Chapter 3 Taxes in Your Financial Plan McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright 2010 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Taxes in Your Financial Plan Chapter Objectives 1. Identify the major taxes paid by people in our society 2. Calculate taxable income and the amount owed for federal income tax 3. Prepare a federal income tax return 4. Select appropriate tax strategies for various life situations 3-2 Objective 1 Identify the Major Taxes Paid by People in Our Society Planning Your Tax Strategy Start planning for taxes. Know current tax laws as they affect you Maintain complete and appropriate tax records Make purchase and investment decisions that reduce your tax liability Goal: Paying your fair share but still taking advantage of tax benefits. 3-3
Types of Taxes Taxes on Purchases Sales tax & excise tax Taxes on Property Real estate property tax Personal property tax Taxes on Wealth Federal estate tax State inheritance tax Taxes on Earnings Income tax and Social Security 3-4 What Tax Records to Keep Current tax forms and instruction booklets Social security numbers Copy of previous year s returns W-2 forms from employers 1099 forms (interest, self employment) 1098 (mortgage interest paid) Receipts and documentation for expenses Investment & business expense documents 3-5 Calculate Taxable Income and the Amount Owed for Federal Income Tax Step 1: Determine AGI AGI = Adjusted Gross Income Taxable Income Net income = income on which tax is computed Gross income minus deductions 3-6
Calculate Taxable Income Main Components of Gross Income Earned income Usually includes wages, salary, commissions, fees, tips or bonuses Investment income Money received in the form of dividends, interest or rent from investments Passive income Results from business activities in which you do not directly participate such as a limited partnership Other income Alimony, awards, lottery winnings and prizes 3-7 Calculate Taxable Income Total income is affected by: Exclusions Amounts excluded from gross income Also referred to as tax-exempt income; income not subject to federal income tax Example = interest on most state and city bonds Tax-deferred income Income that will be taxed at a later date, such as earnings from an traditional individual retirement account (IRA) 3-8 Calculate Taxable Income Adjusted gross income (AGI) Gross income reduced by certain reductions The basis for computing various deductions Adjustments to income Reduce AGI Contributions to a traditional IRA or Keogh Alimony payments 3-9
Calculate Taxable Income Step 2: Computing Taxable Income Tax deduction = amount subtracted from adjusted gross income (AGI) to arrive at taxable income Standard deduction Itemized deductions 3-10 Calculate Taxable Income Itemized Deductions Medical & dental expenses (>7.5% of AGI) Taxes Interest Contributions Casualty and theft loses Moving expenses Job-related and other miscellaneous expenses 3-11 Calculate Taxable Income Exemptions Exemptions subtracted from AGI An exemption = a deduction for yourself, your spouse and qualified dependents The amount of the exemption for the 2008 tax year is $3,500 per person After deducting exemptions you have your taxable income 3-12
Calculate Taxes Owed Step 3: Calculating taxes owed Tax table rates = marginal rates The tax rate paid on the last (or next) dollar of taxable income. Example: After deductions and exemptions, a person in the 35% tax bracket pays 35 cents in taxes for every dollar of taxable income in that bracket. 3-13 2008 IRS Tax Brackets Rate on Taxable Income Single Taxpayers Married Taxpayers Filing Jointly Head of Households 10% up to $8.025 up to $16,050 up to $11,450 15% $8,025-$32,550 $16,050-$65,100 $11,450-$43,650 25% $32,550-$78,850 $65,100-$131,450 $43,650-$112,650 28% $78,850-$164,550 $131,450-$200,300 $112,650-$182,400 33% $164,550-$357,700 $200,300-$357,700 $182,400-$357,700 35% Over $357,700 Over $357,700 Over $357,700 3-14 2008 IRS Tax Example Tax on a single taxpayer s income of $40,000 Rate on Taxable Income Single Taxpayers Taxable Amount Tax Due 10% up to $8.025 $8,025 $802.50 15% $8,025-$32,550 $24,525 $3,678.75 25% $32,550-$78,850 $7,450 $1,862.50 28% $78,850-$164,550 $40,000 $6,343.75 33% $164,550-$357,700 35% Over $357,700 Average Rate 15.86% = $6343.75 / $40,000 Marginal Rate 25.00% 3-15
