2020 year-end tax tips: What we know and what we should know

December 11, 2020 4:25 PM

For our own accounting and tax firms, as well as the client businesses we advise, we have had a year like no other.

First, we had the tax-filing extension last April. Then government stimulus money was mailed out, PPP loans were made available, and the forgiveness process for those loans has begun. While having all receipts organized continues to be important, this year also has shown us that business can’t go on as usual when something very unusual is going on. With that in mind, below is my list of the obvious and not so obvious year-end tax tips to consider as we prepare ourselves and our clients for the new year.

Shop this year for next year

Whatever you plan to spend next year, try and buy as much as you can now, before Dec. 31. That is because any business purchase completed before the end of the year will give you a 100 percent deduction on the cost of the items.

Defer or accelerate your income

Deferring income, pushing income that could be collected this year into next year, should be recommended when it is believed that next year’s tax rate will be lower. Accelerating income means trying to collect all possible income before Dec. 31, 2020, instead of in 2021. Recommend this if the company expects to make more money in the next year so they will be taxed now in a lower bracket.

Add children to the payroll

W-2 wages paid by the parent to the parent’s minor child, for work done through sole proprietor or partnership business, are tax deductible and exempt from federal payroll taxes for both the parent and the child. If you or any of your clients operate your business as a sole proprietorship, or as a partnership, you will face no federal payroll taxes on the W-2 wages you pay your minor child. Pay reasonable wages, track the tasks through timesheets and document their works thoroughly.

Hire spouses

Love alone won’t reap tax benefits, but paying your spouse through official channels will! All the time and effort that your spouse puts into your business should be compensated by paying them a salary and contributing the maximum amount allowable to a 401(k), including an employer match. An annual salary of $21,500 would result in zero incremental taxes, after maxing out his or her 401(k).

Buy that new car or truck

A vehicle purchase can also earn you major deductions and tax benefits in 2020. If a company buys and places in service a new or used SUV or crossover vehicle that the manufacturer classifies as a truck, and has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 6,001 pounds or more, you may receive these big benefits: the ability to elect bonus depreciation of 100 percent; ability to select Section 179 expenses of up to $25,900; MACRS depreciation using the five-year table; and no luxury limits on vehicle depreciation deductions. It is important to note that bonus depreciation applies to both new and used property.

With the close of 2020 just a few weeks away, your clients still have time to reduce their tax bill. Most importantly, make sure to remind all of your clients that the cost of tax preparation for your services is deductible too!

Anil Grandhi is CEO and founder of Seattle-headquartered AG FinTax, providing expertise and guidance nationwide to entrepreneurs and small businesses on tax planning, CFO services, wealth management and the PPP loan forgiveness process. He can be reached at anil@agfintax.com.