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Can you claim your elderly parent as a dependent on your tax return?

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 28th, 2018

Perhaps. It depends on several factors, such as your parent’s income and how much financial support you provided. If you qualify for the adult-dependent exemption on your 2017 income tax return, you can deduct up to $4,050 per qualifying adult dependent. However, for 2018, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the dependency exemption is eliminated.

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2018 Q2 tax calendar: Key deadlines for businesses and other employers

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 28th, 2018

Here are some of the key tax-related deadlines affecting businesses and other employers during the second quarter of 2018. Keep in mind that this list isn’t all-inclusive, so there may be additional deadlines that apply to you. Contact us to ensure you’re meeting all applicable deadlines and to learn more about the filing requirements.

April 2

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Home-related tax breaks are valuable on 2017 returns, will be less so for 2018

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 28th, 2018

Home ownership is a key element of the American dream for many, and the U.S. tax code includes many tax breaks that help support this dream. If you own a home, you may be eligible for several valuable breaks when you file your 2017 return. But under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, your home-related breaks may not be as valuable when you file your 2018 return next year.

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Defer tax with a Section 1031 exchange, but new limits apply this year

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 28th, 2018

Normally when appreciated business assets such as real estate are sold, tax is owed on the appreciation. But there’s a way to defer this tax: a Section 1031 “like kind” exchange. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) reduces the types of property eligible for this favorable tax treatment.

What is a like-kind exchange?

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Casualty losses can provide a 2017 deduction, but rules tighten for 2018

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 13th, 2018

If you suffered damage to your home or personal property last year, you may be able to deduct these “casualty” losses on your 2017 federal income tax return. For 2018 through 2025, however, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act suspends this deduction except for losses due to an event officially declared a disaster by the President.

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Make sure repairs to tangible property were actually repairs before you deduct the cost

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 13th, 2018

Repairs to tangible property, such as buildings, machinery, equipment or vehicles, can provide businesses a valuable current tax deduction — as long as the so-called repairs weren’t actually “improvements.” The costs of incidental repairs and maintenance can be immediately expensed and deducted on the current year’s income tax return.

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Size of charitable deductions depends on many factors

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 7th, 2018

Whether you’re claiming charitable deductions on your 2017 return or planning your donations for 2018, be sure you know how much you’re allowed to deduct. Your deduction depends on more than just the actual amount you donate.

Type of gift

One of the biggest factors affecting your deduction is what you give:

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Don’t forget: 2017 tax filing deadline for pass-through entities is March 15

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on March 7th, 2018

When it comes to income tax returns, April 15 (actually April 17 this year, because of a weekend and a Washington, D.C., holiday) isn’t the only deadline taxpayers need to think about. The federal income tax filing deadline for calendar-year partnerships, S corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) treated as partnerships or S corporations for tax purposes is March 15.

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Sec. 179 expensing provides small businesses tax savings on 2017 returns — and more savings in the future

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on February 27th, 2018

If you purchased qualifying property by December 31, 2017, you may be able to take advantage of Section 179 expensing on your 2017 tax return. You’ll also want to keep this tax break in mind in your property purchase planning, because the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law this past December, significantly enhances it beginning in 2018.

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What’s your mileage deduction?

Submitted by Eck, Schafer & Punke, LLP on February 27th, 2018

Individuals can deduct some vehicle-related expenses in certain circumstances. Rather than keeping track of the actual costs, you can use a standard mileage rate to compute your deductions. For 2017, you might be able to deduct miles driven for business, medical, moving and charitable purposes.

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227 South 7th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701 United States

227 South 7th Street
Springfield, Illinois
62701 United States

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