property within the rental real estate enterprise is classified as a specified service trade or business, the safe harbor is unavailable for the entire business. For more information on the final safe harbor rule, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
DOL Proposes New Electronic Disclosure Rules for Pension Plans
In response to the Trump administration’s executive order, the DOL has proposed a safe harbor rule that would allow pension plans to satisfy disclosure obligations electronically. As currently proposed, the rule only applies to pension plans. It would allow plan sponsors to email required documents to participants, beneficiaries and any other individuals entitled to receive disclosures–so long as the individual has provided an email address (which can be a work email address). Any documents required under Title I of ERISA could be furnished electronically, including notices of material modification or blackout notices, except for documents that must be furnished upon request. While employers are not yet entitled to rely upon this rule until it is finalized, it provides important insight into potential future developments surrounding pension disclosure obligations. For more information on the requirements that apply to pension plans, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
District Court Rules Small Business Qualified Retirement Plan Not Exempt in Bankruptcy
While 401(k) funds are generally exempt from a bankruptcy debtor’s estate, a recent district court ruling highlights a situation where a small business owner may lose the exemption. In this case, the taxpayer maintained a pension plan pursuant to a prototype plan document offered by his financial institution that had been approved via an IRS opinion letter, as is commonly the case.The court, however, found that amendments to the prototype plan document rendered the opinion invalid. Further, it found that the plan inappropriately benefitted the taxpayer and his spouse, rather than providing benefits to employees, in violation of IRS nondiscrimination rules. Because of this, the plan was deemed to be disqualified despite the fact that the taxpayer relied upon advisors to manage the plan. Because the taxpayer was owner of the small business responsible for the plan, he was deemed to be materially responsible for the qualification failure, therefore causing the plan assets to lose the typically available bankruptcy exemption. The court noted that this probably wouldn’t have been the case if the taxpayer had been an employee participating in a non-qualified plan. For more information on the treatment of 401(k) assets in bankruptcy, visit TaxFacts Online. Read More
Tuition Waiver for International Tax Online Courses (more information here) Texas A&M University School of Law International Tax online curriculum. Deadline is August 26 to apply, Transcripts must be received by September 3. Books free as well, as well as access to LexisNexis and Texas A&M’s online tax library.
DOL Releases Final MEP Regulations
The DOL has released its final regulations governing multiple employer plans (MEPs). In general, to qualify as an MEP under the final regulations, a plan must satisfy five basic requirements. First, the association must have at least one substantial business purpose that is not related to offering the plan. The employer-members of the association must control its activities and any employers that participate in the MEP must control the MEP in substance and in form, directly or indirectly. The association must adopt a formal organizational structure. Only employees of the association’s employer-members and certain working owners may participate in the MEP. Finally, some commonality of interest must exist between the employers participating in the MEP, such as the same industry or geographic location. The regulations are effective September 30, 2019. For more information on small business retirement planning options, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Announces Campaign Aimed at Holders of Virtual Currency
The IRS has announced that it will begin sending letters to holders of various forms of cryptocurrency informing those taxpayers of potential misreporting (or failure to report) on virtual currency transactions. The IRS advises taxpayers who receive such a letter to review past tax filings to uncover any errors or underreporting, and amend those returns in order to pay back taxes, interest and penalties as soon as possible. These letters are part of a larger campaign designed by the IRS to crack down on misreporting or underreporting of virtual currency transactions, which are currently taxed according to the rules governing transactions in property. For more information on the tax treatment of virtual currency, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Provides Summertime Tax Checkup Tips
The IRS has released a list of summertime tax tips to help clients avoid surprises as we move closer to the end of the summer, especially with respect to part-time and seasonal workers. The IRS reminds business owners of the need to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes from part-time and seasonal employees’ pay even if the worker is unlikely to meet the federal income tax filing threshold. Further, business owners must pay close attention to properly classifying these workers as either employees or independent contractors, remembering that independent contractors, although not subject to withholding, are required to pay their own Social Security and Medicare taxes, in addition to applicable income taxes. For more information on the Social Security and Medicare tax requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Tax Facts, authored by renown experts William Byrnes and Robert Bloink, for 60 years continues to be the leading tax book and online strategic client resource for the financial professional and advanced products underwriter industry. Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into a client’s solution. Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
William H. Byrnes, J.D., LL.M. and Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.
