IR-2019-75, April 17, 2019

WASHINGTON –The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance (PDF) providing additional details about investment in qualified opportunity zones.

The proposed regulations allow the deferral of all or part of a gain that is invested into a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QO Fund) that would otherwise be includible in income. The gain is deferred until the investment is sold or exchanged or Dec. 31, 2026, whichever is earlier. If the investment is held for at least 10 years, investors may be able to permanently exclude gain from the sale or exchange of an investment in a QO Fund.

Qualified opportunity zone business property is tangible property used in a trade or business of the QO Fund if the property was purchased after Dec. 31, 2017. The guidance permits tangible property acquired after Dec. 31, 2017, under a market rate lease to qualify as “qualified opportunity zone business property” if during substantially all of the holding period of the property, substantially all of the use of the property was in a qualified opportunity zone.

A key part of the newly released guidance clarifies the ”substantially all” requirements for the holding period and use of the tangible business property:

For use of the property, at least 70 percent of the property must be used in a qualified opportunity zone.
For the holding period of the property, tangible property must be qualified opportunity zone business property for at least 90 percent of the QO Fund’s or qualified opportunity zone business’s holding period.
The partnership or corporation must be a qualified opportunity zone business for at least 90 percent of the QO Fund’s holding period.
The guidance notes there are situations where deferred gains may become taxable if an investor transfers their interest in a QO Fund. For example, if the transfer is done by gift the deferred gain may become taxable. However, inheritance by a surviving spouse is not a taxable transfer, nor is a transfer, upon death, of an ownership interest in a QO Fund to an estate or a revocable trust that becomes irrevocable upon death.

The guidance (PDF) is posted on IRS.gov. These regulations relate to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017.

For information about other TCJA provisions, visit IRS.gov/taxreform.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our long-term employee and friend, Mary Sweet, who passed away October 26, 2018 at the age of 73. We’re grateful for all of the years spent together and memories made during the 31 years that Mary worked with GRKB.

Full Obituary for Mary can be found here:
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/telegram/obituary.aspx?n=mary-sweet&pid=190588498&fhid=20762

Changes in tax law are here and we want to help you navigate the landscape. Contact us soon for an appointment to identify tax planning strategies to capitalize on opportunities within the new law.

Continue to Tax Reform Snapshot…

Many taxpayers have encountered individuals impersonating IRS officials – in person, over the telephone and via email. Don’t get scammed. We want you to understand how and when the IRS contacts taxpayers and help you determine whether a contact you may have received is truly from an IRS employee.

The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.

However, there are special circumstances in which the IRS will call or come to a home or business, such as when a taxpayer has an overdue tax bill, to secure a delinquent tax return or a delinquent employment tax payment, or to tour a business as part of an audit or during criminal investigations.

Even then, taxpayers will generally first receive several letters (called “notices”) from the IRS in the mail.

Read the complete IRS article at: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-know-its-really-the-irs-calling-or-knocking-on-your-door

GRKB was the host firm for the JHI 2016 Region of the Americas Conference and Annual General Meeting, which was held June 8-11 in Boston.  In attendance were JHI member firms from throughout the U.S. and Canada; as well as member firms from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico.  Ireland was also represented as the JHI International Chair was also in attendance.  The conference focused on the Culture of Success, led by Jeremy Wortman, PhD, and the Culture of Appreciation, led by Jeff Birk.  Each session was a good mixture of information, entertainment and group participation.  The conference provided an opportunity for JHI members to meet and network with their counterparts from other parts of the world.  Social activities included visits to the Massachusetts State House, Freedom Trail, Cape Cod, Kennedy compound, and a Duck Boat tour.  One of the trip highlights was a State House group photo in the chamber of the House of Representatives, which included our tour guide, Senator Ryan Fattman (kneeling in front).

JHI is a worldwide association of independent CPA firms that possess substantial experience and understanding of the accounting and business practices in their jurisdiction, and of the socio-economic culture of their community and region. JHI members share uniformly high standards in the delivery of responsive, personalized accounting, tax and business advisory services. The combined JHI resources provide a powerful business asset for our clients by enabling us to serve their financial and business needs whenever and wherever they arise.

