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On April 12, 2019, Governor Cuomo signed the New York State (“NYS”) Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget Bill (“Bill”) which extends some previously enacted changes as well as adding new provisions. Discussed below are the major highlights of the Bill. PERSONAL INCOME TAX Extension of the Millionaire’s Tax: The top NYS personal income tax bracket of 8.82% was scheduled to expire after 2019. The Bill extends the “Millionaire’s Tax” for five years, through 2024. Extension of Charitable Contribution Deduction Limitation: Currently, the NYS itemized charitable deduction is limited to 50% of the federal deduction for individuals with adjusted gross income (“AGI”) […]

The TCJA brought about many federal changes to both personal and business taxes. Many states starting point in determining taxable income is federal income which lead them to decouple from certain changes. New York State (NYS)  is one of them. With respect to personal income tax, the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance has put out guidance highlighting its tax treatment of various federal items of income, deductions and credits. Specifically, it issued TSB-M-18(6). Below are the highlights: Personal Tax Income Alimony or separate maintenance payments NYS opted not to follow changes made by the TCJA to the treatment of […]

The IRS has just issued long-awaited guidance regarding the deductibility of business meals under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Act fully eliminated the deductibility of entertainment expenses, while most business meals continue to be 50% deductible. However, it was not clear how this affected meals related to entertaining clients, referral sources, etc. IRS Notice 2018-76 provides that taxpayers may deduct 50% of an otherwise allowable business meal expense if: The expense is an ordinary and necessary expense under §162(a) paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on any trade or business; The expense is not […]

On August 8, 2018 the Treasury Department issued long-awaited guidance in the form of proposed regulations under Section 199A, which deals with the new 20% deduction for “Qualified Business Income” (QBI). Following is a question-and-answer discussion of the key points in the regulations. 1. SPECIFIED SERVICE TRADE OR BUISNESS Income from a “specified service trade or business” (SSTB) does not qualify for the deduction unless the taxpayer’s taxable income is under $157,500/$315,000 threshold. The law lists various service-type businesses that are treated as SSTB’s, including consulting, financial services, brokerage, and any trade or business where “the principal asset is the […]

In early July, Governor Murphy signed a compromise 2018/2019 New Jersey Budget Bill. Below is a summary of these changes which affect income, corporate, and sales tax. Personal Income Tax The top tax rate increases from 8.97% to 10.75% for NJ taxpayers with taxable income of $5 million and higher. Increase in the property tax deduction from $10,000 to $15,000. The Homestead Rebate Program has been reinstated. Effective for tax years beginning after 2017, a taxpayer who is allowed a Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit may also be permitted to claim a state tax credit. Corporation Business Tax A […]