With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 now signed into law by President Trump, three questions people are asking are: How does this tax law affect me? Will the tax law change my 2017 Taxes? Will I be able to prepare my own tax return considering my circumstances? Even without the new tax…

I made this item of taxation #1 because it is the most egregious.  Monies that have been previously taxed during the lifetime of the decedent  are taxed yet again. There is some history behind this tax that has to do with the attempt to break up the huge family empires of the early 20th century.…

Almost 30 years ago the passive activity rules were created.  It includes things like rental income and losses, income and losses from businesses in which you do not materially participate and income and losses from ventures in which you are not at risk. There are exceptions to the rules such as for real estate professionals…

Most people do not argue that some portion of social security should be taxed.  After all employers got a tax deduction for the FICA tax they paid in on behalf of the employer.  That is the usual logic in any event.  It is only used as a method to hurt the taxpayer.  It rarely is…

Beware the 10% Premature Withdrawal Penalty from IRA’s and Qualified Plans.  Also check your annuity polices you purchased some time back.  Some have the same type of penalty. During tough economic times it is tempting to withdraw funds from your retirement account.  If you are younger than 59 1/2 years of age this can cost…

You can rally get shafted despite all your tax planning by the infamous ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX or AMT. Individuals with a higher income may be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax. Under the tax law, certain tax benefits can significantly reduce a taxpayer’s regular tax amount. The AMT sets a limit on those benefits. If…

In December 2010 The Sarasota Herald Tribune published my version of the top 10 Screwiest Tax Provisions.  We have been updating that list here:  Screwy income tax provision – #8  Tax Planning: Deducting Capital Losses The annual capital-loss limitation is $3,000. This one has been around for a long time and  never made any sense. You…

In December 2010 The Sarasota Herald Tribune published my version of the top 10 Screwiest Tax Provisions.  Over the next ten weeks I am going to update that list here:  Screwy income tax provision – #9  Tax Planning: Medical Deductions: The 7.5 percent medical deduction limit: The medical deduction has been limited to the excess…

List of screwy income tax provisions – #10  IRA Distribution Alert!  Required Minimum Distribution or “RMD rules” If you turned 70 1/2 this year and have funds in either one IRA or several IRA accounts you need to spend some time studying this really screwy but deadly tax provision. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) generally are…