Thomas D. Carter, CPA

Late Summer Tax Checkup – Did You Know?

Every year, millions of Americans face the disappointment of an unexpectedly large tax bill in the spring. Often, those bills occur because people did not adequately plan for the tax impacts of their activities the previous summer. A late summer or early fall tax checkup can help you stay up to date with your payments, protecting you from disheartening April surprises.

Here are some key questions to consider when reviewing your tax situation:
- Did you take on a seasonal or part-time job for the summer?
- Did you earn summer income as a gig worker, freelancer or independent contractor?
- Did you receive other income not subject to tax withholding, such as interest or dividends?
- Did you sell valuable assets like antiques, cryptocurrency, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, stocks or musical instruments at a gain?
- Did your tax filing status change (for example, because you got married)?

Any of these circumstances could result in your regular paycheck withholding being insufficient to cover your tax obligations. You can use the IRS Withholding Estimator tool (link below) to check whether your payments are staying on track. If not, you may need to submit a new Form W-4 to your employer to request extra withholding, or make quarterly estimated tax payments. A tax professional can help you analyze your tax circumstances now, so you can make the right moves to bring about a favorable outcome later.

IRS Withholding Estimator: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

Summer Day Camp Expenses May Be Eligible for a Tax Credit – Did You Know?

Parents who paid for their children under the age of 13 to attend summer day camps may qualify to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on their 2024 tax returns. This credit provides assistance for parents who pay care expenses for a qualifying child so that they can work or seek work. You may also be able to claim the credit for day camp or other care costs for a dependent age 13 or older with a permanent disability. Note that expenses associated with sending children to overnight summer camps generally do NOT qualify for this credit.

To qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit, you must have earned income, and your adjusted gross income (AGI) must not exceed limits set by the IRS. Typically, the credit covers 20-35% of qualifying day camp or other childcare expenses, up to a maximum of $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more children. Your exact credit amount may depend on factors such as your spouse's income and whether you received any reimbursement for childcare costs from a state agency or other source.

When claiming the Child and Dependent Care Credit, you generally must provide the name and taxpayer identification number (TIN) of the day camp or care provider on your tax return. In most cases, married taxpayers must file a joint return in order to get the credit, although exceptions exist for cases where spouses live apart. A tax professional can help you determine whether your summer day camp or other childcare expenses qualify for this valuable credit, and if so, help you maximize your credit amount.

Bogus "Self Employment Tax Credit" – Did You Know?

Scammers have been spreading misinformation through ads and social media posts about a supposed Self Employment Tax Credit, which they claim people can use to get massive IRS refunds. In reality, no such credit even exists. The scammers charge fees to prepare tax returns, on which they actually file bogus claims for the specialized Credit for Sick and Family Leave, which was only available for 2020 and 2021.

In reality, only a small number of self-employed people who experienced very specific COVID-related circumstances qualify for the Credit for Sick and Family Leave. IRS personnel flag suspicious credit claims for investigation. In the end, people who get lured in by these scammers have to repay their tax refunds, with penalties and interest charges added. Meanwhile, the scammers disappear with the fees they collect to file false tax returns.

Remember, if a tax credit or tax refund claim sounds too good to be true, it usually is. A trusted tax professional can help you determine whether you missed any legitimate credits on your past tax returns, and if so, help you file amended returns to claim your refunds.

Teachers: Make Sure to Save Receipts for Classroom Supplies to Get a Tax Benefit

If you are a teacher gearing up for the new school year, you may be able to reduce your tax bill by keeping records of your expenses. Classroom teachers and certain other school employees may qualify to deduct the cost of classroom supplies on their tax returns. The Educator Expense Deduction is an "above the line" deduction, which means that you may claim it even if you do not itemize deductions on your return.

Eligible teachers and classroom staff may deduct up to $300 in classroom expenses (up to $600 for joint filers who are both educators) for tax year 2024. Qualifying expenses may include the cost of typical school supplies like books, paper, writing utensils and rulers, along with athletic supplies for courses in health or physical education. You may also be able to deduct unreimbursed costs to participate in professional development workshops or courses.

You must maintain complete records of all deductible expenses, such as itemized receipts or invoices. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for the Educator Expense Deduction, and if so, help you claim it on your tax return next spring.

Checking Eligibility Before Transferring Clean Vehicle Credit to a Dealer – Did You Know?

For the first time in 2024, people who purchase or lease vehicles that qualify for the Clean Vehicle Credit (CVC) may transfer the credit to a registered seller (usually a dealership). The transferred credit may be used as a down payment, or exchanged for a reduction in the vehicle price. However, you may only claim and transfer a CVC if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Most importantly, for at least one the years 2023 and 2024, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must not exceed the limit for your filing status. The current AGI limits are $300,000 for joint filers, $225,000 for head of household filers and $150,000 for all other filing statuses. In addition, you must use any vehicle you purchase using a transferred CVC predominantly for personal (not business) purposes.

