Tag: estate tax

Key Features of the Proposed Trump Tax Plan

Posted by Maria T. Rollins on

KEY FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED TRUMP TAX PLANPresident Trump has proposed a detailed tax plan that will revise and update both the individual and corporate tax codes.

Here are some of the key plan elements that could affect individuals and small business owners, if enacted into law.

Top tax rates decrease

Currently the 2017 top tax rate on ordinary income is 39.6%. Under the Trump Tax Plan, the top rate on ordinary income will drop to 33%. He has also proposed lower rates throughout all tax brackets.

More taxpayers will pay the 20% tax capital gains. This 20% rate will kick in for all taxpayers in the top bracket ($127,500 if single and $255,000 if married filing jointly). Currently this rate doesn’t kick in until you earn more than $425,400 if single and $487,650, if married filing jointly.

One tax rate for businesses

Trump plans a single 15% tax rate for business income, whether the business is an S-corporation, partnership or Schedule C. Because sole proprietorships qualify, we may see more wage earners become self-employed business owners.

Under the Trump plan we would also see a 100% expensing of all asset acquisitions, with no limitation.

Capped deductions

For individual taxpayers, Trump is planning an overall limit on itemized deductions of $100,000 if single, and $200,000 if married filing jointly. Currently, itemized deductions are reduced by 3% for every dollar the taxpayer’s income exceeds $250,000 if single, and $300,000 if married filing jointly.

Elimination of the estate tax

Trump has proposed eliminating the estate tax. Still up for discussion is the gift tax or whether the estate tax will be eliminated all at once or phased out over time. Also, there would be no step-up in basis. It is unclear if under Trump’s plan the heirs would take the assets at the decedent’s basis or if appreciation on the assets is taxable at death.

Other key plan features for individuals

The Trump Tax Plan also eliminates:

  • Head of household filing status for single parents
  • Net investment income tax
  • Alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals

The plan increases the standard deduction from $6,300 to $15,000 for singles and from $12,600 to $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. It also taxes carried interest as ordinary income.

Other changes impacting businesses

Businesses will need to pay attention to these proposed changes as well:

  • Reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 15%.
  • Elimination of the corporate AMT.
  • Elimination of the domestic production activities deduction (Section 199) and all other business credits, except for the research and development credit.
  • Implementation of a deemed repatriation of currently deferred foreign profits, at a tax rate of 10%.

We’ve got your back

Of course, these were campaign proposals and we don’t know if they will become law. KRS CPAs will keep you updated on important revisions to the tax code via email radar and blog posts. If you aren’t already registered for our email radars and newsletter, sign up here.

 

2017 NJ Tax Changes Business Owners Need to Know

Posted by Maria T. Rollins on

NJ Taxes

In my last post I reported on key federal tax changes that small business owners need to know about. This post covers three significant tax changes in New Jersey.

NJ sales tax rates reduced

The New Jersey Sales and Use Tax will be reduced in two phases between 2017 and 2018. The rate decreased from 7% to 6.875% on and after January 1, 2017. The tax rate will decrease to 6.625% on and after January 1, 2018.

Transition rules do apply:

  • For items sold before 1/1/2017 but delivered after 1/1/2017, use the 6.875% rate
  • Leases in excess of 6 months entered into before 1/1/2017, use 7%.
  • Lease extensions or renewals after 1/1/2017, use 6.875%.
  • If an agreement is less than 6 months – use 6.875% for all periods that begin after 1/1/2017.
  • Construction materials delivered after 1/1/2017, use 6.875%.
  • If the construction materials are for use in unalterable building contracts entered into before 1/1/2017, the seller must collect 7%.
  • Service or maintenance agreements entered into before 12/31/2016, seller must charge 7%. This is regardless of whether or not the agreement covers periods after 1/1/2017, unless the bill for such services was issued after 1/1/2017.

KRS Tip: Check all your vendor invoices to ensure you’re being charged the correct amount, before you pay the invoice. If it is the incorrect amount, have the vendor revise the invoice. If you go ahead and pay the incorrect amount, it is your responsibility to go back to the state – not the vendor – to get a refund.

Urban Enterprise Zone designation expires for 5 NJ cities

Under the UEZ designation, businesses in certain economically distressed areas are eligible for incentives, including tax free purchases on capital investments, tax credits to hire local workers and the ability to charge just half the statewide 7% sales tax.

The UEZ designations for Bridgeton, Camden, Newark, Plainfield and Trenton were permitted to expire. These zones can no longer collect sales taxes at reduced rates.

Changes to New Jersey estate tax

A NJ resident who dies and has assets worth more than $675,000 has had his or her estate subject to NJ estate tax. That may sound like a lot of money, but if you own even a modest home in the northern part of the state, you’ll probably hit the $675,000 threshold.

As part of the bill that raised the gas tax in the state, the exemption will increase from $675,000 to $2 million for estates of residents dying on or after 1/1/2017 and before 1/1/2018.

We expect that the increased exemption will change if there is a democratic governor elected this year.

We’ve got your back

New Jersey tax regs grow increasingly complex and it can be hard for business owners to know how to save taxes. At KRS we assist our clients in minimizing tax liabilities by providing them with comprehensive tax planning, preparation and compliance services.

Contact partner Maria Rollins at 201.655.7411 or mrollins@krscpas.com if your company needs expert advice and assistance with its 2016 taxes.