In this podcast, Bob Keebler covers Revenue Procedure 2014-18, which provides a simplified method for certain taxpayers to obtain an extension of time to make a portability election. Rev. Proc. 2014-18 provides an automatic extension for certain estates of decedents dying in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to elect portability. The extension applies to estates that would otherwise not have had a filing requirement, and allows the estates to file a return to elect portability until December 31. It...

Bob Keebler interviews David Kirk and Adrienne Mikolshek, part of the team who wrote the Net Investment Income Tax regulations, to help members understand the new IRS Form 8960, Net Investment Income Tax for Individuals, Estates and Trusts and the draft instructions.

Bob Keebler goes line by line through Form 8960, Net Investment Income Tax for Individual, Estates and Trusts, to help members understand key elements they need to know for tax season.

Over the past three decades CPAs have expanded the planning advice they provide to individuals and families as it relates to such areas as estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning. To adapt to a rapidly evolving profession and regulatory landscape and in addition to the already existing regulatory framework for CPAs, the AICPA is promulgating the Statement on Standards in Personal Financial Planning Services to protect the public and our members. In this podcast, Clark...

In this podcast, Bob Keebler discusses the impact of the regulations on net investment income tax.

The AICPA Technical Hotline provides non-authoritative advice to members on matters of accounting and financial reporting, audit, attest, compilation and review service standards. This podcast, the AICPA Insights Live webcast on Nov. 22, addresses some of the more commonly asked questions over the past year in the areas of audit, attest, compilation and review engagements. Highlights include the new clarified audit standards, verification requests, supplementary information and Service...

The following podcast is from the AICPA Insights Live webcast series and covers 10 things one should know about internal controls as presented by Findley Gillespie and Steven Gin of Moss Adams.

The purpose of Roth IRA conversions as it relates to the Net Investment Income Tax is to lower modified adjusted gross income below the threshold amount over the long-term. Some benefits of Roth conversions include lower overall taxable income, tax-free compounding, no required minimum distributions at age 70 ½, tax-free withdrawals for beneficiaries and more effective funding of the "bypass trust." Converting to a Roth IRA creates opportunities to reduce the overall size of the estate and to...

A Charitable Remainder Trust is a split interest trust consisting of an income interest, which is paid to the donor or other beneficiary during the term of the trust, and a remainder interest, which is paid to the designated charity. The purpose of this strategy is to harbor net investment income in a tax-exempt environment while leveling income over a longer period of time to keep MAGI below the threshold amount. CRTs are especially useful when there is a large capital gain that pushes...

Because of the multi-dimensional tax environment that now exists post-American Taxpayer Relief Act, CPA financial planners must look at the tax impact on clients’ financial plans through a 5 to 10 year horizon. Ordinary income tax rates from the Bush Administration were made permanent. The capital gains rate increased from 15% to 20% for taxpayers with income greater than the threshold amounts. Phase-out of personal exemptions and limitations on itemized deductions (Pease) become critical in...

Demonstrate your firm's value by understanding and implementing year-end strategies that are timely and beneficial. This AICPA Insights Live session discusses the American Tax Payer Relief Act and Net Investment Insurance Tax as it pertains to year-end tax planning.

Strategies for reducing net investment income include municipal bonds, tax deferred annuities, life insurance, rental real estate, oil and gas investments, choice of accounting year for estate/trust and timing of estate/trust distributions. Strategies for reducing modified adjusted gross income include Roth IRA conversion, CRTs, non-grantor CLTs, and installment sales. Join Robert Keebler, CPA of Keebler and Associates LLP in this podcast as he walks you through year-end planning for the 3.8%...

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s Windsor decision invalidating a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced on Aug. 29 that “same-sex couples, legally married in jurisdictions that recognize their marriages, will be treated as married for federal tax purposes.” The IRS also issued a revenue ruling (Rev. Rul. 2013-17) and FAQs providing guidance on the topic. In short, regardless of what state the same-sex couple currently lives...

