The Tax Professionals Blog

401(k) Contribution Limits

Posted by Lee Reams Sr., BSME, EA on

It is not uncommon for individuals to have multiple employers, each with a 401(k) plan. This can possibly create a situation where the employee makes an excess elective deferred compensation contribution.  The maximum annual contribution for 2018 is $18,500 ($24,500 if age 50 and over). These amounts are increased for 2019 to $19,000 and $25,000, respectively.

Read more →


Partial Disposition of a Passive Activity

Posted by Lee Reams Sr., BSME, EA on

Any gain or loss from the disposition of a passive activity is generally also passive. However, special rules apply to dispositions.

Read more →


Insight: Basis of Property Transferred Between Spouses Incident to a Divorce

Posted by Lee Reams Sr., BSME, EA on

When one spouse transfers property to another spouse the basis of the recipient spouse is the same as the transferor-spouse's adjusted basis in the property (Code Sec. 1041(b)).  

Read more →


Acquisition Debt - It’s All About the Timing.

Posted by Lee Reams Sr., BSME, EA on

Although in most cases, loans to purchase a residence is secured at the closing of escrow. But what happens when a loan is secured later, does it still qualify as acquisition debt. For example, an individual pays cash for a residence and then later finances it.

Read more →


Viatical Settlements

Posted by Lee Reams Sr., BSME, EA on

Any amounts received under a life insurance contract on the life of a terminally ill individual are excluded from gross income. Amounts received under a life insurance contract by chronically ill individuals are also excluded from gross income if certain requirements are satisfied. Similar exclusions apply when the amounts are received as a result of a sale or assignment of the life insurance contract to a viatical settlement provider.

Read more →