It's easier to say what can't be held than what can be held in a Roth or IRA. You can't hold collectibles or life insurance contracts in a Roth or IRA. Roths and IRAs aren't permitted shareholders of S corporations, except for bank stock held on October 22, 2004, so S corporation stock generally is not a permitted investment for a Roth or IRA.
Does your Roth or IRA owe an income tax?
Many people aren’t aware that “tax exempt” entities, including charities and retirement plans, are subject to income taxes on certain types of income, called “unrelated business income.” How to apply the tax rules for unrelated business income is one of the more complex sections of the income tax laws.
Can employee option stock be contributed to an IRA or Roth?
Stock acquired using a stock option can't be contributed to an IRA or Roth. According to Internal Revenue Code Section 219(e)(1), contributions, except for rollover contributions, must be in cash.
Tax Help & Student Loans For College Education
On this week's Financial Insider Weekly interview scheduled to be broadcast in San Jose and Campbell, College finacing expert David Beck CFP(R) discuses using tax benefits and student loans to finance a college education.
Correction San Jose broadcast Financial Insider Weekly
David Beck Financial Insider Weekly interview on Financial Aid For College Education rescheduled for broadcast in San Jose and Campbell on March 3.
Santa Cruz to broadcast Financial Insider Weekly
Community Television of Santa Cruz County will begin broadcasting Financial Insider Weekly on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow, February 18, 2010. The show will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 27 in Santa Cruz County and on Charter Communications Channel 73 in Watsonville and Capitola.
2010 Estate Tax repeal might “stick”
The unthinkable has happened. The one year estate tax repeal for 2010 that was enacted in 2001 is in effect, and now it appears that, if it is reinstated at all, the restoration will be prospective, not retroactive.
IRS “audits” tax return preparers
The IRS has announced that about 10,000 tax return preparers are receiving a letter reminding them of their responsibilities as a tax return preparer and common errors on income tax returns. In addition, a random sample of preparers are being visited by IRS revenue agents this tax season. The visits are expected to last about three hours.
The IRS professional responsibilities division has also lately been more heavy handed in raiding offices of preparers viewed as being abusive in claiming unsubstanted deductions and credits and imposing penalties, including suspending preparers from preparing income tax returns. A leading reason for suspending enrolled agents, CPAs and attorneys from practicing before the IRS is failure to file their own income tax returns.
Taxpayers who “shop” for a tax return preparer based on “getting the maximum refund” or taking very agressive tax positions should be on notice. The IRS is serious about improving enforcement at the preparer level. The entire client file of a tax return preparer who is deemed to be “abusive” may be selected for tax audits. It has already happened.
When evaluating who to hire to prepare your income tax returns, you should try to assess whether this is an individual or firm who is making a priority of keeping you out of trouble with the IRS. If you are taking a position that could lead to litigation, you want to know about it in advance and what your risks are by taking such a position.
Also, ask if your tax return preparer is up to date in filing his or her own income tax returns.
Saratoga to broadcast Financial Insider Weekly
Financial Insider Weekly is scheduled to begin broadcasts on Saratoga Community Access TV, Comcast channel 15, on Monday nights at 7:30 p.m., starting Monday, February 15, 2010.
Estate and Gift Tax Problems of Same Sex Couples
Financial Insider Weekly interview of Professor Patricia Cain of Santa Clara University School of Law discussing estate and gift tax problems of same sex couples is scheduled for broadcast this Wednesday, 2/10/10 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Comcast Channel 15 in San Jose and Campbell.