New Year! New Goals! But guess what else January brings…That’s right—the unofficial start of tax season, and here at Loeffler Financial Group, we’re gearing up to make it as painless as possible for you! We even made some great improvements to our building to better serve you, and our clients!

We understand tax prep isn’t exactly the most exciting part of the year (trust us, we know!). But fear not, because we’re all in this together, and we’re here to offer you a quick reminder.

It’s time to start gathering those tax documents. Round up your W-2s, 1099s, receipts, and any other relevant paperwork. And if you don’t have everything just yet, no need to stress. You still have almost two months until the deadline comes knocking. But remember, the sooner you start, the smoother the process will be!

Here at Loeffler Financial Group, we’re genuinely thrilled because we’re all set to be your tax season partners! Whether you’re a tax prep pro or a rookie, rest assured, we’ve got your back and can guide you every step of the way.

We’re more than just an accounting firm; we’re family. This year, let’s breeze through tax season together, making the journey as easy and stress-free as possible. Stay tuned for helpful tips, important updates, and gentle reminders along the way.

Let’s tackle tax season head-on, together! Call 717-393-7366, or book right online for an easy and stress-free Tax appointment.

Summer brings warm weather, fun outdoor activities, and new opportunities to earn some additional income. However, taxes on seasonal income need to be handled with care, whether they’re related to your child’s first job or an extra income opportunity for you.

Here are some tips to help you manage the taxes on your summer earnings:

Students should take advantage of tax-free earnings limits. If you anticipate making less than the annual standard deduction ($12,950 for single taxpayers in 2022), none of your earnings are subject to federal taxes! If possible, earn at least that amount each year to maximize your tax-free earnings. Remember, if you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, the limits for tax-free unearned income such as interest and dividends are lower.

Tip: If your annual earnings will be less than the standard deduction, you can claim EXEMPT on your Form W-4. That prevents federal income taxes from being withheld from your paycheck.

Independent contractors need to make estimated payments. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for paying all the taxes on your earnings. To do this, you make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS using Form 1040-ES. In addition to federal and state taxes, independent contractors need to pay a self-employment tax of 15.3% of earnings.

Tip: Track your expenses and save receipts. By doing this, you can subtract eligible expenses like mileage, supplies and uniforms from your gross earnings. Use this lower-income number to calculate your self-employment tax and correctly estimate your income tax obligation.

Closely monitor tax withholdings. As an employee, your employer withholds taxes based on what you claim on Form W-4. Unfortunately, the tax tables used by this form to calculate your withholdings do not account for seasonal jobs. This typically results in paycheck withholdings being too low for supplemental income workers and too high for students working during the summer.

Tip: If you anticipate earnings in excess of the standard deduction, request a revision of your withholdings. Use tools on the IRS website, review last year’s tax return, or ask one of the tax experts at Loeffler Financial Group for help to estimate the correct amount to withhold. From there, ask your employer to adjust your federal and/or state withholdings up or down.

With a little tax planning, you can ensure that your summer job provides the income you are looking for without the disappointment of unexpected taxes. Please call if you have any questions.

 

Here are five common retirement planning ideas and what you can do to take advantage of them. The key is retirement planning starts now, not decades from now when you are reaching retirement age.

1. Having a plan

Surprisingly, most do not know how much money is needed for retirement. This is being made much more difficult with inflation playing a major role in finding the right answer. A retirement plan should consider how long you expect to live, an estimate of the amount of money you will need, and a description of your desired lifestyle during retirement. Your plan should have measurable goals that you aim to achieve.

Action item: If you have a plan, review it for possible revisions. If you do not, consider getting one put together as soon as possible.

2. Start early enough

One of the most powerful tools for a well-funded retirement is to start saving for your retirement at an early age. The sooner you start saving, the better off you will be.

Action item: Open a retirement account and start saving now. Increase the percent of your pay that you place in tax-advantaged retirement saving accounts. This includes IRAs, 401(k)s, and other plans.

