How the CARES Act affects Charitable Donations and Their Tax Implications

Charitable donations

2020 has been a tough year and COVID-19 has affected all individuals. Earlier this year the US government stepped in with the passing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act. The aim of the Act was to stabilize the US economy and offer relief to businesses and individuals adversely affected by the Coronavirus. The Act includes a provision that encourages taxpayers to increase their charitable giving during the pandemic.  How does the CARES Act affect charitable donations and tax implications for you? We have all the info you need!

Charitable Donations and Tax 

Standard deductions 

If you take the standard deduction in 2020, you can deduct up to $300 of charitable contributions to an eligible organization of your choice. Below are the standard deductions for 2020:

  • Single: $12,400
  • Head of household: $18,650
  • Married jointly filing: $24,800
  • Married filing separately: $12,400

For those who are over 65 and/or blind, this amount can increase by $1,300 per taxpayer. 

Itemized deductions

For itemized deductions, the adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash contributions was increased with the CARES act and affects individual donors. The limit has been increased from 60% to 100% for 2020 only. This means that any cash contributions you make can be deducted up to 100% of your AGI. 

Corporate giving 

The AGI limit for corporate donors was increased from 10%, meaning that corporations can now deduct up to 25% of taxable income for 2020 only. 

Conditions to qualify for tax benefits 

To qualify as a tax deduction, corporate taxpayers and individuals need to follow the guidelines below: 

Conditions that do not qualify include:

  • Property contributions
  • Marketable securities
  • Real assets
  • Corporate foundations
  • Private non-operating foundations
  • Family foundations
  • Charitable contributions made into a donor-advised fund

Do not forget, to qualify for the latest deduction limits of 100% for itemizing individual taxpayers and 25% for corporations, all charitable contributions must be made during 2020. Our team of expert accountants at Georgen Scarborough serves individuals, corporate businesses, and families with charitable donations and their tax implications. 

If you are focused on your charitable goals, we hope our guide helps you understand how the CARES Act affects charitable donation. 

Reasons to Choose Georgen Scarborough

Georgen Scarborough Associates takes the time to help you achieve your personalized financial goals. Some of the services we offer include:

  • Electronic filing (e-filing) for all tax returns
  • Income tax planning
  • Estimated tax preparation
  • Equipment depreciation, pension, 401K, and other tax services

For more information on government and tax implications, contact us today!

Best Practices for Tax Preparation for Small Business

Small business tax

It is not easy to run a small business! You have to ensure that you follow all regulations as well as satisfy all small business tax requirements. This can be particularly stressing during tax season and at the end of the financial year. Good business practice is important to manage and grow your business. Good practices can lead to more income if you want to sell your business in the long term or if you need to secure financial assistance. We have a checklist to ensure your tax preparation for your small business goes smoothly.  

Ensure your financial records are up-to-date 

It’s important to ensure all of your financial  records are kept up-to-date so that you reduce stress on yourself and your staff at the end of the financial year. Ask for regular reports and statements of all activity that occurs in your business. These include all tasks and their due dates, financial statements which include profit and loss statements and balance sheets. These financial statements will also help the quality of your business by helping you evaluate where your business needs improvement so that you implement the necessary changes. 

Monitor your payroll

It doesn’t matter what system you use for payroll, as long as it is done correctly and timely, preferably by a professional. You need to ensure that your payroll is up-to-date as the IRS requires filings every quarter. It also gives your business a good credit record which is advantageous to you in the long term with potential investors or banks. 

Properly classify your business 

Is your small business a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Corporation or Sole Proprietorship? Each classification has different regulations and tax requirements. Ensuring that your business falls under the correct category, and is classified by this, can save your business from paying extra on taxes. A good accountant can help you out with classifying your business and saving you the money you deserve. 

Sort out any personal affairs 

This is where the importance of adequate record keeping matters the most! Make sure any personal affairs are taken care of and that you are not leaving out deductions before filing for taxes. This will help you to avoid putting yourself at risk for an audit at the end of the financial year. It may be difficult for you or your staff to keep track of deductions throughout the year, especially if you have falling behind. This stresses the importance of an accountant to help you track your finances and to make your business life so much simpler. 

Hire the best accountant 

When it comes down to your small business tax preparation, you need to be sure that your forms are accurately filled. An expert accountant can help you to track your income and expenditure throughout the year so that your small business is prepared when tax season arrives. This reduces stress and time on you and your staff, as well as fulfilling your business’s statutory requirements. A good accountant should be one that specifically listens to you and your business needs, makes use of the best accounting software and has expert knowledge on the latest regulatory tax requirements. 

Georgen Scarborough Associates makes your small business tax preparation easier 

Good business practice ensures that your small business is a success and that everything runs smoothly when it comes to tax season, without legal implications. You are going to need a professional accountant to guarantee your business is a success and that your tax preparation is promptly taken care of. 

Our expert accountants at Georgen Scarborough Associates give each client the personal attention they deserve by providing quality service. We provide tax preparation for small businesses, help with your financial statements and audits, payroll services and analysis for your business. There is nothing we can’t handle! 

Using the latest technology and best accounting software for your small business tax, we can keep track of your financial position, properly classify your business and balance your accounts. This will help your small business to save money, prevent any legal issues from arising, and evaluate any weak points in your small business that needs improving. We do not just help you with your accounts, we help you to grow a legacy! 

For more information on tax preparation and practices for small business, contact us today!