Legal and professional fees incurred in a divorce action were nondeductible personal expenses since the “origin of the claim” in the divorce action was not related to the taxpayer’s trade or business.
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TOPICS / INDIVIDUALS
Deductions
Qualified business income deduction regs. and other guidance issued
The package includes final regulations, guidance on how to calculate W-2 wages, a safe-harbor rule for rental real estate businesses, and new proposed rules on the treatment of previously suspended losses.
Divorce post-TCJA: unexpected consequences
This article discusses changes that might affect clients that are divorced, are in the process of divorcing, or that have prenuptial or post-nuptial agreements.
Sec. 199A: Questions and answers
Jeff Bilsky, CPA, senior practice leader for BDO’s national partnership taxation group, sat down recently for a question-and-answer session on guidance that has been issued on the Sec. 199A qualified business income deduction.
2019 standard mileage rates announced
The IRS released guidance on the standard mileage rate for business, medical and certain moving expenses incurred in 2019.
Service businesses that qualify for the 20% QBI deduction
This article discusses the limitations that apply to
specified service trades or businesses.
IRS clarifies deductibility of business meals
The IRS issued guidance on the deductibility of meal and entertainment expenses after the modification of Sec. 274 by the TCJA.
Avoiding the hobby loss trap after the TCJA
The suspension of the deduction for expenses from hobby activities in the years 2018 through 2025 makes it all the more important for taxpayers to be
able to establish a profit motive for their activities.
Meals continue to be deductible under new IRS guidance
The IRS issued guidance on the deductibility of meal and entertainment expenses after the modification of Sec. 274 by the TCJA.
IRS proposes rules for Sec. 199A qualified business income deduction
The IRS issued guidance on the new Sec. 199A deduction for qualified business income in the form of proposed regulations and a separate notice on how to calculate W-2 wages for those purposes.
IRS issues final rules on adequate substantiation of charitable contributions
Final regulations address how taxpayers can comply with the requirements for adequate substantiation of charitable contributions of money or property.
Inflated charitable contribution deduction denied
A taxpayer could not deduct the original sales price
of clothing donated to charity when the clothing was bought at a discount.
Small businesses and related-party transactions
A recent Tax Court case highlights pitfalls frequently encountered by small businesses that engage in related-party transactions without appropriate planning.
Recent developments in individual taxation
This semiannual review covers changes made by the TCJA, cases and guidance involving hobby losses, qualifying as a real estate professional, innocent spouse relief, and other key topics affecting individuals.
Deemed personal exemption amount introduced for various tax benefits
The IRS issued guidance on how it intends to interpret the exemption amount in tax years 2018 through 2025 in determining who is a qualifying relative for purposes of the various Code provisions that refer to the definition of a dependent in Sec. 152.
Qualified business income deduction regs. proposed
The IRS issued guidance on the new Sec. 199A deduction for qualified business income in the form of proposed regulations and a separate notice on how to calculate W-2 wages for those purposes.
IRS guidance explains changes to standard mileage rate rules and depreciation in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The IRS issued guidance on the standard mileage rates and depreciation limits that were changed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Final rules govern adequate substantiation for charitable contributions
Final regulations address how taxpayers can comply with the requirements for adequate substantiation of charitable contributions of money or property.
States sue over state and local tax deduction cap
Four states have sued in U.S. district court, asking to invalidate the $10,000 limit on the deduction for state and local taxes enacted as part of last year’s tax overhaul.
Coping with the new entertainment expense and transportation fringe benefit rules
This article addresses two common business expenses whose tax rules changed beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
INDIVIDUALS
Current Developments in Taxation of Individuals: Part 1
This update surveys recent federal tax developments involving individuals, including court cases, rulings, and guidance issued during the six months ending October 2025.
