The tax experts at Ciuni & Panichi, Inc. are always looking for ways to help you save at tax return time. The following are a couple of ideas that might help. If you need more information contact James Komos at 216.831.7171 to review your tax questions.
Do you need to file a 2014 gift tax return by April 15?
Generally, you’ll need to file a gift tax return for 2014 if, during the tax return year, you made gifts:
- That exceeded the $14,000-per-recipient gift tax annual exclusion (other than to your U.S. citizen spouse),
- that you wish to split with your spouse to take advantage of your combined $28,000 annual exclusions, or
- of future interests — such as remainder interests in a trust — regardless of the amount.
If you transferred hard-to-value property, such as artwork or interests in a family-owned business, consider filing a gift tax return even if you’re not required to. Adequate disclosure of the transfer in a return triggers the statute of limitations, generally preventing the IRS from challenging your valuation more than three years after you file.
There may be other instances where you’ll need to file a gift tax return — or where you won’t need to file one even though a gift exceeds your annual exclusion. Contact James Komos at 216.831.7171 or jkomos@cp-advisors.com for details.
The Tax Advantage of Tangible Property Safe Harbors
If your business has made repairs to tangible property, such as buildings, machinery, equipment
and vehicles, you may be eligible for a deduction on your 2014 income tax return. But you must make sure they were truly “repairs,” and not actually “improvements.”
Why? Costs incurred to improve tangible property must be depreciated over a period of years. But costs incurred on incidental repairs and maintenance can be expensed and immediately deducted. Distinguishing between repairs and improvements can be difficult, but a couple of IRS safe harbors can help:
Routine maintenance safe harbor. Recurring activities dedicated to keeping property in efficient operating condition can be expensed. These are activities that your business reasonably expects to perform more than once during the property’s “class life,” as defined by the IRS.
Small business safe harbor. For buildings that initially cost $1 million or less, qualified small businesses may elect to deduct the lesser of $10,000 or 2% of the unadjusted basis of the property for repairs, maintenance, improvements and similar activities each year. (A qualified small business is generally one with gross receipts of $10 million or less.)
Contact James Komos at 216.831.7171 or jkomos@cp-advisors.com to ensure that you’re taking all of the repair and maintenance deductions you’re entitled to.
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