Header Right

New Law Brings Tax Changes for Small Business Owners

by

The most recent tax reform law effectively reduces taxes for many small businesses. It also creates some new complications. Here are the highlights.

Corporate tax rates are cut.

The graduated corporate tax structure has been replaced by a flat rate of 21%. This represents a significant rollback for corporations in the former top 35% bracket. Of particular note to owners of closely-held C corporations: the new law repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax and makes the simpler cash method of accounting available to more corporations.

Owners of “pass-through” entities gain a new deduction.

The legislation creates a new deduction for 20% of business pass-through income. This deduction is available to owners of almost any type of trade or business whose taxable income does not exceed $315,000 (joint return) or $157,500 (other returns). Above those amounts, the deduction is generally limited to the greater of:

  • 50% of W-2 wages paid by the trade or business, or
  • The sum of 25% of W-2 wages paid plus 2.5% of the original cost of tangible, depreciable assets used in the business.

When the business has more than one owner, the owners use their allocated shares of wages and assets in computing the limitations.

Different restrictions apply to individuals in certain service businesses (e.g., law, medicine, and accounting). For those individuals, the ability to take the deduction is reduced with taxable income between $157,500 and $207,500 ($315,000 and $415,000 on a joint return) and is unavailable once taxable income reaches the top of the applicable range.

The taxable income thresholds will be adjusted for inflation after 2018, and the 20% deduction is scheduled to expire after the 2025 tax year.

Depreciation and expensing provisions are more generous.

  • Bonus depreciation percentage increases from 50% to 100%. Businesses may deduct the full cost of qualifying property acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017, and before January 1, 2023 (before January 1, 2024 for certain property). Unlike under prior law, the property does not have to be new — used property can also qualify. Starting in 2023 (2024 for certain property), the deduction is gradually scaled back, and it sunsets after 2026.
  • Section 179 expensing limit increases from $500,000 to $1 million. The law doubles the annual expensing limit and raises the investment threshold over which the deduction begins to phase out to $2.5 million. These new limits will be adjusted for inflation after 2018. The new law also makes the Section 179 expensing election available for more types of property, including certain improvements to nonresidential real property.
  • Auto depreciation limits increase more than threefold. The new annual caps are generally effective for business autos placed in service after 2017.

Other changes could have an impact.

  • The deduction for business entertainment expenses is repealed, effective for expenses paid or incurred after 2017.
  • The costs of certain employer-provided transportation fringe benefits, such as transit passes, are no longer deductible, also effective for expenses paid or incurred after 2017.
  • For the 2018 and 2019 tax years, employers that provide paid family and medical leave may claim a credit for a portion of the expense (requirements apply).
  • The domestic production activities deduction is repealed, effective for 2018 and later tax years.

These are just highlights of some of the changes included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Please consult a qualified tax advisor for more detailed information about how the law’s provisions may apply to your business and personal tax situation.

When you turn to us for tax services, you’ll receive top-notch customer service from our friendly staff of knowledgeable accountants and financial professionals. We’ll happily answer your questions and will always respond to your emails and phone calls promptly. Request a consultation through our website today or give us a call at 972-442-6800 to get started.

Source/Disclaimer:

This communication is not intended to be tax advice and should not be treated as such. You should contact your tax professional to discuss your specific situation.

2018 Tax Changes: Frequently Asked Questions

by

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) raises many questions for taxpayers looking to plan for the coming year. Below are answers to some of them.

Do I need to adjust my withholding allowances, given that tax brackets have changed?

You may notice a change in your net paycheck as a result of the tax law, which alters tax rates, brackets, and other items that affect how much tax is withheld from your pay. The IRS has already issued new withholding tables, and your employer should adjust its withholding without requiring any action on your part. But you may want to take the opportunity to make sure you are claiming the appropriate number of withholding allowances by filling out IRS Form W-4. This form is used to determine your withholding based on your filing status and other information. The IRS suggests that you consider completing a new Form W-4 each year and when your personal or financial situation changes.

