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Here's What You Need for Your 2017 Tax Return

2/26/2018

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The tax-filing season is here. Even if you plan on leaving the hard work to your professional tax preparer, you can make the process go more smoothly by organizing all the necessary information and documentation.

What records are required for 2017 returns?
For starters, your preparer will need Social Security numbers for you, your spouse and any dependents, plus last year's return. Although every situation is different, here's a checklist of some common income items to gather:

  • W-2 forms showing wages
  • 1099 forms for investments, bank accounts and side jobs
  • Business income of pass-through entities (e.g., K-1 forms) and sole proprietors
  • Other investment income information (e.g., carryover capital losses)
  • Other business income information (e.g., QuickBooks entries)
  • Statements of state and local tax refunds
  • Rental property income
  • Social Security benefits received
  • Other miscellaneous income items, including unemployment compensation, jury duty pay, prizes and awards and gambling income
Take a look at the list below. Records are usually required to claim deductions and credits for the following:
  • Charitable contributions
  • Mortgage interest
  • State and local taxes
  • Medical and dental expenses
  • Miscellaneous expenses (e.g., unreimbursed employee business expenses)
  • Casualties and theft losses
  • Self-employed health insurance
  • Self-employed business expenses (e.g., home office expenses)
  • IRA contributions
  • Job-related moving expenses
  • Childcare costs
  • Adoption costs
  • Higher education costs
  • Student loan interest
Before you hand over documents to your tax preparer, verify their accuracy. For instance, make sure that contributions to IRAs and qualified retirement plans (like a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) for a self-employed taxpayer) reflect the appropriate tax year. Double-check Social Security numbers — it's easy to make a mistake.
​
Finally, if you're requesting direct deposit of a refund, there are two more numbers you must provide: Your bank account number and the bank's routing number. That is the fastest way to get a refund for your 2017 taxes.
Call our office if you have questions about preparing your 2017 tax return, or if you'd like to set up an appointment.

"Tax Tips" are published weekly to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Online Advisor Newsletters, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720


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New Law Offers Small Business Tax Breaks

2/19/2018

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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) does much more for businesses than lower corporate tax rates. With careful planning, your small business may realize big tax benefits under the new law. Here are several tax-saving opportunities for 2018:


  • Place assets in service. Under Section 179, a business can now deduct the cost of up to $1 million of qualified assets a year, doubled from $500,000. But the Section 179 deduction is still limited to the amount of income from the business activity. Also, the TCJA doubles the 50 percent bonus depreciation deduction to 100 percent for 2018, giving your small business greater flexibility.
 
  • Consider buying a new business car. The TCJA also increases depreciation deductions allowed for cars used for business driving. Specifically, it hikes the annual limits for luxury cars for each year in service. For instance, the first-year write-off for a car jumps from $3,160 in 2017 to $10,000 in 2018, not even counting bonus depreciation. If you're shopping for a new business car, now's a good tax time to buy.
 
  • Manage pass-through income. For taxpayers owning a business taxed as a pass-through entity — like a partnership, S corporation or sole proprietorship — the new law creates a brand-new deduction generally equal to 20 percent of the business income. This effectively lowers the tax rate for owners. There have been conditions put in place to avoid abuses, especially for professionals and other taxpayers providing services. By keeping income below the thresholds of $157,500 for single filers and $315,000 for joint filers, you may benefit from the maximum 20 percent deduction.
 
  • Cash in on other business tax breaks. Finally, you can still take advantage of various deductions and credits (albeit with certain tweaks), including tax breaks for research activities, interest deductions, net operating losses (NOLs) and a new temporary credit for family and medical leave wages.
 
Call our office today and we can help you develop the best tax strategies for your situation.
​

"Tax Tips" are published weekly to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Online Advisor Newsletters, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720



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Here's a New Tax Prescription for Medical Expenses

2/12/2018

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The new tax reform law — the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) — preserves the deduction for medical expenses, unlike many other itemized deductions. But that's only part of the good news for itemizers. The TCJA also temporarily rolls back the threshold for deducting medical expenses to 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income, from 10 percent.


This change applies to the 2017 and 2018 tax years. In other words, it's retroactive, so you still may benefit on your 2017 return.


