Tax Season Got You Down? Blame Obamacare
What do you hate the most about taxes? Is it the simple fact that you have to file them? Is it the fear of being chosen for an audit? Is it all the confusing changes on tax laws and policies that drive you nuts? There are a lot of reasons people hate dealing with taxes, but this year, there could be a new number one reason for aggravation. Obamacare!
Although it’s actually called the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, as most people know it, is sure to bring a lot of confusion and frustration this tax season. It will affect just about everyone in some way, but some more than others. Three aspects of your return in particular could feel the effects of Obamacare.
First and foremost, there is the individual penalty if you don’t have insurance. Here’s how the penalty works. If you don’t have insurance then you will pay the greater of the these two amounts:
- 1 percent of your annual household income, or
- $95 per person in the household for the entire year ($47.50 for those under 18).
Obamacare will also affect the Net Investment Income Tax, because as part of the plan there is a new 3.8 percent tax that will be added on to the capital gain rate. This 3.8 percent is applied to either the amount by which your adjusted gross income exceeds a certain tax threshold or to your net investment income; whichever is less.
Lastly, the Premium tax credit will also see the effects of Obamacare. Anyone who had health insurance via a Health Care Exchange could see the government subsidize his or her premiums.
So there you have it. Like it or not, Obamacare is probably going to affect you this year no matter what tax boat you’re in. Of course, we can help you get through the murky waters of the Affordable Health Care Act and ensure that you get the most from your return. Just call us at 1-877-CPA-2006 or click here.
Tax Record Retention Guide
Storing tax records: How long is long enough? Tax Record Retention April 15 has come and gone and another year of tax forms and shoeboxes full of receipts is behind us. But what should be done with those documents after your check or refund request is in the mail? Federal law requires you to maintain…
3 Reasons Why Owning a Commercial Property May Make You More Money in Real Estate Investment
Making a Commercial Property Investment If you ever have been a landlord for residential property, I am sure that you get complaints from tenants about leaking roofs in the middle of the night. But what keeps most people back from investing in commercial real estate is the fear of the unknown since not many of…
Sec 1045: Small Business Stock Rollover of Gain
The Beauty of Section 1045 Enacted as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (effective for sales after August 5, 1997), a taxpayer other than a corporation may elect to roll over capital gains from the sale of qualified small business stock held for more than six months if another small business stock is…
Common Investment Mistakes
Courtesy of Paul Ray Andrus, LUTCF, ChFC There is a lesson to be learned from the recent $2 billion-plus loss by a sophisticated trading unit of JPMorgan Chase. Even “expert” traders make mistakes. You shouldn’t expect every investment decision you make to be perfect. And when you are wrong, it’s best to recognize it and…