3. Maximize employer contributions

Many employers have plans available to help their employees save for retirement. If your company has a pension plan, understand how it works and how much you can expect to receive upon retirement. If your company has a retirement plan contribution-matching program, take full advantage of this free money by making minimum contributions required to receive this employer match.

Action item: Review your employer-provided retirement saving options. Maximize the benefits they are providing.

4. Consider working after retiring

Do you plan on working during retirement or avoiding work at all costs? Do you plan on having a pension or Social Security covering all your retirement needs or none of it? Too often retirees plan the extremes, but reality is something in between. For example, if you are someone who plans to have your pension plan fail and Social Security go broke, you may be taking too conservative an approach.

Action item: Create a range of retirement funding scenarios, not just the worst-case or best-case scenario. Consider no work or part-time work. Think about some contribution from Social Security and potential pension income if your employer has a program.

5. Understand the true nature of your retirement

Are you being realistic in your future retirement plans? Have you correctly estimated the cost of health insurance? Have you really thought about the impact of relocating to a warmer climate? How important is living close to family and friends? Will you really downsize your home after the kids leave?

Action item: If you have a retirement plan that includes relocating or traveling to far-off places, consider test-driving this idea before you implement it. You may be surprised at the result.

Retirement should be something to look forward to, especially with a little planning.

September 10, 2021

Employees Who Work for Tips – If you received $20 or more in tips during August, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070.

September 15, 2021

Individuals – Make a payment of your 2021 estimated tax if you are not paying your income tax for the year through withholding (or will not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the third installment date for estimated tax in 2021.

Partnerships – File a 2020 calendar year income tax return (Form 1065). This due date applies only if you were given an additional 6-month extension. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

S corporations – File a 2020 calendar year income tax return (Form 1120S) and pay any tax due. This due date applies only if you made a timely request for an automatic 6-month extension. Provide each shareholder with a copy of Schedule K-1 (Form 1120S) or a substitute Schedule K-1.

Corporations – Deposit the third installment of estimated income tax for 2021. A worksheet, Form 1120-W, is available to help you make an estimate of your tax for the year.

Employers – Nonpayroll withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in August.

Employers – Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in August.

 

Questions? Call one of Loeffler Financial Group Tax Advisors at 717-393-7366.

 

 

Welcome to the craziness that is the 2020 tax filing season!

Because the IRS is still playing catch-up from last year, in addition to new tax laws passed in the middle of this year’s tax filing season, the April 15 individual tax return deadline was moved to May 17. Read about how these new tax laws affect both your 2020 and 2021 tax returns.

Also read about extended tax breaks for businesses, along with creative ways to do something nice and unexpected for someone else.

Please call if you would like to discuss how this information could impact your situation.

 

ALERT! Late Tax Legislation Creating Havoc

Individual tax return deadline moved to May 17

Congress’ recent move to retroactively make a portion of 2020 unemployment income tax-free is creating havoc during this year’s tax filing season. Here is what you need to know.

ALERT Some Unemployment Income Now Tax Free for 2020 image

Background

Unemployment compensation was received by millions of Americans during 2020 because of the pandemic. While unemployment income was necessary for many who lost a job, it’s also normally classified as taxable income to be reported on your tax return. Recently-passed legislation now makes the first $10,200 ($20,400 for married filing joint tax returns) of 2020 unemployment compensation tax-free. This tax-free unemployment income is available for those with adjusted gross income under $150,000.

The problem

The new legislation which contains this tax break didn’t become law until March of 2021, a full three months after the end of the tax year and after millions of Americans had already filed their 2020 tax return!

Understanding your situation

  • If you’ve already filed your 2020 tax return: The IRS recently announced it is going to automatically process refunds for unemployment earnings that should not be taxed beginning in May. It will start with unmarried tax returns and finish with married filing joint tax returns that qualify to exclude unemployment income. This will avoid the need to file an amended tax return for most taxpayers unless the reduced income allows you to qualify for other tax benefits like the earned income tax credit. So there is no need for most taxpayers to file an amended tax return.
  • If you HAVE NOT filed your 2020 tax return: The IRS now has guidance on how to report this tax break on your 2020 tax return if you have not already filed.
  • Tax deadline moved to May 17. Because of all this havoc, the April 15 deadline for individual tax returns is now May 17. This extension applies only to Form 1040s. First quarter estimated tax payments for the 2021 tax year are still due by April 15.

