Summary of all posts for January 2018 from Paramount Tax & Accounting Pioneer Valley, brought to you by our accounting firms Amherst, Ludlow & Belchertown.
Important Tax Changes for 2018
Welcome, 2018! Each new year brings changes to current tax law and 2018 is no different. From tax rate schedules to health savings accounts, here's a checklist of tax changes to help you plan the year ahead.
Small Business: Be Alert to Identity Theft
Small business identity theft is big business for identity thieves. Here's what you need to know.
Got Debt? How to Improve your Financial Situation
If you're in financial trouble here are some steps to take now to avoid financial ruin.
Choosing a Business Entity
One of the most important decisions you'll need to make when starting a new business is choosing the right business entity.
The Basics of Starting a Home-Based Business
Every day, people achieve economic independence by turning their skills into dollars. If you think a home-based business might be right for you, then keep reading.
Early Retirement Distributions and Your Taxes
Extended Due Dates for Health Coverage Forms
Standard Mileage Rates for 2018
Safe Harbors Help Taxpayers Suffering Property Losses
Late-Filing Penalty Relief for Partnerships
5 QuickBooks Reports You Need to Run in January
During January
All employers - Give your employees their copies of Form W-2 for 2017 by January 31, 2018. If an employee agreed to receive Form W-2 electronically, post it on a website accessible to the employee and notify the employee of the posting by January 31.
All Businesses - Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments you made during 2017. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient.
Employees - who work for tips. If you received $20 or more in tips during December 2017, report them to your employer. You can use Form 4070, Employee's Report of Tips to Employer.
Employers - Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in December 2017.
Individuals - Make a payment of your estimated tax for 2017 if you did not pay your income tax for the year through withholding (or did not pay in enough tax that way). Use Form 1040-ES. This is the final installment date for 2017 estimated tax. However, you do not have to make this payment if you file your 2017 return (Form 1040) and pay any tax due by January 31, 2018.
Employers - Nonpayroll Withholding. If the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in December 2017.
Farmers and Fisherman - Pay your estimated tax for 2017 using Form 1040-ES. You have until April 17 to file your 2017 income tax return (Form 1040). If you do not pay your estimated tax by January 16, you must file your 2017 return and pay any tax due by March 1, 2018, to avoid an estimated tax penalty.
Employers - Federal unemployment tax. File Form 940 for 2017. If your undeposited tax is $500 or less, you can either pay it with your return or deposit it. If it is more than $500, you must deposit it. However, if you already deposited the tax for the year in full and on time, you have until February 12 to file the return.
Farm Employers - File Form 943 to report social security and Medicare taxes and withheld income tax for 2017. Deposit or pay any undeposited tax under the accuracy of deposit rules. If your tax liability is less than $2,500, you can pay it in full with a timely filed return. If you deposited the tax for the year in full and on time, you have until February 12 to file the return.
Certain Small Employers - File Form 944 to report Social Security and Medicare taxes and withheld income tax for 2017. Deposit or pay any undeposited tax under the accuracy of deposit rules. If your tax liability is $2,500 or more from 2017 but less than $2,500 for the fourth quarter, deposit any undeposited tax or pay it in full with a timely filed return. If you deposited the tax for the year timely, properly, and in full, you have until February 12 to file the return.
Employers - Social Security, Medicare, and withheld income tax. File Form 941 for the fourth quarter of 2017. Deposit any undeposited tax. If your tax liability is less than $2,500, you can pay it in full with a timely filed return. If you deposited the tax for the quarter in full and on time, you have until February 10 to file the return.
Employers - Nonpayroll taxes. File Form 945 to report income tax withheld for 2017 on all nonpayroll items, including backup withholding and withholding on pensions, annuities, IRAs, gambling winnings, and payments of Indian gaming profits to tribal members. Deposit any undeposited tax. If your tax liability is less than $2,500, you can pay it in full with a timely filed return. If you deposited the tax for the year in full and on time, you have until February 12 to file the return.
Payers of Gambling Winnings - If you either paid reportable gambling winnings or withheld income tax from gambling winnings, give the winners their copies of Form W-2G.
Employers - Give your employees their copies of Form W-2 for 2017 by January 31, 2018. If an employee agreed to receive Form W-2 electronically, post it on a website accessible to the employee and notify the employee by January 31, 2018.
Businesses - Give annual information statements to recipients of certain payments made during 2017. You can use the appropriate version of Form 1099 or other information return. Form 1099 can be issued electronically with the consent of the recipient. This due date only applies to certain types of payments.
Individuals - who must make estimated tax payments. If you did not pay your last installment of estimated tax by January 16, you may choose (but are not required) to file your income tax return (Form 1040) for 2017 by January 31. Filing your return and paying any tax due by January 31, 2018, prevents any penalty for late payment of the last installment. If you cannot file and pay your tax by January 31, file and pay your tax by April 17, 2018. Contact Paramount Tax & Accounting Pioneer Valley to learn more.
