All New Jersey employers received this week a Notice of Employer Contribution Rates. It clearly states, “This is not a bill”, but rather a summary of the manner in which the NJ Department of Labor calculates your employer contribution rate for unemployment and disability. Furthermore, this form enables you to determine whether a voluntary contribution would save you, or your clients, money in the subsequent year. A voluntary contribution increases the reserve balance and may reduce your contribution rate. [Read more…] about Reduce your NJ Unemployment Rates!
NJ Office of Taxpayer Advocate Taking Sales & Use Tax Cases
Beginning, Aug. 1, 2011, the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate (OTA) will start considering cases involving sales and use tax. Previously, the OTA had only considered cases that involved gross income tax. To be deemed eligible for OTA assistance, the following conditions must be met:
- You face a threat of immediate adverse action for a disputed liability, or believe that you did not receive adequate notification of the Division’s actions or that the Division’s actions are unwarranted, unfair, or illegal.
- You have experienced a delay of more than 120 days to resolve a tax account problem or in receiving a response to an inquiry to the Division.
- You are experiencing undue hardship or are about to experience undue hardship, which is defined as undue economic harm resulting from the way in which the tax laws, regulations or policies are being administered by the Division of Taxation. Personal or economic inconvenience is not considered undue hardship. [Read more…] about NJ Office of Taxpayer Advocate Taking Sales & Use Tax Cases
Judge Invalidates Tax-Affecting in Estate Business Valuation
Estate of Gallagher V. Commissioner
A recent decision from the U.S. Tax court tackles a myriad of issues pertaining to private company appraisal, most notably the issue of tax-affecting. The case involves the business valuation of a decedent’s minority interest in a privately held newspaper publishing company. The taxpayer’s expert made tax affected adjustments by assuming a 39-percent income tax rate in calculating the company’s future cash flows before discounting the company’s future earnings to their present value. He also assumed a 40 percent marginal tax rate in calculating the applicable discount rate. [Read more…] about Judge Invalidates Tax-Affecting in Estate Business Valuation
Estate Deduction for Caretaker Expense Disallowed by IRS
Estate of Emilia W. Olivo
In a recent estate case, the US Tax Court held that an unrecorded caretaker expense was not deductable from the estate. Mr. Olivia had taken care of Emilia Olivo, his elderly mother, who had numerous health issues and required assistance in the performance of daily tasks for about ten years until her death in April, 2003. Mr. Oliver subsequently became the estate administrator and claimed a deduction of $1,240,000 as a debt that the estate owed him for the care he provided. According to his testimony, his mother agreed to pay him $400 per day with payment deferred until after her death. Mr. Oliver failed, however, to record the agreement in writing, and the deduction was therefore disallowed by the Court. [Read more…] about Estate Deduction for Caretaker Expense Disallowed by IRS
NJ Fraud Case Highlights Importance of Internal Control
On Tuesday, July 12th, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Kathleen Baker, a former office manager at Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf (a real-estate partnership in Lakewood) has admitted to embezzling $1.14 million over six years. Prosecutors say that Baker created a fictitious company (also known as a “straw man” company) called “Corporate Solutions,” and directed funds to a bank account under its name. The money was subsequently used to pay off her credit card bills and personal debts. Baker faces up to 20 years in prison. [Read more…] about NJ Fraud Case Highlights Importance of Internal Control
Dementia Caregiver Expenses Tax Deductable!
Dementia: A Growing Challenge
8 million Americans currently exhibit some signs of dementia and this population is steadily increasing. Eventually, few people will be spared the challenge of caring for a relative with this disease. In many cases, a physician may determine that the patient requires 24 hour supervision. If no relative or friend can provide the required supervision, it can result in considerable caregiver expenses. Often, people will hire unlicensed caregivers to minimize this cost. In a recent Tax Court case, the issue presented was whether or not these expenses are deductible for income tax purposes. [Read more…] about Dementia Caregiver Expenses Tax Deductable!