Be assured you will be informed once the IRS issues further instruction on how to claim your tax break. In the meantime, enjoy the extra tax savings you’ll get sometime in the near future!

New Tax Breaks Benefit Millions

What you need to know

The recently-passed American Rescue Plan Act contains several tax breaks for you and your family. Here are the major provisions of the bill that could mean more money in your pocket during the 2021 tax year.

Get More Money For You and Your Family in 2021 image

Child tax credit (CTC)

  • The CTC for 2021 increases from $2,000 to $3,000 for kids ages 6 to 17 and $3,600 for kids ages 5 and under.
  • To receive the full tax credit your adjusted gross income must be under $75,000 (Single); $150,000 (Joint); or $112,500 (Head of Household).
  • If your income is above the aforementioned thresholds, you can still receive $2,000 per child if your income is less than $200,000 (Single, Head of Household); or $400,000 (Joint).
  • You can receive up to 50% of your 2021 child tax credit in 6 monthly payments starting July 2021. The IRS is warning, however, that this July start date may be delayed because a computer system still has to be built to handle these monthly payments.

Child and dependent care credit (DCC)

If you and your spouse work and have children in daycare, or have an adult that you care for, you may be eligible for a larger tax credit in 2021.

  • You can now spend up to $8,000 in dependent care expenses for one qualifying dependent and get a 50% tax credit. This results in a maximum credit of $4,000 (up from $1,050).
  • If you have more than one qualifying dependent, you can spend up to $16,000 in dependent care expenses and get a 50% credit. This results in a maximum credit of $8,000 (up from $2,100).
  • To receive the full tax credit, your adjusted gross income must not exceed $125,000.
  • Dependents can include people of all ages, not just kids, as long as they meet the dependent qualifications.

Earned income tax credit

  • If you’re a household with no kids, the maximum earned income tax credit increases from $543 to $1,502.
  • More taxpayers qualify for the credit. The lower age limit for receiving the credit decreases from age 25 to age 19. The upper limit of 65 for receiving the credit is eliminated. There is no upper age limit for 2021.
  • You may use either your 2019 income or your 2021 income when calculating your credit to obtain the maximum credit.

Stimulus checks

  • A third round of stimulus payments in the amount of $1,400 is being sent to qualified taxpayers.
  • The payment phases out for income over $75,000 for single taxpayers, $112,500 for head of household taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples.

Action to take

  • Look for updates on the advance payments for the child tax credit. The IRS is sorting out how to get half of your child tax credit to you in 2021. Stay tuned for updates as to whether the payments will begin in July or if they will be delayed. You may also opt out of this early payment, but will need to wait for instructions on how to do so.
  • Consider increasing dependent care expenses. Look ahead to the rest of 2021 and consider if you should increase your dependent care expenses to take advantage of the significant increase in this credit. If you increase your dependent care expenses in 2021, remember you won’t be able to include the same amount of expenses when calculating your credit in 2022, as this tax credit increase is currently for 2021 only.
  • Conduct a tax forecast. With the dramatic increase in these credits, you may want to estimate next year’s tax bill. It may make sense to adjust your withholdings to account for a lower tax obligation.
  • Be conservative when forecasting your earned income tax credit. It is uncertain how the expanded earned income tax credit will impact those over 65 when you have no children. For example, are Social Security benefits considered earned income when calculating the earned income tax credit? Does the larger standard deduction for those over 65 affect the earned income tax credit calculation? Until clarification is issued by the IRS, you may wish to be conservative about the credit amount you’ll receive.

The Gift of Grace

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After living under the weight of the pandemic for more than a year and listening every day to the bad news around us, why not look for ways to change the conversation by doing something nice and unexpected for someone else.

