Tag Archives: Taxable Income

Podcast – Exclusion from Gross Income | LEGAL THOUGHTS

Coleman Jackson, P.C. | Transcript of Legal Thoughts Podcast
Published October 7, 2020

Exclusion from Gross Income

Legal Thoughts is a podcast presentation by Coleman Jackson, P.C., a law firm based in Dallas, Texas serving individuals, businesses, and agencies from around the world in taxation, litigation, and immigration legal matters.

This particular episode of Legal Thoughts is a podcast where the Attorney, Coleman Jackson is being interviewed by Mayra Torres, the Public Relations Associate of Coleman Jackson, P.C.   The topic of discussion is “Income from Discharge of Indebtedness.” You can listen to this podcast by clicking here:

You can also listen to this episode and subscribe to Coleman Jackson, P.C.’s Legal Thoughts podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Cashbox or wherever you may listen to your podcast.

TRANSCRIPT:

ATTORNEY:  Coleman Jackson
LEGAL THOUGHTS
COLEMAN JACKSON, ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW

ATTORNEY:  Coleman Jackson

Welcome to Tax Thoughts

  • My name is Coleman Jackson and I am an attorney at Coleman Jackson, P.C., a taxation, litigation, and immigration law firm based in Dallas, Texas
  • Our topic for today is: “Income from Discharge of Indebtedness.”
  • Other members of Coleman Jackson, P.C. are Yulissa Molina, Tax Legal Assistant, Leiliane Godeiro, Litigation Legal Assistant, Reyna Munoz, Immigration Legal Assistant and Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate.
  • On this “Legal Thoughts” podcast our public relations associate, Mayra Torres will be asking the questions and I will be responding to her questions on this important tax topic: ““Income from Discharge of Indebtedness.”

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

  • Good morning everyone. It is a pretty chilly Autumn morning today! My name is Mayra Torres and I am the public relations associate at Coleman Jackson, P.C. We are a taxation, litigation and immigration law firm based right here in Dallas, Texas.
  • Question 1:  Attorney:  Is all income taxable in the United States?

Attorney Answers Question 1:

  • Good morning Mayra. Wow that is a broad question this morning! Let me begin with Internal Revenue Code Section 61 where gross income is defined in U.S. Tax Law. That is where we must begin our discussion of taxable income in U.S. tax law. Gross income is defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 61 as all income from whatever source derived.
  • The Internal Revenue Code contains a laundry list of types of income that are taxable, but IRC Section 61 specifically states that the list is not intended to be exhaustive or complete. The types of income specifically included on the gross income laundry list are:
    1. Compensation for services, including fees, commissions, fringe benefits, and similar items;
    2. Gross income derived from business;
    3. Gains derived from dealings in property;
    4. Interest;
    5. Rents;
    6. Royalties;
    7. Dividends
    8. Alimony and separate maintenance payments;
    9. Annuities;
    10. Income from life insurance and endowment contracts;
    11. Pensions;
    12. Income from discharge of indebtedness;
    13. Distributive share of partnership gross income;
    14. Income in respect of a decedent; and
    15. Income from an interest in an estate or trust
  • Repeat: This list of taxable gross income is not exhaustive. Gross income under U.S. Tax Law is extremely broad and envision taxation of increments of wealth constituted in whatever shape or form.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

  • Attorney that is a lot. Let me see whether we can narrow down our discussion to this!
  • QUESTION 2: Is any income excluded from gross income for U.S. tax purposes?

Attorney Answers Question 2:

  • Mayra, that indeed is a good strategy because as I have said the concept of gross income in U.S. tax law is a global concept. Gross income includes income derived from whatever source derived.
  • As for income that is excluded from gross income for tax purposes. Let me just limit our discussions to income from discharge of indebtedness since this could potentially be a looming problem as the economic impact of Covid-19 continues to hammer many families in their pocketbooks. Internal Revenue Code Section 108(a) states that gross income does not include any amount which would otherwise be includible in gross income by reason of the discharge of indebtedness of the taxpayer if
    1. The discharge occurs in a title 11 bankruptcy case;
    2. The discharge occurs when the taxpayer is insolvent;
    3. The indebtedness discharged is qualified farm indebtedness;
    4. In the case of a taxpayer other than a C corporation, the indebtedness discharged is qualified real property business indebtedness; or
    5. The indebtedness discharged is qualified principal residence indebtedness which is discharged-
      • Before January 1, 2021 , or
      • Subject to an arrangement that is entered into and evidenced in writing before January 1,2021.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

  • Okay, you have listed about five categories there. Right now, could you please explain the last one you mentioned in the list in more detail.
  • Question 3: Explain what qualified principal residence indebtedness is and how it works and all?

