Alimony paid will no longer be tax-deductible and alimony received will no longer be taxable income. For decades, alimony — typically paid by men — has been tax deductible for the person paying it and taxable income for the person receiving it (typically women). But that basic tenet of divorce will no longer apply this year and beyond, due to provisions in the big 2017 tax law.

Know the good from the bad. With the new laws, you, your spouse, both attorneys and any financial advisor the two of you will use should be looking at all the angles. Know the good assets from the bad assets, tax-wise.

Since the New Tax Law changes are now in effect it is wise to speak to a tax advisor who can let you know how the changes affect you in 2019.

Capital Advisory Group, Inc. will help you navigate through these changes.

Call (636) 394-5524

Questions about taxes could come up any time of the year. Whether it’s about tracking a refund or paying a bill, taxpayers can find answers to their questions on IRS.gov. Here are some of the most popular IRS tools:

• IRS Free File. Taxpayers who filed an extension can use IRS Free File to prepare and e-file a federal tax return. Free File is available at no cost for anyone with income below $66,000. Free File is available through Oct. 15 to file a 2017 tax return. IRS Free File is available through IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app.
• Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit is the best and fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund electronically deposited for free into their financial account. Combining direct deposit with electronic filing is the fastest way for a taxpayer to receive their refund.
• Where’s My Refund? Taxpayers can use “Where’s My Refund?” at IRS.gov or the IRS2Go mobile app to check the status of a refund within 24 hours after the IRS receives the e-filed return or four weeks after a mailed paper return. The IRS2Go app is free and available on Google Play, the Apple App Store or Amazon App Store.
• Paying a Tax Bill. IRS Direct Pay is free and taxpayers can pay directly from a checking or savings account. They can choose to receive email notifications about their payments each time they use Direct Pay There are five simple steps to pay in a single online session and it’s also available with the IRS2Go mobile app. Other payment options are available at IRS.gov/payments.
• Tax Account Information Online. At IRS.gov/account individual taxpayers can view their balance and payment history. They can also pay with their bank account, a debit or credit card or apply for an installment agreement. They can view, print or download tax records, and view their most current tax return information as originally filed. First time users must authenticate their identity through the Secure Access process. Taxpayers who already have a user name and password from Secure Access for their tax account, Get Transcript Online or Identity Protection PIN, may use the same username and password.
• Online Payment Agreement. Taxpayers who can’t pay their taxes in full can apply for an Online Payment Agreement. Using the Direct Debit payment plan option is a lower-cost, hassle-free way to make monthly payments.
• Interactive Tax Assistant. Taxpayers can use this tool to find answers to their tax questions. This tax law resource asks a series of questions and provides instant answers on a variety of tax topics, including general filing questions, deductions, credits and income.
• Tax Map. The IRS Tax Map integrates web links, tax forms, instructions and publications into one search result. Taxpayers can quickly find forms, publications, frequently asked questions and news by topic.

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IRS Tax Reform Tax Tip 2018-143

September 13, 2018

Retirees should do a Paycheck Checkup to make sure they are paying enough tax during the year by using the Withholding Calculator, available on IRS.gov. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted in December 2017, changed the way tax is calculated for most taxpayers, including retirees.

Because of this law change, retirees who receive a monthly pension or annuity check may need to raise or lower the amount of tax they pay in during the year. The easiest way to do that is to use the Withholding Calculator or read Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax. Though primarily designed for employees who receive wages, this online tool can also help those who receive pension or annuity payments on a regular schedule, usually monthly or quarterly.

Taxpayers who do not choose to have taxes withheld from their income should make estimated tax payments. This income includes pension and annuity income, and the taxable part of social security benefits. Estimated tax payments are due quarterly. The remaining due dates for 2018 payments are Sept. 17, 2018 and Jan. 15, 2019. Taxpayers can pay their taxes anytime throughout the year as long as they indicate the tax year and where to apply the payment. They can visit IRS.gov/payments to explore all IRS payment options.