Here are some creative ideas:

  • Pay it forward. The next time you are in a drive-through line to pick up food, pay the bill for the car behind you. This unexpected act of kindness is sure to bring a smile.
  • Become a tutor. Many students find virtual classrooms to be challenging and could use some extra help. And you don’t need to be an expert! Even with students re-entering the classroom, your local school may be in need of assistance.
  • Look to your neighborhood. Every neighborhood has someone who could use help. From single parents to seniors, simple everyday chores could be a real chore for them. It might mean mowing the grass or offering to go shopping to pick up items for them while you are out. And if you’re up for it, consider offering free babysitting services for an hour or two so parents can take a well-deserved break.
  • Make an elderly friend. Call a local nursing home or assisted care facility and ask if they have a friendship program that connects you with a resident that could use a pen pal. Get your kids to create a card with a picture to go with a short letter they write themselves. When it’s appropriate after the pandemic, consider regular, in-person visits to say hi to your new pen pals.
  • Do a good deed daily. This is a great way to create the habit of undertaking daily, random acts of kindness. By doing a good deed every day, your vision will change and you’ll see more opportunities to help. Opening a door, picking up trash or helping a single parent who is juggling different tasks are all great examples of this.
  • Bring back forgiveness. When someone makes a mistake, provide an environment to accept an apology and leave room to genuinely forgive. Continue to be a role model in displaying the act of forgiveness.

Giving the gift of grace is not only rewarding for you, but is also contagious to everyone around you.

Businesses Get More Time to Apply For PPP Loans

Legislation provides other business relief provisions

Here’s what you need to know about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and other business relief provisions of the recently-passed American Rescue Plan Act.

Businesses Get More Time to Apply For PPP Loan image

PPP loan application deadline extended. The deadline to apply for PPP loans is now May 31, 2021.

Sick leave extended. If your business provides sick leave for COVID-related reasons, you might get reimbursed for the sick pay through a tax credit.

  • Businesses which voluntarily provide sick leave through September 30, 2021 qualify for the credit. There are limits for each employee. However, for employees who took 10 days of sick leave in 2020 using this same provision, they can take another 10 days beginning April 1, 2021.
  • Refundable tax credits are available through September 30, 2021.
  • Covered reasons to get the tax credit now include sick leave taken to get COVID testing and vaccination, and to recover from the vaccination.
  • These benefits are also extended to self-employed workers.

Family Medical Leave Act Provisions extended.

  • Additional coverage is now available through September 30, 2021.
  • Qualified wages for this provision move to $12,000 (up from $10,000) however the credit was not increased.
  • The Family Medical Leave Act also applies to the self-employed.

Big increase in Employee Retention Credit.

  • Businesses can get up to a $28,000 tax credit per employee in 2021, up from a $5,000 maximum credit in 2020. This credit can be claimed through Dec. 31, 2021.

There are many more provisions in the close to $2 trillion dollar spending package, including money given to states. As everyone digests this new 500-plus page piece of legislation, more clarifications will be forthcoming from the IRS and other sources.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns regarding your tax situation please feel free to call, 717-393-7366!

 

The adoption process can be expensive. Fortunately, the adoption tax credit can help offset some those expenses Taxpayers who adopted or started the adoption process in 2020 should review the rules for this credit.

Here are some facts to help people understand the credit and if they can claim it when filing their taxes:

  • The maximum adoption credit taxpayers can claim on their 2020 tax return is $14,300 per eligible child.
  • There are income limits that could affect the amount of the credit
  • Taxpayers should complete Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses. They use this form to figure how much credit they can claim on their tax return.
  • An eligible child must be younger than 18. If the adopted person is older, they must be physically or mentally unable to take care of themselves.
  • This credit is non-refundable. This means the amount of the credit is limited to the taxpayer’s taxes due for 2020. Any credit leftover from their owed 2020 taxes can be carried forward for up to five years. 
  • Qualified expenses include:
    • Reasonable and necessary adoption fees.
    • Court costs and legal fees.
    • Adoption related travel expenses like meals and lodging.
  • Other expenses directly related to the legal adoption of an eligible child.
  • If the taxpayer and someone other than a spouse each paid qualified adoption expenses to adopt the same child, the $14,300 credit must be divided between the two of them.
  • Expenses may also qualify even if the taxpayer pays them before an eligible child is identified. For example, some future adoptive parents pay for a home study at the beginning of the adoption process. These parents can claim the fees as qualified adoption expenses.
  • Qualified adoption expenses don’t include costs paid by a taxpayer to adopt their spouse’s child.

