As we start 2021, change is once again on the horizon. Fortunately, Elevate CPA Group is here to help with five potential Biden tax law changes impacting RIA firms.

The transition to the Biden administration shines a spotlight on potential regulatory and tax policy changes that could go into effect as early as this year. Of course, nothing has happened yet, and it’s possible nothing could happen at all. Nevertheless, it’s important to be prepared for these five potential changes so you can act quickly if needed—and help your clients to do the same.

1. Removal of preferential rates for qualified dividends and long-term capital gains for taxpayers with income over $1 million

Under Biden, we could see qualified dividends and long-term capital gains taxed as ordinary income. Given the Senate deadlock, it’s hard to say whether Congress will actually implement this change. Even so, consider accelerating any planned sales for diversification (i.e., to remedy concentrated positions), capital raises, or other reasons to take advantage of current rates. That said, don’t let the tax tail wag the dog.

2. Increased top ordinary income tax rates from 37% to 39.6% at the $400,000+ income level

To the extent that your client will receive income in 2021 and has control over the timing, the earlier they receive it, the better. Consider accelerating wages for S corporation owners, guaranteed payments for LLC/partnership owners, and wages for C corporation owners to avoid having these be subject to a potential tax rate hike. This is not the year to wait until the last minute.

3. New limitation on tax deductions for charitable contributions

Similar to the two situations mentioned above: If you or your clients are planning a charitable gift in 2021 or 2022, consider making it as early as possible. Also, consider accelerating 2022 planned giving into 2021.

4. Expansion of Social Security wage base to more than $400,000 of earned income

This presents a significant incentive for converting from an LLC to an S corporation. Doing so can help to avoid self-employment tax on flow-through earnings, thereby mitigating the impact of this change. Business owners have only until March 15 to make an entity change election for 2021 without triggering late election rules. The time to act is now.

5. Decreased unified tax credit for gift and estate taxes and the elimination of the step-up basis at death

These potential changes could greatly limit the amount individuals can gift to other parties tax-free. For high-net-worth individuals, it’s important to establish a contingency plan for quickly executing a gifting plan if needed. Keep in mind documents related to gifts and trusts take time to execute. Having the documents and plan ready to execute should be a high priority for all high-net-worth individuals.

The bottom line: Be prepared—and make sure your clients are, too.

Although you don’t need to act now, you do need to have a plan—one that can be executed quickly if needed. Elevate CPA Group can help. We provide tax support to RIA firms and can help you provide value to your clients in planning for tax law changes, too. If you’re concerned about how these potential changes could impact you or your clients, contact us today.

Property for Services Series: Part 5 of 5

As we have discussed previously in our Property for Services Series, when property is received in exchange for services, it is taxable as compensation to the service provider. One of the most common situations we encounter is when our clients hold options to purchase stock of their employer. It is important for stock options holders to plan and to understand their options’ tax consequences and timing.

Options are not considered property for Section 83 purposes as long as they do not have a “readily ascertainable fair market value.” As a general statement, most employers will issue options that do not have a readily ascertainable value, but it is essential to understand a company risks an 83 issue if the options are issued with a strike price lower than the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Most companies use options to incentives an employee to contribute to increasing the value of the employer. For employees, this provides some significant advantages:

• A risk-free investment in the employer while the options remain unexercised; and
• Delayed taxation until the options are exercised.

The positives are often forgotten when it comes time to exercise the options and recognizing the tax consequences of the options.

The following equation measures compensation at exercise:

Number of Options Exercised x (FMV – Strike Price)

There are two types of compensatory options, with very different tax treatments.

1. Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)

Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”) have favorable but confusing tax treatment. For our RIA clients, the essential points to understand are:

• There is no REGULAR tax income when exercised.
• Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) may be due and depends heavily on the employee’s tax
  situation and AMT income based on the above equation.
• The employee can ultimately receive long term capital gain on the difference between the
  ultimate sale price of the stock and the strike price if the stock is held
  • One year and one day from date of exercise; and
  • Two years and one day from the date of the option grant.
  • If not held for this period, the income is ordinary income.

The significant consideration with ISOs is when the employee exercises the stock option, owes the strike price, AMT tax, and wants to hold the stock long enough to get long term capital gains. Consideration needs to be given to the risks associated with a decline in stock value post-exercise. The gamble is converting a risk-free investment to putting funds at risk to gain a tax advantage. You and the client’s tax advisor should work closely to analyze and understand the risks of the exercise and hold strategy, including the applicability of Section 83(i) is beyond this blog’s scope.

2. Non-Qualified Stock Options (NSOs or NQSOs)

Non-Qualified Stock Options (NSOs or NQSOs) are not as tax favored as or complicated as ISOs. Very simply, at the date of exercise, there is compensation income based on the equation above. From a planning perspective, NSOs should always be exercised and sold on the same day. There is no reason to hold the stock as that converts a risk-free investment to an at-risk investment.

Not all clients have a tax advisor that can help analyze the tax consequences of holding and exercising options. Elevate CPA Group provides our RIA clients with a fractional tax department providing a competitive advantage over competitors. If you have questions about property for services taxation, give us a call.

Property for Services Series: Part 4 of 5

Why is IRS Section 83, property transferred in connection with the performance of services, so important for our RIA clients? It is a central issue when selling your RIA firm and succession planning. Succession planning is like estate planning—something business owners know is important, but don’t usually address. Succession planning is important for principals of RIA firms to recognize the value built in the firm. Often the firm is the largest asset the principal owns. Recognizing the value for the principal is crucial to long term financial security.

In general, Elevate CPA Group encounters two types of transactions in succession planning:

• an arm’s length transaction with a third-party buyer, or
• a sale to key employees.

When the succession planning involves a sale to employees, Section 83 is something to think about. Some questions to consider are:

1. Is the fair market value properly determined? Does it include appropriate and allowable discounts and is the key employee paying the fair market value?
2. Are terms in shareholder agreement, buy/sell agreement or operating agreement unintentionally placing a substantial risk of forfeiture that may cause a delay in taxation?
3. Are options or profits interest being used to transfer ownership?
4. Are the shares, whether bought for full market value or not, subject to vesting?

Elevate CPA Group is uniquely qualified to help RIA firms navigate succession issues. We help our clients build value, develop a successful succession strategy, understand and minimize tax issues, value the firm, educate successors and provide a strong relationship to help guide the firm to continued success.

Selling the firm you have built over years is an important part of an RIA firm’s lifecycle. Elevate CPA Group are here to help you make the process successful. If you are planning on selling your firm someday, make sure you have reliable expertise to make the process as simple as possible. If you have questions about property for services taxation, give us a call.