Entries by jordan@bonniburns.com

When an Elderly Parent Might Qualify as Your Dependent

It’s not uncommon for adult children to help support their aging parents. If you’re in this position, you might qualify for an adult-dependent exemption to deduct up to $4,050 for each person claimed on your 2017 return. Basic Qualifications For you to qualify for the adult-dependent exemption, in most cases your parent must have less […]

Getting to Know Your Credit & Debit Cards a Bit Better

Virtually everyone has a credit and debit card these days. But many of us still live in fear of these plastic necessities because we’re not terribly familiar with the fine print of the arrangements under which they operate. Let’s get to know them a bit better. Credit Cards If your credit card is used without […]

Upcoming Tax Deadlines

April 17 — Besides being the last day to file (or extend) your 2017 personal return and pay any tax that is due, 2018 first quarter estimated tax payments for individuals, trusts and calendar-year corporations are due today. Also due are 2017 returns for trusts, calendar-year estates and C corporations, FinCEN Form 114 (Report of Foreign […]

The New Deal on Employee Meals (And Entertainment)

Years and years ago, the notion of having a company cafeteria or regularly catered meals was generally feasible for only the biggest of businesses. But, more recently, employers providing meals to employees has become somewhat common for many midsize to large companies. A recent tax law change, however, may curtail the practice. As you’re likely […]

What is “Reasonable Compensation”

The issue of reasonable owners’ compensation often comes up in federal tax inquiries. But it may also be an issue in shareholder disputes and divorce cases. For instance, minority shareholders or spouses of controlling shareholders may claim that an owner is taking an excessive salary, thereby impairing the value of the business. Alternatively, a nonowner-spouse […]

No Kidding: Child Credit to Get Even More Valuable

The child credit has long been a valuable tax break. But, with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) late last year, it’s now even better — at least for a while. Here are some details that every family should know. Amount and Limitations For the 2017 tax year, the child credit […]

Elizabeth Heil Recognized by STL Small Business Monthly

We are excited to announce that Elizabeth Heil has been named by St. Louis Small Business Monthly as one of the Top 100 St. Louisans to Know to Succeed in Business for the publication’s April issue. Elizabeth has been with our firm since 1999 and is a Manager in our Edwardsville office. She is a member of the Recruiting […]

House Tax Bill Released

On November 2, 2017, the House of Representatives released a draft tax reform bill titled the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.”  The bill would reduce individual and business tax rates, would modify or eliminate a variety of itemized deductions as well as repeal the estate and alternative minimum taxes, and would change the taxation of […]

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Summary

Individual Highlights Unless otherwise noted, the changes are effective for tax years beginning in 2018 through 2025. Tax rates. The new law imposes a new tax rate structure with seven tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The top rate was reduced from 39.6% to 37% and applies to taxable income above $500,000 […]

Making 2017 Retirement Plan Contributions in 2018

Personal tax exemptions and the standard deduction have looked largely the same for quite some time. But, in light of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed late last year, many individual taxpayers may find themselves confused by the changing face of these tax-planning elements. Here are some clarifications. For 2017, taxpayers can claim […]