Here are some things retirees should know about their withholding and using the calculator:

• Like employees, retirees can use the calculator to estimate their total income, deductions and tax credits for 2018.

• When using the Withholding Calculator, retirees should treat their pension like income from a job by entering:
  • The gross amount of each payment
  • How often they receive a payment, such as monthly or quarterly
  • The amount of tax withheld so far this year

• Before using the calculator, users should have a copy of last year’s tax return. In addition, knowing or having a record of the total federal income tax withheld so far this year will also make the tool’s results more accurate.

• Based on the taxpayer’s responses, the Withholding Calculator will recommend the number of allowances a pension recipient should claim. If the number is different from the number they are claiming now, they should fill out a new withholding form. If claiming zero allowances still doesn’t cover their expected tax bill, the tool will recommend asking their payor to withhold an additional flat-dollar amount from each pension payment.

• Pension recipients can make a withholding change by filling out Form W-4P, and giving it to their payor. The IRS urges retirees to submit Forms W-4P to their payors as soon as they can. This gives payors time to apply withholding changes to as many payments as possible this year.

• Because of the limited time left in 2018, some retirees may be unable to adequately cover their expected tax liability through withholding. In that case, a taxpayer could instead make an estimated or additional tax payment directly to the IRS.

More Information:

Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

Social Security Administration

Tax Reform

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IRS Tax Reform Tax Tip 2018-142

September 12, 2018

The U.S. tax system operates on a pay-as-you-go basis. This means that taxpayers need to pay most of their tax during the year, as the income is earned or received. Taxpayers must generally pay at least 90 percent of their taxes throughout the year through withholding, estimated or additional tax payments or a combination of the two. If they don’t, they may owe an estimated tax penalty when they file.

Taxpayers can pay their taxes throughout the year anytime. They must select the tax year and tax type or form when paying electronically. Filers paying by check should make it out to the “United States Treasury” and indicate the tax year and type of taxes they are paying.

Taxpayers who pay taxes through a combination of withholding and estimated tax payments should do a Paycheck Checkup. They can do a checkup using the Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov. Doing so now can help the taxpayer avoid an unexpected tax bill and possibly a penalty when the taxpayer’s 2018 tax return is filed next year.

Here are some examples of people who may need to make estimated tax payments:

Individuals – including sole proprietors, partners and S corporation shareholders – may need to pay quarterly installments of estimated tax if:

• they expect to owe at least $1,000 when they file their tax return
• they owed additional tax when they filed their tax return last year

Other taxpayers who may need to make estimated payments include those who:

• have more than one job, but don’t have each employer withhold taxes
• are self-employed
• are independent contractors
• are representatives of a direct-sales or in-home-sales company
• participate in sharing economy activities where they are not working as employees

For tax year 2018, the remaining estimated tax payment due dates are Sept. 17, 2018 and Jan. 15, 2019.

More Information:

Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals

Tax Reform

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September 10, 2018

Certain taxpayers must make estimated tax payments throughout the year. Taxpayers must generally pay at least 90 percent of their taxes throughout the year through withholding, estimated tax payments or a combination of the two. If they don’t, they may owe an estimated tax penalty.

For tax-year 2018, the remaining estimated tax payment due dates are Sept. 17, 2018, and Jan. 15, 2019.

Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. This income includes earnings from self-employment, interest, dividends, rents, and alimony. Taxpayers who do not choose to have taxes withheld from other taxable income should also make estimated tax payments. This other income includes unemployment compensation and the taxable part of Social Security benefits.

The IRS urges everyone who works as an employee and who also earns or has income from other sources to perform a Paycheck Checkup now. Doing so will help avoid an unexpected year-end tax bill and possibly a penalty when the taxpayer files their 2018 tax return next year. They can do a checkup using the Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov.

