Advanced SLAT Issues

In a previous article, we discussed the basics of Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (“SLATs”).[1] Generally, SLATs are irrevocable trusts established by one spouse during such spouse’s lifetime with the other spouse being a beneficiary of the trust. Often both spouses will establish a SLAT, but they must be carefully structured and administered to prevent application…
Read More

IRS Provides Automatic Relief from Underpayment Penalties

In 2018, taxpayers enjoyed an increase in take-home pay as a result of revisions to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) withholding tables that decreased the amount of federal income taxes withheld from their paychecks. The revisions to the withholding tables were made to reflect changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”).…
Read More

Equity as Compensation: The Ins and Outs of the Section 83(b) Election

A common form of compensation for  management and executive level employees is a grant of equity in the employer company, or the option to purchase such equity at a reduced price. Compensation in the form of equity can be a big incentive for employees to join a new company, particularly a startup, or stay at…
Read More

A Refresher on Qualified Small Business Stock

By holding qualified small business stock (“QSBS”), noncorporate shareholders of qualifying C corporations can sell their stock tax free after a five-year holding period. Tax benefits associated with QSBS are nothing new. However, until recently, planning with QSBS has been neglected. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) breathed new life into the potential benefits…
Read More

Tax Court Acknowledges Remote Material Participation

Can the material participation tests of Section 469 be met remotely? The Tax Court says yes. In a recent Memorandum Opinion, the Tax Court (the “Court”) held that Fred Barbara (“Barbara”) satisfied the requirements for materially participating in his Chicago based business despite living in Florida approximately 60% of the year. The Internal Revenue Service (the…
Read More

Can My Trust Take a Charitable Deduction?

After the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which came into effect in 2018, charitable deduction planning has changed. This is a result of a handful of changes, but the primary changes for purposes of this discussion relate to a doubling of the standard exemption, elimination of most itemized deductions, and reduction in individual income tax…
Read More

The Intersection of the TCJA and the Mississippi Income Tax

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) is arguably the most significant tax legislation passed by Congress since last revision of the Internal Revenue Code in 1986. The legislation fundamentally altered the Code by reducing or eliminating many longstanding, popular deductions and credits while expanding others and creating new ones. Much has been written about…
Read More

The Importance of Being a “Trade or Business”

Introduction In tax planning, it always has been important to determine whether an activity qualifies as a “trade or business.” There are a number of consequences. An important consequence is being able to deduct “ordinary and necessary” business expenses under Sec. 162. Others are the applicability of the 3.8% net investment income tax, hobby loss…
Read More

Directions

[**Practice Alert: Corporate Transparency Act is Here: What You Need to Know**](https://esapllc.com/practice-alert-cta-mar-2024/)
[**Practice Alert: Corporate Transparency Act is Here: What You Need to Know**](https://esapllc.com/practice-alert-cta-mar-2024/)