Attorney Answers Question 3:

  • Mayra, the term principal residence indebtedness means the debt financing the taxpayer’s principal residence or place where the taxpayer resides most of the time. This is the main residence of the taxpayer.
  • The mortgage on the taxpayer’s main residence must meet both of these prongs or conditions:
    1. the mortgage must have been taking out to purchase, build, or substantially improve the taxpayer main home; and
    2. the mortgage must secure the taxpayer’s main home
    3. Let me just add that the taxpayer cannot have but one main residence which turns on all the facts and circumstances. The debt can be a second mortgage obligation if it meets requirements one and two.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

  • Question 4:
  • Attorney how much of this qualified principal residence indebtedness is eligible for exclusion from the gross income of the taxpayer?

Attorney Answers Question 4:

  • Well, first of all let me say, the list of exclusions have a pecking order that taxpayers must be aware of; for example, the discharge of debt in a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceeding preempts all other exclusions under Code Section 108. And the insolvency exclusion that I mentioned awhile ago takes precedence over the farm debt exclusion and the qualified real property exclusion; and the principal residence indebtedness exclusion takes precedence over the insolvency exclusion unless the taxpayer makes the proper elections.
  • Now, let’s go back to your original question Mayra; please repeat your question again so that we can be clear on this.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

  • Sure, no problem, Attorney! Thanks for pointing out the pecking order of the various exclusions.My original question was…
  • Question 5: How much of the qualified principal residence indebtedness that is forgiven by the lender is excluded from the gross income of the taxpayer?

Attorney Answers Question 5:

  • Okay, let me make four very important points as it relates to the amount of the exclusion of cancellation of debt income of certain qualified principal residence indebtedness:
    • Number 1: the exclusion of residence indebtedness only applies, for the most part, to debt discharged after 2006 and before 2021 or at least the taxpayer needs to have a written discharge agreement in place by December 31, 2020
    • Number 2: the maximum amount of forgiven debt that the taxpayer can treat as qualified principal residence indebtedness is $2 million dollars or $1 million if filing married filing separate; and
    • Number 3: The discharged debt must be directly related to decline in the market value of the taxpayer’s main home or directly due to the taxpayer’s disrupted or poor financial condition.
    • Number 4: The exclusion amount is limited to the part of the discharged loan that is qualified principal residence indebtedness. That simply means that the exclusion is limited to the portion of the discharged debt that meets the definition of qualified principal residence indebtedness that I discussed at the beginning of this discussion.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

  • Question No. 6: Attorney, how does a taxpayer actually take the qualified principal residence debt exclusion? I mean is this on the tax return they file or what?

Attorney Answers Question 6:

  • Yes, the taxpayer must attach tax Form 982, Reduction of Tax Attributes Due to Discharge of Indebtedness to their annual income tax return filed with the IRS and comply with appropriate instructions explaining their tax position.
  • Mayra, do you have any further questions with respect to types of income excluded from gross income? So far, we mostly have talked about qualified principal residence debt exclusion. And there are many aspects of this topic that we have not explored. I mean we could talk more about debt extinguished through repossessions and foreclosures. Any specific additional questions at this time on this debt cancellation topic?

Mayra’s Concluding Remarks

  • Attorney,Attorney thank you for answering my questions. I do have more questions involving the exclusion of canceled debt from U.S. taxation, but I can put them off to some other time.
  • Our listeners who want to hear more podcast like this one should subscribe to our Legal Thoughts Podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify or wherever they listen to our podcast. Everybody take care!  And come back in about two weeks, for more taxation, litigation and immigration Legal Thoughts from Coleman Jackson, P.C., which is located right here in Dallas, Texas at 6060 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas 75206.
  • English callers: 214-599-0431 and Spanish callers:  214-599-0432.

