Certain businesses that receive payments of over $10,000 in cash must file Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000 Received in a Trade or Business, electronically starting in 2024, the IRS said Wednesday in a news release (IR-2023-157). This new requirement applies to businesses that are required to file at least 10 information returns of one or more types other than Form 8300 in 2024.
Over 400,000 Forms 8300 were filed in calendar year 2022. An IRS representative said the Service was not immediately able to determine the number of Forms 8300 that were filed on paper versus electronically. The IRS noted that although many cash transactions are legitimate, the information on a Form 8300 can help the government fight tax evaders and drug traders, along with those who finance terrorism. Businesses can create an account with FinCen's BSA E-Filing System to e-file Forms 8300. A person generally must file Form 8300 within 15 days after the date the person received the cash. A business must keep a copy of every Form 8300 it files, along with any supporting documentation and the required statement it sends to customers, for five years from the date filed. Merely retaining the email confirmation of the filing of a Form 8300 does not meet the record-keeping requirement, the IRS said. Filers also must save a copy of the form — either electronically or on paper — before they finalize the submission and should associate the confirmation number they receive with the copy. A business may file a request for a waiver from electronically filing information returns, including Form 8300, because of undue hardship. However, a business may not request an e-filing waiver that would apply just to Form 8300. The business must include the word "Waiver" on the center top of each Form 8300 (page 1) when submitting a paper filed return. Also, filers are automatically exempt from filing Form 8300 electronically if using the required technology conflicts with their religious beliefs. The filer must include the words "RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION" on the center top of each Form 8300 (page 1) when submitting the paper filed return. The IRS issued a fact sheet, FS-2023-19, with details on the requirement. https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2023/aug/businesses-must-e-file-form-8300-for-10000-cash-payments-2024.html "Tax Tips" are published 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, Naperville, 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 [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA
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If you contribute too much money into your IRA during the year, how do you correct the problem without facing a tax penalty? Here are some tips.
Remember the annual limits 2023 Annual IRA contribution limits
What causes excess contributions Excess contributions can be caused by:
Corrective action and penalty If you place too much money into your retirement account you have until the tax filing deadline including any extensions to remove the excess contribution. Any excess amount will be subject to a 6% penalty for each year the excess contribution remains in your account. You may also owe tax on contributions and earnings created by the excess contribution. In addition: Traditional IRAs. You will need to account for the additional income on your tax return. So if you discover the problem after you file your income tax return, you may need to file an amended tax return. Roth IRAs. You can move excess contributions into the next year as long as IRA contributions in the following year are below the maximum allowed. Any earnings made during the time the excess contributions were in your account is taxable. Some ideas What can you do to minimize the risk of excess contributions? Make it automatic. Set up an automatic withdrawal from your checking account to fund your IRA. Conduct the math to ensure you will never contribute too much. Make a lump sum contribution. Make a one-time contribution at the beginning or end of each year. Want to wait for your refund? Remember you have until April 15th of the following year to fund your IRA. Consider taking advantage of this additional time. Rollovers are not contributions. Remember rollovers ARE NOT contributions so the annual contribution limits do not apply. If you wish to roll funds from a qualified plan into your IRA, the excess contribution limits will not impact you as long as the rollover is handled correctly. It is a good idea to seek expert help in this area to ensure your rollover is compliant with tax code. For instance, there are usually tax obligations if the rollover is from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA. "Tax Tips" are published 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, Naperville, 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 [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA What to do if you miss a quarterly estimated tax paymentMany clients like to keep their Federal Tax withholdings as low as possible to avoid the IRS having their funds interest-free throughout the year. Other taxpayers, especially those with non-payroll income, must make quarterly payments to the IRS. As long as these quarterly payments are made timely and the amount of the payments is sufficient in the eyes of the IRS you will not be subjected to underpayment penalties. However, if under paid, the IRS applies late payment penalties in addition to the income tax owed. This penalty applies even if you file your 1040 tax return on or before April 15th.
