IRS raises per diem standard rates for business travel
Under Notice 2022-44, the high-low method rates will be slightly higher and the list of high-cost localities in the continental United States is revised, both effective Oct. 1.
Deductions
Paying for personal guaranties of company debts
A partner providing a personal guaranty may be entitled to an increase in the basis of his or her partnership interest by virtue of guaranteeing the partnership’s debt.
Microcaptive insurance arrangements after CIC Services
A federal district court recently held that Notice 2016-66, which classifies certain microcaptive insurance arrangements as transactions of interest that are reportable transactions under Regs. Sec. 1.6011-4, is invalid under the Administrative Procedure Act. This article discusses the ramifications of the decision for taxpayers engaging in microcaptive insurance transactions and possible responses to the decision by the IRS.
Standard mileage rate increased July 1
Effective for miles traveled on or after July 1, 2022, the standard mileage rate for purposes of deductible business expenses is 62.5 cents per mile, an increase of 4 cents from the 58.5 cents per mile applicable to travel between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022.
Regs. proposed for present value of estate deductions
Administrative expenses and claims against estates allowable under Sec. 2053 beyond a three-year grace period would be discounted for current deduction, under proposed rules issued by the IRS.
Midyear IRS mileage rate increase follows precedent, recent pleas
Last week’s bump was the third midyear increase in the past 14 years, and it came after members of Congress wrote to the IRS about rising fuel prices.
Standard mileage rate to increase for last half of 2022
Acknowledging recent sharp increases in gasoline prices, the IRS announced a rare midyear increase in the standard mileage rate, starting July 1.
SALT cap challenge is denied Supreme Court review
The $10,000 limitation on deducting state and local taxes stands after the Supreme Court refused to review a long-running lawsuit by New York and three other states.
Current developments in taxation of individuals
This semiannual update covers recent federal tax developments involving individuals, highlighting noteworthy IRS guidance and decisions of the Tax Court and other courts, as well as tax changes made by legislation.
Maximizing the investment interest deduction
In deciding whether to elect to defer investment interest expense, a taxpayer needs to consider marginal tax brackets and the time value of money.
Prior business success lends credence to donkey breeder’s profit motive
Taxpayers had a profit motive for their donkey-breeding activity.
Standard mileage rates to go up in 2022
The IRS issued the annual update of the mileage rate taxpayers may use to compute their deductible automobile costs.
Alimony deduction and income exclusion allowed for insurance premiums
Alimony deduction for health insurance premiums paid for a taxpayer’s wife that were excluded from his income did not result in a double deduction;
Minimizing a hobby loss issue by electing S status
To avoid the hobby loss rules, with their limitation on deductible expenses, an activity must be engaged in for profit; electing S status can help a taxpayer establish profit motive.
Meal portion of per diem allowance can be treated as attributed to a restaurant
An IRS notice provides a special rule for the temporary 100% deduction.
Tax treatment of COVID-19 homeowner relief payments clarified
A revenue procedure clarifies Homeowner Assistance Fund payments are excluded from gross income and gives a safe harbor for computing certain itemized deductions.
AICPA recommends QBI improvements
The AICPA recommended in a letter to Senate tax-writing leaders eight ways to improve the deduction for qualified business income under Sec. 199A.
Male couple cannot deduct medical expenses related to having a baby
The IRS ruled against the deductibility of medical expenses arising from the couple’s use of gestational surrogacy, in vitro fertilization procedures, and related items.
Theft loss deduction requirements
In a recent case, a taxpayer was unable to prove that a theft had actually occurred or that, if one had occurred, he had sustained the loss during the taxable year as required by Sec. 165(e).
Proving employee business expense deductions
Because unreimbursed employee business expenses will be deductible again in 2026, and court cases involving disputes on tax returns for years before 2018 continue to make their way through the courts, knowledge of the details of the unreimbursed employee business expense deduction remains important.
