Homeowners whose debt is forgiven under Treasury’s “Making Home Affordable” initiative may be entitled to tax relief
Relief for Responsible Homeowners: Treasury Announces Requirements for the Making Home Affordable
Fifth Circuit finds tax-exempt hospital’s chairman liable for trust fund penalty
Verret v. U.S., (CA 5 2/26/2009) 103 AFTR 2d ¶2009-576
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution
IR-2009-16, March 3, 2009
How small businesses can take maximum advantage of the new longer 2008 NOL carryback
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009 ( P.L. 111-5 , the “Recovery Act”) allows qualifying small business to choose a three- four- or five-year net operating loss (NOL) carryback period for certain losses instead of the usual two-year period. This article explains the details of this new provision and the planning that should be undertaken to ensure that a qualifying business chooses the carryback period that will yield maximum tax benefits for the business, taking into account the carryback itself and its tax picture for this year and previous years.
GAO report says noncompliance with 1099-Misc reporting requirements contributes to the tax gap [GAO-09-238]:
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution
A “significant problem” may exist regarding the extent to which third party payers fail to submit required Form 1099-MISC information returns, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report released on Feb. 27.
President’s budget proposal includes funds to improve IRS:
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution
President Obama’s fiscal year 2010 budget proposal, totaling $3.6 trillion, includes funding “for a robust portfolio of IRS international tax compliance initiatives,” according to budget documents released on Feb. 26.
How individuals are affected by tax changes in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly referred to as the Recovery Act), which was signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009, makes a number of beneficial tax changes for individuals. However, most of them are temporary in nature, that is, unless extended by future legislation, they apply for 2009 only or in some cases for 2009 and 2010. Here’s a review of the more widely applicable provisions that could have an impact on you and your family.
Widow entitled to equitable spousal relief for some years
Martinez, TC Memo 2008-165
Newly revised 2008 Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit, reflects Recovery Act IR 2009-14 Mike Habib, EA Tax Relief & Tax Problem Resolution In a news release issued on Feb. 25, 2009, IRS has announced that it has posted a revised version of the 2008 Form 5405, First-Time Homebuyer Credit, to reflect recent improvements to the credit made the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act, P.L. 111-5). Pre-Recovery Act credit. Under pre-Recovery Act law, for qualifying purchases of principal residences in the U.S. after Apr. 8, 2008 and before July 1, 2009, eligible first-time homebuyers may claim a refundable tax credit equal to the lesser of 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence or $7,500 ($3,750 for married individuals filing separately). A taxpayer is considered a first-time homebuyer if he (or spouse, if married) had no present ownership interest in a principal residence in the U.S. during the 3-year period before the purchase of the home to which the credit applies. Eligible first-time homebuyers who purchase a principal residence after Dec. 31, 2008, and before July 1, 2009, may elect to treat the purchase as made on Dec. 31, 2008. For eligible purchases in 2009, a taxpayer may elect to claim the credit for 2008 or 2009 by attaching Form 5405 to the taxpayer’s original or amended 2008 tax return or 2009 tax return. The first-time homebuyer credit phases out for individual taxpayers with modified AGI between $75,000 and $95,000 ($150,000-$170,000 for joint filers) for the year of purchase. The credit for new homebuyers is recaptured ratably over fifteen years, with no interest charge, beginning with the second tax year after the tax year in which the home is purchased. For each tax year of the 15-year recapture period, the credit is recaptured as an additional income tax amount equal to 6⅔% of the amount of the credit. This repayment obligation may be accelerated or forgiven under certain exceptions.
Observation: In other words, the credit for new homebuyers is the equivalent of a long-term interest-free loan from the government.
Recovery Act enhancements to the credit. For residences purchased after 2008, Sec. 1006 of the Recovery Act:
Observation: Committee reports indicate that this waiver of the recapture applies without regard to whether the taxpayer elects to treat the purchase in 2009 as occurring on Dec. 31, 2008, which is allowed by Code Sec. 36(g).
Form 5405. Form 5405 is fairly straightforward. Part I A calls for the address of the home qualifying for the credit while Part I B asks for the date it was acquired. A box must be checked on Part I C if the taxpayer is choosing to claim the credit for a home bought in 2009.
Observation: Specifically, Part I C calls for the box to be checked “[i]f you are choosing to claim the credit on your 2008 return for a main home bought after December 31, 2008 and December 1, 2009.” Thus, Form 5405 reflects the Recovery Act change making this option available for a main home bought Dec. 31, 2008 and before Dec. 1, 2009.
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