Taxpayer Cannot Shield Self-Directed IRA Assets from Bankruptcy Creditors
The 11th Circuit recently confirmed that a taxpayer was not entitled to creditor protection in bankruptcy with respect to a self-directed IRA that he used for impermissible purposes. The issue in this case was not whether IRA funds were used for prohibited personal use, however, but whether the assets left within the IRA could be protected from creditors in bankruptcy. The court ruled that the creditors could access amounts left in the IRA, regardless of whether that IRA continued to be tax-exempt, because the taxpayer failed to properly maintain the IRA by withdrawing funds for prohibited reasons in the past. For more information on the tax treatment of IRA assets in bankruptcy, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Proposed Regulations Would Eliminate the MEP “One Bad Apple Rule”
The IRS and Treasury have released proposed regulations that would eliminate the so-called “one bad apple rule” for multiple employer plans (MEPs). Under the one bad apple rule, the entire MEP could be disqualified based upon the actions of only one employer that participated in the plan. To qualify, the plan must have established practices and procedures designed to ensure compliance by all MEP participants. The failure must be isolated to a single employer, and cannot be a widespread issue across the employers. The plan administrator must have a process in place that would provide notice to the employer responsible for the failure, and such notice should include a description of the failure, actions necessary to remedy the failure, notice that the relevant employer has only 90 days from the notice date to take remedial action, a description of the consequences for failure to take the remedial action and notice of the right to spin off the non-compliant employer’s portion of the plan and assets. After providing the initial notice and two subsequent notices, the MEP must notify all participants, stop accepting contributions from the noncompliant party and implement spin off procedures designed to terminate the noncompliant employer’s interests in the MEP. For more information on plan qualification requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Considering an Opportunity Zone Investment? Here’s How to Tell the IRS
Now that the IRS has released a significant amount of guidance on the opportunity zone rules, qualified opportunity zone funds are likely to become more common, leading taxpayers to question how to actually defer taxation on their capital gains through the opportunity zone rules. Taxpayers who have made a sale where the proceeds qualify for capital gain treatment may invest all or a part of that gain in a qualified opportunity fund and defer recognizing the gain under the new opportunity zone rules. The taxpayer makes the election on his or her tax return by attaching a completed Form 8949 to the return. For multiple investments occurring on different dates, the taxpayer uses multiple rows of the form to report the deferral election. If the taxpayer has already filed the relevant tax return, he or she will need to file an amended return to make the election. For more information on the opportunity zone rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
William H. Byrnes, J.D., LL.M. and Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.
Words of Caution for Non-spouse Beneficiaries of Inherited IRAs
Generally, non-spouse beneficiaries are required to take distributions from the account either under the five-year rule (i.e., exhaust the funds within five years of inheriting them) or based on that beneficiary’s life expectancy. However, what many beneficiaries fail to understand is that when they take a distribution, that distribution will be taxable, cannot be undone by rolling the amount into another IRA and can cause the IRA to forfeit its stretch treatment. Non-spouse beneficiaries should be advised that their only opportunity with respect to rollover of an inherited IRA is to transfer the account (as an inherited account) to a new IRA custodian via a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer. For more information on inherited IRAs, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
District Court Finds Retiree Not Entitled to Change Election Regarding Pension Distribution Form
A district court recently ruled that a pension plan did not abuse its discretion by denying the request of a participant in pay status to change her election from a monthly annuity payout to a lump sum payment. In this case, the pension had opened a window whereby retirees could elect to switch from receiving an annuity to the lump sum option. The option also allowed the participant to revoke the change by a certain set date, and revert back to the annuity. Here, the retiree and her son, who had power of attorney, took the lump sum option but later revoked it to revert back to the annuity. Later, when the retiree was diagnosed with a neurological disease, they attempted to revoke the revocation to receive the lump sum. The court held that there was no abuse of discretion in the pension’s denial of that request because the window for electing the lump sum had closed. The impact of the neurological disease was irrelevant because the son who made the initial requests had power of attorney to speak on the participant’s behalf. For more information on what to consider when facing a lump sum option, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Updated IRS FAQ Confirms Section 1231 Gains Invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds in 2018 are Qualifying Investments
