The IRS just issued an updated publication with information for individual taxpayers and business owners unable to pay their taxes. This electronic pub, Offer in Compromise Booklet, helps people understand how an offer in compromise works.
 
An offer in compromise is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles a tax debt for less than the full amount owed. An offer in compromise is an option when a taxpayer can't pay their full tax liability.

It is also an option when paying the entire tax bill would cause the taxpayer a financial hardship. The ultimate goal is a compromise that suits the best interest of both the taxpayer and the agency. 
 
When reviewing applications, the IRS considers the taxpayer's unique set of facts and any special circumstances affecting the taxpayer's ability to pay as well as the taxpayer's:

• Income
• Expenses
• Asset equity

The booklet covers everything a taxpayer will need to know about submitting an offer in compromise, including:

• Who is eligible to submit an offer
• How much it costs to apply
• How the application process works

The booklet also includes the forms that taxpayers will complete as part of the offer in compromise process.
 
More information:
See if you pre-qualify for an offer in compromise

​"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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
​

Before donating to a charity, taxpayers often want to research the organization. The IRS has a tool that lets people access information about charities and other tax-exempt organizations fast and easily. The Tax Exempt Organization Search is available anytime on IRS.gov.

Here are some things taxpayers will find when they use the TEOS tool:

Forms

• Images of an organization’s forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF and 990-T filed with the IRS. New filings are added monthly.

A simplified search process

• TEOS is mobile friendly, which provides access to the search tool using smartphones or tablets.

Favorable determination letters

• These are issued by the IRS when an organization applied for and met the requirements for tax-exempt status. The IRS continues adding determination letters to the site. Eventually, all determination letters issued since January 2014 will be available.

Other information
This includes whether an organization:

• Is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
• Has had its tax-exempt status revoked because it failed to file required forms or notices for three consecutive years.
• Filed a Form 990-N annual electronic notice with the IRS. This applies to small organizations only.

Publicly available data from electronically-filed 990 forms is still available through Amazon Web Services.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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

Are you involved in the gig economy - or the labor market made up of freelance and other temporary work - that's gaining popularity? This type of sharing economy involves individuals and groups who connect with others through technology to make money using assets they already own (like cars and houses), often doing everyday tasks. Gigs can range anywhere from Air-b-n-b hosting and delivering groceries to ethical hacking or designing blockchain technology for cryptocurrencies.
 
While participating in the gig economy can put cash in your pocket, it also triggers tax obligations and possible opportunities. Here are some helpful tax tips to keep in mind:

• Pay tax on income. Whether it's your main occupation or a sideline business like driving for Uber or Lyft, any income received is fully taxable, including tips. It doesn't matter if you're paid in cash, property, or goods or services.

 

• Claim offsetting deductions. Typically, you'll operate as a self-employed individual, entitling you to write off "ordinary and necessary" business expenses. For instance, if you're a driver the IRS generally allows you to deduct actual vehicle expenses like fuel, based on business use, or 58 cents per business mile (plus related tolls and parking fees) in 2019.

 

• Report large cash transactions. Just like other business people, you must report any cash transaction (or series of transactions) of more than $10,000 to the IRS on Form 8300 within 15 days of receipt. The usual penalty for intentionally failing to file the form is the greater of $25,000 or the amount received (up to $100,000).

 

• Meet estimated tax requirements. Absent withholding adjustments at another job, you must make quarterly installment payments of estimated tax during the year. Generally, you may be hit with an underpayment penalty if you don't pay at least:
  1. 90 percent of this year's tax liability or
  2. 100 percent of last year's tax liability (110 percent if your adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000).
     
  3. Stay on top of payments to avoid an unpleasant tax surprise.

• Maintain detailed records. Observe all the technicalities required for reporting taxable income and offsetting deductions. For instance, keep a mileage log and any receipts related to your gigs. This way, you're protected if the IRS ever mounts a challenge.

