Recent News & Blog / Individual Tax
House rich but cash poor? Consider a reverse mortgage strategy
Are you a taxpayer age 62 or older who needs income and owns a house that has appreciated greatly? A reverse mortgage may be a solution. With one, you can raise needed cash and also take advantage of the tax-saving basis “step-up” rule. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK with more information and to answer your tax questions.
Erroneous notices issued by IRS and PA Department of Revenue
Some clients are receiving late notices about their 2023 tax bill from the IRS. This is an error in the IRS systems.
You may be entitled to tax breaks if caring for an elderly relative
There are many personal rewards for taking care of an elderly relative. You could also be eligible for tax breaks, especially if the person qualifies as your dependent. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for more information and more tax tips.
A three-step strategy to save tax when selling appreciated vacant land
Let’s say you own one or more vacant lots and that property has appreciated greatly and you're ready to sell. Or maybe you have a parcel of appreciated land that you want to subdivide into lots, develop them and sell them off for a big profit. Either way, you’ll incur a tax bill. There’s a strategy to consider that allows favorable long-term capital gain tax treatment for all the pre-development appreciation in the value of your land. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for tax assistance and to avoid potential pitfalls.
When do valuable gifts to charity require an appraisal?
If you donate valuable items to charity and you itemize deductions on your tax return, you may be required to get an appraisal. The IRS requires donors and charities to supply certain information to prove their right to deduct contributions. Questions? Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for more information.
Pay attention to the tax rules if you turn a hobby into a business
Many people dream of turning a hobby into a business. But what if the venture consistently generates losses (deductions exceed income) and you claim them on your tax return? In an audit, the IRS may say it’s a hobby (an activity not engaged in for profit) rather than a business. Then you can’t deduct losses. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for help and to answer your tax questions.
Taxes when you sell an appreciated vacation home
If you’re selling a vacation home at a profit, what will you owe in taxes? It depends on whether you’ve used the home as your principal residence for a time or whether you’ve rented it out. If you haven’t done either, the principal home sale gain exclusion tax break (up to $250,000 or $500,000 for a married couple) is unavailable. Other rules apply to a home used as a rental or principal residence. Contact the CPAS and tax advisors at SEK about your situation.
Watch out for “income in respect of a decedent” issues when receiving an inheritance
Most people appreciate inheritances. But in some cases, they may turn out to be too good to be true. “Income in respect of a decedent” (IRD) may create a surprise tax bill for those inheriting certain types of property. Fortunately, there may be ways to minimize the IRD tax bite. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK for your tax questions.
The pros and cons of turning your home into a rental
If you’re buying a new home, you may have considered keeping your current home and renting it out. This carries potential tax benefits and pitfalls. Contact the CPA's and tax advisors at SEK to answer your tax questions.
After you file your tax return: 3 issues to consider
Make sure to consider these issues after filing your tax return. Contact the CPAs and tax advisors at SEK with your questions.