Federal and State Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extensions

For the Federal government and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the tax filing deadline and the corresponding payment for 2019 balances due and estimated taxes has been extended to July 15, but other states may or may not follow the July 15 date. This may impact the timing of your tax filing or extension if you do business … Read more

Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Highlights

President Trump has signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Among other things, the new law temporarily requires certain employers to provide expanded paid sick and family leave for employees affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Employers’ increased costs will be offset by new tax credits, which also may be available to self-employed … Read more

Tax Relief for Small Businesses – COVID-19

Businesses across the country are being affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Fortunately, Congress recently passed a law that provides at least some relief. In a separate development, the IRS has issued guidance allowing taxpayers to defer any amount of federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or … Read more

Tax Payment Deadline Extended; Taxes Must Still Be Filed by April 15

Editor’s Note: Although the tax payment deadline has been extended, the April 15 filing deadline remains. The AICPA is pressing for relief on the April 15 filing deadline. The situation will likely continue to evolve and H2R CPA will monitor and evaluate the next steps. The majority of the states will likely follow the direction … Read more

Coronavirus Relief – House Passes Bill, Senate Expected to Act Soon

Several arms of the federal government have taken, or are weighing, significant steps to help the country deal with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the implications for individuals and businesses. On March 14, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan 110-page bill that has received support from President Trump and, as … Read more

Electing S Corporation Status – Key Considerations

Operating a business as an S corporation may provide many advantages, including limited liability for owners and no double taxation (at least at the federal level). Self-employed people may also be able to lower their exposure to Social Security and Medicare taxes if they structure their businesses as S corps for federal tax purposes. But … Read more

Gift and estate tax returns: What you need to know

by H2R CPA Team ​ Have you made substantial gifts of wealth to family members? Or are you the executor of the estate of a loved one who died recently? If so, you need to know whether you must file a gift or estate tax return. Filing a gift tax return Generally, a federal gift … Read more

ESOPs can benefit retirement and estate plans for business owners

by H2R CPA Team Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) offer closely held business owners an exit strategy and a tax-efficient technique for sharing equity with employees. But did you know that an ESOP can be a powerful estate planning tool? It can help you address several planning challenges, including lack of liquidity and the need … Read more

Additional QBI deduction guidance provided by IRS

by H2R CPA Team ​When President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in December 2017, much was made of the dramatic cut in corporate tax rates. But the TCJA also includes a generous deduction for smaller businesses that operate as pass-through entities, with income that is “passed through” to owners … Read more

Underpayment tax penalties waived for 2018

by H2R CPA Team The IRS has some good news for certain taxpayers — it’s waiving underpayment penalties for those whose 2018 federal income tax withholding and estimated tax payments came in under their actual tax liabilities for the year. The waiver recognizes that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s (TCJA’s) overhaul of the federal … Read more