TAX SEASON: Planning and Preparation for Doctors

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

By Staff Reporters

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DEFINITION: Tax season is the period of time, generally between January 1st and April 15th of each year, when individual taxpayers prepare to report their taxable income to the federal government and, in most cases, to the government of the state in which they live.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource

Some Year-End Preparation for the Upcoming Tax Filing Season

The filing season for 2023 tax returns us now upon us. A little advance preparation can prevent stressful tax time surprises for doctors and all medical professionals. Here are some important steps you can take now to set yourself up for worry-free tax filing:

  • Do one last withholding checkup. Time is running out to adjust your paycheck withholding to make sure you have paid enough tax throughout 2023. You can use the online IRS Withholding Estimator tool to make sure your numbers are on track.
  • If your name changed in 2023, report the change to the Social Security Administration as soon as possible, preferably before the end of the year.
  • Locate your bank account information, including both your account number and the bank routing number, so you can receive your tax refund by direct deposit.
  • Watch for year-end income statements, especially in late January and early February. These statements may include W-2 forms, along with 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, 1099-G and other 1099 forms. Note that some of these forms may come by mail, while others may be sent to you electronically. Keep all of the forms together and organized.
  • Organize records for tax deductions and credits. These records may include Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement), tuition statements (Form 1098-T), medical bills, mortgage interest statements, and home energy improvement or clean vehicle receipts or invoices.

Waiting until the last minute to try to assemble these documents can lead to missing the filing deadline, so start early.

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Two Vital IRS Audit Flags for Physicians

Posted on October 17, 2021 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

For Doctors and all Investors

By Hayden Adams

Image result for irs

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Red Flag #1: Under reporting income

Generally speaking, all income is taxable unless it’s specifically excluded, as is the case with certain gifts and inheritances. In most instances, the income you earn will be reported to both you and the government on an information return, such as a Form 1099 or W-2. If the income you report doesn’t match the IRS’s records, you could face problems down the road—so be sure you include the income from all of the following forms that are applicable to your situation:

  • 1099-B: The form on which financial institutions report capital gains.
  • 1099-DIV: The form on which financial institutions report dividends.
  • 1099-MISC: The form used to report various types of income, such as royalties, rents, payments to independent contractors, and numerous other types of income.
  • 1099-R:The form on which financial institutions report withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
  • Form 1099-INT: The form on which financial institutions report interest income.
  • Form SSA-1099:The form on which the Social Security Administration reports Social Security benefits (a portion of which may be taxable, depending on your level of income).
  • Form W-2:The form on which employers report total annual compensation, payroll taxes, contributions to retirement accounts, and other information.

If you receive an inaccurate statement of income, immediately contact the responsible party to request a corrected form and have them resend the documents to both you and the IRS as soon as possible to avoid delaying your tax return. Also, be aware that you must report income for which there is no form, such as renting out your vacation home.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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Red Flag #2: Misreporting investment gains

When you sell an investment, you’ll need to know both the cost basis (what you paid for the investment) and the sale price to determine your net gain or loss. The cost basis of your investment may need to be adjusted to account for commissions, fees, stock splits, or other events, which could help reduce your taxable gain or increase your net loss.

Financial institutions are required to adjust your investments’ cost basis and provide that information on a Form 1099. However, brokerages aren’t required to report the cost basis for investments purchased prior to a certain date, which means you’ll be responsible for supplying that information (see the table below). Be sure to keep records of all investment purchases and sales—even those for which your brokerage is responsible.

Your reporting responsibility

Depending on security type and date of purchase, you—rather than your brokerage—could be responsible for reporting the cost basis of your investment to the IRS.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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Security typeInvestor’s responsibility if
Stocks (including real estate investment trusts)Acquired before 01/01/2011
Mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and dividend reinvestment plansAcquired before 01/01/2012
Other specified securities, including most bonds, derivatives, and options

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End of Year Tax Giving Tips for Charitable Giving

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

On IRS published IR-2011-18

By Children’s Home Society of Florida Foundation

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On December 14, 2011, the IRS published IR-2011-18 and suggested a number of tax tips for end-of-year charitable giving. These included several specific recommendations.

1. IRA Rollover – For individuals age 70½ and older who are IRA owners, they may have their IRA custodian make a direct transfer to qualified charities of up to $100,000. These direct transfers may fulfill part or all of the required minimum distribution for this year.

2. Clothing and Household Goods – Deductions for gifts of clothing and household goods are permitted if they are in “good used condition or better.” A gift item that has a value over $500 may be of a different quality, provided that there is an appraisal.

3. Gifts of Money – All gifts of money must be documented through a bank record or receipt. The gift should show the date, amount of the gift and the name of the charitable organization. Bank records may include a cancelled check, a bank statement or a credit card statement. Gifts may also be made through payroll deductions. In this case, the taxpayer should retain a pay stub, Form W-2 or a pledge card that shows the amount, the date of the gift and the name of the charity. If the gift is $250 or more, a contemporaneous written acknowledgement from the charity is required. This receipt must be in the taxpayer’s possession on the date of filing his or her tax return.

4. Timing – A contribution is deductible in the year when it is given. Credit card contributions may be made through December 31st, 2011. Similarly, checks that are sent through U.S. mail by December 31 are deductible if they clear in the normal course.

5. Charities – Deductions are only permitted for gifts to qualified charities. IRS Publication 78 is available on http://www.irs.gov and lists the qualified charitable organizations.

6. Itemized Deductions – Individuals who wish to claim their charitable gifts will need to itemize deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040. Normally, a taxpayer will itemize only if his or her charitable gifts, state and local taxes, mortgage interest and other deductions are larger than the standard deduction.

7. Clothing and Household Item Receipts – The taxpayer should obtain a receipt from the charity. It must list the name of the charity, the date of the gift and a reasonably-detailed description of the gift items.

8. Boat, RV or Car – The gift is usually limited to the gross proceeds from sale if the vehicle is valued at over $500. The charity will send IRS Form 1098-C to the taxpayer and this should be attached to Form 1040.

Conclusion

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