Is Your Side Hustle a Hobby or a Business?

As reported via IRS Tax Tip 2023-61  on 5/3/2023 Sometimes the line between having a hobby and running a business can be confusing, but knowing the difference is important because hobbies and businesses are treated differently when it's time to file a tax return. The biggest difference between the two is that businesses operate to make a profit while hobbies are for pleasure or recreation. Whether someone is having fun with a hobby or running a business, if they accept more than $600 for goods and services using online marketplaces or payment apps, they could receive a Form 1099-K. Profits from the sale of goods, including personal items, and services is taxable income that must be reported on tax returns. There are a few other things people should...

An Offer in Compromise Can Help Certain Taxpayers Resolve Tax Debt

As reported via IRS Tax Tip 2023-58  on 4/27/2023 When a taxpayer can't pay their full tax liability or if paying would cause financial hardship, they may want to consider applying for an Offer in Compromise. This agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS settles a tax debt for less than the full amount owed. The goal is a compromise that's in the best interest of both the taxpayer and the agency. The application fee for an offer in compromise is $205. Low-income taxpayers don't have to pay this fee, and they should check if they meet the definition of low-income in the instructions for Form 656, Offer in Compromise. When reviewing applications, the IRS considers the taxpayer's unique set of facts and special circumstances affecting their...

Understanding Digital Asset Reporting and Tax Requirements

As reported via IRS Tax Tip 2023-45  on 4/5/2023 All taxpayers that filed a 2022 tax year Forms 1040 and 1040-SR were required to check a box indicating whether they received digital assets as a reward, award or payment for property or services or disposed of any digital asset that was held as a capital asset through a sale, exchange or transfer. Examples of digital assets transactions include: A sale of digital assets. The receipt of digital assets as payment for goods or services provided. The receipt or transfer of digital assets for free, without providing any consideration, that does not qualify as a bona fide gift. The receipt of new digital assets as a result of mining and staking activities. The receipt of new digital assets...

How to Treat Tips for Tax Purposes

As reported via IRS Fact Sheet 2022-37  in October 2022 Tip income is taxable and must be reported People who work in restaurants, salons, hotels and similar industries often receive tips for the customer service they provide. Tips can be taxable income, but it's important for people working in these areas to understand important details involving tips. What are tips?  Tips are optional cash or non-cash payments that customers make to employees. Cash tips include: those received directly from customers, electronically paid tips distributed to the employee by their employer and tips received from other employees under any tip-sharing arrangement. All cash tips must be reported to the employer. Non-cash tips are those of value received in any other medium than cash, such as: tickets, passes or other...

Tax Responsibilities When Closing a Business

As reported via Tax Tip 2022-122  on 8/10/2022 There are a few things business owners need to do before they close their business. Of course, they need to fulfill their federal tax responsibilities. It's also important to notify the IRS of their plans. Business owners must take these steps when closing a business: File a final tax return and related forms. The type of return to file and related forms depends on the type of business. Take care of employees. Business owners with one or more employees must pay any final wages or compensation, make final federal tax deposits and report employment taxes. Pay taxes owed. Even if the business closes now, tax payments may be due next filing season. Report payments to contract workers. Businesses that pay contractors at least...

Beware of Disaster Charity Scams

As reported via IR-2022-119 on 8/4/2022 People should donate carefully after a disaster After an emergency or disaster, people rally to help victims by donating money. Unfortunately, this can give criminals an opportunity to prey on them by soliciting donations for fake charities. Scammers may also pose as federal agencies to dupe disaster victims trying to get disaster relief. People should always be suspicious of unsolicited contact. Scammers often contact their possible victim by telephone, social media, email or in person. Make sure your money is going to a reputable organization Thieves may pose as a representative of a charity to ask for money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers. Scammers may set up bogus websites using names that sound like real charities. When a taxpayer searches for a...

What is Residual Fraud Risk - and What Can Your Business Do About It?

By regularly analyzing risk, business owners and executives can better understand and manage the likelihood and potential impact of fraud. In general, there are two types of business risk: inherent and residual. Inherent risk is what exists before management takes steps to mitigate the organization’s exposure. Residual risk is what remains after management has implemented internal controls to reduce and manage threats. Because no program of internal controls can possibly eliminate all threats, residual risk is always a reality. But there are ways to mitigate it. 4 types of internal controls Internal controls generally fall under one of the following categories: Detective. This type is designed to detect fraud already occurring. For example, you might generate a report that lists checks issued twice for the same invoice. Preventive....

Key 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Tax Parameters for Small Businesses and their Owners

The IRS recently announced various inflation-adjusted federal income tax amounts. Here’s a rundown of the amounts that are most likely to affect small businesses and their owners. Rates and brackets If you run your business as a sole proprietorship or pass-through business entity (LLC, partnership or S corporation), the business’s net ordinary income from operations is passed through to you and reported on your personal Form 1040. You then pay the individual federal income tax rates on that income. Here are the 2024 inflation adjusted bracket thresholds. 10% tax bracket: $0 to $11,600 for singles, $0 to $23,200 for married joint filers, $0 to $16,550 for heads of household; Beginning of 12% bracket: $11,601 for singles, $23,201 for married joint filers, $16,551 for heads of household; Beginning of...

Key 2024 Inflation-Adjusted Tax Amounts for Individuals

The IRS recently announced various 2024 inflation-adjusted federal tax amounts that affect individual taxpayers. Most of the federal income tax rate bracket thresholds are about 5.4% higher than for 2023. That means that you can generally have about 5.4% more income next year without owing more to the federal government. Standard deduction  Here are the inflation-adjusted standard deduction numbers for 2024 for those who don’t itemize: $14,600 if you’re single or use married filing separate status (up from $13,850 in 2023). $29,200 if you’re married and file jointly (up from $27,700). $21,900 if you’re a head of household (up from $20,800). Older taxpayers and those who are blind are entitled to additional standard deduction allowances. In 2024 for those age 65 or older or blind, the amounts will be: $1,550...

Master Class in Automotive Modular Assembly

As posted to the AutoLine Network YouTube Channel on 9/11/2023 (Run Time 10 min, 13 sec) AutoLine's John McElroy interviews Caresoft's Han Ly at the International Motor/Mobility Show in Munich.  Caresoft, a company that specializes in vehicle teardowns and benchmarking, provides insights into how Tesla designs its cars for modular assembly, notably how it eliminates fasteners and complexity. (This is Blog Post #1482) John McElroy has been called an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis. He also hosts the Emmy Award-winning television program “Autoline This Week” and co-hosts “Autoline After Hours”, all of which can be found at www.autoline.tv....