Consolidated Appropriations Act Ensures Deductibility of PPP Expenses

Income Tax, New Legislation

Introduction The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) authorized approximately $350 billion to fund the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP was designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll via potentially forgivable loans (“PPP Loans”), assuming certain criteria were met. The Consolidated Appropriations…
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Is that Side Hustle a Business or Hobby?

Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy, Uncategorized

Hobby loss tax rules of IRC § 183 are nothing new. However, there are a couple of recent developments that make the application of those rules especially relevant: Starting in 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) went into effect. Under the TCJA, taxpayers lost the ability to take miscellaneous itemized deductions. Previously, taxpayers…
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Transfer to Third Party at Direction of Beneficiary Deemed Gift from Beneficiary

Estate and Gift Tax, Estate Planning, Tax, Tax Controversy

In a newly released Chief Counsel Advice opinion[1], the transfer of assets from a foreign entity referred to as the “Foundation” directly to a third party (the “Recipient”) at the request of the beneficiary of the Foundation (the “Beneficiary”) was deemed to be a gift from the Beneficiary to the Recipient. This is a logical…
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Tax Considerations – Initiative 65 and Medical Marijuana in Mississippi

Current Events, Income Tax, State and Local Tax, Tax

In recent elections, Mississippians overwhelmingly voted to pass Initiative 65 legalizing medical marijuana. This paves the way for an entire new business industry to operate in Mississippi, creating opportunities for business owners, investors, and those who serve them. With businesses possibly being allowed to open sometime in the summer of 2021, it will be important…
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President Joe Biden’s Proposed Tax Policy for Individuals

Current Events, Estate and Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax

INTRODUCTION In a prior article, Charles J. Allen previously discussed the tax plans of the democratic presidential candidates, while Josh Sage discussed some of Biden’s potential changes here. With the Associated Press calling the presidential race for former vice president Joe Biden on November 7th, time is running short for many taxpayers to take advantage…
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Ninth Circuit says Nice Try on Passive Rental Activities

Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy

Introduction The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently affirmed a District Court’s ruling against a married couple who claimed their losses related to three vacation properties were not limited under the passive activity loss rules of IRC § 469.[1] The couple argued that the management company responsible for renting the property to…
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