The second round of proposed regulations regarding qualified opportunity zone fund (QOF) investments generated questions as to the treatment of Section 1231 gains that had been invested in a QOF. Section 1231 capital gain treatment generally applies to depreciable property and real property used in a business (but not land held as investment property). Under the proposed regulations, Section 1231 capital gains are only permissible QOF investments to the extent of the 1231 capital gain amount, if the investment is made within 180 days of the last day of the tax year. IRS released FAQ to provide relief for the 2018 tax year, so that investment in the QOF and deferral will be available for the gross amount of Section 1231 gain realized during the 2018 tax year if the investment was made within 180 days of the sale date, rather than the last day of the tax year (assuming that the taxpayer’s tax year ended before May 1, 2019, when the regulations were released). For more information on opportunity zones, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
Family Attribution Rules Do Not Impair Deductibility of S Corporation Employee Health Insurance
The IRS released a CCM providing that an S corporation employee who was considered a 2-percent shareholder via the family attribution rules was entitled to deduct the cost of health insurance premiums paid by the S corporation and included in the employee’s income. Here, the S corporation paid the premium costs and included those amounts in the individual’s income, who was, in turn, entitled to the deduction. For more information on the tax treatment of S corporation health insurance, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Rules Loan Availability Does Not Jeopardize Employee Stock Purchase Plan Qualification
The IRS released a PLR providing that a plan participant’s eligibility to obtain a loan from the employer (or a third party) to purchase shares under an employee stock purchase plan does not jeopardize the plan’s qualification under IRC Section 423(b). In this case, loan availability was premised on the fact that the loan could not violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, meaning that some participants may have been rendered ineligible to take out a loan to purchase employee shares through the plan. This PLR indicates the IRS’ view that provisions allowing purchase of shares via loans do not prevent qualification even if some employees are ineligible. For more information on the ownership of employer stock in an employer-sponsored plan, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Received a 226J Letter? Here’s How to Respond
Employers have recently begun receiving 226J letters detailing employer mandate compliance issues from the IRS with respect to the 2016 tax year. Importantly, employers must remember that the employer mandate continues in effect despite the repeal of the individual mandate and despite pending challenges to the ACA itself. An employer may receive a 226J letter with respect to two types of failures: failure to offer minimum essential coverage to at least 95% of full-time employees or failure to: (1) offer coverage to the employee, (2) provide affordable coverage or (3) offer coverage that satisfied minimum value requirements, in all cases if the FTE received a tax credit. Letter 226J should contain a deadline for a response, usually 30 days after the letter was issued (employers may request a 30-day extension). It is important to get expert advice when drafting the response, but issues to consider include whether the IRS was using the correct data (i.e., was a corrected Form 1094 filed with the IRS in 2016?), whether the plan was a calendar year plan (transition relief may apply) and whether the employer did, in fact, offer minimum coverage during each month. For more information on the employer mandate, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
LL.M. or M.Jur. Curriculum in Wealth Management at Texas A&M Law
Our Wealth Management program gives you the knowledge and skills you need to advise wealthy clients and help manage their assets. Because wealth management involves professionals with various backgrounds, we’ve designed the program with both lawyers and non-lawyers in mind. This program is offered completely online, which gives professionals the flexibility they need to learn and to meet the increasing need of being versed in the legal aspects of financial transactions and in the legal aspects of financial investment and portfolio management. Contact us to learn more
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
William Byrnes and Robert Bloink reduce complicated tax questions to understandable client answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
IRS Releases FAQ on Section 199A Shedding Light on Impact of S Corporation Health Insurance Deductions
The IRS has released a set of FAQs based upon the regulations governing the new Section 199A deduction for pass-through entities, such as S corporations. One potentially overlooked issue in the S corporation context is the impact of health insurance premium payments on QBI. The FAQ provides that health insurance premiums paid by the S corporation for a greater-than-2-percent shareholder reduce QBI at the entity level (by reducing the ordinary income used to calculate QBI). Similarly, when a self-employed individual takes a deduction for health insurance attributable to the trade or business, this will be a deduction in determining QBI and can reduce QBI at the entity and individual levels. For more information on the treatment of health insurance premiums in the S corporation context, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Post-Reform Life Insurance Reporting Regs Provide Relief for Certain Contacts Acquired in Business Combinations
The proposed regulations governing the new life insurance reporting requirements created by the 2017 tax reform legislation (which do not become effective until finalized) would exclude from the new rules situations where one entity acquires a C corporation that owns life insurance contracts, so long as the life insurance contracts do not represent more than half of the corporation’s assets. Generally, the new rule created by tax reform would make cause certain life insurance contracts to lose their tax-preferred status if transferred in a reportable policy sale (and most business combinations would qualify as such). Under the proposed rules, however, the pre-tax reform exceptions to the transfer for value rule could apply when a C corporation is acquired. For more information on the future reporting requirements that will apply, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Missed the April 15 Tax Filing Deadline? Tips for Obtaining an Extension After the Fact
