Payments Made to Ex-Spouse Were Alimony Despite Missing Language in Divorce Agreement Tax issues are often the last thing that spouses consider when going through a divorce. In other cases, one spouse plans for the tax issues and the other does not. This appears to have been the situation in Leslie v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.… Continue reading Payments Were Alimony Despite Missing Language Agreement
Category: Federal Income Tax
Federal income tax advice, articles, tips, & more.
The Federal income tax is the largest expenditure for most individuals and businesses. It dwarfs the costs for insurance and basic necessities. This is only going to increase in the future. Tax planning is needed.
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Payment for Failed Real Estate Deal, Capital or Ordinary Gain?
How is a termination payment for a failed real estate deal taxed? Does it trigger capital or ordinary gain? The court recently addressed this in CRI-Leslie, LLC v. Commissioner, 147 T.C. 8. Facts & Procedural History The taxpayer owned a Radison-branded hotel in Florida. It entered into a contract to sell the hotel to a third… Continue reading Payment for Failed Real Estate Deal, Capital or Ordinary Gain?
Evidence for Excluding Settlement Award from Income
Settlement payments paid to compensate a taxpayer for his physical sickness or injury are not taxable. Can you prove physical sickness or injury by showing that the payments were not for an economic harm? The court addressed this in George v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2016-156. Facts & Procedural History The taxpayer was a car salesman in… Continue reading Evidence for Excluding Settlement Award from Income
Grouping Nonpassive Activities Under the PAL Rules
Taxpayers are often surprised to learn that some losses may not be netted against gains in the current tax year. This is often due to the passive activity loss and material participation rules. The IRS National Office addressed these rules in TAM 201634022, in the context of whether two businesses should be grouped together and… Continue reading Grouping Nonpassive Activities Under the PAL Rules
IRS Audit Adjustments That Change Accounting Methods
Given the potential for the adjustments to trigger extremely large tax liabilities, accounting method changes made by the IRS on audit can be doomsday scenarios for unwary taxpayers. In Nebeker v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2016-155, the court addressed a common situation where the IRS makes an adjustment on audit that is an accounting method, but… Continue reading IRS Audit Adjustments That Change Accounting Methods
Start-Up Expense Limitation
The Start-Up Expense Limitation: Starting a Business in Retirement There are several occupations where highly skilled individuals are forced to retire due to mandatory retirement provisions. These individuals often use their skills to start new businesses during retirement. The court addressed this situation in Tizard v. Commissioner, T.C. Summary 2016-42. The case provides an example… Continue reading Start-Up Expense Limitation
Unmarried Taxpayers Can Claim Mortgage Interest Deduction
Mortgage Interest Deductions for Unmarried Couples In Voss v. Commissioner, 796 F.3d 1051 (9th Cir. 2015), the court addressed the rule that limits the deductibility of interest on home mortgages and home equity loans. This rule limits the amount of interest that can be deducted on mortgages in excess of $1 million and home equity… Continue reading Unmarried Taxpayers Can Claim Mortgage Interest Deduction
Real Estate Professionals Are Subject to Material Participation Rules
Most individuals who invest in real estate to generate rental income hate the passive activity loss rules. These rules often prevent real estate investors from benefiting from the otherwise generous deductions that are associated with real estate. In G…
Real Estate Professionals Subject to Material Participation Rules
But can you be a real estate professional for the passive activity loss rules and then have your passive losses denied under the material participation rules? The Gragg v. United States, No. 14-16053 (9th Cir. 2016) case presents an opportunity to consider this fact pattern. The Facts & Procedural History The taxpayer was a real… Continue reading Real Estate Professionals Subject to Material Participation Rules
Seismic Surveyor Entitled to G&G Expense Deductions
In CGG Americas, Inc. v. Commissioner, 147 T.C. 2, the U.S. Tax Court concluded that a seismic surveyor is entitled to geological and geophysical (G&G) expenses deductions even though they merely gathered data for license to third parties and did not engage in exploration or development work. The facts and procedural history of the case […]
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