Janell A. Israel & Associates

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

December 2010 Tax Newsletter

What's new in taxes:

Save Energy And Taxes: An IRS Reminder

The IRS recently issued a bulletin reminding taxpayers that making energy-saving improvements to their homes before the end of the year can lower their taxes for 2010.

The credit allows you to claim up to 30% of the cost of energy-efficient windows, doors, certain roofs, high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters, and other energy-saving improvements to your principal residence. The maximum credit for amounts spent in 2009 and 2010 is $1,500.

A second energy credit is available to encourage investment in alternative energy equipment such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property.

The IRS cautions homeowners to check the manufacturer's tax credit certification statement before purchasing or installing any of these improvements. The certification statement can usually be found on the manufacturer's website or with the product packaging. Not all energy-efficient improvements qualify for the tax credits. The manufacturer's certification is different from the Department of Energy's Energy Star label, and not all Energy Star labeled products qualify for the tax credits.

How To Deal With An Audit Notice

The number of IRS audits has doubled over the past ten years. Coupled with the new informational filing requirements for businesses, your chances of an IRS audit notification are not insignificant. If the IRS should come calling, here are some things to consider.

First, be aware that the IRS can contact you either by mail or phone. The majority of audits take the form of a mailed notice requesting certain information. These are often easily handled, but don't automatically assume that you know what the IRS wants. The best first step is to contact our office and provide us with a copy of the notice. It's critical to reply to the request by the deadline shown on the notice. For added safety, respond using certified mail.

However, the IRS might first notify you of an audit by phone. Phone notifications are on the rise, and, unfortunately, scam artists are taking advantage of this fact. The call you receive might not be from the IRS at all, but instead from an imposter hoping to gain access to your personal information.

If it is truly the IRS on the line, be aware that the agent will carefully document every word you say and perhaps use those words against you. To protect yourself, simply take down the agent's name and contact information, and tell the agent that your professional representative will be following up with him or her. Don't engage in idle chitchat or answer any questions, even innocent-sounding ones.

Later on, the audit might result in a personal visit to your home or business to allow the agent to gather more information. These audits are referred to as field audits. You could also be summoned to the agent's office. In either case, never go it alone. Keep us and/or your attorney abreast of all developments. And never just ignore a notice - that could make matters much worse.

Your best defense against an audit might be to take steps to minimize your risks. Maintain complete and accurate records. Save important tax receipts for seven years. And stay familiar with the latest tax rules.

The odds of an IRS audit might be rising, but knowing what to do, and who to contact first can make the experience less stressful. Our office stands ready to assist you should the IRS ever call your number.

New Business:

New 1099 Reporting Rules May Be Repealed

The recent health care reform legislation included a new reporting requirement for businesses. Beginning in 2012, a Form 1099 must be filed with the IRS for payments of $600 or more made to corporations. Previous law required such reporting only for amounts of $600 or more paid to unincorporated businesses.

"The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010" added another reporting requirement, this one to take effect January 1, 2011. Landlords will be required to file Form 1099s with the IRS for payments of $600 or more made for rental property expenses.

Responding to the complaints from businesses that these new reporting requirements would be very burdensome, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has announced legislation that would repeal both of these provisions.

Stay tuned to see if repeal will actually happen. If it doesn't, get your business ready for these new requirements.

What's New in Fiances:

Check Gift Cards Carefully Before You Give

For years, gift cards have been a popular way to solve the problem of what to give at holiday time. But too often the cards had expiration dates, inactivity fees, and other restrictions that cut into the joy of giving.

New rules enacted last year will eliminate some of the issues consumers have had with gift cards. Under the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act (CARD Act), gift cards purchased after August 22, 2010, cannot have expiration dates of less than five years. Inactivity fees can't be charged unless the card hasn't been used for at least 12 months.

But its still advisable to check the details on any gift card you're thinking of buying. Watch for fees charged just to purchase the card, inactivity fees, and outdated disclosure information about the card. Also be aware that if the retailer whose card you buy goes bankrupt, the gift card is likely to be worthless.

As with any purchase, the key to getting your money's worth is knowing exactly what you're getting before you buy.

Is it time to refinance your home mortgage?

Mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the average interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages dropped to 4.25% in September, 2010, and the average rate for 15-year mortgages fell to 3.73%. These are the lowest rates in almost 50 years.

If you're currently paying mortgage interest at a higher rate, you may be tempted to refinance your existing mortgage, even if you already refinanced once or twice before. But should you do it? The decision may not be as simple as it first seems.

Comparing interest rates is not enough. Here are some other factors to consider before you refinance.

* Compare apples to apples. Always request a good-faith cost estimate from any lender. This report should disclose all the fees and closing costs, such as points, credit report fees, inspection fees, private mortgage insurance, and appraisal fees. Use this information to evaluate competing loan proposals.

* Calculate your breakeven period. This is the length of time it takes you to recover the costs a lender typically charges to refinance your mortgage. To do this, divide your refinancing costs by your monthly savings (your current loan payment minus your new loan payment). If you plan on selling your home in the near future, refinancing may not save you money because it usually takes several years to recover refinancing costs through a lower monthly payment.

* Check for prepayment penalties. Before you pay off your existing loan, check for an early payment penalty clause. Your note agreement will spell out the exact terms of the prepayment penalty, if any, or you can check with your lender. A prepayment penalty will lengthen your breakeven period.

* Analyze the loan term. To save interest, avoid stretching out your total loan period when you refinance. Let's say you've been paying for ten years on a 30-year loan. If you take out a new loan with a 30-year term, you will increase your total payoff period to 40 years. Instead, consider making your new loan term coincide with the remaining term of your old loan (in this example, 20 years).

Another alternative is to continue making the same monthly payment toward your new 30-year loan. If you do that, you'll pay off your loan in a shorter period of time. This could save you a substantial amount of interest.

* Take taxes into account. In evaluating a refinancing, don't overlook the potential tax deductions.

   * Loan points. Most lenders charge points, also known as a loan origination fee, on home loans. If you itemize deductions on your tax return, you can generally deduct points paid on a refinancing, but not all in the first year. Instead you must spread your deduction pro rata over the life of the new mortgage. To qualify, paying points must be an established practice in your area, and the amount paid can't be more than what is normally charged in the area.

If you've refinanced in the past, you could be eligible for another deduction. When you pay off a prior refinancing, you can immediately deduct any remaining points from the previous mortgage.

If you refinance to get a lower interest rate or shorter loan term and also to tap your equity to make improvements to your home, points attributable to the home improvement portion can be deducted immediately. Any remaining points must be deducted pro rata over the loan's term.

  * Other deductions. If the lender charges a prepayment penalty for paying off the previous loan early, you can generally deduct the amount paid. Most other closing costs, such as appraisal or title insurance fees, are not deductible. However, you should bring your loan documents to your tax appointment because there could be additional deductions.

Other factors may also come into play. For instance, after you refinance, you may have to adjust your tax withholding or estimated tax payments to reflect a lower interest deduction. And lenders now require more detailed financial information and documentation. We can help you with the paperwork and with making the best choices in your particular circumstances.

Take a Break

Easy on the eyes, but hard on the budget

The federal government is requiring cities to change street name signs from all capital letters to capital and lower case letters in order to make them easier for our aging population to read. Also, Federal Highway Administration rules require communities to make road signs such as "stop" and "yield" easier to read at night.

Good idea? Maybe. But the federal government is not providing any money for the required changes.

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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. 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.