CSTC Newsletter

March 2019

In This Issue...

  1. From the President
  2. Register for the 2019 Summer Symposium
  3. March 2019 Chapter Events
  4. News from the IRS
  5. Welcome New CSTC Members
  6. VeriFyle E-Signature
  7. Join CSTC

CSTC Member Benefits

CSTC members have access to benefits such as free payroll processing services for your tax practice, and the opportunity to earn new revenue through their flexible partnership options.

CSTC is pleased to include the VeriFyle ProTM premium secure online document and message sharing service at no cost to CSTC members!

Wolters Kluwer: Discounts on Tax, Accounting & Audit Resources, Software, Information & Services. 

 CSTC members receive the TaxBook WebLibrary at a special price

Other Member Benefits Include:

$ Savings on all Society Educational Events

$ Savings on Contact, Correspondence & Self Study Education

$ Savings with member specialty CSTC Connects (previouslyYellow Pages) list

$ Savings with E & O Insurance, plus specialty coverage relevant to your profession

$ Online CSTC Find-a-Tax Consultant search to help promote your business!

$ CSTC Member Listserv

Office Depot has partnered with us to provide exclusive savings in-store and online, plus fantastic additional benefits. This program is all about providing preferred pricing to our clubs, and the savings extend to almost every item.

Savings include 20% to 55% off item office supply core list, 20% to 55% off retail on cleaning  & break room items, 10% off branded; 20% off private brand  ink & toner core list, Average 10% off  retail on 200 technology core items, Free next-day shipping on orders of $50 or more, and SIGNIFICANT savings on copy & print. Become a CSTC member to sign up for our Office Depot Small Business Savings Program, administered by Excelerate America.


CSTC Mission

CSTC advances professionalism within the tax industry by:

  • Providing quality education
  • Creating networking opportunities
  • Advocating professional standards

 

From the President 

Be Happy Now.

As you read the title of this letter you might have thought, “You’re crazy, it’s tax season”, or “You’re right, I am happy”, or perhaps, “What is he talking about?”. My hope is that you’re at least curious enough to keep reading.

Several years ago I was talking to a neighbor who saw me packing up my camping gear. When my neighbor asked what I was up to, I explained that I was going on a camping trip with a youth group. He asked me, “Why are you doing it? It doesn’t sound like you enjoy it”. His question blew me away. I had no idea that I portrayed a bad attitude about working with a group of young people. The truth is that I love camping trips like the one I was prepping for. That interaction with my neighbor forever changed the way I talk about things that I enjoy. Instead of lamenting the work required to plan, prepare for, and carry-out the trip, I learned to better appreciate it. I learned in a very personal way that things that matter require hard work, that a lot of joy comes from the result of the work, and that I need to reflect that joy in talking to people.

Abraham Lincoln said, “People are just about as happy as they make up their mind to be”, and Earl Nightingale said, “Be happy now. Learn to enjoy every minute of your life”. Much of our happiness and joy can come from appreciating the small things, appreciating the details, or even appreciating the work involved to achieve a desired result. Our happiness is really a factor of how we feel about things and how we react to things. Sometimes we forget why we work and make sacrifices. The reason may be because it gives us freedom to live our lives the way want, the freedom to be able to help others, the freedom to travel, or the freedom to relax and not worry so much about the future.

While listening to a great personal development talk I heard what is now one of my very favorite quotes, “Be cool with the sacrifices you are making” by Michelle Gellan. What a great statement to live by! We all make sacrifices every day. We all need to live with the sacrifices we make, so why not be “cool” or “OK” with them? The saying reminds me that I chose to make the sacrifices I am making and they have gotten me where I am today. It also helps to remember why I made the sacrifices in the first place.

I know you all work very hard all year and especially during tax season. My hope is that you will notice the little things that make you happy and that you will “be cool with the sacrifices that you are making”.  

My association with you has made me a better person because I have been fortunate enough to get to know so many of you who work very hard, have a great attitude about your choices, and enjoy the small things. 


I am thrilled and humbled to be your president for 2019 and promise to do my very best to advance our mission statement of improving the tax industry one professional at a time. I am convinced that, as a group, we can learn more, have more fun, and improve the tax industry.