If you have tax questions about your gig, call today.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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
​

Tax-related identity theft occurs when a thief uses someone’s stolen Social Security number to file a tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. The victim may be unaware that this has happened until they e-file their return. Even before the victim files their return, the IRS may send the taxpayer a letter saying the agency identified a suspicious return using the stolen SSN.

Here are some things people should know about identity theft, including warning signs and steps to take after identity theft occurs.

Warning signs that a theft occurs
Taxpayers should be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if they are contacted by the IRS or their tax preparer about:

• More than one tax return being filed using the taxpayer’s SSN.
• Additional tax owed.
• A refund offset.
• Collection actions taken against the taxpayer for a year when they did not file a tax return.
• IRS records indicating they received wages or other income from an employer for whom the taxpayer did not work.

Taxpayers who suspect they are a victim of ID theft should continue to pay their taxes and file their tax return, even if they must do so on paper.

Steps to take if someone becomes a victim
The taxpayer should:

• File a complaint with the FTC at identitytheft.gov.
• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on their credit records.
• Contact their financial institutions to close any financial or credit accounts opened without permission or that were tampered with by identity thieves.
• Respond immediately to any IRS notice and call the number provided in the letter.
• Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. They can use a fillable form on IRS.gov, print it, then attach the form to their tax return and mail according to instructions.

Taxpayers who previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution can contact the agency for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490.

Taxpayers should remember that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and through social media channels.
​
People can report suspicious online or emailed phishing scams to: phishing@irs.gov. For phishing scams by phone, fax or mail, call 1-800-366-4484. They can report IRS impersonation scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s IRS Impersonation Scams Reporting

With the April tax filing due date just a few days away, taxpayers should remember to both file and pay any taxes they owe by the deadine. Taxpayers who do not file and pay timely will see their tax debt grow. In fact, penalties and interest can cause a taxpayer’s debt to grow by more than thirty percent in just a few months.

Here are some tips for taxpayers who owe tax, but who can’t immediately pay their tax bill. Taxpayers should:

• File their tax return or request an extension of time to file by the April deadline.
  Taxpayers who owe tax and do not file their return on time or request an extension may face a failure-to-file penalty for not filing on time.

• Pay as much as possible by the April due date.
  Whether they are filing a return or requesting an extension, taxpayers must pay their bill in full by the April filing deadline. Taxpayers who do not pay their taxes on time will face a failure-to-pay penalty. Taxpayers should remember that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.
• Set up a payment plan as soon as possible.

• Taxpayers who owe, but cannot pay in full by the deadline don’t have to wait for a tax bill to request a payment plan. Taxpayers can apply for a payment plan on IRS.gov. Taxpayers can also submit a payment plan request in writing using Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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
​

Crowdfunding started as a way for entrepreneurs to fund new enterprises. Then charities started getting in on the act through platforms like GoFundMe and Kickstarter. This has resulted in grassroots appeals for worthy causes around the country.
 
But what are the tax implications? It depends on whether you're giving or receiving charitable donations.
 
Giving charitable donations
 
Typically, a crowdfunding effort will be devoted to helping a specific individual or a class of individuals. For instance, you may be raising money to provide assistance to a seriously ill person or a group of children in need. In these cases, your generosity is appreciated, but the tax benefits are nonexistent.
 
To be deductible as a charitable contribution, the donation must be made to a qualified charitable organization to benefit a broad base (you can find a list of qualified organizations on the IRS website). It can't be just for one person. And even when crowdfunding payments qualify for a deduction, other restrictions may apply.
 
Finally, your contribution may be treated as a taxable gift, although amounts up to $15,000 can be sheltered by the annual gift tax exclusion.
 
Receiving charitable donations
 
The tax aspects are even more complicated for recipients. Assuming that the transfer doesn't qualify as a deductible charitable contribution, it'll generally be considered as taxable income to the recipient, unless it is deemed to be a gift.
 
Another issue is who is the recipient of the money - the organizer or the ultimate beneficiary? Previously, the IRS has indicated that the beneficiary is the recipient if the organizer is merely acting an agent. This is important when determining tax obligations.
 