Tips to Keep Your Tax Records Secure; Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

IRS Security Awareness Tax Tip Number 8, January 11, 2016

If you’re still keeping old tax returns and receipts stuffed in a shoe box stuck in the back of the closet, you might want to rethink that approach.

The IRS has teamed up with state revenue departments and the tax industry to make sure you understand the dangers to your personal and financial data.

Read the IRS Security Awareness Tips at: https://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Security-Awareness-Tax-Tips

June 2014 – Worcester, MA — Rick Powell, CPA, a Senior Vice President at Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull & Bitsoli, P.C., served on a Panel of Experts at The Venture Forum June program featuring Guy Kawasaki.  Serving on the panel with Rick were leading Intellectual Property Attorneys and Venture Capitalists.  The panel focused on matters relative to entrepreneurs getting their first investment and how to organize the venture and team for long-term growth and success. Guy Kawasaki spoke of his time as chief evangelist at Apple, as well as his experiences in a multitude of his other ventures including author, consultant and VC.  The Venture Forum is a not-for-profit organization providing education, advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs.

WASHINGTON — Taxpayers who make cash contributions on or before April 14, 2014, for Philippines typhoon relief can get an immediate tax benefit by choosing to claim them on their 2013 returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Read More in the IRS Newsroom…

Updated IRS Smartphone App IRS2Go Version 4.0 Now Available

IR-2014-11, Feb. 4, 2014

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the release of IRS2Go 4.0, an update to its smartphone application featuring new added features available in both English and Spanish.

The redesigned IRS2Go provides new features for taxpayers to access the latest information to help them in the preparation of their tax returns. In this version, IRS2Go highlights the addition of an innovative new refund status tracker, providing taxpayers an easy-to-use feature to follow their tax return throughout the process.

“The new version of IRS2Go provides taxpayers another way to quickly get information and help around the clock,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The IRS is focused on providing taxpayers with convenient self-service tools like IRS2Go, which provides details on everything from tax refunds to free tax assistance.”

There have been about 3.5 million downloads of IRS2Go since its inception in 2011. iPhone and iPod Touch users can update or download the free IRS2Go application by visiting the iTunes App Store. Android users can visit Google Play to download the free IRS2Go app.

The newest version of the free mobile app offers a number of safe and secure ways for taxpayers to access other popular tools and the most up-to-date tax information, including:
•Refund Status. Taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refund through IRS2Go. People simply enter their Social Security number, which will be masked and encrypted for security purposes, then select their filing status and enter the amount of their anticipated refund for their 2013 tax return. A new refund status tracker has been added so that taxpayers can follow their tax return throughout the process. Users can check their refund status 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an e-filed return, or four weeks after mailing a paper return. The IRS reminds taxpayers the tool is updated just once a day, usually overnight, so there is no reason to check more than once a day.

•Free Tax Prep Providers. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. This brand new tool on IRS2Go will help taxpayers find the nearest VITA site to their home by simply entering their zip code and selecting a mileage range. By clicking on the directions button within the results, the maps application on the device will load with the address, making it easy to navigate to your desired location.

•Tax Records. Taxpayers can request their tax account or tax return transcript from IRS2Go. The transcript will be delivered via the U.S. Postal Service to their address of record.

•Stay Connected. Taxpayers can interact with the IRS by following the IRS on Twitter, @IRSnews or @IRSenEspanol, watching helpful videos on YouTube, signing up for email updates or by using the Contact Us feature.

For more information on IRS2Go, products and services through social media channels and other media products, visit www.IRS.gov.

For this IRS announcement, visit http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Updated-IRS-Smartphone-App-IRS2Go-Version-4.0-Now-Available

Tips for Taxpayers, Victims about Identity Theft and Tax Returns

Read the IRS article outlining some steps that can help you keep your identity safe.

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Tips-for-Taxpayers,-Victims-about-Identity-Theft-and-Tax-Returns-2014