Final filing deadline on October 15

Tick-tock. Time is almost up on that six-month extension you filed back in April to give yourself more time to complete your 2011 individual income tax return.

What happens if you fail to file your return by October 15, the extended due date? One consequence: Unless a disaster-relief exception applies or you have a valid reason, you may be charged penalties and interest.

For example, the penalty for filing your return after October 15, 2012, is 5% of the amount of your unpaid tax, per month, up to a maximum of 25%. After 60 days, a minimum penalty of $135 or 100% of the tax due applies.

In addition, a late payment penalty of ½ of 1% of the tax due may apply for each month or part of a month that you fail to pay the tax due. The two penalties interact and can be combined.

You'll also have to pay interest on the tax due. During 2012, the rate on underpayment of tax has been 3%. The interest is compounded daily and can be charged on penalties.

Since the penalty and interest are based on unpaid tax, neither applies when your return shows a zero balance. Filing a return is still a good idea, however. Why? The general rule limiting the IRS to a three-year period for assessing tax begins when you file. No return, no statute of limitations for being audited.

Give us a call if you have questions or need filing assistance.

Capital gains and losses: New twists for 2012

The end of the year is the traditional time for securities investors to "harvest" capital losses for federal income tax purposes. But there's an added wrinkle in 2012: Due to pending tax law changes, you might try to reap more capital gains than losses. Thus, the usual strategy of harvesting losses could be turned upside down.

Here's a recap of the basic rules. The capital gains and capital losses you realize during the year are "netted" under complex rules when you file your tax return. A gain or loss is treated as being long-term if you've held the securities for more than one year. For 2012, net long-term capital gain is taxed at a maximum tax rate of 15% (0% for investors in the regular 10% and 15% tax brackets).

If you're showing a net capital gain on paper as year-end approaches, any capital losses you realize will reduce the amount of the taxable gain or offset it completely. An excess loss can then offset up to $3,000 of highly taxed ordinary income before any remainder is carried over to next year. However, the usual strategy of harvesting losses is complicated this year by three key tax law changes scheduled for 2013.

1. The maximum tax rate for net long-term capital gain will increase to 20% (10% for investors in the lower tax brackets).

2. Ordinary tax rates are going up. For example, the top rates of 33% and 35% will increase to 36% and 39.6%, respectively.

3. A special 3.8% Medicare surtax will apply to the lesser of net investment income for the year or the amount by which modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) exceeds $250,000 ($200,000 for single filers).

Barring any late legislation by Congress, investors may be inclined to harvest capital gains instead of losses at year-end. As a result, you can benefit from the favorable tax rates in effect for 2012. If you've already realized short-term gains in 2012, you might want to realize short-term losses to offset those gains. But don't use short-term losses to offset long-term gains, if you can help it, because long-term gains are taxed at a maximum rate of only 15% in 2012.

Other considerations may come into play. The best approach is to do what's best for your situation. Contact us for assistance in reviewing your options.

Taxes are due on self-employment income

There is no income tax withholding on self-employment income, but that doesn't mean you're not required to pay taxes during the year. Self-employed individuals generally must make quarterly estimated tax payments due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year.

Report foreign investments by June 30

If you have foreign bank, savings, or investment accounts that exceeded $10,000 in 2011, you are required to file "Treasury Department Form 90-22.1" by June 30, 2012. This is not a form that you file with your income tax return. Rather, it is a separate form filed with the Treasury Department in Detroit. The report must be received by the Treasury Department, not postmarked, by the June 30 due date. Penalties for failing to meet this filing requirement are severe and can include jail time. Contact our office for details or filing assistance.

What to do if you missed the April tax filing deadline

If you missed the April 17 tax filing deadline for your 2011 return, the IRS has some advice for you.

First, don't panic. But do file your return as soon as possible. If you owe money on the return, the penalty for late filing and interest on the amount you owe will continue to grow until you file. E-filing is the fastest way to file, and this option is available on 2011 tax returns through October 15, 2012.

Second, pay as much of the tax you owe as you can. If you cannot pay the full amount of tax due with your return, you can ask to make monthly installment payments to the IRS. File Form 9465, "Installment Agreement Request," or apply online using the IRS Online Payment Agreement Application available at the IRS website (www.irs.gov).

Third, any additional delay in filing will just increase any penalty and interest charges. These include a late filing penalty, a late payment penalty, and interest on taxes not paid by April 17.

If you haven't filed your return, the problem will not go away by itself. File your return, and if you can't pay the tax owed, inform the IRS of your current financial situation. For more information or filing assistance, contact our office.

2012 Tax Freedom Day is April 17

According to the Tax Foundation, April 17, 2012, was not only the day 2011 tax returns were due, it also was Tax Freedom Day for 2012. That means Americans worked 107 days, from January 1 to April 17 to earn enough money to pay their federal, state, and local taxes for 2012.

If the federal government collected enough taxes to meet 2012 federal spending, Tax Freedom Day would have come 27 days later -- on May 14, 2012. And unless Congress acts to prevent tax increases scheduled for 2013, next year's Tax Freedom Day will be eleven days later than in 2012, and the average American household will pay $3,800 more in taxes.

Need more time to file?

If you can’t file your 2011 tax return by the April 17 deadline, you can file for an extension by that date and get until October 15, 2012, to file. You can request the extension on paper, by phone, or online. The extension is automatic, with no explanation necessary. Be aware, however, that an extension to file does not give you more time to pay taxes due for 2011. For assistance, contact our office.
 
Vincent I. Porter, CPA
Porter & Company, CPA's
One Arlington Centre
1112 E. Copeland Rd. Suite 140
Arlington, TX 76011
817-261-2582 , x 2 Office
817-460-7609 Fax
www.MyTexasCPA.com

Use it or lose it - deadline approaching

If your flex plan at work allows a 2½ month grace period for using the pre-tax dollars you set aside for 2011, be aware that a final deadline is approaching. You have until March 15, 2012, to use the funds you set aside for 2011 or you forfeit any leftover dollars.

March 2012 Tax Deadlines

March 15 - 2011 calendar-year corporation income tax returns (Forms 1120 & 1120-S) are due. Extensions may be filed to give until September 17, 2012, to file.

March 15 - Deadline for calendar-year corporations to elect S corporation status for 2012. See Reasons for a S-Corp switch

April 2 - Deadline for payers who file electronically to send copies of 2011 W-2s to the Social Security Administration.

April 2 - Deadline for payers who file electronically to file 2011 information returns (such as 1099s) with the IRS.

Corporate tax returns are due THURSDAY March 15th!

Form 1120/1120S are due THURSDAY March 15th

If you have a corporation or file a Form 1120 or 1120S with a December 31st year end and you have not filed a 2011 tax return, it is due on March 15th. If you have not yet filed your 2011 tax return call or email us to immediately to ensure we file an extension for your company.

February 2012 Tax Deadlines

Don't miss these deadlines if they apply to your business:

February 15 - Brokers must provide 2011 Forms 1099-B and 1099-S to customers.

February 28 - Send Forms 1099 with Form 1096 to the IRS. If you file these forms electronically, you have until April 2 to file with the IRS.

February 29 - Send Copy A of employee W-2s for 2011, along with Form W-3, to the Social Security Administration. If you file electronically, you have until April 2 to file.

March 1 - Farmers and fishermen who did not make 2011 estimated tax payments must file 2011 tax returns and pay taxes in full.

For more information or filing assistance, contact our office.