Calculate Taxes Owed The average tax rate = the total tax due divided by taxable income Average tax rate < marginal tax rate Example: Taxable income = $40,000 Total tax bill = $6,344 Average tax rate = 15.9%» ($6,344 / $40,000) 3-16 Calculate Taxes Owed Alternative minimum tax (AMT) Paid by taxpayers with high amounts of certain deductions and various types of income Designed to ensure that those who receive tax breaks also pay their fair share of taxes 3-17 Calculate Taxes Owed Tax credits Amount subtracted directly from the amount of taxes owed Examples: Earned income credits Foreign tax credits Child and dependent care credits Retirement tax credits Adoption tax credits Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning credits 3-18
Tax Credit versus Tax Deduction $100 Tax Credit Reduces Your Taxes by $100 $100 Tax Deduction Amount Your Taxes are Reduced is Based on Your Tax Bracket 3-19 Determining Your Tax Liability 3-20 Calculate Taxes Owed Step 4: Making Tax Payments Payroll Withholding Based on the number of exemptions and the expected deductions claimed Estimated Quarterly Payments Estimated tax payments made throughout the year based on income made during the year and reported on Form 1099. 3-21
Calculate Taxes Owed Step 5: Watching Deadlines-Avoiding Penalties Form 4868 automatic six-month extension Submit estimated tax due with Form 4868 by April 15 Penalties & Interest Underpayment of quarterly estimated taxes may require paying interest on the amount owed Underpayment due to negligence can result in penalties of 50 to 75 percent 3-22 Objective 3 Prepare a Federal Income Tax Return Every citizen or resident of U.S. and every U.S. citizen who is a resident of Puerto Rico is required to file income tax. Five filing status categories: Single or legally separated Married, filing jointly Married, filing separately Head of household Unmarried individual or surviving spouse who with a child or dependent relative Qualifying widow or widower (2 years) 3-23 Which Tax Form Should You Use? 400 federal tax forms and schedules Basically the choice is between 3 forms 1040EZ 1040A 1040 Which form to use? Type of income Amount of income Number of deductions Complexity of tax situation 3-24
Completing the Federal Income Tax Return Filing status and exemptions Income Adjustments to income Tax computation Tax credits Other taxes (such as from self-employment) Payments (total withholding and other payments) Refund or amount you owe Refunds can be directly deposited to your bank account. Payments may be directly debited from your bank account. Your signature = Most common filing error 3-25 How do I File My State Tax Return? All but 7 states have a state income tax Most states tax rate ranges from 1 to 10 percent States usually require income tax returns to be filed when the federal income tax return is due 3-26 How Do I File My Taxes Online? Tax preparation software TurboTax and TaxCut are two of the most popular tax preparation software packages Using software can save 10 or more hours Tax software allows you to complete needed tax forms Print and mail the forms or file online e-filing refunds usually take 3 weeks Cost for e-filing = $5 - $40 3-27
How Do I File My Taxes Online? Free File Alliance Online tax preparation and filing free to many taxpayers http://www.irs.gov - go to Free File Various qualification criteria to file free; use Guide Me to a Service Connect to selected firm s website Use form s online software to prepare and file tax return 3-28 Available Tax Assistance Sources IRS Services Publications and forms 1-800-TAX-FORM www.irs.gov Recorded messages 1-800-829-4477 Phone hot line 1-800-829-1040 Walk-in service at an IRS office 3-29 Available Tax Assistance Sources Tax publications e.g. Ernst and Young Tax Guide and J.K. Lasser s Your Income Tax The Internet Tax preparation software companies Tax Preparation Services Tax preparers charge between $40 and $2,000 depending on the complexity of the return Over 40 million U.S. taxpayers pay someone else to do their taxes 3-30