With the 2018 tax filing deadline behind us, many taxpayers who were unable to complete their returns may be wondering what steps to take to file those returns after the deadline has expired. Most taxpayers can easily request an extension through October 15 by using Form 4868 (available at irs.gov) to request the extension. The form will require that the client provide his or her estimated tax liability–remembering that the filing extension only extends the time for filing a return, so that the client’s 2018 tax payment was still due April 15. If the client was impacted by certain recent disasters, including the California wildfires, severe storms in Alabama, and storms and flooding in Nebraska or Iowa, have automatically been granted various extensions, so are not required to complete the paperwork necessary to obtain the extension. For more information on federal income tax filing requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Tax Reform Impact on Performance Goal Certification Requirements in Executive Compensation Context
Prior to tax reform, companies were afforded special treatment for certain compensation in excess of the $1 million limit so long as the compensation was based on performance goals certified by the company’s compensation committee. Tax reform eliminated that exception so that companies cannot deduct this excess compensation even if it is performance based–therefore, there is no tangible benefit to having a compensation committee certify that those goals were met in many cases. Despite this, in order to qualify under tax reform’s grandfathering provisions, performance-based compensation must continue to satisfy all of the standards that existed prior to the reform, so many companies may wish to continue their certification practice if they otherwise qualify for grandfathering treatment. For more information on the post-reform rules governing the deduction for executive compensation and the grandfathering rules, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019 Tax Season Preview: Now is the Time to Check Withholding
As we near the end of the 2018 tax season, many clients may have been disappointed by the amount of their refunds or even unexpectedly owed taxes because of the changes brought about by the 2017 tax reform legislation. Many of these surprises were caused by the new withholding tables developed by the IRS because the personal exemption was suspended from 2018-2025. Because of this, taxpayers should be advised to check their withholding now even though it may seem early in order to make any adjustments necessary to avoid unpleasant tax surprises next year. Taxpayers are entitled to have their employers withhold more or less depending upon their personal preferences, and the IRS website provides a calculator designed to help taxpayers anticipate how their withholding choices will impact their refund next year. For more information on the federal tax rules that apply this year post-reform, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
IRS Provides Last-Minute Penalty Relief for Taxpayers Who Underpaid in 2018
The IRS released last minute penalty relief for certain taxpayers whose tax withholding or estimated tax payments were insufficient in 2018. Usually, a penalty will apply if the taxpayer did not pay at least 90 percent of his or her tax liability for the year. For the 2018 tax year only, the IRS lowered the threshold to 80 percent to account for the significant changes made to the tax code late in 2017. Under previous guidance released in January, the relief was to apply for taxpayers who paid at least 85 percent of their total tax liability. This relief applies both to taxpayers who paid through employer withholding and those who paid quarterly estimated payments (or any combination). If the taxpayer qualifies for this relief but has already filed a return, the taxpayer can request a refund using Form 843, which must be filed in paper format. For more information on the underpayment penalty, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Tax Facts Team
Molly Miller Publisher
William H. Byrnes, J.D., LL.M Tax Facts Author
Jason Gilbert, J.D. Senior Editor
Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M. Tax Facts Author
Connie L. Jump Senior Manager, Editorial Operations
Alexis Long, J.D. Senior Contributor
Patti O’Leary Senior Editorial Assistant
Danielle Birdsail Digital Marketing Manager
Emily Brunner Editorial Assistant
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
IRS Explains Impact of SALT Cap on Taxpayers Receiving State and Local Tax Refunds
The IRS has provided guidance explaining the relevance of the “tax benefit rule” for taxpayers who receive a refund of state and local taxes in years when the post-reform limit on deducting state and local taxes (the “SALT cap”) is in effect. For more information on the impact of the SALT cap, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Federal Court Invalidates DOL Rules Expanding Association Health Plans
A Washington, D.C. federal court struck down the final regulations released by the DOL in effort to expand the availability of association health plans for various smaller employers and owner-employees, which would have given these groups access to less expensive plans that offered fewer benefits and did not satisfy ACA requirements. The fate of the actual expansion of association health plans remains unclear, however, as the DOL has indicated it will explore all available options and continue to work toward expanding access. For more information on the tax rules for self-employed business owners’ health coverage, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Employer Stock & 401(k) Plans: The Bad, the Ugly…and the Potentially Good?
