Yesterday the IRS announced a third round of their highly successful Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI) program. The OVDI was highly publicized with the 2009 revelation that several large Swiss banks, including UBS, were going to be cooperating with the IRS in disclosing the names of US citizens and residents holding Swiss bank accounts. Read more
With the end of the year coming up it seems appropriate to mention an often overlooked potential planning strategy. For some taxpayers who have very little ordinary income and still have deductions resulting in little to negative taxable income for the year, it may make sense to consider doing a Roth conversion on a portion of any tax-deferred retirement accounts. Read more
With year end approaching, we felt it would be appropriate to remind our clients of the 100% Bonus Depreciation deduction that is expiring at the end of 2011. For all eligible assets placed in service before December 31, 2011, you may deduct 100% of the cost on your tax return. That is a full, 100% deduction for major equipment, computers, and other business use assets. Bonus Depreciation is not subject to the typical limitations that Section 179 expense is subject to. For instance, Bonus Depreciation can create a loss that can be carried back to prior years to claim a refund. Bonus Depreciation is also not subject to dollar limitations on assets placed in service like the Section 179 deduction is. Read more
In an unusual move, the IRS recently issued Notice 2011-72 determining personal use of employer provided cell phones is not taxable to the employee. Additionally, no record-keeping of usage is required. This is in stark contrast to many other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that have strict record-keeping and substantiation requirements. Read more
The IRS has recently updated its audit technique guide for exams of independent consultants. With the explosive growth of the consulting industry over the past decade, especially here in Silicon Valley among tech companies, the IRS is now focusing its efforts more closely on these types of audits. Read more
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