The optimal approach may be to treat the transfer as a gift that qualifies for the gift tax exclusion and isn't taxable to the recipient. In this case it might make sense to file a gift tax return, even if one isn't required.
 
The law is still evolving, so call if you have questions about your situation.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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

Taxpayers may need to take money out of their individual retirement account or retirement plan early. However, this can trigger an additional tax on top of other income tax they may owe. Here are a few key things for taxpayers to know:

• Early Withdrawals. An early withdrawal normally is taking cash out of a retirement plan before the taxpayer is 59½ years old.
  
  

• Additional Tax. The IRS charges a 10 percent penalty on early withdrawals from most qualified retirement plans. There are some exceptions to this rule.

 

• Nontaxable Withdrawals. The additional tax does not apply to nontaxable withdrawals. These include withdrawals of contributions that taxpayers paid tax on before they put them into the retirement plan.

 

• Rollovers are a nontaxable withdrawal. A rollover happens when taxpayers take cash or other assets from one retirement plan and put the money in another plan within 60 days. A rollover can also happen when they direct their plan administrator to make the payment directly to another retirement plan or to an IRA.

 

• Form 5329. Taxpayers who took an early withdrawal last year may have to file Form 5329 with their federal tax return. 

 

• Use IRS e-file. Early withdrawal rules can be complex. IRS e-file is the easiest and most accurate way to file a tax return. The tax software will pick the right tax forms, do the math, and help find tax benefits.

 
"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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

Taxpayers filing their tax returns to meet the upcoming tax filing deadline should know that the easiest way to check on their tax refund is to use Where’s My Refund?. This tool is available on IRS.gov and through the IRS2Go app. The fastest way to get that tax refund is to use IRS e-File and direct deposit.

Taxpayers can use Where’s My Refund? to start checking on the status of their tax return within 24 hours after the IRS receives an e-filed return. For a paper return, it’s four weeks after the taxpayer mailed it.

The tool has a tracker that displays progress through three phases:

(1) Return Received
(2) Refund Approved
(3) Refund Sent

All a taxpayer needs to use “Where’s My Refund?” is their Social Security number, tax filing status and the exact amount of the refund claimed on their tax return.

“Where’s My Refund?” is updated no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check the status more often.

Taxpayers should only call the IRS tax help hotline on the status of their tax refund if :

• It has been 21 days or more since the tax return was e-filed
• It has been six weeks or more since the return was mailed
• When “Where’s My Refund?” tells the taxpayer to contact the IRS

Taxpayers who owe should pay as much as possible to minimize interest and penalty charges. The taxpayers should visit IRS.gov/payments to explore their payment options.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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
​

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged taxpayers to file an accurate tax return on time, even if they owe but can’t pay in full. The IRS also recommends that taxpayers do a Paycheck Checkup early in 2019 to avoid having too much or too little tax withheld.

Most taxpayers are being affected by major tax law changes. While most will get a tax refund, others may find that they owe taxes. Those who owe may qualify for a waiver of the estimated tax penalty that normally applies. See Form 2210, Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates and Trusts, and its instructions for details.

This news release is part of a series called the Tax Time Guide, a resource to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Additional help is available in Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, and the tax reform information page.

The filing deadline to submit 2018 tax returns is Monday, April 15, 2019, for most taxpayers. Because of the Patriots’ Day holiday on April 15 in Maine and Massachusetts and the Emancipation Day holiday on April 16 in the District of Columbia, taxpayers who live in Maine or Massachusetts have until April 17 to file their returns.

Checking on refunds
The IRS issues nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days. Using the “Where’s My Refund?” online tool, taxpayers can start checking on the status of their return within 24 hours after the IRS receives an e-filed return or four weeks after the taxpayer mailed a paper return. The tool has a tracker that displays progress through three phases: (1) Return Received; (2) Refund Approved; and (3) Refund Sent.

All that is needed to use “Where’s My Refund?” is the taxpayer’s Social Security number, tax filing status (such as single, married, head of household) and exact amount of the tax refund claimed on the return.

“Where’s My Refund?” is updated no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so there’s no need to check the status more often.