Be sure to invite your friends and colleagues to our meetings and events this year!

Gary A. Quackenbush, Esq.
President


2019 Summer Symposium
June 9-12 2019
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino

Registration is Open for the 2019 Summer Symposium! 

**Save $20 if you register by March 15, 2019**

Schedule-at-a-Glance

 

Sunday, June 9, 2019

3pm Registration Opens; Exhibitor Set-up
5:20pm-6pm Welcome Reception for First Time Attendees
6pm-9pm Welcome Dinner
This event is family friendly.
(Included with full registration. Guest registration is $40)
 

Monday, June 10, 2019

6:30am-5pm Registration and Exhibits
7:30am-9:00am Session 1: IRS Keynote Presentation and Breakfast
Speaker TBA
9:15am-10:05am Breakout Sessions (all sessions will continue after the break):
  Session 2: 199A - Qualified Business Income Deduction
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
  Session 3: 1031 Exchanges and Their New Counterpart - Opportunity Zones
Ruth Godfrey, EA
  Session 4: Reporting K-1's for Tax
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 5: Toilets, Tenants & Trash: Capital Gains Tax Reduction Strategies
Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
10:05am-10:20am   Break with Exhibitors
10:20am-12:00pm Breakout Sessions (continued from before the break):
  Session 2 Continued: 199A - Qualified Business Income Deduction
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
  Session 3 Continued: 1031 Exchanges and Their New Counterpart - Opportunity Zones
Ruth Godfrey, EA
  Session 4 Continued: Reporting K-1's for Tax
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 5 Continued: Toilets, Tenants & Trash: Capital Gains Tax Reduction Strategies
Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
12:00pm-1:20pm Lunch on own
1:20pm-3:00pm  Breakout Sessions:
  Session 6: California Old School Differences
Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI Fellow
  Session 7: Advanced Schedule C Audits
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
  Session 8: The Sharing Economy
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 9: How to Serve Immigrant Mixed-Status Families
Antonio Martinez, EA
3:00pm-3:20pm Break with Exhibitors
3:20pm-5:00pm Session 10: Cryptocurrency, the IRS, and You
John Miller, EA
  Session 11: Marijuana Taxation in California
William Rogers, MBA, CFP, EA
  Session 12: Dependency in Depth
Shannon Hall, EA
  Session 13: Tax Issues for US Citizens Abroad
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
5:00pm-6:00pm Reception with Exhibitors
6:00pm Evening on Own
 

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

6:30am-5pm  Registration and Exhibits
7:30am-9:00am Session 14: California Keynote Presentation and Breakfast
Speaker TBA
9:00am-9:15am Break
9:15am-10:05am   Breakout Sessions (all sessions will continue after the break):
  Session 15: Appealing Decisions - Audit, OIC, Tax Court, Bankruptcy Court, Federal District Court
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
  Session 16: Everything S-Corp!
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 17: Baby, Oh Baby!
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 18: Engagement Letters
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
10:05am-10:20am Break with Exhibitors
10:20am-12:00pm Breakout Sessions (continued from before the break):
  Session 15 Continued: Appealing Decisions - Audit, OIC, Tax Court, Bankruptcy Court, Federal District Court
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
  Session 16 Continued: Everything S-Corp!
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 17 Continued: Baby, Oh Baby!
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 18 Continued: Engagement Letters
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
12:00pm-1:20 pm Lunch on own
1:20pm-3:00 pm Breakout Sessions:
  Session 19: Passive Activity Loss Limitations
Eugene Ostermiller, EA, NTPI Fellow
  Session 20: What's my Character?
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
  Session 21: Domestic Tax Issues for Non-Resident Aliens
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
  Session 22: The Art and Science of Divorce Taxation in 2019
Armand D'Alo, EA, CFP, CDFA and Robbin D'Alo, EA, CLA, CDFA
3:00pm-3:20pm Break with Exhibitors
3:20pm-5:00pm Session 23: California: Do You see What I CA?
Shannon Hall, EA
  Session 24: Correcting Depreciation - Form 3115 Line-by-Line
Karen Joyner, EA
  Session 25: Residents/Non-Residents
Antonio Martinez, EA
  Session 26: Choice Of Entity. LLC, INC, LP, GP, SP - How To Choose?
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
5:00pm  Evening on Own
 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

