Blog

Uncategorized

Lifting Your Financial Stress!

‘Mkono wa serikali ni mrefu’ is a Swahili saying that means the governments’ hand is long.

1️⃣ If you have unfiled tax returns, let’s strike up a conversation.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE! There is a three year statute of limitations on refunds and after it runs out, any refund due is forfeited.

2️⃣ If you have W2s it doesn’t always mean you will owe taxes, you have up to three years to claim your refund. This statute is three years from the due date of the tax return.

3️⃣ If you have back taxes owed, I can facilitate an IRS resolution via installment or relief plans.

4️⃣ If your books are not in order, I provide both accounting and bookkeeping services as well as audit compliance support.

Filing is required when a taxpayer owes a penalty, even though the taxpayer’s income is below the filing threshold. Such as early withdrawal penalty or the 50% penalty for not taking a required IRA distribution.

5️⃣ If you do not have income to report or don’t want to file a return, I highly recommend you file one to get a refund of any federal income tax withheld. You may also be eligible for a refund from any of the following credits.

  • Withholding refund – A substantial number of taxpayers fail to file their return even when the tax they owe is less than their prepayments, such as payroll withholding, estimates, or a prior overpayment. The only way to recover the excess is to file a return.
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – If you worked and did not make a lot of money, you may qualify for the EITC. The EITC is a refundable tax credit, which means you could qualify for a tax refund. The refund could be as high as several thousand dollars even when you are not required to file.
  • Child Tax Credit – This is a $2,000 credit for each qualifying child, a portion of which may be refundable for lower income taxpayers, and phases out for higher income taxpayers.
  • American Opportunity Credit – The maximum for this credit for college tuition paid per student is $2,500, and the first four years of postsecondary education qualify. Up to 40% of the credit is refundable when you have no tax liability, even if you are not required to file.
  • Premium Tax Credit – Lower-income families are entitled to a refundable tax credit to supplement the cost of health insurance purchased through a government Marketplace. To the extent the credit is greater than the supplement provided by the Marketplace, it is refundable even if there is no other reason to file.
  • Credit for federal tax on fuels.
  • Health coverage tax credit.

The government and financial institutions are waiting for you to need something from them, so that they can teach and show you how long their hands really are – the long arm of the law.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE! Don’t be a victim, I can lift your financial stress!
 
If you’d like to receive more information about our services, please call us 470-312-7693 or contact us at caroline@carokimcpaconsulting.com
 

82578601_2204561086519225_429735156119502848_o

2025 Tax Facts

2024 Tax Facts

Uncategorized

2024 Rental Income and Expenses

Hey there, all you awesome landlords and ladies,

Below are a few IRS tax nuggets to munch on as the year progresses.

Types of Rental Expenses

Listed below are the most common rental expenses to keep track of monthly or quarterly.

  • Advertising.
  • Auto and travel expenses.
  • Cleaning and maintenance.
  • Commissions.
  • Depreciation.
  • Insurance.
  • Interest (other).
  • Legal and other professional fees.
  • Local transportation expenses.
  • Management fees.
  • Mortgage interest paid to banks, etc.
  • Points.
  • Rental payments.
  • Repairs.
  • Taxes.
  • Utilities.

Examples of Improvements

Capital Improvement Depreciation. An expense that is not for repairing or maintaining your rental property is required to be capitalized.

Additions
Bedroom
Bathroom
Deck
Garage
Porch
Patio

Lawn & Grounds
Landscaping
Driveway
Walkway
Fence
Retaining wall
Sprinkler system
Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
Storm windows, doors
New roof
Central vacuum
Wiring upgrades
Satellite dish
Security system

Heating & Air Conditioning
Heating system
Central air conditioning
Furnace
Duct work
Central humidifier
Filtration system
Plumbing
Septic system
Water heater
Soft water system
Filtration system

Interior Improvements
Built-in appliances
Kitchen modernization
Flooring
Wall-to-wall carpeting

Insulation
Attic
Walls, floor
Pipes, duct work

Additional IRS guidelines regarding rental property can be found here: Publication 527 (2023), Residential Rental Property | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov)

  • Repairs and Improvements – Improvements, Betterments, Restoration, Adaptation, De minimis safe harbor for tangible property, Safe harbor for routine maintenance.
  • Depreciation methods of Rental Property – MACRS Recovery Periods for Property Used in Rental Activities, Section 179 Deduction for Appliances and Furnishings.
  • Reporting Rental Income, Expenses, and Losses – Schedule E, Schedule C, Qualified Joint Venture (QJV), 1065
  • Property Changed to Rental Use
  • Renting Part of Property
  • Not Rented for Profit
  • Personal Use of Dwelling Unit (Including Vacation Home)
  • Casualty Loss Deduction

2024 Rental AOBs

  1. Property tax season is upon us, remember you can appeal and protest rental property tax assessment increases based on reasonable valuations and comparisons. 
  2. Actively participate in the rental in 2024, you may qualify as a Real Estate Professional. This means that nonpassive income or losses are allowed, including any unallowed loss from these activities from an earlier year when you didn’t qualify.
  3. Selling, buying or inheriting rental property in 2024, it is recommended you consult a tax attorney or QI before increasing your rental portfolio or selling your rental property to understand capital gains, depreciation recapture, other alternative options such as 1031 Exchanges, self-directed Roth IRA rentals and other proper rental planning strategies.

Rental property income and expense tracking will be made easier with a multiple tracker – to request an excel copy, kindly email caroline@carokimcpaconsulting.com.