Kelly Bullis: Assorted tax thoughts

Since “Tax” is a common topic these days … Congress may have passed a limited new tax law, many are trying to get their tax returns prepared before the April 15 deadline, politicians using tax law change promises to get contributions to their reelection campaigns, etc.

Here is a smattering of mostly unrelated tax thoughts that run through my sleepless brain at 1:30 in the morning…

3.8% Net Investment Tax Credit (NIIT) is computed on passive income over certain income limits. $200,000 single, $250,000 married, $125,000 married filing separate. Organize your income to move as much as needed from being subject to NIIT to non-passive sources.

Beware of shady tax preparers who use fake information to get the tax refund desired. The joke around the office is that there are more of those type in New Jersey for some reason. So, if you are shopping for shady tax preparers, you might try googling the ones in New Jersey?

Intuit/Turbo Tax is in hot water for false advertising. They were pushing the line that using their software was free. All I can say is “caveat emptor!” (Buyer beware. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.)

Individual and corporate returns are due on April 15 this year (last year you had until April 17).

Make sure you verify the bank information on page 2 of your tax return. You don’t want your refund going into somebody else's account!

You must answer a question about “digital assets” on your tax return. (Cryptocurrency, bitcoin, etc.) If you own, bought, or sold any, you must answer yes. Be prepared to defend what you report for crypto related income. IRS is starting to crack down on this.

If you still mail your tax return, in order to get credit for filing on time, you must use a service that the IRS approves for time dating when you sent your return off. The obvious default is the U.S. Postal Service. They also accept DHL, FedEx, and UPS when using tracking services.

If you’re going through a divorce with retirement funds involved, make sure you have the courts approved QDRO (Qualified Domestic Retirement Order) that has the retirement administrators split the plans into yours and your ex, rather than distributing half to the ex, which can trigger a taxable event, with early withdrawal penalties too.

If this year is your first year for IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMD), make sure you notify your IRA administrator and get that going. You do NOT want to deal with the penalties for not doing an RMD.

Have you heard? Prov 6:4 says, “Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids.”

Kelly Bullis is a Certified Public Accountant in Carson City. Contact him at 775-882-4459. On the web at BullisAndCo.com Also on Facebook.