Take advantage of the gift tax exclusion rules
- ByPolk & Associates
- Oct, 10, 2019
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As we head toward gift-giving season, you may be considering giving cash or securities to your loved ones. Taxpayers can transfer amounts free of gift taxes to their children or others each year through the use of the annual federal gift tax exclusion. For 2019, the exclusion is $15,000 to each person. If you’re married, gifts made during a year can be treated as split between you and your spouse. By “gift-splitting,” up to $30,000 a year can be transferred to each person by a married couple, because two annual exclusions are available. If you give appreciated assets to loved ones in lower tax brackets, they may be able to pay a 0% long-term capital gains tax rate. Contact us with questions.
The chances of an IRS audit are low, but business owners should be prepared
- ByPolk & Associates
- Oct, 10, 2019
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As a business owner, are you worried about an IRS audit? The good news is that the odds against being audited are in your favor. The IRS audited 0.6% of individuals in fiscal year 2018. Businesses and high-income people are more likely to be audited, but audit rates are historically low. However, some tax return items may raise red flags with the IRS, such as major inconsistencies between previous years’ filings and the current one, profit margins or expenses markedly different from those of similar businesses, and unusually high deductions. If the IRS selects you for an audit, we can help you understand what it’s disputing, gather the needed documents, and respond to the inquiries effectively.