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Thursday, October 25, 2012

2012 Year-End Tax Planning Tips

Year-end planning is a bigger challenge this year than in past years because, unless Congress acts, tax rates will go up next year, many more individuals will be snared by the alternative minimum tax (AMT), and various deductions and other tax breaks will be unavailable. To be more specific, as a result of expiring Bush-era tax cuts, unless Congress ascts, individuals will face higher tax rates next year on their income, including capital gains and dividends, and estate tax rates will be higher as well. The AMT problem arises because, for 2012, AMT exemptions have dropped and fewer personal credits can be used to offset the AMT. Additionally, a number of other tax provisions expired at the end of 2011 or will expire at the end of 2012. Rules that expired at the end of 2011 include, for example, the research credit for businesses, the election to take an itemized deduction for State and local general sales taxes instead of the itemized deduction permitted for State and local income taxes, and the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition expenses. Rules that will expire at the end of this year include generous bonus depreciation allowances and expensing allowances for business, and expanded tax credits for higher education costs.

These adverse tax consequences are by no means a certainty. Congress could extend the Bush-era tax cuts for some or all taxpayers, retroactively "patch" the AMT for 2012 to increase exemptions and availability of credits, revive some favorable tax rules that have expired, and extend those that are slated to expire at the end of this year. Which actions Congress will take remains to seen and may well depend on the outcome of the elections. While these uncertainties make year-end tax planning more challenging than in prior years, they should not be an excuse for inaction. Indeed, the almost certain prospect of some higher taxes next year makes it even more important to engage in year-end planning this year. To that end, we have compiled a checklist of actions that may help you save tax dollars if you act before year-end. Many of these moves may benefit you regardless of what Congress does on the major tax questions of the day. Not all actions will apply in your particular situation.

We can narrow down the specific actions that you can take once we meet with you to tailor a particular plan. In the meantime, please review the following list and contact us at your earliest convenience so that we can advise you on which tax-saving moves to make. We also should schedule a follow-up for later this year to see whether the November election results will require changes to year-end planning strategies.

 Year-End Tax Planning Moves for Individuals  

  (1)   Realize losses on stock while substantially preserving your investment position. There are several ways this can be done. For example, you can sell the original holding, then buy back the same securities at least 31 days later. It would be advisable for us to meet to discuss year-end trades you should consider making. 


(2)   If you are thinking of selling assets that are likely to yield large gains, such as inherited, valuable stock, or a vacation home in a desirable resort area, try to make the sale before year-end, with due regard for market conditions. This year, long-term capital gains are taxed at a maximum rate of 15%, but the rate could well be higher next year as noted above. And if your adjusted gross income (as specially modified) exceeds certain limits ($250,000 for joint filers or surviving spouses, $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return, and $200,000 for all others), gains taken next year (along with other types of unearned income, such as dividends and interest) will be exposed to an extra 3.8% tax (the so-called "unearned income Medicare contribution tax").


(3)   Make gifts sheltered by the annual gift tax exclusion before the end of the year and thereby save gift and estate taxes.You can give $13,000 in 2012 to each of an unlimited number of individuals but you can't carry over unused exclusions from one year to the next. The transfers also may save family income taxes where income-earning property is given to family members in lower income tax brackets who are not subject to the kiddie tax. Savings for next year could be even greater if rates go up and/or the income from the transfer would have been subject to the 3.8% tax in the hands of the donor.

 Year-End Moves for Business Owners

(1)   If your business is incorporated, consider taking money out of the business by way of a stock redemption if you are in the position to do so. The buy-back of the stock may yield long-term capital gain or a dividend, depending on a variety of factors. But either way, you'll be taxed at a maximum rate of only 15% if you act this year. If you wait until next year to make your move, your long-term gains or dividends may be taxed at a higher rate if reform plans are instituted or the Bush-era tax cuts expire. And if your adjusted gross income (as specially modified) exceeds certain limits ($250,000 for joint filers or surviving spouses, $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return, and $200,000 for all others), gains taken next year (along with other types of unearned income, such as dividends and interest) will be exposed to an extra 3.8% tax (the so-called "unearned income Medicare contribution tax"). Keep in mind that you will need expert help to plan and execute an effective pre-2013 corporate distribution.
  
(2)   Set up a self-employed retirement plan if you are self-employed and haven't done so yet. 

(3)   Increase your basis in a partnership or S corporation if doing so will enable you to deduct a loss from it for this year. A partner's share of partnership losses is deductible only to the extent of his partnership basis as of the end of the partnership year in which the loss occurs. An S corporation shareholder can deduct his pro rata share of an S corporation's losses only to the extent of the total of his basis in (a) his S corporation stock, and (b) debt owed to him by the S corporation.
 
These are just some of the year-end steps that can be taken to save taxes. Again, by contacting us, we can tailor a particular plan that will work best for you.  Please contact a member of the Tax & Wealth Planning Group for more information.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Michael Morris to Moderate Music Producer Roundtable at California Copyright Conference



Michael Morris  will moderate the California Copyright Conference (CCC) Music Producer Roundtable, discussing “So What Does a Music Producer Do Anyway,” on Tuesday evening, October 9, 2012 at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Sherman Oaks, California. 

“I’m very pleased to be moderating this roundtable, since it will bring together three multi-generational producers working in different musician genres and one producer manager,” said Mr. Morris.  “They will discuss how they got started in the business, how the changes in the music industry have affected the business of being a music producer and recording budgets, the art and craft of making records, the changes in recording technology, and more.”
 
Mr. Morris’ co-moderator is Kent Liu, Esq., Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at Concord Music Group in Beverly Hills.  The panelists include Walter Afanasieff, a multiple Grammy award winning producer whose credits include records by Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Darryl Hall, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, and Chris Botti; Paul Fox,  whose producing credits include records by the Wallflowers, Ziggy Marley, Phish, They Might Be Giants, 10,000 Maniacs, Sugarcubes, XTC, and Robyn Hitchcock; Brian Kennedy,  a Grammy winning producer whose producing credits include records by Rihanna, Chris Brown, Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Hudson; and Alan Melina of New Heights Entertainment and a renowned personal manager whose producer clients include RedOne, Adam Anders, and Orange Factory Music Moderator.

Mr. Morris is an active member of the conference’s planning committee and a frequent participant in this important industry event.  He is past president of the California Copyright Conference and has been named a “Super Lawyer” among Southern California lawyers for seven consecutive years, from 2006 through 2012.   He was also designated by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of “L.A.’s Top 100 Lawyers” in 2009. 

Mr. Morris’ clients include Grammy winners and other recording artists, record labels, production companies, music composers, on-screen talent and talent agents.