TAX PRO PLUS LA

Penalty for Not Having Health Insurance Surprises Many

Many taxpayers are surprised by the size of the penalty being imposed for not having health insurance in 2015. This may be a wake-up call for many who didn't realize the penalty is being phased in over a three-year period between 2014 and 2016, and the increases are substantial each year.

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Don't Have a Retirement Plan? Maybe a SEP Is the Answer.

If you are like many small business owners, you probably find the year-end period to be a very busy time. You can't close your books and determine your business's profit until after the close of the year, and if this has been a good year, you may want to establish a retirement plan and make a contribution for 2015.

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Automatic Tax Filing Extensions Available

A taxpayer who needs more time to complete his or her 2015 individual tax return can request an automatic six-month extension. The extension is obtained by filing IRS Form 4868 on or before the April 18, 2016 deadline.

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IRS Gearing Up For Home Mortgage Interest Audits

Many individuals who believe all of the interest reported by home mortgage lenders on the Form 1098 is automatically deductible may be in for a very unpleasant surprise when they file their 2016 tax returns. For many, all of the interest is not deductible, and Congress has mandated new reporting requirements for lenders that will help the IRS identify taxpayers who are deducting more than they are entitled to.

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Asset Sales Versus Stock Sales: What You Need to Know

Selling a business is never a decision that should be made lightly. A business is something that you've likely worked hard to build from the ground up into the entity that you always hoped it could be - you don't want to sell yourself short now that you're moving onto bigger and better things. When it comes to selling a business, one of the most important decisions that you'll have to make has to do with how the sale itself will be structured. In this situation, there are two main types that you have to decide between - an asset sale and a stock sale. What is the difference between these two options? Who benefits the most from each type of scenario? Thankfully, the answers are relatively straightforward.

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