How to determine your medical deduction for the year


Add up all your unreimbursed expenses that qualify as medical care. This can range from payments for doctor and dentist visits to prescription drugs and equipment like wheelchairs. If the total exceeds the tax law threshold, you deduct only the excess. Otherwise, you get no deduction.


Now that the new tax law lowered it to 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income, it's easier to qualify for a deduction. Here's what you can do:


  • For 2017: Go back over your records to see if any deductible expenses have fallen through the cracks. Those extra expenses may be enough to push you over the 7.5 percent mark or increase an existing deduction.
  • For 2018: Because of the lower limit, this may be the last year you qualify for a medical deduction. Try to schedule routine expenses such as medical exams and dental cleanings before the end of the year. Or you may decide to undergo that surgery you've been putting off.

This may represent your last opportunity to claim a medical deduction, especially if you don't expect to itemize deductions in coming years. If you have tax questions about medical deductions or anything else, give us a call today.
​

"Tax Tips" are published weekly to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Online Advisor Newsletters, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720


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How to Cut Taxes Under the New Tax Act

2/5/2018

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Now that the massive new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is finally the law of the land, what should you do? Every situation is different, but here are several practical suggestions for improving your tax outlook for 2018 and beyond:


  • Adjust your withholding. There are "winners" and "losers" due to changes in tax rates, the increased standard deduction, the loss of personal exemptions and cutbacks and repeals of deductions. We can help you figure out how this will affect your situation. Depending on your needs and wants, you may end up increasing or decreasing your take-home pay by revising your W-4.
  • Make your move. Pulling up stakes just because of new laws is a drastic reaction. However, if you were planning to move soon anyway, now may be the time to do it if you reside in a high-tax state. The TCJA limits the annual state, local and property tax deduction to $10,000 for itemizers. If you do move, remember that job-related moving expenses are no longer deductible.
  • Pile up medical expenses. The threshold for deducting medical expenses is rolled back to 7.5 percent of adjusted gross income (down from 10 percent) for 2017 and 2018. If you can clear the lower hurdle this year, schedule routine doctor and dentist visits or finally undergo that surgery you've been putting off. The extra expenses will boost your medical deduction.
  • Tap a 529 plan for private school. The new law expands the use of 529 education savings plans to cover private elementary and secondary schools. It's not just for college or grad school anymore. Distributions are exempt from tax, but be careful. Make sure you'll still have enough money in the account to pay for higher education.

Finally, coordinate your tax strategies into an overall plan for 2018. This is a better approach than trying to cash in on tax breaks one at a time. Give us a call and we can help.

"Tax Tips" are published weekly to provide current tax information, tax-cutting suggestions, and tax reminders. If you would like more information on anything in "Tax Tips," or if you'd like to be on our mailing list to receive other tax information from time to time, please contact our office.
 
The tax information contained in this site is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance.
 
We are trusted CPA advisors servicing Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Willowbrook, Darien, and all Chicagoland area. 

Do you need assistance with your business and/or personal tax returns? Would you like to have a trusted source for your accounting, allowing you additional time to focus on increasing your business? Do you use QuickBooks, or plan to in the future, for your accounting? We include these in all our service packages, customized to fit your personal or business needs.   
 
We are currently accepting new clients. Your initial consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.Our experienced staff is available to help you streamline your accounting, giving you more free time for yourself. Set up an appointment today by calling (630) 320-3720 or email us at info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Online Advisor Newsletters, Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com.

Monarch Accounting Group, Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
Phone (630) 320-3720



0 Comments

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Phone: (630) 320-3720

Monarch Accounting Group Inc
145 Tower Drive, Suite 4
Burr Ridge, IL 60527-7836
Email: Info@MonarchAccountingGroup.com


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  • Home
  • Solutions
    • CFO Services
    • Cloud ACCOUNTING
    • Bookkeeping Services
    • QuickBooks Training
    • Income Taxes
    • Other Services
  • Resources
    • Tax Rates
    • SmartVault
    • Tax Tips
    • Tax Organizer
    • Record Retention Schedule
  • Reviews
  • Meet Us
  • Blog
  • Contact Us