People who transfer a CVC to a vehicle dealer in 2024 must report the credit amount and verify their credit eligibility on their 2024 tax returns. Those with AGIs above the limit will need to repay the credit and may face added IRS penalties. Note that an invalid CVC must be repaid directly to the IRS by the person who claimed and transferred the credit, not by the vehicle dealer. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for the CVC, and if so, whether transferring your credit to a dealer makes sense for you.

Disaster Tax Relief Available – Did You Know?

People who live in areas affected by federally declared disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, flooding and severe storms may qualify for special tax relief programs. The most common forms of relief offered include extended deadlines to file and/or pay taxes, along with free access to copies of past returns for those who lost critical records.

There is typically no need to apply for these programs, as the relief is granted automatically to all eligible people. The IRS Disaster Relief webpage (link below) can help you determine whether you qualify for deadline extensions, or other benefits that make the road of recovery a little easier to navigate.

IRS Disaster Relief Page: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations

Standard Mileage Rates for 2024 – Did You Know?

Below are the 2024 standard mileage rates for vehicle uses that qualify for a tax deduction. These rates apply for most passenger vehicles, including cars, vans, SUVs and pickup trucks.

- 67 cents per mile for business use of a vehicle (1.5 cents increase from 2023)
- 21 cents per mile for certain medical purposes or moving purposes for qualified active-duty Armed Forces members (1 cent decrease from 2023)
- 14 cents per mile for vehicle use for qualifying charitable work (unchanged)

In most cases, taxpayers who qualify to claim a vehicle expense deduction may either use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses to figure their deduction. However, if you use your car or truck for business, you generally must use the standard rate for the first year you put the vehicle in service if you want to preserve this option for future years.

A tax professional can help you determine whether the standard mileage rate or actual expenses will result in a larger deduction in your circumstances. Keep in mind that if you choose to deduct actual expenses, you will need to keep detailed records of all vehicle-related costs.

Transferring a Clean Vehicle Credit May Increase Your Tax Benefit – Did You Know?

Beginning in 2024, people who qualify for the Clean Vehicle Credit may transfer the credit to a registered dealership as a down payment, or in exchange for a discounted vehicle price. Vehicles eligible for the CVC include many fully electric cars and trucks (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and vehicles powered by fuel cells. Transferring a CVC to the vehicle seller will enable you to receive an immediate benefit from the credit, instead of having to wait to claim the credit on your 2024 tax return.

Some people will also receive a larger credit amount by transferring their CVCs. Since the CVC is not refundable, you cannot claim a credit amount on your tax return greater than the tax you owe. However, this restriction generally does not apply to transferred CVCs. Therefore, transferring your CVC may help you receive the maximum credit amount available. A tax professional can help you determine whether transferring a CVC to the vehicle seller would work to your advantage.

BOI Filing Requirement Scams - Did You Know?

Beginning in 2024, many businesses must file new beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports, which identify owners who exert control over and/or hold a significant financial stake in the company. Reporting companies must file these forms with the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement (FinCEN).

Unfortunately, scammers are using this new filing requirement to attempt to steal money and sensitive information from businesses. If your business receives a message about a supposed FinCEN reporting obligation, examine it carefully and look for these telltale signs of a scam:

- Any request for payment: FinCEN does not charge a fee to file BOI reports.
- Messages with links to click on or QR codes to scan: Authentic FinCEN messages will not have these features.
- Any reference to an "Important Compliance Notice," "Form 4022" or a "U.S. Business Regulations Dept.": FinCEN does not use this terminology, and no such form or department exists.

Do not respond to any suspicious message requesting money or BOI from your company. If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact FinCEN directly (fincen.gov) for more information.

Newlyweds Have Special Tax Considerations – Did You Know?

If you get married in 2024, you may need to update your tax planning and report new information to the IRS and Social Security Administration (SSA). In particular, newly married couples should:

- Report any name changes to the SSA and get a new Social Security Card (link below)
- Report any address changes to the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service
- Recheck their paycheck withholding and/or estimated tax payment amounts. Marriage can affect your tax rate, as well as your deductions and credits. You can use the IRS Withholding Calculator (link below) to make sure you are staying on track.

One of the biggest tax decisions you will need to make as a newly married couple is whether to file separate returns or file jointly. A tax professional can help you determine which status is most advantageous for you.

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
IRS Withholding Estimator: https://apps.irs.gov/app/tax-withholding-estimator

Summer Home Upgrades and Kids' Activities May Bring Tax Benefits – Did You Know?

Some projects and activities that people typically undertake in summer may qualify for 2024 tax credits. For example, upgrades to keep your home cool and comfortable may be eligible for clean energy or energy efficiency credits. Examples of potentially qualifying improvements include Energy Star-rated windows and doors, solar-powered water heaters, and new central air conditioning units or ventilation systems. More information about these programs may be found on the IRS Home Energy Tax Credits webpage (link below).

In addition, if your children attend summer camps, day camps or childcare programs so that you can work, the Child and Dependent Care Credit may enable you to reclaim some of the cost. A tax professional can help you determine whether you qualify for these or other tax-saving programs, and if so, help you properly document expenses to preserve your eligibility.

Home Energy Credits: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/home-energy-tax-credits