Check withholding
The IRS encourages taxpayers to review their tax withholding using the IRS Withholding Calculator and make any needed adjustments early in 2019. Taxpayers should check their withholding each year and when life changes occur, such as marriage, childbirth, adoption or buying a home. Doing a Paycheck Checkup can help taxpayers avoid having too little or too much tax withheld from their paychecks. The IRS reminds taxpayers that they can generally control the size of their tax refund by adjusting their tax withholding.

For 2019, it’s important to review withholding and do a Paycheck Checkup. This is especially true for taxpayers who adjusted their withholding in 2018 – specifically in the middle or later parts of the year. And it’s also important for taxpayers who received a tax bill when they filed this year or want to adjust the size of their tax refund for next year.

How to make a tax payment
Taxpayers should visit the “Pay” tab on IRS.gov to see their payment options. Most tax software products give taxpayers various payment options, including the option to withdraw the funds from a bank account. These include:

• IRS Direct Pay offers taxpayers a free, fast, secure and easy way to make an electronic payment from their bank account to the U.S. Treasury.
• Use an approved payment processor to pay by credit or debit card for a fee.
• Mail checks or money orders made out to the U.S. Treasury.
• Make monthly or quarterly tax payments using IRS Direct Pay or through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System.

Can’t pay a tax bill?
Everyone should file their 2018 tax return by the tax filing deadline regardless of whether they can pay in full. Taxpayers who can’t pay all their taxes have options including: 

• Online Payment Agreement — Individuals who owe $50,000 or less in combined income tax, penalties and interest and businesses that owe $25,000 or less in payroll tax and have filed all tax returns may qualify for an Online Payment Agreement. Most taxpayers qualify for this option and an agreement can usually be set up on IRS.gov in a matter of minutes.
• Installment Agreement — Installment agreements are paid by direct deposit from a bank account or a payroll deduction.
• Delaying Collection — If the IRS determines a taxpayer is unable to pay, it may delay collection until the taxpayer's financial condition improves.
• Offer in Compromise (OIC) — Taxpayers who qualify enter into an agreement with the IRS that settles their tax liability for less than the full amount owed.

Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov. They can use these resources to get help when it’s needed at home, at work or on the go.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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

Don't give up quickly if your path to contributing to a Roth IRA is blocked by tax law limits. Despite the obstacles, upper-income taxpayers may be able to take advantage of a backdoor Roth IRA.

IRA contribution basics

Unlike a traditional IRA where contributions may be wholly or partially tax-deductible, contributions to a Roth can never be deducted, but future distributions are generally exempt from tax. In contrast, traditional IRA distributions may be taxable in full.
 
The contribution limit for any combination of traditional and Roth IRAs for the 2018 tax year is $5,500 (increased to $6,000 for 2019). Plus, you can add on $1,000 if you're 50 or older.
 
But there are no income limits on taxpayers who contribute to traditional IRAs. With a Roth, the ability to contribute is phased out, based on your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI).

1. For the 2018 tax year, the phaseout for single filers occurs between $120,000 and $135,000 of MAGI ($122,000 to $137,000 for 2019).

1. For the 2018 tax year, the phaseout for joint filers occurs between $189,000 and $199,000 of MAGI ($193,000 to $203,000 for 2019).

Conversions and backdoor Roth IRAs
 
Of course, you can convert an existing traditional IRA to a Roth, but you must pay tax on the conversion at ordinary income rates. Currently, the top rate is 37 percent.
 
However, this clever tax technique may work for you: Fund a traditional IRA with nondeductible contributions. Then, when you convert to a Roth, you only pay tax on the portion representing taxable earnings. The bulk of the conversion is tax-free. This "back-door IRA" approach remains viable after recent tax legislation.
 
There are additional complications if you already have other IRAs. But you may be able to minimize the tax damage by rolling over those funds into a 401(k) or other plan.
 
Call before you make your move, or if you have questions about your IRA tax obligations.

"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 info@monarchaccountinggroup.com. 
 
For more free resources, such as Tax Rates, 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
​