6:30am-5pm Registration and Exhibits
7:30am-9:00am  Session 27: Best Practices - Compliance and Documentation Presentation and Breakfast
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
Class to continue after the break
9:00am-9:15am  Break
9:15am-10:05am Session 27 Continued: Best Practices - Compliance and Documentation Presentation and Breakfast
Monica Haven, EA, JD, LLM
10:05am-10:20am Break with Exhibitors
10:20am-12:00pm Breakout Sessions:
  Session 28: Compensatory Stock & LLC Benefits (Options RSU's, ESPP, Etc)
Jane Ryder, EA, CPA
  Session 29: Fresh Starts - Installment Agreement, OIC, Tax Lien Relief, Bankruptcy, Innocent Spouse, Injured Spouse
Gary Quackenbush, Esq
  Session 30: How to Read a Trust
Frank Acuña, Attorney at Law
  Session 31: Tax Penalties & Abatement
LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
12:00pm-1:20pm Lunch on Own
1:20pm-3:00pm Session 32: Stump the Tax Experts
3:00pm-3:20pm Break
3:20pm-5:00pm Session 33: Ethics - What Would You Do?
Claudia Stanley, CPA, EA
5:15pm Grand Prize Drawing

 


 Registration Fees

Category  By 3.15.19 By 4.19.19  After 4.19.19
Members $475   $525 $575
Staff of Members $500   $550 $600
Non-Members $575  $625 $675
Sunday Social Event Guest Tickets  $40  $40 $40


Click here
 to visit the 2019 Summer Symposium page to learn about our topics, speakers, and more!


March 2019 Chapter Events

March 3, 2019
Topic: Whats New in the 2018 Filing Season
San Gabriel Valley Chapter Meeting
2 Federal Law Hours

March 5, 2019
Topic: 2019 Breakfast Meeting
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

Topic: 2019 Breakfast Meeting
Inland Empire Chapter Meeting
No CE Offered

Topic: Roundtable Luncheon
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 7, 2019
Topic: Share and Solve Breakfast Meetings
Temecula Valley Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 10, 2019
Topic: Round Table Discussion
Greater Long Beach Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour
1 Federal Update Hour
1 California Hour

Topic: Round Table Discussion
Central Valley Chapter Meeting
2 Federal Update Hours
1 California Hour

March 12, 2019
Topic: 2019 Breakfast Meeting
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

Topic: Roundtable Luncheon
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 14, 2019
Topic: Share and Solve Breakfast Meetings
Temecula Valley Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 16, 2019
Topic: Roundtable Discussion
San Jose Chapter Meeting
3 Federal Law Hours

March 17, 2019
Topic: Tax Season Sunday Brunch
Orange County Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 19, 2019
Topic: 2019 Breakfast Meeting
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

Topic: 2019 Breakfast Meeting
Inland Empire Chapter Meeting
No CE Offered

Topic: Roundtable Luncheon
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 21, 2019
Topic: Share and Solve Breakfast Meetings
Temecula Valley Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 24, 2019
Topic: Round Table Discussion
Greater Long Beach Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour
1 Federal Update Hour
1 California Hour

March 26, 2019
Topic: 2019 Breakfast Meeting
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

Topic: Roundtable Luncheon
North County San Diego Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

March 28, 2019
Topic: Share and Solve Breakfast Meetings
Temecula Valley Chapter Meeting
1 Federal Law Hour

Click here to view the CSTC calendar.


February 28, 2019
IRS waives estimated tax penalty for farmers, fishermen who file returns and pay tax by April 15

IR-2019-28

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service will waive the estimated tax penalty for any qualifying farmer or fisherman who files his or her 2018 federal income tax return and pays any tax due by Monday, April 15, 2019. The deadline is Wednesday, April 17, 2019, for taxpayers residing in Maine or Massachusetts. 

The IRS is providing this relief because, due to certain rule changes, many farmers and fishermen may have difficulty accurately determining their tax liability by the March 1 deadline that usually applies to them. For tax year 2018, an individual who received at least two-thirds of his or her total gross income from farming or fishing during either 2017 or 2018 qualifies as a farmer or fisherman.

