Tax Law Changes That Will Impact Your 2007 Tax Return

Do you own real estate? At the very end of 2007,2011, the credit will be available for wages paid through
Congress passed a bill with several tax law changesAugust 30, 2012.) The targeted veterans group is
impacting real estate. Expect some changes whenexpanded to include veterans with service-connected
you file your 2007 tax return! Here are a few highlightsdisabilities, and doubles the maximum credit for hiring
from the Small Business and Work Opportunity Act ofthose veterans. The "high-risk youth" targeted group
2007.has been replaced with a much broader group that
Expect some changes when you file your 2007 taxincludes older individuals (up through age 39), and
return! Here are a few highlights from the Smallindividuals who reside in certain rural counties. The
Business and Work Opportunity Act of 2007.rehabilitation referrals group has been expanded to
Do you own real estate?include individuals referred through a Social Security
At the very end of 2007, Congress passed a bill withAdministration Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency
several tax law changes impacting real estate.Program. Applies to individuals who begin work for the
Qualified Joint Ventures by Married Taxpayers If aemployer after May 25, 2007.
husband and wife who file a joint return are the onlyWaiver of AMT Limits on Work Opportunity and FICA
members of a qualified joint venture, they can electTip Credits: The work opportunity tax credit and the
not to be treated as a partnership for Federal taxcredit for portion of FICA taxes paid with respect to
purposes. Applies to tax years beginning afteremployee cash tips may offset alternative minimum
December 31, 2006.tax liability. The waiver of AMT limits apply to credits
§179 Deductions: This great deduction has beendetermined in tax years beginning after December 31,
extended through 2010. Taxpayers with $500,000 or2006, and to carrrybacks of such credits. Effective for
less in assets placed in service on or after January 1,tax years beginning after December 31, 2006, and to
2007 can elect to expense immediately up to $125,000.carrybacks of such credits.
GO ZONE §179 Deductions: For 2007 TaxpayersSale of Stock in a Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiary:
with $1,050,000 or less in assets placed in service onAn S corporation's sale of a QSub's stock is treated
or after January 1, 2007 can elect to expenseas a sale of an undivided interest in the QSub's assets
immediately up to $212,000.followed by a deemed creation of the subsidiary in a
FICA Tip Credit: The FICA tip credit will continue to be§351 transaction. These new rules are not
based on the old minimum wage of $5.15 even thoughintended to affect current law treatment of transfers
the minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $7.25of QSub stock in otherwise nontaxable transactions.
over the next two years. Applies to tips received forFor example, certain pro rata distributions of QSub
services performed after December 31, 2006.stock by a parent S corporation to its shareholders
Work Opportunity Tax Credit: The Work Opportunitycan qualify for tax free treatment if the requirements
Tax Credit is extended an additional 44 monthsof §355 and §368(a)(1)(D). Applies to tax
through August 31, 2011. (Note that with respect to anyears beginning after December 31, 2006.
employer that hires a targeted individual on August 31,What changes are in store for your 2008 taxes?