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A new provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) creates a new tax credit for employers who pay wages for family and medical leave. The new credit, which takes effect in 2018, only lasts through 2019. However, there is a chance it could be extended by future legislation. Eligible employers can claim a credit equal to a percentage of wages paid to qualifying employees on leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The IRS has not yet fully described some of the provisions, but here are the highlights:
On Wednesday the IRS posted a NEW W-4 Form for 2018; the Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate and Personal Allowances Worksheet . It is recommended that employees consider re-doing this form and worksheet each year as life situations may have changed and you may want to consider instructing your employer to change your withholding.
The IRS also has a new Online Calculator. If you are an employee, the Withholding Calculator helps you determine whether you need to give your employer a new Form W-4. You can use your results from the Calculator to help fill out the form and adjust your income tax withholding.
The IRS encourages everyone to use the Withholding Calculator to perform a quick “paycheck checkup.” This is even more important this year because of recent changes to the tax law for 2018.
It's tax time again. Taxpayers should choose their tax return preparer wisely. This is because taxpayers are responsible for all the information on their income tax return. That’s true no matter who prepares the return.
Here are several tips for taxpayers to remember when selecting a tax preparer:
Check the Preparer’s History. Ask the Better Business Bureau about the preparer. Check for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers.
Ask about Service Fees. Avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of the refund or who boast bigger refunds than their competition. When asking about a preparer’s services and fees, don’t give them tax documents, Social Security numbers or other information.
During the holiday season many people make donations to benefit charitable organizations. It's great to help others, and your contributions make a difference in people's lives. There is another benefit . . . you may be able to claim a deduction for the donation on your federal tax return.
Here are five facts about charitable donations:
1. In order to qualify for a deduction, you must donate to a 'qualified' charity. Gifts to individuals, political organizations, or candidates are not deductible. Use Exempt Organizations Select Check to check the status of a charity to see if it qualifies.
State Representatives John Becker and David Leland are sponsoring a bi-partisan bill to eliminate the 'marriage penalty' in Ohio.
Married Ohioans have to figure out every year what filing status they are going to use — married filing separately or married filing jointly. Often the best option for the couple on their federal return is not the same as it would be on their state return. Because Ohio forces couples to file with the same status on both state and federal returns, they could be hit with what some call a marriage penalty for filing jointly. Filing jointly on their federal return could net them a break on taxes, but here in Ohio it pushes them into a tax bracket that forces them to pay more than if they filed separate returns.