 Coleman Jackson, Attorney’s concluding remarks:

 THIS IS THE END OF “LEGAL THOUGHTS” FOR NOW

  • Thanks for giving us the opportunity to inform you the exclusions of cancellation of debt income from U.S. taxes. If you want to see or hear more taxation, litigation and immigration LEGAL THOUGHTS from Coleman Jackson, P.C.  Stay tune!  Watch for a new Legal Thoughts podcast in about two weeks.  We are here in Dallas, Texas and want to inform, educate, and encourage our communities on topics dealing with taxation, litigation and immigration.  Until next time, take care.

Podcast – Does unemployment compensation recipients have to pay federal taxes on the money received resulting from Covid-19? | LEGAL THOUGHTS

Published July 14, 2020 Podcast - Does unemployment compensation recipients have to pay federal taxes on the money received resulting from Covid-19? | LEGAL THOUGHTS

Legal Thoughts is a podcast presentation by Coleman Jackson, P.C., a law firm based in Dallas, Texas serving individuals, businesses and agencies from around the world in taxation, litigation and immigration legal matters.

This particular episode of Legal Thoughts is a podcast where the Attorney, Coleman Jackson is being interviewed by Mayra Torres, the Public Relations Associate of Coleman Jackson, P.C.

The topic of discussion is “Is Unemployment Compensation Received Taxable Income?” You can listen to this podcast by clicking here:  

You can also listen to this episode and subscribe to Coleman Jackson, P.C.’s Legal Thoughts podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Cashbox or where ever you may listen to your podcast.

 

TRANSCRIPT:

ATTORNEY:  Coleman Jackson
Legal Thoughts
COLEMAN JACKSON, ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR AT LAW

ATTORNEY:  Coleman Jackson

Welcome to Tax Thoughts

  • My name is Coleman Jackson and I am an attorney at Coleman Jackson, P.C., a taxation, litigation and immigration law firm based in Dallas, Texas.
  • Our topic for today is: “Is Unemployment Compensation Received Taxable Income?”
  • Other members of Coleman Jackson, P.C. are Yulissa Molina, Tax Legal Assistant, Reyna Munoz,Immigration Legal Assistant and Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate.
  • On this “Legal Thoughts” podcast our Public Relations Associate, Mayra Torres, will be asking the questions and I will be providing the answers to the questions on this important tax topic: Is Unemployment Compensation Received Taxable Income?

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 1:

What are unemployment benefits?

Attorney Answers Question 1:

  • Unemployment benefits generally includes any amount of money received under any federal or state law program designed to protect taxpayers against loss of income caused by involuntary loss of employment or decrease in compensation.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

QUESTION 2:

Who is eligible to receive unemployment benefits?

Attorney Answers Question 2:

  • Keep in mind that unemployment benefits, as a general policy, is governed by State and federal labor laws and are designed to replace in whole or part the loss of employee wages due to some involuntary lay off or employment disruption.
  • Unemployment programs are administered by the States and each State has its own rules as to who qualifies and how they should apply. In Texas, the Texas Workforce Commission administers the Texas Unemployment Compensation System.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 3:

  • Well okay, I kind of understand. But there is a lot of talk about the CARES Act and something about$600 dollars people are receiving.
  • What is the CARES ACT? Does it affect unemployment benefits… like, who qualifies and how they apply and how much they get and how long they can get unemployment benefits?

Attorney Answers Question 3:

  • Those are excellent questions!
  • The CARES Act was enacted into law on Friday, March 27, 2020. CARES stand for the Corona virus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. It is a $12, trillion-dollar economic relief package featuring extensive tax provisions. It is Public Law 116-136 (3/27/2020). And yes it does impact who qualifies for unemployment compensation, how they apply and how much they receive it and for how long if their loss income is related to Covid-19.
  • Employees who lost jobs qualify
  • Self-employed individuals qualify under the CARES Act
  • Qualified individuals impacted by Covid-19 must file unemployment claims through the State governmental agency who regulate unemployment benefits in their State. Residence in Texas must file claims with the Texas Workforce Commission and follow all filing requirements and follow-up guidance that TWC requires to obtain their compensation. Keep in mind that TWC rules and requirements may continue to change as the State continues to reopen its economy during this pandemic.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 4:

Okay…. And what about undocumented workers and self-employed people; can they file for

unemployment benefits with TWC too?

