Philadelphia Estate and Tax Attorney Blog

  The Internal Revenue Service has recently issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2017/06/20/irs-2017-standard-business-medical-moving-mileage-rates/

What Is The Pennsylvania Tax Amnesty Program? The PA Tax Amnesty program creates an incentive for taxpayers to pay there tax liabilities during a narrow time period that ends on June 19, 2017.  ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2017/05/25/2017-pennsylvania-tax-amnesty-program/

Starting in 2017, the IRS has revised its user fee schedule for installment agreements. The new fee schedule applies to installment agreements entered into, restructured or reinstated on or after...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2017/02/28/irs-installment-agreements-2017-user-fee-schedule-and-options/

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2017/01/10/retirement-plan-contribution-limits/

  As tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service, in IR-2016-164,  has just reminded taxpayers to be on the lookout for an array of evolving tax scams related to identity theft and refu...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/irs-warns-taxpayers-of-tax-scams/

The Internal Revenue Service announced on December 1, 2016 (IR-2016-155) the launch of an online application that will assist taxpayers with straightforward balance inquiries in a safe, easy and ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2016/12/06/irs-online-tool-to-assist-taxpayers-with-account-information/

IMPORTANT TAX ALERT: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Tuesday, November 22, 2016, reinstated a four-decade old tax reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania that allows residents who work in ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/pennsylvania-new-jersey-reciprocal-tax-agreement-ends-2016/

Philadelphia Landmark: The Famous and Quirky 45 Foot Steel Clothes Pin Created by Sculptor Claes Oldenburg Across from City Hall   The City of Philadelphia has reduced the City Wage Tax rate eff...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/city-of-philadelphia-wage-tax-reduction-july-1-2016/

Each year, the IRS mails millions of notices and letters to taxpayers for a variety of reasons. This can be extremely upsetting when receiving this form of communication, whether it is from the I...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/did-you-get-a-letter-in-the-mail-from-the-irs-here-is-what-you-need-to-do/

The Internal Revenue Service on December 18, 2015 issued the 2016 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medic...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/12/18/2016-standard-mileage-rates-for-business-medical-and-moving/

Here is a neat info-graphic on the tax positions of the Presidential Candidates. Special thanks to MBACentral.org

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/12/01/tax-positions-of-presidential-candidates/

On Friday, July 31, 2015, President Barack Obama signed HR 3236, the “Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015” (the “Act”). Not sure how this name r...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/new-2015-tax-law-changes-tax-and-fbar-filing-deadlines-other-noteworthy-compliance-provisions-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/

Have you failed to file your retirement plan reporting form for your retirement plan? If you have failed to do so, the Internal Revenue Service on July 14, 2015 provides eligible small businesses...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/07/19/small-businesses-can-get-irs-penalty-relief-for-unfiled-retirement-plan-returns/

Philadelphia has just increased its Use and Occupancy Tax as of July 1, 2015. The new Use & Occupancy Tax rate will be 1.21%. This is an increase from the prior rate of 1.13%. This new rate will ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/philadelphia-use-occupancy-tax-rate-change-effective-july-1-2015/

Philadelphia business owners and those that withhold taxes on employees that live in Philadelphia should take notice that the City of Philadelphia has reduced the City Wage Tax rate effective Jul...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/the-city-of-philadelphia-department-of-revenue-announces-wage-tax-reduction-for-july-1-2015/

My very own Philadelphia Estate and Tax Attorney Blog has just won as the Best Tax Blog In America for 2015! I am most appreciative of all of you who took the time to vote for my blog.  You can ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/please-vote-for-my-philadelphia-estate-and-tax-blog-as-the-best-tax-blog-in-america-for-2015/

Philadelphia notice Requirements for Businesses for 2015 If you are a business that has employees or independent contractors who live in Philadelphia, the City of Philadelphia is now imposing new...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/philadelphia-businesses-employer-tax-notice-to-employees-non-payroll-workers/

The arrival of year-end presents special opportunities for most small businesses to take steps in lowering their tax liability. The starting point is to run projections to determine the income an...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/12/26/2014-year-end-tax-planning-guide-for-businesses-9-easy-tax-planning-tips-and-tricks/

As the year-end quickly approaches, there is still time to do year-end tax planning to generate significant tax savings.  As many of you know, changes to the tax laws in 2013 made many tax rates...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/11/29/2014-year-end-tax-planning-tips-strategies/

With college tuition coming due, families should consider tax efficient ways to pay for these expenses. Grandparents who wish to help their children with tuition costs can take advantage of some ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/college-tuition-unlimited-gift-tax-exclusion/

