The Whitlock Company, CPAs and Consultants, Springfield Missouri

There is an interesting new rollover opportunity that’s coming up in a few months. After 2009, you will be able to roll over amounts in qualified employer sponsored retirement plan accounts, such as 401(k)s and profit sharing plans, and regular IRAs, into Roth IRAs, regardless of your adjusted gross income (AGI). Currently, individuals with more than $100,000 of adjusted gross income as specially modified are barred from making such rollovers.

Negotiations for comprehensive health care reform are moving into high gear on Capitol Hill. One of the most difficult questions for lawmakers is how to pay for health care reform. Every proposed revenue raiser (aka, tax increase) has generated controversy and it is unclear which ones will make their way into a final bill.

In order to effectively plan your investment transactions, you have to understand how, under federal tax law, you need to net or “offset” capital gains and losses that you experience. Netting your capital gains and losses can help achieve lucrative tax savings benefits and should be part of your year end tax strategy if you sell capital assets that result in gains and losses in 2009.

If you own a home, the interest you pay on your home mortgage may be one of your most valuable tax breaks available each year. The home mortgage interest deduction is a particularly important tax break in the early years of a home loan, when most of a homeowner’s payments each month go toward interest. In addition to home mortgage interest, two other valuable home-related deductions include the “points” (also known as loan origination fees or loan charges) associated the loan as well as your property taxes.

As 2009 comes to a close, it’s a good time to review your year-end tax planning strategies. Many traditional strategies are still effective for this year but you need to keep in mind the impact of pending federal legislation. Congress is debating health care reform, a possible second stimulus bill, extending many temporary tax breaks, and more.

A move is underway in Congress to stave off the sunset of the estate tax in 2010 and prevent a wholesale revision of the transfer tax rules in 2011.

There are a number of advantages for starting a Roth IRA account, the most important being that all the investment earnings grow tax-free, and qualified distributions are tax-free. Additionally, you can continue to make contributions to your Roth after you turn 70 1/2 and are not subject to the required minimum distribution rules. Currently, only individuals who have a modified adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $100,000 and/or who do not file their return as “married filing separately” can contribute to a Roth IRA, or convert their traditional IRA to a Roth.

Your federal tax withholding has recently been reduced and there may be a consequence come tax time. In all likelihood, the reduction is attributable to the Making Work Pay Credit.

No. Many individuals may be considering buying a new home in 2009 as home prices continue to drop in many areas across the country. They may also be wondering if they can claim the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit before actually purchasing the home. Although this might generate a refund you could use as a down payment, the IRS will not allow you to claim the credit in advance of a purchase.

The Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 (2008 Housing Act) gave a boost to individuals purchasing a home for the first time with a $7,500 first-time homebuyer tax credit. The credit was enhanced from $7,500 to $8,000 and extended for certain purchases under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (2009 Recovery Act). This article explains how to determine the credit for eligible first-time homebuyers.