Purchasing and renting real estate can be profitable. It can also generate significant tax benefits. However, the Internal Revenue Code limits some of the tax benefits to taxpayers who are not “real estate professionals,” as defined in IRC Section 469(c)(2). In most circumstances, real estate rental activities are passive activities. The losses from a passive [...]
In Scharf v. Comm’r 32 T.C. Memo 1247 (1973) acq, in result, 1974 WL 36031, the United States Tax Court decided, and the IRS had acquiesced to the decision, that a charitable contribution deduction was available for the donation of a building (albeit partially destroyed) to a volunteer fire department for demolition in firefighter training [...]
In the early 1980s, there was an almost endless supply of tax shelters promising deductions and credits that produced benefits far in excess of the investor’s contribution. These shelters were not just for wealthy, promoters pushed them on the average income earner as both a great business opportunity and an investment that would more than [...]
Reducing or Eliminating the Tax Impact of the Forgiven Debt What are the tax implications when someone forgives debt that you legally owe? Is the amount forgiven taxable income to you? It really depends on a variety of facts. In this article, we will briefly address some of the things every taxpayer should know about [...]
One of the many decisions a business owner must make during the first year of operating is what accounting method is most appropriate for the company. While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that some taxpayers use the accrual method, for example, retail companies, some business taxpayers can elect to use either the cash or [...]
Minnesota laws do not always provide for the same tax treatment that is provided under federal law. Some of these differences are obvious and easy to plan for, however, many times it is the subtle differences between the state and federal laws that prove most problematic. Taxpayers or practitioners who are not aware of these [...]