DiSabatino CPA Blog

DiSabatino CPA Blog

A blog by Michael DiSabatino CPA with topics on Tax Savings, Business, Management and more...

Mike's weekly post usually concentrated on tax saving strategies.

Tax-Free Rental Income

Most income you receive is taxable income that is reported to you and to the Federal/State tax authorities. However, there are a few income-producing events that the IRS has said are not taxable. One of them is renting out your home or vacation property.

The rule: If you receive rental income for less than 15 days per year, that income is generally not taxable income.

Added benefit: In addition to tax-free rental income, you may still deduct your mortgage interest expense and property taxes as itemized deductions. Neither of these tax benefits is reduced with the income from up to two weeks of rental activity.

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DiSabatino CPA Receives 2013 Best of Camarillo Award

Camarillo Award Program Honors the Achievement

CAMARILLO April 15, 2013 -- DiSabatino CPA has been selected for the 2013 Best of Camarillo Award in the Certified Public Accountants category by the Camarillo Award Program.

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Using Losers to Make Winners

Understanding the rules surrounding investment losses can really help minimize your tax obligation each year. This is because investment gains and income can be subject to a variety of federal tax rates as high as 39.6%. This and a newly minted tax law in 2013 that could add a 3.8% Medicare investment tax surcharge make planning around when to take investment losses an important tax planning subject.

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Travel Expenses in Pursuit of a Trade or Business

There is a fine line between taking all of the travel and expense deductions you are entitled to without triggering an IRS audit.

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Certainty in Federal Student Loan Rates

In a recent announcement, Congress has passed a bill that will take much of the politics out of establishing student loan rates….at least for now.

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Should you Reduce Your Charitable Giving? New itemized deduction phase-out causing concern

In 2013 federal tax legislation reintroduces the phase-out of itemized deductions for certain taxpayers. Because of this, many who are subject to itemized deduction phase-outs wonder if the benefit of charitable giving is reduced. Here is what you need to know.

 

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Five Big Tax Mistakes: Don't let them happen to you

Every year taxpayers are hit with tax surprises that could be avoided if they just knew the rules. Here are five big ones that are easy to avoid with some simple planning.

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IRS Notices with Interest Calculation Error

Noted here is a copy of a recent interest error calculation announcement made by the IRS. If you recently received a form CP2000 from the IRS please be aware an adjusted, higher interest amount may be owed.

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Avoid the Gambling Winnings Tax Surprise


W
ith the increased popularity of lotteries and casinos, more unsuspecting winners are experiencing a lucky payday only to end up with a huge tax head-ache when filing their income taxes. Here is what you need to know:

Look for the warning signs

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Play or Pay Penalty Delayed to 2015

On July 2, 2013 the Department of the Treasury and the White House used their blogs to announce that the employer reporting requirements, and the employer shared responsibility/play or pay penalty, are being delayed until 2015.  The Treasury said that it will provide a formal announcement and additional details next week.

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Avoid the 50% Penalty!

 Understanding Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Rules

 Every year thousands of taxpayers are hit with a heavy 50% penalty for not withdrawing enough money from their retirement plan(s). Here is what you need to know to ensure this does not happen to you or someone you know.

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Does Your Mileage Log Travel the Distance?

Does Your Mileage Log Travel the Distance?

The tax code allows deductions for qualified miles driven for business, medical, moving and charitable purposes. But to claim this deduction you must keep adequate records of actual miles driven. During an audit this is an often disallowed deduction, despite the fact that you actually drove the distance claimed. How to make sure this doesn't happen to you? Here are some tips.

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Who Pays What?

Who Pays What?

In a continuing effort to provide information as we listen to the budget and debt debates out of Washington D.C., outlined here are some IRS statistics on who pays individual income taxes. The information provided here is the most current available information.

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Who Pays What?

Who Pays What?

In a continuing effort to provide information as we listen to the budget and debt debates out of Washington D.C., outlined here are some IRS statistics on who pays individual income taxes. The information provided here is the most current available information.

Income % of Income Share of
Income Tax Paid
Average
Tax Rate
Top 1% 18.9% 37.4% 23.4%
Top 5% 33.8% 59.1% 20.6%
Top 10% 45.2% 70.6% 18.5%
Top 25% 67.6% 87.1% 15.2%
Top 50% 88.3% 97.6% 13.0%
Bottom 50% 11.7% 2.4% 2.4%
All Taxpayers 100% 100% 11.8%

How to read:The top 10% of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on 2010 tax returns reported approximately 45.2% of the income and paid 70.6% of the total individual income tax collected in 2010.1

Observations:

Check The top 1% of income paid 37.4% of the federal individual income taxes with 18.9% of the reported income.
Check The largest gap between income representation and amount of tax paid is in the top 10%. The top 10% of reported income have approximately 45.2% of claimed income, and pay approximately 70.6% of the individual income taxes.
Check The Tax Policy Center estimates that 46.4% of households paid no federal income tax for 2011.

Note: The above figures net out "negative" income tax returns for those who filed a tax return, but due to adjustments and credits have negative adjusted gross income.

1 Source: Internal Revenue Service. SOI Bulletin Table 5 - Selected Income and Tax Items, Shares of Adjusted Gross Income and total income tax and average tax rates. All figures are based on estimates from sampling conducted by the Internal Revenue Service using 2011 tax filing data for 2010 taxes. Income means Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as reported on individual income tax returns.

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Create tax breaks: Buy parents' home, rent it back to them

Create tax breaks: Buy parents' home, rent it back to them

Say your aging parents live in a home that has appreciated in value, but they're no longer reaping any of the homeownership tax breaks during their retirement years. Sound familiar?

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So You're Thinking about Starting a Business?

So You're Thinking about Starting a Business?
Tax complexities can be confusing

Creating and running a small business in America can be a lot of hard work. It can also be rewarding. Unfortunately, doing the tax part of this correctly can be a real head-ache. Here are some tips.

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So You're Thinking about Starting a Business?

So You're Thinking about Starting a Business?

Tax complexities can be confusing

Creating and running a small business in America can be a lot of hard work. It can also be rewarding. Unfortunately, doing the tax part of this correctly can be a real head-ache. Here are some tips.

Other reporting may be required depending on your type of business and your state and local requirements.

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So You're Thinking about Starting a Business?

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Is a Roth IRA Right for You?

Is a Roth IRA Right for You?

For most taxpayers, you have until April 15th of the following year to contribute up to $5,500 ($6,500 if age 50 or over) into a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Is an IRA an option worth considering for you? If so, which is better?

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Gone Phishing?

Gone Phishing?

Each year the IRS publishes the top dozen tax scams it encounters over the prior year. One of them that makes an all too common appearance on their list is the phishing scam. Here is what you need to know.

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