In recent years, many employers have begun shying away from offering employer stock to employees as 401(k) investments. Fiduciary liability concerns and lack of diversification, especially amid dramatic decreases in value in some cases, have made the strategy risky for some companies. However, this does not mean that any client who currently holds employer stock in a 401(k) should immediately liquidate all employer stock. Clients should first be advised that the potential to take advantage of a net unrealized appreciation (NUA) strategy could provide a more valuable way to sell off employer stock. For more information on the NUA strategy, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Tax Facts Team
Molly Miller Publisher
William H. Byrnes, J.D., LL.M Tax Facts Author
Jason Gilbert, J.D. Senior Editor
Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M. Tax Facts Author
Connie L. Jump Senior Manager, Editorial Operations
Alexis Long, J.D. Senior Contributor
Patti O’Leary Senior Editorial Assistant
Danielle Birdsail Digital Marketing Manager
Emily Brunner Editorial Assistant
For questions, contact Customer Service at 1-800-543-0874.
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
EDITOR’S NOTE FOR ONLINE SUBSCRIBERS
You will notice a new orange banner appearing at the top of your screen called “Latest Developments”. In this section we are offering new features, and we will introduce other features later in the year….
· Tax Facts Intelligence Weekly – current as well as archive weekly newsletters you receive by email as another way to access our latest developments.
· Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down – a debate each week between Robert Bloink and myself (William Byrnes) whereby we take opposing viewpoints on tax policy and argue our opinions. Find out if you agree or disagree and, eventually, you will be able to vote on whose side you are on for that week.
· Featured Articles – a weekly article with archives written by Robert Bloink and myself, thought leaders in finding customer needs for new products and how to make new practice tools work with your clients, perhaps in ways you may not have thought about.
· Recent Updates – as you may know, our digital version of Tax Facts is updated weekly and not annually like our print version of Tax Facts. You can now see any significant changes made to a Tax Facts question that week as it will appear in the “Latest Developments” section, so you are aware of changes. These changes can even be delivered to your smartphone should you choose.
We are looking for another big year providing lots of value-added commentary and analysis. I am always interested in your feedback so feel free to email me at williambyrnes@gmail.com.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recently confirmed that life insurance agents were properly classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. The case involved eligibility for benefits under ERISA, and a district court, using the traditional Darden factors for determining classification status, had ruled in 2017 that the agents were employees who were eligible for ERISA benefits. For more information on insurance agents and employment classification issues, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Renewed Importance of Checking “Compensation” Definition in Retirement Plans Post-Tax Reform
The definition of “compensation” is important for many reasons in the retirement planning arena, but has gained new importance in light of suspended deductions and exclusions post-tax reform. Retirement plans generally must use the IRC’s definition of compensation for nondiscrimination testing purposes, which includes, for example, nondeductible moving expenses (but excludes deductible moving expenses). Post-reform, however, all moving expenses are nondeductible. Despite this, the moving expense deduction was only suspended, not eliminated. This is one example of how tax reform has created a level of uncertainty regarding the appropriate definition of compensation while all tax reform provisions remain (at least temporarily) in effect. For more information on the definition of compensation for qualified plan purposes, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Grandfathered Health Plan Status: Still Important for Employers
In the years that have passed since the ACA became effective, many employers may have forgotten the importance of maintaining the grandfathered status of their health insurance plans. Grandfathered health plans remain exempt from many of the ACA market reform provisions and help employers avoid some of the more difficult compliance issues presented by the ACA. To maintain grandfathered status, employers should be sure to maintain proper documentation of the plan coverage extending from March 23, 2010 to the present. If and when the plan enters a new policy or contract, it should provide the health insurance company with documents governing the plan terms to make sure the change will not cause loss of grandfathered status. Adding new employees or new contributing employers will not impact the grandfathered status of the plan, so long as the principal purpose of any restructuring of the business was not to cover additional people under a grandfathered plan. Amendments to the plan that eliminate certain benefits can cause loss of grandfathered status, as can increases in certain cost-sharing requirements and copayments. For more information on grandfathered health plans, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
EDITOR’S NOTE FOR ONLINE SUBSCRIBERS You will notice a new orange banner appearing at the top of your TaxFacts & App screen called “Latest Developments”. In this section we are offering new features, and we will introduce other features later in the year….
· Tax Facts Intelligence Weekly – current as well as archive weekly newsletters you receive by email as another way to access our latest developments.
· Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down – a debate each week between Robert Bloink and myself (William Byrnes) whereby we take opposing viewpoints on tax policy and argue our opinions. Find out if you agree or disagree and, eventually, you will be able to vote on whose side you are on for that week.
