Wage Threshold for Household Employees
2008 Changes The social security and Medicare wage threshold for household employees is $1,600 for 2008. This means that if you pay a household employee cash wages of less than $1,600 in 2008, you do not have to report and pay social security and Medicare taxes on that employee’s 2008 wages. 2009 Changes The social … Read more
Standard Deduction Increased
The standard deduction for people who do not itemize their deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) is, in most cases, higher for 2009 than it was for 2008. In addition to the annual increase due to inflation adjustments and the increase allowed for the deduction for certain real estate taxes and a net disaster loss, … Read more
Special Limitation Period for Retroactively Excluding Military Retirement Pay
If you retire from the armed services based on years of service and are later given a retroactive service-connected disability rating by the VA, your retirement pay for the retroactive period is excluded from income up to the amount of VA disability benefits you would have been entitled to receive. You can claim a refund … Read more
Residential Energy Credits
2009 Nonbusiness energy property credit. This credit, which expired after 2007, has been reinstated. You may be able to claim a nonbusiness energy property credit of 30% of the cost of certain energy-efficient property or improvements you placed in service in 2009. This property can include high-efficiency heat pumps, air conditioners, and water heaters. It … Read more
Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits
Beginning January 1, 2009, the monthly exclusion for commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit passes increased to $120 and the monthly exclusion for qualified parking increased to $230. Beginning March 1, 2009, the monthly exclusion for commuter highway vehicle transportation and transit passes increased to $230. Beginning January 1, 2009, you may be reimbursed for … Read more
Personal Exemptions
2008 Changes The amount you can deduct for each exemption has increased to $3,500 for 2008. You lose part of the benefit of your exemptions if your AGI is above a certain amount. The amount at which the phaseout begins depends on your filing status. For 2008, the phaseout begins at: $119,975 for married persons … Read more
New Rules for Children of Divorced or Separated Parents
Revocation of release of claim to an exemption. For tax years beginning after July 2, 2008 (the 2009 calendar year for most taxpayers), new rules apply to allow the custodial parent to revoke a release of claim to exemption that was previously released to the noncustodial parent on Form 8332, Release/Revocation of Release of Claim … Read more
Increase in Limit on Long-Term Care and Accelerated Death Benefits Exclusion
2009 The limit on the exclusion for payments made on a per diem or other periodic basis under a long-term care insurance contract increases for 2009 to $280 per day. The limit applies to the total of these payments and any accelerated death benefits made on a per diem or other periodic basis under a … Read more
Income Averaging for Farmers and Fisherman
Exxon Valdez litigation. If you received qualified settlement income made up of interest and punitive damages in connection with the civil action In re Exxon Valdez, No. 89-095-CV (HRH) (Consolidated) (D. Alaska), you may treat this settlement payment as income from a fishing business for the purpose of income averaging. You are eligible to make … Read more
Home/Residence-Related Tax Changes
Discharge of Qualified Principal Residence Indebtedness The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended the exclusion from gross income for the discharge of qualified principal residence indebtedness by an additional 3 years. The exclusion now applies to debt discharged after 2006 and before 2013. First-Time Homebuyer Credit First-Time Homebuyer Credit Extended to April 30, 2010; … Read more
Emil Estafanous, CPA
12501 Imperial Hwy, Ste 115
Norwalk, CA 90650
Phone: 562-868-6333
Email: emil@mycpaweb.comTalk to a CPA
