Monthly Archives: November 2015
Sliding Door Injury Results in $21.5M Trial Verdict
A federal jury trial awarded $21.5 million in damages to a Springfield, Illinois man who was injured by an automatic sliding-glass door on a Holland America Line cruise ship dating back to 2011.
The personal injury damages awarded by the jury were $5M, which are tax free. The punitive damages were $16.5M which means a windfall for the IRS. That’s right, the entire $16.5M is taxable and the attorney fee, which is normally contingent for personal injury cases (30-40% contingent fee), will be challenging to deduct. That means the IRS will get the largest share of the $16.5M and the attorney will get a large cut as well.
Shockingly, it pays to evaluate the tax implications into your legal decisions when the punitive awards could create a huge tax bill.
As you might suspect, Holland America Cruise has appealed the verdict so a settlement for a amount less than $21.5M, but a higher award for personal injuries (higher than $5M) may be a win win solution.
Craft Brewery Sells for $1 Billion
When a craft brewery that most of us have never heard of sells for $1 billion dollars, then you realize that it’s no longer a tiny niche business.
Craft beer accounted for 11% of U.S. beer sales in 2014 and market share is rapidly increasing. Just this week, the owner of Corona and Modelo, Constellation Brands in Upstate NY, purchased Ballast Point for roughly $1 billion.
Ballast Point started selling beer commercially in 1996 and growing at a rate of 80% over the past two years. According to Brewer’s Assn, it is the 31st largest craft brewer in the country. Ballast Point is available for sale in 30 states and Sculpin IPA is their hot seller. Overall, Ballast Point produces approximately 300,000 barrels annually and the sale does not include Ballast Point Spirits, which makes rums and whiskeys.
To put this into perspective, Constellation Brands will be paying 20 times Ballast’s revenue in 2014. And if Ballast’s revenue increases 100% in 2015, then the multiple is 10 times revenue, which is still a stiff premium.
And while demand for craft brews explodes, demand for watered down national brands like Bud, Miller, and Coors is flat which is creating a trend towards consolidation. For example, AB InBev’s takeover of SABMiller for $107B.
While the acquisition of craft brews is nothing new, the valuation on this purchase is eye opening.
Mark E. Feinsot, CPA is a New York City CPA Firm servicing business owners that would like to eventually sell their business for more than $1B. If you are searching for an accountant to help with your new growth phase, call 212-631-0320 and ask for Mark Feinsot. Our initial consultation is free.
Tax Benefits of Health Savings Accounts
While most people are familiar with tax benefits for other types of investments, often times, they are less familiar when it comes to the tax benefits of health savings accounts. There are three such benefits that you should know about and take advantage of.
Perhaps the largest tax benefit is that the money that goes into the account is tax-deductible. Also, if the money is invested through a company payroll deduction, all contributions are made pre-tax.
The second tax benefit comes on the interest side. Health savings accounts, do earn interest, and this interest is tax free. This allows an individual to use the account for long-term appreciation as the money does grows tax free. In that regard, it is very much like a Roth IRA with the added benefit of a current tax deduction.
The third tax benefit is that the owner of the account has the option of taking tax free withdrawals for medical expenses. These expenses must quality, but they do include almost all services provided by licensed health providers as well as substance abuse treatment and prescriptions.
Currently, in 2015, an individual can contribute up to $3,350 and a family can contribute up to $6,650. For those over the age of 55, an extra $1,000 contribution per year is allowed.
Finally, it is important to note that health savings accounts do not have a limit on carry-overs or a requirement on when the funds must be used. This is what enables them to be used for long-term savings to offset increased health-care costs or additional costs after retirement.
While health savings accounts haven’t always been on the forefront of investment options, with health insurance policy’s current rising deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses, more individuals are qualifying for the accounts, and with the tax benefits, it’s wise to give them a look.
If you are tired of overpaying taxes, call 212-631-0320 and ask for Mark Feinsot.
Feinsot CPA is a licensed New York City CPA Firm with offices on 57th Street and 32nd Street to service clients throughout Midtown Manhattan. Our practice services businesses and individuals. For additional expertise, we have concentrations in Law Firm Accounting, Aviation Accounting, Dental Practice Accounting and High Net Worth Accounting and Tax.
Tax Credits for Electric Car Owners in New York City
Besides being healthier for the environment, purchasing an electric car can be healthy for your tax return. However, there are a few requirements that go hand-in-hand with the purchase of an electric car that one needs to understand to reap the full benefit from the tax credit.
Put simply, the current tax credit for purchasing an electric car is $7,500. This tax credit is not a rebate, so you will not receive it when you purchase the vehicle, nor is it a tax deduction. That means you cannot use it to reduce the amount of your taxable income.
How to Use an Electric Car Tax Credit
In the year you purchase an electric car, you are allowed to reduce the total amount of income tax you owe by $7,500. This means that if you own less than $7,500, you will lose the remainder of the tax credit. For example, if your tax liability is $6,500, then that is the full amount of the tax credit you will receive. The balance is not a refund nor can it be used to offset future tax liabilities.
Determining Which Cars Qualify for the Tax Credit
When considering the purchase of an electric car, keep in mind, it must be a new vehicle that will be used for your personal use. You cannot use the credit on a used car or a lease as the leasing company typically receives the tax credit. In addition, the car must have been manufactured by a car company and cannot be a conversion. Finally, the car must be used in the United States.
As with all things related to the IRS, there are conditions that must be adhered to when using the electric car tax credit, but the upside is that by utilizing this credit, it is possible to bring the cost of an electric car down to where it is inline with a gasoline vehicle.
If you are tired of paying so much in taxes, call 212-631-0320 and ask for Mark Feinsot. Our firm is designed to lower your taxes legally.
Mark Feinsot CPA is a New York City CPA Firm with two convenient offices in Midtown. One office is located in the Garment District on 57th Street and the other is Broadway on 32nd Street.