· Featured Articles – a weekly article with archives written by Robert Bloink and myself, thought leaders in finding customer needs for new products and how to make new practice tools work with your clients, perhaps in ways you may not have thought about.
· Recent Updates – as you may know, our digital version of Tax Facts is updated weekly and not annually like our print version of Tax Facts. You can now see any significant changes made to a Tax Facts question that week as it will appear in the “Latest Developments” section, so you are aware of changes. These changes can even be delivered to your smartphone should you choose.
We are looking for another big year providing value-added commentary and analysis. I am always interested in your feedback and “practitioner note” submissions so feel free to email me at williambyrnes@gmail.com.
IRS Releases New Safe Harbor for Depreciating Passenger Autos Under Tax Reform
Post-reform, taxpayers are generally entitled to an additional depreciation deduction for qualified property, including passenger automobiles, if that property was placed in service after September 27, 2017 (and before 2027). If the passenger auto qualifies for 100% depreciation deduction in year one, the tax legislation increased the first-year limitation by $8,000. Assuming the depreciable basis is less than the first year limitation, the additional amount is deductible in the first tax year after the end of the recovery period. Under the safe harbor, however, the taxpayer can take the depreciation deductible for the excess amounts during the recovery period up to the limits applicable to passenger autos during this time frame. The IRS will publish a depreciation table in Appendix A of Publication 946, which taxpayers must use to apply the safe harbor. The safe harbor only applies to passenger autos placed into service before 2023, and does not apply if (1) the taxpayer elected out of 100% first year depreciation or (2) elected to expense the automobile under Section 179. For more information on the rules that apply in determining the depreciation deduction for passenger automobiles, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
PBGC Proposes Regulations to Simplify Calculating Withdrawal Liability Under the Multi-Employer Pension Reform Act
PBGC recently released a set of proposed regulations to amend the rules on calculating withdrawal liability and annual withdrawal liability payments when an employer withdraws from a multi-employer pension plan. Under the regulations, in calculating withdrawal liability, plan sponsors must disregard benefit suspensions for the ten plan years following the plan year in which the suspension of benefits became effective, and include the suspended benefits when determining the plans unvested benefit liability (UVBs) during that period. The proposed regulations would also require plan sponsors to disregard surcharges when determining how to allocate UVBs to a withdrawing employer, as well as certain increases in contribution rates. The regulations provide detailed guidance on how each element necessary to calculate a withdrawing employer’s liability could be calculated. For more information on benefit reductions under the MPRA, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Court Clarifies When Disabled Employees May be Entitled to Disability Benefits
A district court recently clarified that an employee’s request for reasonable accommodations for a disability does not necessarily mean that the employee will also qualify for benefits under a short-term disability plan. In this case, the employee provided evidence from his doctor that stated he was unable to drive in traffic, but the employer’s plan required that he be unable to perform essential duties of his job in order to qualify for disability benefits. The employer denied the claim for benefits because the employee’s job did not involve driving, although he was entitled to work from home so that he could avoid driving into an office (the “reasonable accommodation” in this case). The court agreed with the employer that the employee’s ability to perform his job was not impaired, so he was not entitled to disability benefits. The key takeaway from this case is that, even if an employee has a disability that requires reasonable accommodation, that employee is not necessarily entitled to receive employer-sponsored disability benefits. For more information on employer-sponsored disability benefits, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
EDITOR’S NOTE FOR ONLINE SUBSCRIBERS
You will notice a new orange banner appearing at the top of your screen called “Latest Developments”. In this section we are offering new features, and we will introduce other features later in the year….· Tax Facts Intelligence Weekly – current as well as archive weekly newsletters you receive in email today as another way to access our latest developments.
· Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down – a debate each week between Robert Bloink and myself (William Byrnes) whereby we take opposing viewpoints on tax policy and argue our opinions. Find out if you agree or disagree and, eventually, you will be able to vote on whose side you are on for that week.
· Featured Articles – a weekly article with archives written by Robert Bloink and myself, thought leaders in finding customer needs for new products and how to make new practice tools work with your clients, perhaps in ways you may not have thought about.
· Recent Updates – as you may know, our digital version of Tax Facts is updated weekly and not annually like our print version of Tax Facts. You can now see any significant changes made to a Tax Facts question that week as it will appear in the “Latest Developments” section, so you are aware of changes. These changes can even be delivered to your smartphone should you choose.
We are looking for another big year providing lots of value-added commentary and analysis. I am always interested in your feedback so feel free to email me at williambyrnes@gmail.com.
