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What You Need to Know About Gift & Estate Taxation

Gift and estate taxes are both part of the federal transfer tax system and are interconnected.

Gift tax applies to transfers of wealth during a person’s lifetime. If a person gives another person a gift that exceeds the annual gift tax exclusion ($17,000 in 2023), the giver (also referred to as the donor) may have to pay gift tax. However, there is also a lifetime gift tax exemption ($12.92 million in 2023), which means that a person can give away up to that amount over their lifetime without paying gift tax. When the amount given to another person during any year exceeds the annual exclusion for that year, the donor is required to file a Gift Tax Return (IRS Form 709), even if no gift tax is owed because the donor’s lifetime exemption hasn’t been exceeded. The IRS requires this filing so that they can keep track of how much of the donor’s lifetime exclusion has been used up.

Overlooked and Obscure Tax Dedications, Credits and Benefits

As tax time approaches, here are some tax issues that taxpayers frequently overlook, ranging from obscure deductions to overlooked tax credits and benefits. Of course, not everything can be included since the tax law has grown significantly in complexity, and it would take a thick book to list everything. But besides what you are probably accustomed to, here are over 20 issues you may not be aware of and that can save you tax dollars. 

IRS Provides Employers A Way to Withdraw Dubious ERC Claims

Despite warnings from the IRS, the American Institute of CPAs, and other professional tax preparer societies, many business owners have fallen victim to aggressive marketing of the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) by marketers or promoters into filing ineligible claims.

As part of a larger effort to protect small businesses and organizations from scams, the IRS has announced the details of a special withdrawal process to help those who filed an ERC claim and are concerned about its accuracy.

Home Energy Audit Tax Benefits

Have you been thinking of making home improvements?  If so, and they include energy saving improvements, you may qualify for some substantial income tax credits.  Even if home improvements aren’t currently on your to-do list, with the increasing cost of energy you may find that energy saving home improvements, along with the tax credits that accompany them, are something you should be considering.

IRS Announced a Novel Way for Taxpayers to Donate to Maui Wildfire Relief

IRS Announced a Novel Way for Taxpayers to Donate to Maui Wildfire Relief

As they have done before in the wake of disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, Superstorm Sandy, COVD-19, and Ukrainian relief, the Internal Revenue Service is allowing special contributions for Maui wildfire relief. It permits employees to donate their unused paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave time to charities that are providing relief to victims of the Maui wildfire that began August 8, 2023.