Tax

Taxpayers often have questions about Individual Retirement Arrangements or IRAs. Common questions include: When can a person contribute, how does an IRA impact taxes, and what are other common rules. If you have questions, here’s what you need to know:

Age Rules. Taxpayers must be under age 70 1/2 at the end of the tax year to contribute to a traditional IRA. There is no age limit to contribute to a Roth IRA.

Compensation Rules. A taxpayer must have taxable compensation to contribute to an IRA. This includes income from wages and salaries and net self-employment income. It also includes tips, commissions, bonuses and alimony. If a taxpayer is married and files a joint tax return, only one spouse needs to have compensation in most cases.

When to Contribute. Taxpayers may contribute to an IRA at any time during the year. To count for 2016, a person must contribute by the due date of their tax return. This does not include extensions. This means most people must contribute by April 18, 2017. Taxpayers who contribute between January 1 and April 18 need to advise the plan sponsor of year they wish to apply the contribution (2016 or 2017).

Contribution Limits. Generally, the most a taxpayer can contribute to their IRA for 2016 is the smaller of either their taxable compensation for the year or $5,500. If the taxpayer is 50 or older at the end of 2016, the maximum amount they may contribute increases to $6,500. If a person contributes more than these limits, an additional tax will apply. The additional tax is six percent of the excess amount contributed that is in their account at the end of the year.

Taxability Rules. Normally taxpayers don’t pay income tax on funds in a traditional IRA until they start taking distributions from it. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are tax-free.

Deductibility Rules. Taxpayers may be able to deduct some or all of their contributions to their traditional IRA. Please contact the office for details.

Saver’s Credit. A taxpayer who contributes to an IRA may also qualify for the Saver’s Credit. It can reduce a person’s taxes up to $2,000 if they file a joint return. Use Form 8880, Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions, to claim the credit. A taxpayer may file either Form 1040A or 1040 to claim the Saver’s Credit.

Rollovers of Retirement Plan and IRA Distributions. When taxpayers roll over a retirement plan distribution, they generally don’t pay tax on it until they withdraw it from the new plan. If they don’t roll over their distribution, it will be taxable (other than qualified Roth distributions and any amounts already taxed). The payment may also be subject to additional tax unless the taxpayer is eligible for one of the exceptions to the 10 percent additional tax on early distributions.

myRA. If a taxpayer’s employer does not offer a retirement plan, they may want to consider a myRA. This is a retirement savings plan offered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. It’s safe and affordable. Taxpayers may also direct deposit their entire refund or a portion of it into an existing myRA.

Keep a copy of your tax return. Beginning in 2017, you may need your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) amount from a prior-year tax return to verify your identity. You can find your AGI on line 37 of your 2015 tax return. If you don’t have a copy of your tax return and you need assistance obtaining a copy of last year’s tax return, don’t hesitate to call.

• By Leon Clinton
• April 25, 2017

Taxpayers with children may qualify for certain tax benefits. Parents should consider child-related tax benefits when filing their federal tax return:

1. Dependent. Most of the time, taxpayers can claim their child as a dependent. Taxpayers can generally deduct $4,050 for each qualified dependent. If the taxpayer’s income is above a certain limit, this amount may be reduced. If you need help figuring out whether your child can be claimed as a dependent on your tax return, please call the office.

2. Child Tax Credit. Generally, taxpayers can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child under the age of 17. The maximum credit is $1,000 per child. Taxpayers who get less than the full amount of the credit may qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit. Not sure if your child qualifies for the Child Tax Credit? Give the office a call.

3. Child and Dependent Care Credit. Taxpayers may be able to claim this credit if they paid for the care of one or more qualifying persons. Dependent children under age 13 are among those who qualify. Taxpayers must have paid for care so that they could work or look for work. Even if you don’t have dependent children, if you care for an elderly relative and can claim him or her as a dependent, you might be able to take the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you work or are looking for work. Please call for details.

4. Earned Income Tax Credit. Taxpayers who worked but earned less than $53,505 in 2016 should look into the EITC. They can get up to $6,269 in EITC. Taxpayers may qualify with or without children.

5. EITC and ACTC Refunds. Because of new tax-law change, the IRS is not able to issue refunds before February 15 for tax returns that claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). This applies to the entire refund, even if a portion of the refund is not associated with these credits.

6. Adoption Credit. It is possible to claim a tax credit for certain costs paid to adopt a child. For details, see Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses.

7. Education Tax Credits. An education credit can help with the cost of higher education. Two credits are available: the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. These credits may reduce the amount of tax owed. If the credit cuts a taxpayer’s tax to less than zero, it could mean a refund. Taxpayers may qualify even if they owe no tax. Complete Form 8863, Education Credits, and file a return to claim these credits.

8. Student Loan Interest. Taxpayers may be able to deduct interest paid on a qualified student loan. They can claim this benefit even if they do not itemize deductions. If you’re not sure if interest you paid on a student or educational loan is deductible, don’t hesitate to call.

Questions about credits and deductions?

Don’t hesitate to call the office today.

• By Leon Clinton
• April 22, 2017