March 2 – Farmers and fishermen who did not make 2008 estimated tax payments must file 2008 tax returns and pay taxes in full.
March 2 – Payors must file information returns (such as 1099s) with the IRS. (Electronic filers have until March 31 to file.)
March 2 – Employers must send W-2 copies to the Social Security Administration. (Electronic filers have until March 31 to file.)
March 8 – Daylight Saving Time begins.
March 16 – 2008 calendar-year corporation income tax returns are due.
March 16 – Deadline for calendar-year corporations to elect S corporation status for 2009.
March 31 – Deadline for payors who file electronically to file 2008 information returns (such as 1099s) with the IRS.
March 31 – Deadline for employers who file electronically to send copies of 2008 W-2s to the Social Security Administration.
NOTE: Businesses are required to make federal tax deposits on dates determined by various factors that differ from business to business.
Payroll tax deposits: Employers generally must deposit Form 941 payroll taxes (income tax withheld from employees’ pay and both the employer’s and employees’ share of social security taxes) on either a monthly or semiweekly deposit schedule. There are exceptions if you owe $100,000 or more on any day during a deposit period, if you owe $2,500 or less for the calendar quarter, or if your estimated annual liability is $1,000 or less.
Monthly depositors are required to deposit payroll taxes accumulated within a calendar month by the fifteenth of the following month. Semiweekly depositors generally must deposit payroll taxes on Wednesdays or Fridays, depending on when wages are paid. For more information on tax deadlines that apply to you or your business, contact our office. Call Cirimelli Pyle and Associates today at (408) 879-9990 or email them at: cpa@cpasllp.com.
What’s New in Taxes:
Tax breaks are included in the new Recovery Act. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes a bevy of new tax breaks. The key provisions summarized below are generally retroactive to January 1, 2009.
Making work pay credit. Employees and self-employeds can claim a credit for 2009 and 2010 equal to the lesser of 6.2% of earned income or $400 ($800 for joint filers). The credit phases out once adjusted gross income (AGI) reaches $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for couples.
Alternative minimum tax (AMT). The new law creates another “patch” for 2009 through higher exemption amounts: $46,700 for singles and $70,950 for couples. This change will prevent an estimated 26 million middle-income taxpayers from being hit by the AMT.
First-time homebuyer’s credit. This credit is enhanced for 2009. The maximum credit increases from $7,500 to $8,000 for homes purchased from January 1, 2009, through November 30, 2009. Repayment isn’t required if you live in the home at least three years. Phase-out of the credit remains for an AGI above $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for joint filers.
New vehicle deductions. A buyer can claim a new above-the-line deduction for sales and excise taxes on the first $49,500 of a vehicle’s price. The deduction phases out for an AGI above $125,000 ($250,000 for joint filers). It applies to 2009 purchases after February 16.
Education credits. For 2009 and 2010, the maximum Hope credit – renamed the “American Opportunity Tax Credit” – increases from $1,800 to $2,500 and may be claimed for all four years of college (instead of the first two). Phase-out begins at $80,000 of AGI for singles and $160,000 for joint filers.
Child tax credit. The refundable portion of the child tax credit is increased for 2009 and 2010 by lowering the income threshold for refundability from $8,500 to $3,000.
Energy incentives. Among numerous energy provisions, the new law increases the residential energy credit from 10% to 30% and raises the maximum cap to $1,500 for installations in 2009 and 2010.
There’s much more in the new law, ranging from a tax exclusion for $2,400 of unemployment benefits in 2009 to a one-time $250 payment to certain retirees and veterans. For guidance in tax planning under these latest changes, contact us. Call Cirimelli Pyle and Associates today at (408) 879-9990 or email them at: cpa@cpasllp.com.
Itemizing deductions: Three facts you should know
You know the general rule about itemized deductions: Compare your total allowable expenses against your standard deduction, and use the amount that provides the greatest tax benefit.
Illustration. If you’re under age 65, married filing jointly, itemizing may reduce your 2008 tax bill if your qualifying deductions are greater than the basic 2008 standard deduction of $10,900 ($5,450 for single filers under age 65).
Here are three other facts about itemizing you may be less familiar with.There’s a special rule when you’re married and file separate returns. If either of you itemizes, the other’s standard deduction amount is usually considered to be zero. When this situation applies, you’ll generally be better off itemizing no matter the amount of your allowable expenses. Your itemized deductions may be limited. For instance, unreimbursed medical expenses are deductible only if the amount you spent exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Miscellaneous deductions such as certain legal fees must equal more than 2% of AGI to be deductible. In addition, if your AGI for 2008 reached $159,950, the total amount of your itemized deductions is reduced. You can itemize even though your standard deduction is higher. Why would you want to? One reason: The standard deduction isn’t considered in the computation of the alternative minimum tax (AMT), but some itemized deductions are. If you’re subject to the AMT, in certain cases your overall tax liability may be less if you choose to itemize. Other rules may apply to your situation. For help with the calculations or with any of your tax filing concerns, give us a call. Call Cirimelli Pyle and Associates today at (408) 879-9990 or email them at: cpa@cpasllp.com.
New Business: New law has tax breaks for businesses. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains a number of provisions that will affect businesses. Here’s a brief overview. Bonus depreciation. First-year 50% bonus depreciation for new business equipment purchases is extended through 2009 (through 2010 for certain property). Increased expensing. Code Section 179 first-year expensing of new and used business equipment purchases is extended through 2009 at the higher limit of $250,000. The deduction is reduced once purchases for the year exceed $800,000. Loss carryback period. The new law allows businesses with average gross receipts of $15 million or less to carry back net operating losses for up to five years, rather than the normal two years. The longer carryback period applies only to losses incurred in a tax year beginning or ending in 2008. Work opportunity tax credit. Two new categories of targeted groups are eligible for the work opportunity tax credit: unemployed veterans and disconnected youth. The credit applies to workers in these groups hired in 2009 and 2010. COBRA benefits. Employees who lose their jobs between September 1, 2008, and January 1, 2010, may elect to pay 35% of their COBRA coverage and have that treated as paying the full amount. The former employer is required to pay the remaining 65% and will be credited for this amount against income tax withholding and payroll taxes otherwise payable to the federal government. Income and other limitations on COBRA coverage apply. The new law is a massive 1,000 page document, so this quick review by no means covers all the provisions that may affect your business. For guidance in your business tax planning under this latest law, contact our office.
For free initial consultation for professionals and families or general tax help in Saratoga, call Cirimelli Pyle and Associates today at (408) 879-9990 or email them at: cpa@cpasllp.com.