Can I take advantage of the new deduction for pass-through business income?

The new rules for owners of pass-through entities — partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations, and sole proprietorships — allow them to deduct 20% of their business pass-through income. The 20% deduction is available to owners of almost any type of trade or business whose taxable income does not exceed $315,000 (joint return) or $157,500 (other returns). Above those amounts, the deduction is subject to certain limitations based on business assets and wages. Different deduction restrictions apply to individuals in specified service businesses (e.g., law, medicine, and accounting).

Can I still deduct mortgage interest and real estate taxes paid on a second home?

Yes, but the new rules limit these deductions. The deduction for total mortgage interest is limited to the amount paid on underlying debt of up to $750,000 ($375,000 for married individuals filing separately). Previously, the limit was $1 million. Note that the new restriction will not apply to taxpayers with home acquisition debt incurred on or before December 15, 2017. Additionally, the deduction for interest on home equity loans (new and existing) is suspended and will not be available for tax years 2018-2025.

Note that the law also establishes a $10,000 limit on the combined total deduction for state and local income (or sales) taxes, real estate taxes, and personal property taxes. As a result, your ability to deduct real estate taxes may be limited.

Are there any changes to capital gains rates and rules that I should know about?

The rules concerning how capital gains are determined and taxed remain essentially unchanged. But since short-term gains (for assets held one year or less) are taxed as ordinary income, they will be taxed at the new ordinary income rates and brackets. Net long-term gains will still be taxed at rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your taxable income. And the 3.8% net investment income tax that applies to certain high earners will still apply for both types of capital gains.

2018 Long-Term Capital Gains Breakpoints

Rate Single Filers Joint Filers Head of Household Married Filing Separately
0% Below $38,600 Below $77,200 Below $51,700 Below $38,600
15% $38,600-$425,799 $77,200-$478,999 $51,700-$452,399 $38,600-$239,499
20% $425,800 and above $479,000 and above $452,400 and above $239,500 and above

Can I still deduct my student loan interest?

Yes. Although some earlier versions of the tax bill disallowed the deduction, the final law left it intact. That means that student loan borrowers will still be able to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest they paid during the year on a qualified student loan. The deduction is gradually reduced and eventually eliminated when modified adjusted gross income reaches $80,000 for those whose filing status is single or head of household, and over $165,000 for those filing a joint return.

I have a large family and formerly got to take an exemption for each member. Is there anything in the new law that compensates for the loss of these exemptions?

The new law suspends exemptions for you, your spouse, and dependents. In 2017, each full exemption translated into a $4,050 deduction from taxable income which, for large families, added up. Compensating for this loss, the new law almost doubles the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers. Additionally, the child tax credit is doubled to $2,000 per child, and the income levels at which the credit phases out are significantly increased. Depending on your situation, these new provisions could potentially offset the suspension of personal exemptions.

I have been gifting friends and relatives $14,000 per year to reduce my taxable estate. Can I still do this?

Yes, you may still make an annual gift of up to $15,000 in 2018 (increased from $14,000 in 2017) to as many people as you want without triggering gift tax reporting or using any of your federal estate and gift tax exemption. But TCJA also doubles the exemption to an estimated $11.2 million ($22.4 million for married couples) in 2018. So anyone who anticipates having a taxable estate lower than these thresholds may be able to gift above the annual $15,000 per-recipient limit and ultimately not incur any federal estate or gift tax. Note, however, that the higher exemption amount and many of TCJA’s other changes to personal taxes are scheduled to expire after 2025, unless Congress acts to extend them.

When you turn to Robert J. Gonzalez, CPA, PC for tax services, you’ll receive top-notch customer service from our friendly staff of knowledgeable accountants and financial professionals. We’ll happily answer your questions and will always respond to your emails and phone calls promptly. Request a consultation through our website today or give us a call at 972-442-6800 to get started.

This communication is not intended to be tax advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual’s tax circumstances are different. You should contact your tax professional to discuss your personal situation.