Taking guesses on your tax form can quickly turn into the IRS and your business engaging in the world’s most dangerous game.
Here are the latest updates on individual mandate and self-employed tax law brought to you by Hajiani CPA. For more details or a consultation on taxes or accounting please contact Alamir Hajiani at al@alamircpa.com!
The employer Affordable Health Care ACT (ACA) mandate starts to kick in.
Companies with 100 or more full-time equivalent employees must offer health coverage to full-timers or pay a tax. Full-timers are those employed at least 30 hours-a-week on average, but there’s a good chance this number will be raised.
Starting in 2016, firms with 50+ full time-equivalent workers will be subject to the pay-or-play rules, and the coverage offer will be expanded to dependents, including kids under age 26.
The 20 % top rate on dividends and long-term gains starts at a higher level for 2015…singles with taxable income above $413,200 and joint filers above $464,850. The 3.8% Medicare surtax boosts the rate to 23.8%. The regular 15% maximum rate applies for filers with incomes below these amounts, except that filers in the 10% or 15% income tax bracket still get the special 0% rate.
The basic Medicare Part B premium remains $104.90 per month in 2015. But the upper-income seniors still have to pay higher Part B and D premiums if their modified adjusted gross income for 2013 exceeded $170,000 for couples or $85,000 for single people. The 2015 Part B surcharge doesn’t change, while the Part D add-on rises slightly. The total surcharges on upper-incomers can be as large as $301.60 a month.
The adoption credit can be taken on up to $13,409 of costs, a $210 boost. If the credit is more than a filer’s tax liability, the excess is not refundable. The full $13,400 credit is available for a special needs adoption, even if it cost less. The credit starts to dry up for filers with AGIs over $201,010 and ends at $241,010.
The kiddie tax has a little less bite. The first $1,050 of unearned income of a dependent who doesn’t work is tax-free, a $50 hike. The next $1,050 is taxed at 10%, and any unearned income over $2,100 is taxed.
The standard mileage rate rises to 57.50 cents a mile for business driving, up 1.5 cents. The rate falls to 23 cents a mile for medical travel and moving and remains at 14 cents for charitable driving. Standard rate users can also deduct the cost of parking and tolls.
Many key dollar limits on retirement plans are a little higher this year: The maximum 401(k) contribution rises to $18,000, up $500 from 2014. Individuals who were born before 1966 are allowed to put in as much as $24,000.
New Equipment and Machinery: Only $25,000 of assets qualifies, down from $500,000, and the $25,000 phases out once more than $200,000 of assets are put in service.
Questions, concerns, comments? Let us know and we’ll put you in touch a quality CPA!
Taxes have a reputation for being difficult and bogged down with official jargon. If you’re experiencing difficulty please reach out to Cambridge Local First. We’re here for the community and have connections with reputable, local accountants who are willing to give you a complimentary consultation.