The excitement, joy and anticipation of getting married can be almost overwhelming.  With the planning that goes into the wedding it is easy to overlook the tax implications of marriage.  Altho...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/summer-weddings-quick-easy-tax-guide-for-newlyweds/

A couple of weeks ago, I had someone come in my office who has lived abroad since he was 7 years old. He is a citizen of the United States and Netherlands. He has never filed United States income...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/06/19/us-citizens-living-outside-america-streamlined-foreign-offshore-procedure-offers-tax-and-compliance-relief/

The sad and tragic death of Philip Seymour Hoffman at age 46 last month is yet another reminder of the importance of estate planning. Most of us go along each day not thinking or worrying about w...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/phillip-seymour-hoffman-lessons-for-us-women-estate-pain-left-behind/

With the increase of the federal estate tax exemption to $5,340,000 in 2014, most taxpayers are not subject to federal estate taxes.  The focus for many now has shifted to the income tax implica...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/tax-basis-issues/

2013 Year-End Tax Planning Guide For Small Businesses The arrival of year-end presents special opportunities for most small businesses to take steps in lowering their tax liability. The starting ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/tax-planning-small-businesses/

On Thanksgiving when you look around the room at your loved ones, think about whether they are legally protected with an estate plan that works to protect them and minimize taxes when you were go...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/estate-planning-2013-now-what-a-must-read-for-everyone/

The Internal Revenue Service has just issued a consumer alert about possible scams taking place in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.  As most of us know, on Nov. 8, 2013, this typhoon known as Yolanda...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/tax_scams_charitable_tax-deduction_typhoon_victims/

The IRS just renewed its October, 2013 warning about a pervasive phone scam that continues to target people across the nation, including recent immigrants. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/irs-scam-alert/

Federal tax rules for same-sex couples have recently been issued in response to the Supreme Court decision in Windsor, No. 12-307 (U.S. 6/26/13). This landmark case invalidated a key provision of...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/new-tax-rules-same-sex-marriages-doma/

As the year-end quickly approaches, there is still time to do some year-end tax planning.  This 2013 tax year will be tough on many taxpayers due to recent tax law changes and the uncertain futu...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/10/08/2013-year-end-tax-planning-strategies-learn-what-can-be-done-now-to-save-taxes-and-prevent-costly-mistakes/

Pennsylvania has just created a new tax break for transfers of businesses to certain family members.  This new inheritance tax law applies to estates of some one who dies on or after July 1, 201...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/pennsylvania-inheritance-tax-exemption-for-family-businesses/

The Treasury Inspector General of For Tax Administration recently issued a report entitled Employers Do Not Always Follow Internal Revenue Service Determination Rulings that indicated the employe...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/vcsp-employment-tax-program-irs-audit-risks/

We now know what the federal estate tax laws will be this year and in the future.  Our federal government has stated that these estate tax rules are now permanent after a decade of uncertainty. ...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/federal-pennsylvania-estate-tax-planning-2013/

With less than 30 days left in 2012, there is still time to do some year-end tax planning.  This 2012 tax year is more difficult in that no one knows how the tax laws may change before the end o...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/12/04/2012taxplanning/

My last post talked about when we can trash tax and other important records. Well, Hurricane Sandy brought a whole new meaning to the concept of trashing records and a whole lot more. Experts es...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/11/06/hurricane-sandy-tax-deductions-for-casualty-losses/

Papers, papers and still more papers.  When can I destroy these documents? There are no hard and fast rules in this area.  The following offers some general guidance to carefully consider wh...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/record-retention-guidelines/

Philadelphia has recently amended its Business Privilege Tax (business income and receipts tax)  to allow a credit for employment of veterans of the Armed Forces.  This new Philadelphia tax la...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/philadelphia-bpt-tax-credit-hiring-veterans/

In light of the IRS’s fairly recent Voluntary Worker Classification Settlement Program (VCSP) issued in 2012, employers need to consider the benefits and risks of their current classification...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/worker-classification-vcsp/

Taxpayers found out the hard way that the documentation rules imposed by the IRS better be followed exactly and to the letter.  In Durden, TC Memo, 2012-140, taxpayers claimed a $22,517 charitab...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/irs-slams-taxpayers-attention-to-tax-details-matter/

As our older parents age it is harder for them to deal with the financial details of their lives. With the complicated financial products out there and the low-interest rate environment it become...

https://frommtaxes.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/elderly-parents-financial-estate-planning/