To be eligible for the waiver, qualifying taxpayers must attach Form 2210-F, available on IRS.gov, to their 2018 income tax return. This form can be submitted either electronically or on paper. The taxpayer’s name and identifying number, usually a Social Security number, must be entered at the top of the form. The waiver box—Part I, Box A—should be checked. The rest of the form should be left blank. 

Click here for Notice 2019-17, which announces a waiver of the addition to tax under section 6654 for underpayment of estimated income tax by qualifying farmers and fishermen for the 2018 tax year.  This addition to tax is waived for any qualifying farmer or fisherman who, by the normal deadline for filing the 2018 federal income tax return (April 15, 2019 for most taxpayers), files his or her 2018 federal income tax return, attaches a specified waiver form to the return, and pays in full any tax reported on the return as payable.

Further details can be found in Notice 2019-17, posted today on IRS.gov


February 26, 2019 - Publication 1/2
Tax Time Guide: Most people affected by major tax reform changes; Special publication, other online resources can help     

IRS YouTube Videos:

Message to Taxpayers -- English
Mortgage Interest Deduction -- English | Spanish
Itemized Deductions Changes – English 

IR-2019-22

WASHINGTON –– With major tax law changes impacting every taxpayer, the Internal Revenue Service has developed a special electronic publication and other online resources designed to help people understand how tax reform affects them this year and the years ahead.

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.

Last fall, the IRS released an online publication, called Tax Reform: Basics for Individuals and Families. Available at IRS.gov/getreadyPublication 5307  provides an overview of these and other key changes affecting tax returns:

  • Tax rates lowered. Starting in 2018, there are seven income tax brackets, ranging from 10 percent to 37 percent.
  • Standard deduction nearly doubled over last year. For 2018, the basic standard deduction is $12,000 for singles, $18,000 for heads of household and $24,000 for married couples filing a joint tax return. Higher amounts apply to people who are blind or filers who are at least age 65. The increased standard deduction, coupled with other changes, mean that more than half of those who itemized their deductions – for mortgage interest, charitable contributions and state and local taxes – in tax year 2017 may instead take the higher standard deduction in 2018, according to IRS projections.
  • Various deductions limited or discontinued. For example, the state and local tax deduction is limited to $10,000, $5,000 if married and filing a separate return, and new limits apply to mortgage interest. In addition, the miscellaneous itemized deduction for job-related costs and certain other expenses is not available.
  • Child Tax Credit doubled, and more people now qualify. The maximum credit is now $2,000 for each qualifying child under age 17. In addition, the income limit for getting the full credit is $400,000 for joint filers and $200,000 for other taxpayers.
  • New credit for other dependents. A $500 credit is available for each dependent who does not qualify for the Child Tax Credit. This includes older children and qualifying relatives, such as a parent.
  • Personal and dependency exemptions suspended. This means that an exemption can no longer be claimed for a tax filer, spouse and dependents.

Another helpful resource is the newly-revised edition of Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, the agency’s comprehensive tax guide for individual taxpayers. Besides providing further details on each of these changes, this publication is also packed with tax-filing information and tips on a wide variety of topics, ranging from what income needs to be reported and how to report it, to claiming dependents and using IRAs to save for retirement.

Publications 17 and 5307 are just two of many helpful resources available at no charge on IRS.gov. Among other things, people can find answers to their tax questions and ways to resolve tax issues online. The Let Us Help You page helps answer most questions, and the IRS Services Guide links to these and other IRS services. The IRS TaxMap can also be used to find answers to tax questions. IRS.gov/TaxMap searches Publication 17 and all other publications, instructions, and web pages on IRS.gov for content on the searched topic.

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 from the convenience of home or office.

More resources:

  • FS-2019-2; Be Tax Ready – understanding tax reform changes affecting individuals and families


February 26, 2019 - Publication 2/2
Be Tax Ready – understanding tax reform changes affecting individuals and families

FS-2019-2, February 2019

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), enacted in late 2017, produced the most sweeping tax law change in more than 30 years. The TCJA, often referred to as tax reform, affects nearly every taxpayer — and the 2018 federal return they’ll file in 2019.