Types of Tax Preparation Services One-person, local offices to large firms such as H & R Block Enrolled agents = Governmentapproved tax experts CPA Tax Accountants Attorneys 3-31 Evaluating Tax Services Factors to consider: Training and experience of the tax professional? Fee for preparing taxes and how determined? Questionable deductions suggested? If return is audited will the preparer represent the client? Is tax preparation the main business activity or is it a front for other financial products? 3-32 Tax Service Warnings Ultimately you are responsible for providing complete and accurate information If your professional tax preparer makes a mistake, you are still responsible for paying the correct amount, plus any interest and penalties. Hiring a tax preparer does not guarantee that you will pay the correct amount Beware of tax preparers that offer refunds in advance Refund anticipation loans can charge interest rates in excess of 300% 3-33
What if Your Return is Audited? 0.6% of all returns are audited If you claim large or unusual deductions you are more likely to be audited. Three types of audits: Correspondence audit for minor questions Office audit takes place at an IRS office Field audit is the most complex, with an IRS agent visiting you at your home, your business or your accountant s office 3-34 What if Your Return is Audited? Audit Rights Request time to prepare Clarification of items being questioned Right to appeal audit results When Audited: Decide whether to bring you tax preparer, accountant or lawyer Be on time for you re appointment; bring only relevant documents Present evidence in a logical, calm and confident manner; maintain a positive attitude Make sure your information is consistent with tax law Keep your answers aimed at the auditor s questions 3-35 Objective 4 Select Appropriate Tax Strategies Tax Planning Strategies Practice tax avoidance Legitimate methods to reduce your tax obligation to your fair share but no more Financial decisions related to purchasing, investing, and retirement planning are the most heavily affected by tax laws Tax Evasion Illegally not paying all the taxes you owe, such as not reporting all income 3-36
Tax Planning Strategies Minimizing Taxes If you expect Then you should Because The same or a lower tax rate next year The same tax rate next year A higher tax rate next year Accelerate deductions into this year Delay income into next year Delay deductions Accelerate income Greater benefit to higher rate Delay paying taxes Greater benefit Taxed at lower rate 3-37 Tax-Planning Strategies Consumer Purchasing Home ownership One of the best tax shelters Deduct mortgage loan interest and property taxes Reduces your taxable income Use home equity line of credit to buy a car or consolidate debt Interest deductible 3-38 Tax-Planning Strategies Consumer Purchasing Job-related expenses may be allowed as itemized deductions Union dues Business tools Job search costs Health care expenses like FSA s (Flexible Spending Accounts) allow you to reduce your taxable income when paying for health related expenses 3-39
Tax-Planning Strategies Investment Decisions Tax Exempt Investments Interest income from municipal bonds are exempt from federal and some state taxes Tax Deferred Investments Tax deferred annuities Section 529 education savings plans Retirement Plans -IRA, Keogh or 401(k) A type of tax shelter 3-40 Capital Gains Tax-Planning Strategies Investment Decisions Profits from the sale of stocks, bonds or real estate Long-term capital gains (held more than one year) taxed at a lower rate Self Employment Advantage: Owning your own business can have tax advantages Disadvantage: Business owners have to pay additional taxes 3-41 Tax-Planning Strategies Investment Decisions Children s Investments Children under 14 with investment income of more than $1500 are taxed at parent s top rate Retirement Plans Traditional IRA Roth IRA Education IRA Keogh Plan 401 (K) Plan 3-42
Changing Tax Strategies IRS Changes: IRS modifies tax filing procedures each year Congress passes legislation to change the tax code each year. Take advantage of these changes for personal financial planning Personal Changes: Consider changes in your personal situation and income Monitor your tax strategies to best serve your daily needs and long-term financial goals 3-43