Here are some things to know for taxpayers who make estimated payments :

• Taxpayers can pay their taxes throughout the year anytime.
• Filers paying by check should make it out to the “United States Treasury” and indicate the tax year and type of taxes they are paying.
• Taxpayers in presidentially-declared disaster areas may have more time to make these payments without penalty.
• For easy and secure ways to make estimated tax payments, use is IRS Direct Pay or the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.
• gov/payments has information on all payment options.
• Taxpayers can find more information about tax withholding and estimated tax at the Pay As You Go page IRS.gov.
• Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, is another resource for taxpayers. Publication 505 has worksheets and examples, which can help taxpayers determine whether they should pay estimated tax.

More Information:

Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals

Tax Reform

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Below are three fall tax tips for small business owners to consider and ask their tax professional about:

1. Spend money. Time is running out in 2018, so don’t shy away from spending money on your business to maximize deductions. Do you need to upgrade your equipment? Is it time to spend more on advertising? Can you make vendor payments now, as opposed to waiting until the new year? If you can buy it in 2018, you might as well do so.
2. Get organized. You may have plenty of time right now, but you know how busy things can get when the holiday season arrives and the end of the year begins to close in. By getting organized now, you can avoid a hectic situation in the future. From gathering receipts to running reports, there are things you can do well in advance of the new year.
3. Plan on ways to decrease revenue in December (and maybe even November). This sounds crazy, as every company shares the goal of increasing revenue month over month. However, if you can defer payments from December to January, you can effectively reduce your 2018 tax bill.

You don’t have to follow these tax tips in September. You may not even get around to it in October. But remember, the end of the year is coming soon and you will eventually run out of time to improve your tax situation.

As a small business owner, one or more of these tips may help reduce your tax bill for the current year.

The most successful business owners have a Tax Strategy Plan in place before the year begins so they are never reacting but instead having a proactive Tax Strategy in place throughout the year.

Capital Advisory Group, Inc. can certainly help you maximize tax savings for the 2018 tax year. Plan ahead for 2019 and schedule your Tax Strategy Planning Session Today. (636) 394-5524

that were previously subject to the 2%-of-adjusted-gross-income (AGI) deduction threshold. That meant your total miscellaneous expenses had to exceed 2% of AGI or you got no write-off. If they did exceed the threshold, you could only deduct the excess. Because most folks did not have enough miscellaneous expenses to exceed the 2%-of-AGI deduction threshold, this now-disallowed write-off never got much attention. However, if you are among those who could benefit, there are three expenses most likely to have the greatest impact:

Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses. A common unreimbursed employee business expense is the cost of using your own car for business-related travel. This expense is no longer deductible.  Another commonly used deduction was for expenses related to education that maintains or improves skills used in your current job or profession. For example, the cost to obtain an MBA degree would often qualify.

Tax and Investment Related Expenses. Expenses that can no longer be written off as miscellaneous itemized deductions include fees and expenses incurred in connection with tax preparation and advice, or investment management and planning advice. These are incurred by many and could be significant enough to get you over the prior-law 2%-of-AGI deduction threshold when combined with other miscellaneous itemized expenses under the old rules.

Hobby-Related Expenses. The old rules allowed hobbyist’s to treat hobby-related expenses up to the amount of income from the hobby as a miscellaneous itemized deduction. These expenses were often big enough to clear the 2%-of-AGI deduction threshold when combined with other miscellaneous itemized expenses. Under the new law, as under prior law, you still have to report 100% of hobby income on your return. However, beginning in 2018, you can no longer deduct any of your hobby-related expenses.

The bottom line is that the new tax law giveth and the new tax law taketh away. For most individuals, the giveth comfortably exceeds the taketh away, but it’s not all good news for everybody.

Changes to the tax code under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will impact virtually every aspect of tax filing, including all sorts of formerly allowable deductions. As your tax professional, Capital Advisory Group, Inc. is up to date on all these changes so that you can be assured the best possible tax strategy advice and preparation, whether you’re filing as an individual, a sole proprietor, or a corporation. Give us a call today at (636) 394-5524  and let us help guide you through the complexities of these new rules.

Capital Advisory Group Inc. | 119 Old State Road, Ellisville, MO  63021 | info@CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com