 

Have additional questions? We’re here to help!  Contact Loeffler Financial Group today at 717-393-7366, or email info@loefflerfinancial.com with any questions you may have.  Our tax experts and accountants can help break down the steps in order to one, understand the tax credit, and two see if the tax credit will benefit you for your 2020 tax return.

 

Frequent tax law changes have made the tax code very complicated; only the informed taxpayer can take advantage of tax-cutting opportunities that remain.

Here are some suggestions you should consider if you’re interested in cutting your taxes.

1. Reduce your consumer debt. The interest you pay on consumer debt is not deductible. Consider shifting consumer debt to a home-equity loan (where available and not to exceed $100,000) to maintain deductibility for the interest. Don’t rush into anything, however. Consider loan origination costs and points you may have to pay. Also, realize that if you can’t make the payments on the home-equity loan, you could lose your house.

2. Rehabilitate an old building. One tax break that may be attractive to you is the credit for rehabilitating old buildings – either commercial or certified historic structures. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, consider investing in partnerships that rehabilitate old structures.

3. Watch for AMT liability. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is the one you pay when too many tax preference items reduce your regular tax below a certain amount. If you use preference items to reduce your taxes – such as accelerated depreciation, private activity bond interest, etc. – you may want to shift income and deductions to keep the alternative minimum tax from applying to you.

4. Time any change in marital status with a view to minimizing taxes. Among the areas that could be affected are deductibility of IRA contributions, lost itemized deductions, and a shift to a different tax bracket. You might be able to cut your tax bill by delaying or accelerating a marriage or divorce.

5. Contribute to a retirement plan. Retirement plans are still an excellent tax shelter. Consider a a retirement account strategy to reduce your self-employed income, even part-time or in a second business. If you’re an employee, find out if your company has a 401(k) or other plan and make contributions to it. If you qualify, you should also consider an IRA.

6. Use your vacation home wisely. If you own a second or vacation home, find out whether you get a better tax break by treating the property as a second residence or as a rental property. The number of days you personally use the home is crucial, so get details immediately.

7. Avoid the “kiddie” tax. Check the income of any children under the age of 19 (24 for full-time students). Unearned income beyond a certain amount will be taxed at your highest rate. Shifting investments or making other adjustments may be appropriate.

8. Make your hobby a business. If you’re making money from a hobby, turn your hobby into a business so that you can write off your expenses. You must be able to demonstrate that you engaged in the activity for a profit. To do that, conduct the activity as a business. Keep records, and get a separate bank account for the activity. The IRS will expect your sideline business to show a profit in three out of five years, or you’ll have to prove your profit motivation in order to deduct losses.

9. Don’t overlook medical deductions. If you help to support an elderly relative who lives in a nursing home for medical reasons, the cost of the nursing home may qualify for the medical deduction. If you make improvements to your home for medical reasons, the cost of such improvements are medical expenses to the extent the improvements do not increase the value of your home. That includes such things as widening doorways for wheelchair use or modifying the home to accommodate an individual with a medical problem.

10. Take the child care credit if you qualify. If you pay for child care services while you work or go to school, you may qualify for the child care credit. The credit is allowed only for children under the age of 13. You must report on your tax return the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the care provider.

There are other tax-cutting strategies in addition to those mentioned here. If you would like assistance in selecting tax-saving strategies that make the most sense in your situation, please call Loeffler Financial Group at 717-393-7366 and we can assist with any questions or concerns you may have!