| The following are some of the areas you could explore to gain tax breaks to help you minimize your tax liability as part of your year-end tax planning strategy. Prepay Expenses Using the IRS Safe Harbor. IRS regulations contain a safe-harbor rule that allows cash-basis taxpayers to prepay and deduct qualifying expenses up to 12 months in advance without challenge, adjustment, or change by the IRS. Under this safe harbor rule, your 2020 prepayments cannot go into 2022 because you can only prepay 12 months of qualifying expenses under the safe-harbor rule. For cash-basis taxpayers, qualifying expenses include lease payments on business vehicles, rent payments on offices and machinery, and business and malpractice insurance premiums. Charitable Contributions. The CARES Act modified the charitable contribution rules for 2020 tax returns. As a result, an eligible individual can claim an above-the-line deduction of up to $300 for qualified charitable contributions made during 2020. The above-the-line deduction is not available for contributions made after 2020. A qualified charitable contribution is a cash contribution paid in 2020 to an eligible charitable organization. Contributions of noncash property, such as securities, are not qualified contributions. In addition, if you are itemizing your deductions and have substantial charitable contributions, the CARES Act modified the percentage limitation rules that could otherwise limit your charitable contribution deduction. Under the provision, for charitable contributions made during 2020, any qualified contribution is allowed as a deduction to the extent that the sum of such contributions does not exceed the excess of your charitable contribution base over the amount of all other charitable contributions. Excess contributions are eligible for a five-year carryover. As in prior years, you can reap a larger tax benefit by donating appreciated assets, such as stock, to a charity. Generally, the higher the appreciated value of an asset, the bigger the potential value of the tax benefit. Donating appreciated assets not only entitles you to a charitable contribution deduction but also helps you avoid the capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if you sold your stock. However, it is important to also keep in mind that tax deductions for contributions of appreciated long-term capital gain property may be limited to a certain percentage of your adjusted gross income depending on the amount of the deduction. Expenses Incurred While Working from Home. Although more people have been working from home this year due to the pandemic, related expenses are not deductible if you are an employee. However, if you are self-employed and worked from home during the year, tax deductions are still available. Thus, if you have been working from home as an independent contractor, you should discuss what expenses you have incurred that might reduce your taxable income. Mortgage Interest Deduction. If you sold your principal residence during the year and acquired a new principal residence, the deduction for any interest on your mortgage could be limited. The mortgage interest deduction on mortgages of more than $750,000 obtained after December 14, 2017, is limited to the portion of the interest allocable to $750,000 ($375,000 in the case of married taxpayers filing separately). If you have a mortgage on a principle residence acquired before December 15, 2017, the limitation applies to mortgages of $1,000,000 ($500,000 in the case of married taxpayers filing separately) or less. However, if you operate a business from your home, an allocable portion of your mortgage interest is not subject to these limitations. Sale of a Home. If you sold your home this year, up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married filing jointly) of the gain on the sale is excluded from income. However, this amount is reduced if part of your home was rented out or used for business purposes. Generally, a loss on the sale of a home is not deductible. But, if you rented part of your home or otherwise used it for business, the loss attributable to that portion of the home is deductible. Discharge of Qualified Principal Residence Indebtedness. If you had any qualified principal residence indebtedness which was discharged in 2020, it is not includible in gross income. Deductions for Mortgage Insurance Premiums. You may be entitled to treat amounts paid during the year for any qualified mortgage insurance as deductible qualified residence interest if the insurance was obtained in connection with acquisition debt for a qualified residence. Each taxpayer’s situation is different. You should consult with us or your tax professional to discuss your particular situation and determine the best course of action for you or your business. Do you know that you could reduce your tax liability by proper tax planning strategy as individual or business owner? We offer FREE initial consultation!!! |
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