Janell A. Israel & Associates

1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1604, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814 Phone: 808-942-8817

March 2011 Tax Newsletter

What's new in taxes:

What's New in Taxes: IRS Changes Filing Deadline

This year the deadline for filing various tax returns normally due on April 15 is being changed to April 18, 2011. The reason? Washington, D.C. is observing its Emancipation Day holiday on April 15, and though that's not a national holiday, the Treasury Department has extended Tax Day 2011 to Monday, April 18. The new deadline applies to individual and partnership tax returns, extension requests, and other tax deadlines such as making 2010 IRA and education savings account contributions, and making the first 2011 estimated tax payment.

A New Baby Can Bring a Lower Tax Bill

If you had a baby in 2010, or you're planning on having one in 2011, you are not only getting a little bundle of joy, but you're also getting a significant tax deduction. The amount of the deductions and credits certainly won't cover the cost of raising your child, but every little bit of tax savings helps. A few of the tax issues that you should be aware of include the following items.

* Additional exemption. Your new baby generates an additional exemption to claim on your return, and with the 2010 exemption level at $3,650 ($3,700 for 2011), that could equate to some significant tax savings.

* Child tax credit. You are also allowed a $1,000 credit against your taxes for your new family addition. And if your tax liability is less than the maximum credit, Uncle Sam will give you a refund for the difference.

* Dependent care credit. If you pay for child care to allow you to work or look for work, you may qualify for the dependent care credit.

Don't overlook savings for college. The sooner you can start saving, the more you can accumulate to be used for future education expenses. Here are three tax-advantaged ways to save for your new baby's future college expenses.

* Coverdell education savings account. You can deposit up to $2,000 annually into this account with withdrawals treated as tax-free if used for education.

* 529 college savings plan. This is another savings vehicle that allows you to put away even larger amounts for college expenses, with the earnings on the account treated as tax-free if used for education.

* Roth IRA. When your little one gets a bit older and begins to work, consider depositing some of that income into a Roth IRA account. This account can be used for education, or just for general investment, and might not be subject to a 10% penalty on qualified withdrawals.

So don't overlook the benefits in the tax code if you have a new addition to the family!

New Business:

Cash In On The New Business Rules

Get an early start to maximize the new tax breaks for your business. The 50% bonus depreciation was increased to 100% - but only for assets purchased from September 9, 2010, through December 31, 2011. While this increase makes it seem there's little difference between bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing, each election has distinct rules that can impact decision making. One example: Bonus depreciation is available only for new assets; expensing applies to both new and used assets.

Another depreciation break is the reinstatement of the 15-year expensing period for qualified leasehold improvements, restaurant property, and retail improvement property.

Qualified businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees can receive a tax credit of up to 35% of employer-paid health care costs.

Another fringe benefit to consider is the tax-free reimbursement of employees' mass-transit commuting expenses. Workers can be reimbursed up to $230 per month for qualified highway vehicle transportation and transit pass expenses, and up to $20 per month for bicycle commuting costs.

While it doesn't reduce your tax bill, you might raise your workers' morale by informing them that they no longer have to account for the personal use of their company-provided mobile phone. Such recordkeeping requirements were eliminated last year.

What's New in Finances:

Early Investment Planning Can Save Taxes

Capital gain rates will remain at a maximum of 15% (and a minimum of 0%) through December 31, 2012. The rates apply to qualified dividends and long-term gains from investments you sell. That makes 2011 a good time to implement strategies for potential tax savings.

One example: You may be able to manage your income to stay within the 10% or 15% income tax brackets, which would allow you to take advantage of the 0% capital gain rate.

Alternatively, you could gift appreciated stock to family members in those brackets. For 2011, the cutoff for the 15% bracket is $69,000 of taxable income when you're married filing jointly ($34,500 for singles).

It might be time to "harvest" some of your unrealized gains in case tax rates rise again in the future. Also a tax-savvy way to completely eliminate your capital gains tax might be to donate appreciated stock to charity and receive a deduction equal to the security's current market value. Special rules apply to noncash donations, so check with us before you move forward on this strategy.

Are Uou Saving Enough? Here's How To Get Your Savings Program On Track

With the economic downturn still fresh in the minds of most Americans, you'd think rates of saving would be climbing through the roof. Surely people recognize - at long last - the need to sock away more money. After all, the job market is unstable, the stock market uncertain, and housing values notoriously unreliable.

* So what's to be done? How can we ramp up our savings? Clearly, cutting back on cable television channels, packing a lunch once a week, or dropping a magazine subscription won't generate substantial savings. If you're really committed to building wealth, it's essential to focus on the big stuff. For many Americans, that means attacking household debt with a vengeance.

If your credit card payment is big, your car payment bigger, and your mortgage payment even bigger, your savings accounts may be starved. And without enough cash to cover emergencies, many folks resort to credit cards and lines of credit to cover unforeseen expenses. So the cycle continues.

* How can you get ahead of the curve? First, build up an emergency fund before life's inevitable crises happen. How much should you set aside? The general rule is enough to cover three to six months of living expenses. As a first step, track your expenses for a month. Discover how much you really spend on groceries, utilities, and dinners out. Then project those expenses out three to six months.

Next, look at your income. How stable is your job? Do you have one or two salaries? How long might it take to find another job in your field? Use those factors to determine the target for your emergency account. Finally, think about where to stash your savings. You want the funds to be available - without withdrawal penalties or tax consequences - when you need them. With that in mind, a money-market or interest-paying savings account is often the best place to park an emergency fund.

* How can you stay on track? Once you have an emergency fund, consider these steps to keep your savings plan on track.

Treat your savings as your most important monthly bill. Write a check to savings first, or have your savings automatically deducted from your checking account or paycheck.

Tax-deferred retirement accounts offer a smart way for you to save money for retirement. If your employer offers a 401(k) or SIMPLE retirement plan, contribute the maximum amount allowed. If your employer offers no plan, consider contributing to an individual retirement account (IRA). The money you contribute to a retirement account can reduce your taxable income and grow tax-free until withdrawn.

When it comes to saving, think "control." For example, control the use of your credit cards. The amount you pay each month in finance charges could go to savings instead. Also, control the use of your ATM card. Get in the habit of giving yourself a regular cash allowance, and try to live with it.

Take a Break

An Unusual Year...

This year we will experience four unusual dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11.

Now go figure this out: Take the last two digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year, and it will be equal to 111!

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All information is believed to be from reliable sources, however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. The information contained in this newsletter is provided by Mostad & Christensen, Inc. The information is of a general nature and should not be acted upon in your specific situation without further details and/or professional assistance. For more information on anything in this newsletter, or for assistance with any of your tax, business, or financial strategy concerns, contact our office.

Securities and advisory services offered through National Planning Corporation (NPC), Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Mosted & Christensen, Janell Israel & Associates and NPC are separate and unrelated companies.

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Please visit www.janellisrael.com for up-to-date financial information & www.postoplanning.com for information regarding long term care insurance.