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DiSabatino CPA Blog

A blog by Michael DiSabatino CPA with topics on Tax Savings, Business, Management and more...
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November 2014 DiSabatino CPA Newsletter

November 2014 DiSabatino CPA Newsletter

news-header

In this issue:

 

  • Don't Make this Mistake
    Caution with car donations
  • Holiday Budgeting Ideas
  • Time for a Credit Checkup?
  • Breaking News:
    2015 Pension Contribution Limits

 

The Month of November:

  •    Conduct Year-End Tax Planning
  •    November 27th - Thanksgiving

As the year winds down, will you be ready for the application of all the new tax laws incorporated into 2014? Please take a moment to review your situation while there is still time to act prior to year-end.

As always, should you know of someone who may benefit from this information please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.

Don't Make this Mistake

Caution with car donations

Car donationsAs the end of the year approaches many taxpayers are looking to reduce their tax bite by making charitable contributions. One of the biggest contributions a taxpayer can make is to donate a used automobile. But if not careful, the value of a donated vehicle could be a lot lower than you think.

The rule

When you donate a vehicle, the value of your donation is either the fair market value of your vehicle when you donate it OR the value received by the charitable organization for your donation. Unfortunately, you do not get to choose the value of the donated vehicle. It all depends:

  • If the organization either uses the vehicle or is in the business of using your vehicle to train others you can deduct the fair market value of the vehicle.
  • If the charitable group simply resells your donated vehicle, your donation is limited to what the organization receives for your vehicle and NOT the usually much higher fair market value of the item.

What you should do

Budget icon Select the organization wisely. Make sure you select an organization that will either use the vehicle themselves or will use it to train others. Qualified organizations include groups that help single mothers obtain transportation to and from work or use the vehicles to deliver meals to seniors. Other organizations teach auto repair and body shop work to the unemployed. The cars then are given to other non-profits or needy folks. From the IRS perspective, a qualifying charitable use either;
  • makes significant intervening use of the vehicle or,
  • makes significant improvement to the vehicle that increases its value or,
  • donates the vehicle (or sells it at a below market rate) to a needy person that helps further the cause of the organization.
Budget icon Research the fair market value. Prior to donating your vehicle go to a reputable source and estimate the value of your vehicle. Online resources like Edmunds.com and kbb.com (Kelley Blue Book) are two reliable sites to do this.
Budget icon Obtain the proper tax form. When donating your vehicle make sure the organization gives you a proper Form 1098-C at the time you provide your vehicle. Double check the value assigned to your donation form to ensure it meets or exceeds the estimated fair market value of your donation.
Budget icon Sell the vehicle and donate the cash. If you cannot find a charitable organization that will allow you to maximize your fair market value deduction, consider selling the vehicle and then donating the proceeds. There are problems with this approach, however. First, take care that you do not create an unplanned taxable capital gain with the transaction. Second, take into account any sales taxes that go with the transaction as this may conceivably reduce the amount you receive for your vehicle.
 

Holiday Budgeting Ideas

Tips to keep you and your pocketbook happy this holiday season

With Black Friday just around the corner, now is the time to plan or review your holiday budget. If you're not careful, holiday spending can create a financial burden that lasts well into the new year. Consider these ideas to help you make the most of your holiday spending:

Budget icon Make a Budget: set a realistic amount of how much you wish to spend this holiday season. Remember to include food, gifts, transportation, and clothing costs.
List icon Shop With a List: make a list of who will be receiving gifts from you and include how much you want to spend on each person. Come up with gift ideas before you go shopping and then try to stick to your list.
Cash icon Pay With Cash: don't spend money you don't have. Shop with your budgeted cash and leave the credit cards at home. If you must shop with a credit card, use a low-interest card and use it judiciously.
Comparison icon Comparison Shop: before you go shopping, check catalogs and the internet to compare prices on gifts you plan to buy.
Alternative icon Consider Alternative Gifts: gifts don't have to be expensive to be meaningful. Consider making meals, providing baked goods for family and friends, spending time with a friend doing an activity you both enjoy, or volunteering your time to baby-sit or dog-sit.
 

Time for a Credit Checkup?

Credit scoreGiven all the data breaches at major retailers and the identity theft problem at the IRS, it is recommended that you check your credit reports at least once a year. Credit reports often have errors in them and this quick check-up can be the first indication that some form of identity theft has taken place on your account.

The good news is that each of the major consumer credit reporting agencies is required by law to provide you with a free report once a year. A web site has been set up specifically for this purpose. Here is the information to select your free report from the three major credit reporting agencies; Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

Free Annual Credit Report

AnnualCreditReport logo
Telephone: 1.877.322.8228
Web site: www.AnnualCreditReport.com
Via mail: (fill out the online form and mail it to the following address)
Annual Credit Report Request Service
PO Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Listed here are the three major credit agencies and how to contact them directly.

TransUnion logo
TransUnion
Telephone: 1.800.888.4213
Web site: www.transunion.com
Via mail: 2 Baldwin Place
PO Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022
Equifax logo
Equifax
Telephone: 1.800.685.1111
Web site: www.equifax.com
Via mail: Equifax Credit Information Service
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
Experian logo
Experian
Telephone: 1.888.EXPERIAN (397-3742)
Web site: www.experian.com
Via mail: P.O. Box 9532
Allen, TX 75013

But be careful, each agency will try to "upsell" you into additional paid services. If you find problems work through the credit bureau's process to correct the error. Also place fraud alerts on your credit agency account should you be subject to any kind of identity fraud.

 

Breaking News:

2015 Pension Contribution Limits

As the end of the year rolls around, if you have not already done so, now is the time to plan for contributions into your retirement accounts in 2015. While Traditional IRA and Roth IRA plan limits are unchanged versus 2014, please note the contribution increases in 401(k), 403(b), 457 and SIMPLE IRAs.

Retirement Program 2015 2014 Change Age 50 or over catch up
IRA: Traditional $5,500 $5,500 none add: $1,000
IRA: Roth $5,500 $5,500 none add: $1,000
IRA: SIMPLE $12,500 $12,000 +$500 add: $3,000 (up $500)
401(k), 403(b), 457 plans $18,000 $17,500 +$500 add: $6,000 (up $500)

Don't forget to take advantage of any matching programs offered by your employer as you review your various funding levels.

2014 Planning Note: Remember you have until April 15th, 2015 to make contributions to your Roth or Traditional IRA for the 2014 tax year.
 

As always, should you have any questions or concerns regarding your situation please feel free to call.

DiSabatino CPA
Michael DiSabatino
651 Via Alondra Suite 715
Camarillo, CA 93012
Phone: 805-389-7300
ww.sharpcpa.com

This publication provides summary information regarding the subject matter at time of publishing. Please call with any questions on how this information may impact your situation. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission, except as noted here.  All rights reserved.

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