Pursuant to § 179 of the Tax code, businesses may deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. The “Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015” (PATH Act) expanded the Section 179 deduction limit to $500,000 and it will remain at this amount for 2017. Here’s § 179 at a glance for 2017.
The § 179 Deduction Explained
The Internal Revenue Code through Section 179 permits businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. Thus, if qualifying equipment is purchased or leased, the full purchase price may be deducted from gross income.
The § 179 deduction is a tax-savings incentive to encourage businesses to increase assets by purchasing equipment and self-invest. This deduction is affected by the “Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015” (PATH Act) that was signed into law in 2015. This bill expanded the Section 179 deduction limit to $500,000, where it will remain for all of 2017.
Tax Treatment Of Lease Terms Part 2: Tenant Allowances
Tenant construction allowances are a common detail in commercial real estate leases. Because landlords need tenants to fill their commercial spaces, and tenants need to customize these spaces for their business, a tenant allowance is a vital lease term which significantly pushes forward and finalizes a commercial real estate leasing transaction. An allowance must be structured accordingly to avoid undesired tax consequences.
I.R.C. § 110 provides landlords and tenants with a safe harbor which ensures that a tenant is not required to recognize income for a tenant allowance in leases which are for 15 years or less of a retail space. Otherwise, the tenant treats a tenant allowance received from the landlord as ordinary income, while depreciating assets over their useful life, typically resulting in much more income than expenses.
The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions, Part 9
This is the ninth part of our series of blogs on the most overlooked tax deductions. In this blog, we will attempt to summarize the second half or group of prior articles in the series. For a more a detailed overview, see the blogs themselves!
HEALTH, CHILD CARE, AND CHARITY DEDUCTIONS
Deduction of Medicare Premiums for the Self-Employed
Self-employed individuals who continue to operate their own businesses after qualifying for Medicare can deduct their Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D premiums, plus the cost of supplemental Medicare policies or the cost of a Medicare Advantage plan, regardless of whether or not he or she itemizes.
Finally! Congress Enacts Tax Extends Part 4
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, enacted Dec. 18, 2015, extends a long list of expired tax provisions into the future. Unlike past extension legislation, Congress extended many provisions permanently. In more traditional fashion, some of the others were extended for five years, and many for two years. The Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that the total cost of the tax provisions in the bill will be $622 billion over 10 years. Without Congress extending these various provisions, millions of Americans were in danger of losing these beneficial tax breaks by 2017.
The following incentives for real estate investment have been made permanent:
The Most Overlooked Tax Deductions, Part 7
Many taxpayers overlook the long list of deductions that they may take when completing and filing their tax returns. The IRS has estimated that millions of taxpayers overpay their taxes each year mainly because they fail to avail themselves of all of the possible deductions. Here is the seventh part of our multi-part series of blogs on the most overlooked tax deductions:
BUSINESS EXPENSES AS DEDUCTIONS
Bonus Depreciation
When it comes to acquiring new equipment for an enterprise, business owners must regularly stay updated on all current, pertinent tax rules and regulations, which constantly change. The tax professionals at the Thorgood Law Firm can help ensure that all taxpayers take advantage of any and all deductions that may apply to them.
Tax Breaks For Small Businesses
The US government defines a small business as one with sales of $7 million to $25 million a year and up to 1,000 employees. There are more than a few tax breaks available for small businesses and many have been extended for 2016. Some notable tax extenders include I.R.C. § 179 and bonus depreciation as well as tax credits for research and development, work opportunity, and energy production.
*I.R.C. §179 & Bonus Depreciation
Two important tax breaks for small business have been extended: I.R.C. § 179 and bonus depreciation. I.R.C. § 179 allows businesses to deduct the full price of any qualifying equipment or software purchased or leased during the year. The tax-extension bill makes permanent the $500,000 maximum deduction for new and used equipment that was purchased or leased in 2015. Bonus depreciation, which was extended through 2017, allows business owners to depreciate 50 percent of the cost of new equipment purchased in 2015. The two tax incentives can be used together.
Under I.R.C. § 179, taxpayers may claim certain business expenses in the year in which they were incurred rather than depreciating the costs over several tax years. The limit of $500,000 is double the previous limit and large enough that the average small business owner can write off most, if not all, of their equipment purchases in the year of the transaction.
The 50 percent bonus depreciation provision also was extended. After the full $500,000 is taken, exhausting the claim, an additional 50 percent of the adjusted basis of certain depreciable business property purchased and placed in service during 2015 may be deducted.
*Research and Development Credit
Originally enacted to act as an economic stimulus. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 41 enables a taxpayer to claim a tax credit for qualified research expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business. The availability of this tax credit is established by the definition of qualified research expenses under I.R.C. § 41 and the regulations under I.R.C. § 174. New York State income tax law also permits an New York tax credit for qualified research expenses. An investment tax credit equal to 9% of qualified investment in R&D buildings and tangible personal property (the credit is 7% for personal income taxpayers).
*Work Opportunity Tax Credit
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers who hire veterans and individuals from other target groups with significant barriers to employment. There is no limit on the number of individuals an employer can hire to qualify to claim the tax credit, and there are only a few simple steps to follow to apply for the WOTC. After the required certification is secured, qualifying employers can claim the tax credit as a general business credit against their income tax.
*Energy Tax Credits: Investment Tax Credit & Production Tax Credit
The Federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) are incentives for
development and deployment of renewable energy technologies. The Production Tax Credit (PTC) reduces the federal income taxes of qualified tax-paying owners of renewable energy projects. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) reduces federal income taxes for qualified tax-paying owners based on capital investment in renewable energy projects. The ITC is earned when the equipment is placed into service.
In December of 2015, the House and Senate agreed by significant margins to grant extensions to the 30 percent investment tax credit (ITC) for solar energy and the 2.3-cent-per-kilowatt-hour production tax credit (PTC) for wind power. Other technologies—including geothermal, marine energy and small hydropower—received one-year extensions to their 30 percent ITC under the joint spending and tax measures passed. New York State also offers a tax credit for biofuel production.
*Deductions
In addition to the tax breaks mentioned above, there are an abundance of good old-fashioned deductions that can help lower a small business owner’s tax liability, including:
• Automobile expenses related to business;
• Membership fees in trade organizations, professional groups and chambers of commerce;
• Classes, seminars, and other training in a profession;
• Banking, credit card and ATM fees incurred in business;
• Business travel and meal costs;
• Professional journals, newspapers and books necessary to conduct business.
• Internet and other telecommunication, including cellphone, charges for business use. Only the amount used for business may be deducted;
• If a small business operates from home, expenses relating to that portion of the residence that is work space should be deducted;
• State and local sales taxes.
If you are a small business owner and have questions about any credits or deductions that may reduce your business tax liability, call THE TAX EXPERTS at the Thorgood Law Firm www.thorgoodlaw.com. For a FREE consultation call 212-490-0704.
Tax Issues For Small Business Owners In 2016
Each year brings a new opportunity for progress and ways to increase income for small business owners. New tax laws appear annually and often present challenges to customary profitable legal ways of doing business. Staying informed of all of these changes requires the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable tax professional.
- Detailed Reporting of Employee Healthcare Coverage