The Safe Harbor rule The tax code has a basic set of rules to determine if you owe a late tax payment penalty. The rule is call The Safe Harbor Rule. Here is a recap of the rule. If you follow the rules, you can avoid any penalties.
Late Payment Penalty Avoidance Tip If you are an employee there may be a way to avoid a penalty if you underpaid or neglected to pay your estimated tax payment for a quarter. Increase your payroll withholdings in later months of the year to build up your federal withholdings to cover the shortfall. Trying to catch up by paying more on your next estimated quarterly tax payment wouldn't work since the prior quarter's shortfall remains per IRS penalty calculations. For whatever reason, in calculating a potential underpayment penalty, payroll withholdings are treated as if they were all made at the beginning of the year, while quarterly tax payments (form 1040-ES) are tracked by the date received. To increase your withholdings simply provide your employer with a revised W-4. Just be careful that you leave enough in your paycheck to avoid other financial hardships. "Tax Tips" are published 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, Naperville, 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 [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA What everyone should knowWhen you win a prize, there are really two winners: you and the taxing authorities. Should you be fortunate enough to win that trip of a lifetime to the French Riviera in your new yacht, here is what you need to know.
Prizes and taxes Prizes are taxable. Almost all prizes are taxable income. You report them on your income tax return as other income. This is the case whether your prize is cash, merchandise, or free services. The prize may be reported to the IRS. Prizes valued at $600 or more must be reported to the IRS. Prize values below this reporting threshold may also be reported at the discretion of the sponsor of the prize. As the winner, you should look to receive the proper Form 1099-MISC. Employee awards are different. When you receive a prize or something of value from your employer, different rules apply. These fall under business expense, fringe benefits, and award rules. Things like a holiday turkey or occasional service awards are often (but not always) a non-taxable award. On the other hand, a bonus or prize points for merchandise as a sales award usually needs to be reported as income. Gifts and prizes have different tax rules. A different part of the tax code applies to gifts. In short, gifts received from someone that are less than the annual gift threshold ($17,000 in 2023 or $34,000 for a married couple) are not deemed prizes. Other considerations and tips Should you receive a prize during the year, here are some tips to consider: Donate to charity. If you wish to avoid paying tax on the prize you can refuse the prize or opt to donate the prize to a charity. It is best to sign appropriate paperwork to assign ownership of the prize to the charity and have the prize sent directly to them as you cannot use the prize before donating it. Establish fair market value. Should you win property, like a car or vacation trip, establish the fair market value (FMV) of what you won. Hosts of prize contests often over-value the prize to aid in marketing their contest. You do not want to pay tax on an over-inflated value. So if you win merchandise, get copies of advertisements for the item. If it is a trip, document hotel rates, transportation costs and cost of meals to build a case for a lower FMV. If there is a discrepancy with the value received, show your documentation to the provider of the prize and get your Form 1099 value corrected. Keep good records. When you win a prize, fill out a sheet outlining the details of the event. Record the identity of the sponsor, the date, a detailed description of what was won, copies of documentation, photos of the items won, and the approximate retail value assigned to the prize by the sponsor. Plan for the tax. Using the value provided to you by the sponsor, determine if you will be able to pay the tax for the prize. You may need to plan to make an estimated tax payment to avoid any surprises when you file your tax return. Remember should you be lucky enough to win a prize, ask for help to determine what steps need to be taken to manage your tax obligation. "Tax Tips" are published 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, Naperville, 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 [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA These tips are money in your pocketWhen it comes to taking qualified deductions on your tax return, having proper documentation to prove your expenditure is a must. Here are some typical areas where taxpayers often fall short, costing them plenty during tax filing season and during IRS audits:
If you aren't sure whether a document is important, it’s best to retain it and file it in a way that you can easily retrieve it if needed at a later time. "Tax Tips" are published 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, Naperville, 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 [email protected]. For more free resources, such as Tax Organizers, and Record Retention Schedules, access our website www.monarchaccountinggroup.com. Mia Verc, CPA; Janice Papais, CPA |
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