For taxpayers preparing to file their 2018 tax return or getting ready to meet with their tax professional, understanding the changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act can help them “Be Tax Ready.” More information is available in IRS Publication 5307, Tax Reform Basics for Individuals and Families.

Federal income tax withholding changes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the way taxable income is calculated and reduced the tax rates on that income. The IRS issued new 2018 withholding tables last year to reflect these changes. Since taxpayers need to pay most of their tax during the year, as income is earned or received, the tables show payroll service providers and employers how much tax to withhold from employee paychecks.

Most taxpayers probably started seeing withholding changes in their paychecks early in 2018. IRS encouraged taxpayers throughout 2018 to use the IRS Withholding Calculator to perform a Paycheck Checkup and adjust their tax withholding by filing Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, with their employer if too much or too little tax was being withheld for the year. Taxpayers can also make estimated or additional tax payments to avoid an unexpected tax bill and possibly a penalty.

Taxpayers who pay too much tax during the year will claim a credit or refund for the overpayment while those who have too little tax, either through withholding or paid through estimated payments, may owe tax.

Taxpayers should review their tax withholding in 2019 and make any adjustments with their employer as early in the year as possible. This can help protect against having too little tax withheld and facing a lower refund or unexpected tax bill and even a penalty next year.

In addition to lowering the tax rates, other changes in the law that affect taxpayers and their families include suspending personal exemptions, increasing the standard deduction, increasing the child tax credit, and limiting or discontinuing certain deductions.

Deduction for personal exemptions suspended

For 2018, taxpayers can’t claim a personal exemption deduction for themselves, their spouse or dependents. This means that taxpayers will not be able to reduce income subject to tax by an exemption amount for each person included on their tax return as they have in previous years. However, changes to the standard deduction amount and child tax credit may offset at least part of this change for most families and, in some cases, may result in a larger refund.

Standard deduction nearly doubled

The standard deduction is a dollar amount that reduces the income on which a taxpayer is taxed. It varies by filing status. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled standard deductions.

Starting in 2018, the standard deduction for each filing status is:

Single....................................................................$12,000........(up from $6,350 in 2017)

Married filing jointly. Qualifying widow(er)...........$24,000........(up from $12,700 in 2017)

Married filing separately........................................$12,000........(up from $6,350 in 2017)

Head of household...............................................$18,000........(up from $9,350 in 2017)

The amounts are higher for taxpayers who are blind or over age 65. 

More than nine out of 10 taxpayers use tax software or a paid preparer to file their taxes. Generally, taxpayers answer a series of questions in an interview format and the software or preparer chooses the best option (standard deduction or itemized deductions) for them. The new tax law hasn’t changed this process and the IRS has worked extensively with software developers and tax preparers to ensure that they are prepared to help.

Itemized deductions modified or discontinued

Almost everyone who usually itemizes deductions filing Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, is affected by changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Many individuals who itemized last year may now find it more beneficial to take the now higher standard deduction - and may have a simpler time filing their taxes.

Deduction for state and local income, sales and property taxes modified. A taxpayer’s deduction for state and local income, sales and property taxes is limited to a combined, total deduction of $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately). Anything above this amount is not deductible.

Deduction for home equity interest modified. Interest paid on most home equity loans is not deductible unless the interest is paid on loan proceeds used to buy, build or substantially improve a main home or second home. For example, interest on a home equity loan used to build an addition to an existing home is typically deductible, while interest on the same loan used to pay personal living expenses, such as credit card debts, is not.

Deduction for casualty and theft losses modified. A taxpayer’s net personal casualty and theft losses must now be attributable to a federally declared disaster to be deductible.

Miscellaneous itemized deductions suspended. Previously, when a taxpayer itemized, they could deduct the amount of their miscellaneous itemized deductions that exceeded 2 percent of their adjusted gross income. These expenses are no longer deductible. This includes unreimbursed employee expenses such as uniforms, union dues and the deduction for business-related meals, entertainment and travel. It also includes deductions for tax preparation fees and investment expenses.

See the 2018 Instructions for Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, and Publication 5307 for other itemized deduction changes not listed here.

