Tax Strategist: Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010

The recently enacted Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 is a sweeping tax package that includes, among many other items, an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for two years, estate tax relief, a two-year patch of the alternative minimum tax (AMT), a two-percentage-point cut in employee-paid payroll taxes and in self-employment tax for 2011, new incentives to invest in machinery and equipment, and a host of retroactively resuscitated and extended tax breaks for individuals and businesses.

Independent Contractors—How to Classify Workers

If you hire contractors for your business, you should review the list of determining factors provided by the IRS to help you classify workers either as employees or independent contractors. When reviewing the checklist, the IRS will make its decision on the whole picture of the professional relationship, not just a single factor. For more information on classifying workers, read this C.P.A. Insight.

Qualified Long-Term Care Insurance—An Available Option for Employer-Provided Health Plans

Those who are self-employed, partners in a partnership or LLC and 2% or more shareholders in an S corporation can likely add a tax deductible long-term care insurance policies to their health insurance benefits program. For more information on the IRS’ requirements for the policy to be qualified for favorable tax treatment, read this C.P.A. Insight.

To Amend or Not to Amend

You filed your tax return, but you found an income statement you forgot to include. Your situation need not be a nightmare. You simply need to file a 1040x, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This form will allow you to amend your both your income and deductions. For more information on when to file an amended return, read this C.P.A. Insight.