IMPORTANT TAX DEVELOPMENTS
IRS Provides Additional Rules for Employers’ Ability to Recover Mistaken HSA Contributions
The IRS clarified when an employer can recover health savings account (HSA) contributions made in error. Generally, erroneous HSA contributions must be corrected by reducing future contributions. The IRS Office of the Chief Counsel released an information letter stating an employer can recover mistaken contributions if the employer has clear documentary evidence that demonstrates an administrative or process error that caused the mistaken contribution. Examples of correctable mistakes provided by the IRS include situations where the participants’ names were confused, mathematical errors and duplicate payroll transmittals. For more information on excess HSA contributions, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
8th Circuit Denies Bankruptcy Exemption for Retirement Accounts Transferred Incident to Divorce
The 8th Circuit denied the bankruptcy exemption for retirement plan assets that the debtor acquired incident to divorce. Qualified plan assets and up to about $1.3 million in IRA assets are usually protected from creditors in bankruptcy. In this case, the debtor received a portion of his former spouse’s 401(k) and her entire IRA in their divorce settlement, via a domestic relations order. The courts relied upon the Supreme Court’s prior ruling that inherited IRAs are not exempt in bankruptcy in concluding that assets acquired through a divorce are not primarily retirement assets of the debtor. Instead, the assets represented a property settlement, so were not entitled to any type of special treatment in bankruptcy. For more information on the treatment of qualified plans in divorce, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
LITIGATION WATCH
Wellness Programs Post-EEOC: What Remains Important
EEOC regulations that were recently vacated and removed focused incentives an employer could offer without rendering the program impermissibly involuntary. Although the incentive based regulations were removed, the remaining regulations provide some clarity on this “voluntariness” issue. The program may not require employees to participate, and the employer is not permitted to deny health coverage or limit group health plan or other benefits if the employee chooses not to participate in the program. The employer cannot take an action that would be considered retaliation or take any adverse employment actions for non-participation. For more information on the rules that currently govern employer-sponsored wellness programs, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
IRS: Employers Must Exercise Caution in Providing “Free Lunch” for Employees
The IRS has released a technical advice memorandum (TAM) that sheds light on the potential tax implications when employers provide employees with free meals in the office. Post-tax reform, meals provided “for the convenience of the employer” may receive favorable tax treatment. In the TAM, the IRS denied exclusion of the meals’ value from employee compensation. Here, the employer provided free meals to all employees in snack areas, at their desks and in the cafeteria, justifying provision of these meals by citing need for a secure business environment for confidential discussions, employee protection, improvement of employee health and a shortened meal period policy. The IRS rejected these rationales, stating that the employer was required to show that the policies existed in practice, not just in form, and that they were enforced upon specific employees. In this case, the employer had no policies relating to employee discussion of confidential information and provided no factual support for its other claims. General goals of improving employee health were found to be insufficient. The IRS also considered the availability of meal delivery services a factor in denying the exclusion, but indicated that if the employees were provided meals because they had to remain on the premises to respond to emergencies, that would be a factor indicating that the exclusion should be granted. For more information on “de minimis” type fringe benefits, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
Common Scenarios in Client Retirement Planning: Account Consolidation and the Rules of the Road
Most clients will change jobs a few times in their lives, which often means they wind up with multiple 401(k) and other types of retirement plans. Consolidating can produce many benefits–namely, making it easier to manage retirement assets and easing RMD calculations, but there are rules to consolidating and clients also need to be aware of benefits that may be unique to any one type of plan. Clients should evaluate their goals with respect to eventual withdrawals, as the rules for penalty-free withdrawals–for example, via using an IRA to establish a series of substantially equal periodic payments to provide penalty-free withdrawals prior to age 591/2. For more information on the rollover rules and how they may impact clients considering retirement account consolidation, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
April 1 is Fast Approaching: Important Deadline for Clients With First-Time RMD Obligations
While April 15 is a well-known and understood deadline, most clients don’t associate April 1 with any important tax-related deadlines—but April 1 is, in fact, one of the most important deadlines for clients who turned 701/2 years old in the previous year. For those clients who maintain traditional retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and IRAs, April 1 is the date by which they must take their first required minimum distribution (RMD) from the account if they turned 701/2 in the previous year. For example, a client who turned 701/2 in 2018 must take their first RMD by April 1, 2019. This April 1 deadline is a special rule that applies only to first-time RMDs–a client’s 2019 RMD will be due by December 31, 2019. This means that clients who choose to wait until the April 1 deadline will be required to take two RMDs in 2019. For each subsequent year, the generally applicable December 31 deadline is the relevant date for RMDs. For more information on lifetime RMD requirements, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