In this podcast, Ted Sarenski discusses the latest developments regarding health care reform and the Affordable Care Act, including what will be required of health plans offered both through exchanges and employers, the delay to 2015 of the requirement for large employers to offer health insurance, the individual mandate, penalties and federal subsidies, the October 1 deadline for health insurance exchanges, preexisting conditions, and Ted’s predictions and advice for clients in 2014.

This podcast from Bob Keebler covers tax and estate planning following the Defense of Marriage Act decision by the Supreme Court of the U.S. Bob discusses the complexity of moving from a same-sex marriage state to an opposite-sex only marriage state, income tax planning for same-sex married couples, estate and gift tax planning, the marital deduction, gift splitting and portability issues, as well as IRAs and retirement plans.

The not-for-profit accounting and auditing landscape has undergone significant change in recent years. In this podcast, CPA not-for-profit experts Chris Cole, Jennifer Hoffman, Frank Jakosz and Andrew Prather discuss current NFP issues that face CPA preparers and auditors and describe how the AICPA’s newly updated Not-for-Profit Entities Audit and Accounting Guide can be a resource for NFPs. Discussion topics include recent Financial Accounting Standards Board updates, changes in the NFP...

Bob Keebler discusses three opportunities individuals can take advantage while we wait for final resolution on the "fiscal cliff." I would like to talk about today are gain harvesting to avoid the increase in the capital gains, Roth conversions to avoid the increase in income tax rate and potentially to take advantage of the loss of state income tax deductions in the future, and finally funding dynasty trusts before a new federal law could come into effect.

The 3.8% Medicare surtax on net investment income is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. How this surtax will affect those who are current beneficiaries of charitable remainder trusts is a hot financial planning topic. Robert Keebler explores planning for this new surtax and the Treasury Department's recently issued regulations addressing section 1411 of the Internal Revenue Code, the 3.8% Medicare surtax in his latest podcast.

The Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act confirmed that trusts and estates will be subject to a new 3.8% Medicare surtax when net investment income exceeds a threshold amount. This year presents an unprecedented opportunity for you to differentiate your firm and services and show that you provide significant value to your clients by having all of their financial planning needs in mind, including retirement, estate, tax, investment and insurance planning. With so many...

The Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act confirmed that taxpayers whose income exceeds a threshold amount will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare surtax on net investment income, effectively raising their marginal income tax rate. However, whether the Bush era tax cuts will be extended and, if so, for whom, remains an open question. In light of this uncertainty, CPAs may want to start planning for possible 2013 tax increases now, particularly for clients who will benefit from...

This year presents an unprecedented opportunity for you to differentiate your firm and services and show that you provide significant value to your clients by having all of their financial planning needs in mind, including retirement, estate, tax, investment and insurance planning. With so many unknowns in 2013 compounded by an election year, your clients need to take advantage of many financial planning avenues now to avoid missing crucial opportunities to protect their nest egg and increase...

In this audio stream, Lyle, Ted and Scott discuss why 2012 is a critical year to proactively plan with your clients. Hear about planning techniques that need to be considered now given the many unknowns in 2013. Learn about planning opportunities that can be uncovered while you’re preparing your clients 2011 tax returns. Find out tips to communicate the value of financial planning with clients, and how you can get paid for the work you are providing and increase your bottom line by adding or...

A 20 minute podcast on the estate planning and financial planning impact of the estate tax provisions in the recently released President’s fiscal year 2013 budget proposal covers various provisions, including those affecting intentionally defective grantor trusts, valuation discounts and grantor retained annuity trusts. Even though these provisions may not be enacted this year, it will help you have intelligent conversations with your clients, know what the President’s legislative agenda for...

In this audio stream, Michael Kitces covers the new cost basis reporting rules enacted under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Note that the new tracking rules will require any financial intermediaries (i.e., generally all brokers and custodians, as well as certain other types of financial institutions) that currently issue Form 1099-B to report using an updated version, which tracks not only the gross proceeds from sales of securities, but the cost basis, acquisition date,...