Archive for June, 2010

Homebuyers May Get Reprieve

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Update: this legislation has been passed by the Senate as well as the House, and becomes law upon being signed by President Obama.

Under current law, the homebuyer tax credit is available only if you had a binding contract by April 30 and close on your transaction by June 30. The June 30 closing deadline has posed problems for some purchasers, and on June 29 the House of Representatives passed a law that would extend the closing deadline to September 30. The Senate must act before this bill can become law.

This bill would extend the closing deadline but does not make the credit available to people who did not have a binding contract by the April 30 deadline.

Tanning: Not Quite a Top Ten List

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Seeking to inform tanning salons of their obligations relating to the 10% excise tax that takes effect July 1, the IRS has circulated a list of nine tips concerning the law. (more…)

Senate Would Expand Roth Accounts

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Action in the Senate June 29 may result in expanded access to Roth accounts. One provision would take effect upon enactment, which is on a fast track. Before it can become law, the provision must be approved by the House of Representatives. (more…)

Boehner Suggests Social Security Cuts

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

In an article last week we explained why some people have the mistaken belief they have to wait until age 70 to receive their full Social Security benefit. The article included this statement: “Under current law, no one has to wait until age 70 to receive their full benefit, and no one is proposing that this will be true in the future.” We have to amend that statement. (more…)

Extended Deadlines in West Virginia Disaster Area

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Residents and businesses in counties of West Virginia declared a federal disaster area will have extra time to meet tax deadlines due to severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides, according to an announcement from the IRS.

Pension Funding Relief Law Signed

Monday, June 28th, 2010

President Obama has signed a law that relaxes funding requirements for employers maintaining defined benefit pension plans. The law will help companies deal with cash shortfalls caused by the poor economic conditions — and also provide revenue to cover the cost of preventing a decrease in Medicare reimbursement levels. (more…)

Remembering Martin Ginsburg

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

I was saddened to hear today of the death of Martin Ginsburg, the noted tax lawyer, law professor and author. I had the privilege of attending several seminars where he spoke, enjoying his mischievous humor as much as his penetrating analysis of the deepest complexities of corporate tax law. His death makes news partly because he was the husband of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (In offering biographical information he liked to say he moved to Washington when his wife “got a good job there.”) Among tax lawyers he was a towering figure in his own right and will be missed by many.

Reviews for “That Thing”

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

Our book on investing, That Thing Rich People Do, continues to attract favorable reviews:

The Wild Investor says the book “does a great job of covering the basic foundation of investing and acting as the textbook to growing your money” and offers “the easiest way to learn how to build wealth.”

Stockerblog — The Stock Market Blog likes that it is “written with lots of humor to keep the reader interested” and offers rules for succes that “anyone can follow,” and says the book “would make a great gift.”

Personal Finance Firewall offered a free copy of the book to its readers and it turned into their most successful giveaway.

Tax Q&A for Gulf Oil Spill

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

The IRS has created an online page answering tax questions relating to the gulf oil spill. Issues addressed include:

  • Payments received for lost business income, lost wages or lost profits
  • Payments received for property damage or destruction
  • Casualty loss deductions for property that has been damaged or destroyed
  • Payments received for personal physical injuries or physical sickness, or for emotional distress that is attributable to personal physical injuries or physical sickness
  • Payments for emotional distress that is not attributable to personal physical injuries or physical sickness

In addition, in this announcement the IRS said it is planning a special tax assistance day at various locations throughout the disaster region on July 17 and will offer other forms of relief to taxpayers facing special hardship.

More Disaster Relief

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

In this release the IRS announced it is extending until July 30 the deadline for updating 401k and similar plans for plan sponsors in various areas affected by recent weather-related disasters.