15 Jun 2021
0

Understanding How to Report Large Cash Transactions (Form 8300)

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Automotive, Small Business Tax Briefs
Understanding How to Report Large Cash Transactions (Form 8300)

The Internal Revenue Service recently reminded businesses (in News Release 2021-47) of their responsibility to report large cash transactions via the filing of Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000, and encourages e-filing to help them file accurate, complete forms. Although many cash transactions are legitimate, information reported on Form 8300 can help stop those who evade taxes, profit from drug trading, engage in terrorist financing and conduct other criminal activities. The government can often trace money from these illegal activities through payments reported on complete, accurate forms. To help businesses prepare and file reports, the IRS created a video on How to Complete Form 8300 – Part I, Part II. The short video points out sections of Form 8300 for which the IRS commonly finds...

15 Jun 2021
0

Plan Ahead for the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Plan Ahead for the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax

High-income taxpayers face a 3.8% net investment income tax (NIIT) that’s imposed in addition to regular income tax. Fortunately, there are some steps you may be able to take to reduce its impact. The NIIT applies to you only if modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds: $250,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly and surviving spouses, $125,000 for married taxpayers filing separately, $200,000 for unmarried taxpayers and heads of household. The amount subject to the tax is the lesser of your net investment income or the amount by which your MAGI exceeds the threshold ($250,000, $200,000, or $125,000) that applies to you. Net investment income includes interest, dividend, annuity, royalty, and rental income, unless those items were derived in the ordinary course of an active trade or business. In...

15 Jun 2021
0

Fending Off “Friendly” Fraud

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Fraud Briefs
Fending Off Friendly Fraud

Fraudulent behavior isn’t necessarily perpetuated by people hiding their identities. For example, legitimate customers sometimes use the credit card chargeback process to their advantage — and to the disadvantage of merchants. Others routinely abuse chargebacks to steal merchandise. Here’s how to protect your business from these types of “friendly” and sometimes dishonest fraud. Chargeback mechanics Friendly fraud pivots on a customer’s failure to communicate with a merchant. Instead of contacting a seller to discuss a problem with a good or service, some customers immediately dispute a charge with their bank or credit card company. They generally provide plausible reasons for the dispute and don’t mask their identify at any phase of the process. A chargeback takes time and effort to resolve. And if the bank or credit card...

14 Jun 2021
0

Working in the Gig Economy Results in Tax Obligations

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Working in the Gig Economy Results in Tax Obligations

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the number of people engaged in the “gig” or sharing economy had been growing, according to several reports. And reductions in working hours during the pandemic have caused even more people to turn to gig work to make up lost income. There are tax consequences for the people who perform these jobs, which include providing car rides, delivering food, walking dogs and providing other services. Bottom line: If you receive income from freelancing or from one of the online platforms offering goods and services, it’s generally taxable. That’s true even if the income comes from a side job and even if you don’t receive an income statement reporting the amount of money you made. Basics for gig workers The IRS considers gig workers...

14 Jun 2021
0

Providing Education Assistance to Employees

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Small Business Tax Briefs
Providing Education Assistance to Employees

Providing education assistance to employees is done by many businesses as a fringe benefits so their employees can improve their skills and gain additional knowledge. An employee can receive, on a tax-free basis, up to $5,250 each year from his or her employer for educational assistance under a “qualified educational assistance program.” For this purpose, “education” means any form of instruction or training that improves or develops an individual’s capabilities. It doesn’t matter if it’s job-related or part of a degree program. This includes employer-provided education assistance for graduate-level courses, including those normally taken by an individual pursuing a program leading to a business, medical, law or other advanced academic or professional degree. Additional requirements Providing education assistance to employees must be provided under a separate written plan...

10 Jun 2021
0

Help Ensure the IRS Doesn’t Reclassify Independent Contractors as Employees

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Small Business Tax Briefs
Help Ensure the IRS Doesnt Reclassify Independent Contractors as Employees

Many businesses use independent contractors to help keep their costs down. If you’re among them, make sure that these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes. If the IRS reclassifies them as employees, it can be a costly error. It can be complex to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee for federal income and employment tax purposes. If a worker is an employee, your company must withhold federal income and payroll taxes, pay the employer’s share of FICA taxes on the wages, plus FUTA tax. A business may also provide the worker with fringe benefits if it makes them available to other employees. In addition, there may be state tax obligations. On the other hand, if a worker is an independent...

09 Jun 2021
0

Unreliable or Fraudulent Insurance Coverage

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Fraud Briefs
Unreliable or Fraudulent Insurance Coverage

Bad faith denials of claims by insurers are illegal, but some dishonest companies or agents attempt them anyway. It’s possible that just when you have the greatest need, you’ll find yourself out in the cold. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of great legal remedies. So it’s critical to avoid unreliable and fraudulent insurance coverage in the first place. Legal contract  An insurance policy is a contract. The insured agrees to pay premiums and take reasonable steps to prevent injury or damage, and the insurer agrees to settle legitimate claims according to the policy’s terms. Not only is it good business practice for insurers to cover legitimate claims, but it’s illegal for them to deny them.  There may be times when you and your insurer disagree about what’s covered...

07 Jun 2021
0

Assess Your Supply Chain’s Fraud Risk

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Fraud Briefs
Assess Your Supply Chains Fraud Riak

The COVID-19 pandemic has put enormous pressure on global supply chains. As companies struggle to obtain the goods and materials they need, they may not pay as much attention to potential fraud signs. Unethical employees and organized crime gangs have only been too willing to take advantage of the situation. Consider conducting a targeted risk assessment that focuses on the changes that have occurred since the pandemic began. Although a targeted assessment isn’t a substitute for an all-encompassing review, it can help prevent certain threats from resulting in huge financial losses.   Four items for review  As part of your assessment, review: Changes in the operating landscape. As the pandemic took hold, both individual businesses and the larger marketplace changed. Some of those changes were readily apparent, such as...

03 Jun 2021
0

Some 2020 Unemployment Compensation is Tax-Free

Roger Rossmeisl, CPA
Individual Tax Briefs
Some 2020 Unemployment Compensation is Tax Free

In recent months, there have been a number of tax changes that may affect your individual tax bill. Many of these changes were enacted to help mitigate the financial damage caused by COVID-19. Here are two changes that may result in tax savings for you on your 2020 or 2021 tax returns. The 2020 return was due on May 17, 2021 (because the IRS extended many due dates from the usual April 15 this year). If you couldn't file by that date, you could have requested an extra five months to file your 2020 tax return by October 15, 2021. Your 2021 return will be due in April of 2022. Some unemployment compensation from last year is tax free Many people lost their jobs last year due to...

ROGER ROSSMEISL, CPA

Kho & Patel CPAs
160 E. Arrow Highway
San Dimas, CA 91773

(714) 325-0442
roger@khopatel.com

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