Benefits for dependents expanded or changed

Child tax credit and additional child tax credit. More families with children under 17 now qualify for a larger child tax credit. For 2018, the maximum credit increased to $2,000 per qualifying child. Up to $1,400 of the credit can be refundable for each qualifying child as the additional child tax credit. In addition, the income threshold at which the child tax credit begins to phase out is increased to $200,000 ($400,000 if married filing jointly).

Beginning with tax year 2018, a child must have a Social Security number issued by the Social Security Administration before the due date of the tax return (including extensions) to be claimed as a qualifying child for the child tax credit or additional child tax credit. Children with an ITIN can’t be claimed for either credit.

Credit for other dependents. A new credit of up to $500 is available for qualifying dependents other than children who can be claimed for the child tax credit. This means that a taxpayer may be able to claim this credit for children age 17 or over, including college students, children with ITINs, or other older relatives in the household. The qualifying dependent must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien. The credit is calculated with the child tax credit in the form instructions. The total of both credits is subject to a single phase-out when adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 ($400,000 if married filing jointly). 

See 2018 Publication 972, Child Tax Credit, for more information. 

Deduction and exclusion for moving expenses suspended

The deduction for moving expenses is suspended. During the suspension, no deduction is allowed for use of an automobile as part of a move. Also, employers will include moving expense reimbursements as taxable income in the employees’ wages because the new law suspends the former exclusion from income for qualified moving expense reimbursements from an employer. These changes do not apply to members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty.

Alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amount increased

The AMT exemption amount is increased to $70,300 ($109,400 if married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er); $54,700 if married filing separately). The income level at which the AMT exemption begins to phase out has increased to $500,000 ($1 million if married filing jointly). See the 2018 Instructions for Form 6251, Alternative Minimum Tax – Individuals for more information.

Reporting 2018 health care coverage

Taxpayers must continue to report coverage, qualify for an exemption, or report an individual shared responsibility payment for tax year 2018. Most taxpayers have qualifying health coverage or a coverage exemption for all 12 months in the year and will check the box on the front of their tax return. For tax year 2018, the IRS will not consider a return complete and accurate if a taxpayer does not report full-year coverage, claim a coverage exemption, or report a shared responsibility payment on the tax return. Taxpayers remain obligated to follow the law and pay what they may owe at the point of filing.

The shared responsibility payment is reduced to zero under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for tax year 2019 and all subsequent years. See IRS.gov/aca for more information.

Retirement plans

Recharacterization of a Roth conversion. Individuals can no longer recharacterize a conversion from a traditional IRA, SEP or SIMPLE to a Roth IRA. The new law also prohibits recharacterizing amounts rolled over to a Roth IRA from other retirement plans, such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans. A regular contribution made to a Roth IRA or to a traditional IRA is still treated as having been made to the other type of IRA. See IRA FAQS – Recharacterization of IRA Contributions and IRS.gov/taxreform for more information.

Plan loans to an employee that leaves employment. If a taxpayer terminates employment (or if the plan is terminated) with an outstanding plan loan, a plan sponsor may offset that person’s account balance with the outstanding balance of the loan. If a plan loan is offset, a taxpayer has until the due date, including extensions, to rollover the loan balance to an IRA or eligible retirement plan. See Retirement Plans FAQs regarding Loans and IRS.gov/taxreform for more information.

Disaster relief. Laws enacted in 2017 and 2018 make it easier for retirement plan participants to access their retirement plan funds to recover from disaster losses incurred in federally declared disaster areas in 2016, 2017 and 2018. See the Disaster Relief for Retirement Plans and IRAs page for more information.

529 plans and ABLE accounts

ABLE accounts and rollovers from a 529 plan. The TCJA increases the amount of contributions allowed to an ABLE account and adds special rules for the increased contribution limit. It also allows an ABLE account’s designated beneficiary to claim the Saver's Credit for contributions to the account. Rollovers in limited amounts are now allowed from a 529 qualified tuition program account of the designated beneficiary to the ABLE account of the designated beneficiary or his or her family member. For more information on ABLE accounts, see Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities.

529 plans and K-12 education. TCJA expands the type of education for which a taxpayer can use 529 plan funds. The new law allows distributions from 529 plans to be used to pay up to a total of $10,000 of tuition per beneficiary (regardless of the number of contributing plans) each year at an elementary or secondary (K-12) public, private or religious school of the beneficiary’s choosing. For more information, see Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.

