Is that Side Hustle a Business or Hobby?

Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy, Uncategorized

Hobby loss tax rules of IRC § 183 are nothing new. However, there are a couple of recent developments that make the application of those rules especially relevant: Starting in 2018, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) went into effect. Under the TCJA, taxpayers lost the ability to take miscellaneous itemized deductions. Previously, taxpayers…
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Tax Considerations – Initiative 65 and Medical Marijuana in Mississippi

Current Events, Income Tax, State and Local Tax, Tax

In recent elections, Mississippians overwhelmingly voted to pass Initiative 65 legalizing medical marijuana. This paves the way for an entire new business industry to operate in Mississippi, creating opportunities for business owners, investors, and those who serve them. With businesses possibly being allowed to open sometime in the summer of 2021, it will be important…
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President Joe Biden’s Proposed Tax Policy for Individuals

Current Events, Estate and Gift Tax, Income Tax, Tax

INTRODUCTION In a prior article, Charles J. Allen previously discussed the tax plans of the democratic presidential candidates, while Josh Sage discussed some of Biden’s potential changes here. With the Associated Press calling the presidential race for former vice president Joe Biden on November 7th, time is running short for many taxpayers to take advantage…
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Ninth Circuit says Nice Try on Passive Rental Activities

Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy

Introduction The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently affirmed a District Court’s ruling against a married couple who claimed their losses related to three vacation properties were not limited under the passive activity loss rules of IRC § 469.[1] The couple argued that the management company responsible for renting the property to…
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Lothringer and Alter Ego

Business Transactions, Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy

A recent case shows how a shareholder and corporation, being considered alter egos, can cause unintended consequences. In Lothringer,[1]a corporate shareholder’s individual property was subject to enforced collection action by the IRS to satisfy corporate tax liabilities.[2] The court’s finding that the corporation was the shareholder’s alter ego allowed the IRS to hold the shareholder…
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Non-profit Corporation Denied S Corporation Election

Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy

In a recent Tax Court opinion, the Court granted the IRS’ motion for summary judgment holding that a state law Nonprofit corporation could not election to be treated as S corporation for federal income tax purposes.[1] Clinton Deckard attempted to make an S election for Waterfront Fashion Week, Inc., a Nonprofit corporation organized under the…
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Tax Court Denies Deduction for Business Expenses of Operating a Marijuana Dispensary

Income Tax, Tax, Tax Controversy

In a recent opinion, the Tax Court held that business expenses of a medical marijuana dispensary in California were not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Richmond Patients Group (“Richmond”) sought to deduct its business expenses including compensation to officers, wages, rent, taxes and licenses, and other business related expenses, but the Tax Court denied the…
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