IRS Provides New 199A Safe Harbor for Rental Real Estate Activities
Since the introduction of Section 199A, business owners engaged in real estate activities have been confused by the new 20 percent deduction for qualified business income of certain pass-through entities. IRS proposed Revenue Procedure 2019-07 provide a safe harbor so that rental real estate businesses will qualify as “trades or businesses” if it: (1) maintains separate books and records for each rental enterprise, (2) involves the performance of at least 250 hours of rental real estate activities, and (3) maintains contemporaneous records regarding the rental real estate services. The safe harbor is effective for tax years ending after December 31, 2017. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
Final 199A Guidance on Tracking W-2 Wages Provides Guidance for Short Tax Years
The IRS has recently finalized the methods that a business owner can use to track W-2 wages for calculating the Section 199A deduction. The new guidance clarifies that, in the case of short taxable years, the business owner is required to use the “tracking wages method” with certain modifications. The total amount of wages subject to income tax withholding and reported on Form W-2 can only include amounts that are actually or constructively paid to the employee during the short tax year and reported on a Form W-2 for the calendar year with or within that short tax year. For more information on the methods available for calculating W-2 wages for Section 199A purposes, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
LITIGATION WATCH
Court Requires Employer to Pay Dependent Life Insurance Benefits After Failure to Provide SPD
A court recently ruled that an employer was required to pay life insurance benefits to an employee under a life insurance policy insuring her former spouse, which was offered by the employer as a dependent life insurance benefit. When the employee’s former husband died within three months’ of their divorce, her claim for benefits under the policy was denied because she was not an “eligible dependent” because of the divorce. The employee made several claims, including one that the she was not provided a summary plan description (SPD) with respect to the policy. The court agreed with the plaintiff’s claim that failure to provide the SPD was a breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA. For more information on employer-sponsored life insurance, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
2019’s Tax Facts Offers a Complete Web, App-Based, and Print Experience
Reducing complicated tax questions to understandable answers that can be immediately put into real-life practice, Tax Facts works when and where you need it….on your desktop, at home on your laptop, and on the go through your tablet or smartphone. Questions? Contact customer service: TaxFactsHelp@alm.com| 800-543-0874
Tax Facts Team
William H. Byrnes, J.D., LL.M, Tax Facts Author
Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M., Tax Facts Author
Alexis Long, J.D., Senior Contributor
Richard Cline, J.D. Senior Director, Practical Insights
Jason Gilbert, J.D., Senior Editor
Patti O’Leary, Senior Editorial Assistant
Connie L. Jump, Senior Manager, Editorial Operations
IRS Releases Guidance on Impact of Personal Exemption Suspension on Premium Tax Credit
The 2017 tax reform legislation suspended the personal exemption for tax years beginning after 2017 and before 2026. Relatedly, taxpayers are entitled to claim the Affordable Care Act premium tax credit with respect to an individual if the taxpayer has claimed an exemption with respect to that taxpayer (i.e., the personal or dependency exemption). A taxpayer is entitled to claim the premium tax credit with respect to another individual if the taxpayer would otherwise be entitled to claim a dependency exemption with respect to that individual, and includes the individual’s name and TIN on his or her Form 1040. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
Grandfathering Potential May Still Exist Under Section 162(m) Post-Regulations
The IRS regulations governing the new limitations on the Section 162(m) executive compensation deduction limits may have curtailed grandfathering opportunities that some had expected under the new tax law, but possibilities still remain. The test for determining whether grandfather treatment is permitted involves whether the company was legally obligated to pay the compensation under state law (meaning contract law) as of November 2, 2017. For more information on the new rules governing the deductibility of executive compensation, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
LITIGATION WATCH
Tax Court Rules Business-Provided Life Insurance Taxable to Insured Individual Under Split Dollar Rules
The Tax Court recently ruled that the “economic benefit” of business-sponsored life insurance provided to a key employee through a multiple-employer welfare benefit fund was taxable income to the employee. The Tax Court agreed with the IRS that this structure required current income inclusion under the split dollar life insurance principles, so that the economic benefit received by the employee was required to be included in his gross income for the year in question despite the fact that no actual cash benefits were received during that year. For more information on the rules governing split dollar life insurance, visit Tax Facts Online and Read More.
Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.
William Byrnes' Tax, Wealth, and Risk Intelligence 