Changes affecting small business taxpayers

Qualified business income deduction

Many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts and S corporations may deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income. The new deduction -- referred to as the Section 199A deduction or the qualified business income deduction -- is available for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017. Eligible taxpayers can claim it for the first time on the 2018 tax return they file in 2019. A set of FAQs provides more information on the deduction, income and other limitations.

Changes to depreciation and expensing for businesses

The Tax Cuts and Job Act changed some laws regarding depreciation and expensing that can affect a business’s tax situation. Businesses can immediately expense more under the new law. There is a temporary 100 percent expensing for certain business assets. There are also changes to depreciation limitations on luxury automobiles and personal use property. More details are in FS-2018-9, New rules and limitations for depreciation and expensing under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Publication 5318, Tax Reform: What’s New for Your Business, provides information about changes to deductions, depreciation, expensing, credits, fringe benefits and other items that may affect businesses.


February 25, 2019
IRS Resources for Taxpayers for the 2019 Filing Season, IRS Resources for Tax Professionals

Click here to view the IRS Resources for Taxpayers
Click here to view the IRS Resources for Tax Professionals


February 7, 2019
IRS: Don’t be victim to a ‘ghost’ tax return preparer

IR-2019-09

WASHINGTON – Today, towards the end of the second full week of the 2019 tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers to avoid unethical tax return preparers, known as ghost preparers.

By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or assist in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid 2019 Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign the return and include their PTIN.

But ‘ghost’ preparers do not sign the return. Instead, they print the return and tell the taxpayer to sign and mail it to the IRS. Or, for e-filed returns, they prepare but refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer.          

According to the IRS, similar to other tax preparation schemes, dishonest and unscrupulous ghost tax return preparers look to make a fast buck by promising a big refund or charging fees based on a percentage of the refund. These scammers hurt honest taxpayers who are simply trying to do the right thing and file a legitimate tax return.

Ghost tax return preparers may also:

  • Require payment in cash only and not provide a receipt.
  • Invent income to erroneously qualify their clients for tax credits or claim fake deductions to boost their refunds.
  • Direct refunds into their own bank account rather than the taxpayer’s account. 

The IRS urges taxpayers to review their tax return carefully before signing and ask questions if something is not clear. And for any direct deposit refund, taxpayers should make sure both the routing and bank account number on the completed tax return are correct. 

The IRS offers tips to help taxpayers choose a tax return preparer wisely. The Choosing a Tax Professional page has information about tax preparer credentials and qualifications. The IRS Directoryof Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification.

Taxpayers can report abusive tax preparers to the IRS. Use Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If a taxpayer suspects a tax preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit.


 Welcome New CSTC Members!

Please help us in joining our newest CSTC Members!

Carlos Ausejo
San Francisco Bay Chapter

Lisa Baketa
San Francisco Bay Chapter

Janice Brown
North County San Diego Chapter

Lola Green
Inland Empire Chapter

Anne Ray
North County San Diego Chapter

Eva Rosenberg
Los Angeles Chapter

Ian Teh
San Francisco Bay Chapter

Luz Valdivia
San Francisco Bay Chapter

Richard Vanier
San Francisco Bay Chapter

Karen Vanier
San Francisco Bay Chapter


 



It's Your Time to Sign!

VeriFyle Pro users and their Guests now have the ability to add electronic signatures to documents without leaving the VeriFyle system.

This new feature, which can be used in compliance with ESign, UETA and the IRS guidance for electronic signatures for forms 8878 and 8879, is available without restriction to all VeriFyle Pro subscribers (just $9 per month).

To upgrade your account to Pro, just login to VeriFyle, click the "Account" button in the upper right corner of your VeriFyle homescreen and then click the "Upgrade" button. 

You can also watch a short video on how to use digital signatures in VeriFyle here.


 

Join the California Society of Tax Consultants!

Click here to fill out an online application.

CSTC advances professionalism within the tax industry by:

  • Providing quality education
  • Creating networking opportunities
  • Advocating professional standards

California Society of Tax Consultants | 320 Pine Ave, Suite #1050, Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone (949) 715-4192 | [email protected]