Attorney Answers Question 4:

Yes, workers and self-employed individuals do not have to be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents to qualify for unemployment. All residence of Texas who had employment prior to the Covid-19 Crisis can file for unemployment.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 5:

What about the $600 everybody is talking about; how do unemployed people get that?

Attorney Answers Question 5:

  • The CARES Act not only expanded the eligibility for unemployment to self-employed individuals like I mentioned before; the Act also extended coverage by 13 weeks and provides unemployed individuals with an extra $600 per week of federal assistance on top of the State benefits.
  • Qualified individuals apply for this extra $600 per week federal benefit when they file their State Unemployment Claim. Again, in Texas everything is filed with the Texas Workforce Commission.Contact TWC for help in filing an unemployment claim in Texas. The TWC rules are in flux as the State reopens during this pandemic.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 6:

  • Okay, I was just curious; many folks are afraid of going back to work because they might get sick or get their families sick.
  • Can somebody continue to receive unemployment even though their boss tell them that they can come back to work now?

Attorney Answers Question 6:

  • Unemployment benefits are for people who loss their jobs or income due to no fault of their own. People who quit their jobs generally will not qualify for unemployment compensation in Texas. I say generally because facts and circumstances matter. Application of the law can be messy at times because facts matters. Perhaps an unemployed individual can make out a winnable case that it’s too dangerous for them to return to work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • But, Keep in mind that people who file initial and continuation claims for benefits with TWC provides self-certification under penalty of perjury that they are otherwise able to work and are available for work under the Texas Labor Code that governs such matters in Texas.
  • The rules concerning this question may change from day to day or week to week as the State of Texas reopens during this pandemic.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 7

  • Okay, I understand; it sounds like it just depends on all the facts, and circumstances and State and federal government rules updates.
  • Another BIG QUESTION A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE IS THIS!
  • Do unemployed individuals have to pay taxes on unemployment benefits that they receive?

Attorney Answers Question 7:

  • The tax treatment of unemployment benefits received depends on the type of program paying the benefits.
  • I am going to try to keep this simple; but folks must understand that the federal and state program funding the compensation can impact whether the amounts received are taxable.
  • I am going to limit my answer to only three types of unemployment benefits that I think are germane to the types of benefits that most people are receiving during this Covid-19 national emergency:
  • Types of Unemployment Benefits that are Taxable
    1. Benefits paid by a State or the District of Columbia from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund
    2. State Unemployment insurance benefits
    3. Unemployment assistance under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974
  • Conclusion: Most people receiving unemployment due to Covid-19 falls under one of these programs. The benefits are taxable!

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 8

I think I’m getting it now! What about the extra $600 per week from CARES Act, is it taxable too?

Attorney Answers Question 8:

  • Yes, unemployment compensation received under the CARES Act is taxable because the CARES Act does not specifically exempt the $600 extra unemployment compensation from federal taxation.
  • In fact, the CARES Act states that in the event there is a conflict in the CARES Act with provisions in the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974, then the provisions of the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 controls. As we have seen, benefits received under the 1974 Act is taxable.
  • So, the answer to your question is, yes, unless Congress exempts the $600 from federal taxation, it is taxable under Internal Revenue Code Section 85(a).

 Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 9

When does the taxes on that unemployment money have to be paid?

Attorney Answers Question 9:

  • Those filing for unemployment can ask TWC to withhold the appropriate amount of tax from their unemployment compensation. Make this choice by giving TWC Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request; or
  • They may have to file estimated taxes by the 15th day of the end of each quarter. They can compute this amount on Form 1040-ES and make their estimated payments to the IRS by phone,online or by mail.

Interviewer:  Mayra Torres, Public Relations Associate

Question 10

What if people don’t know and never ask TWC to withhold the money and never do this

estimated tax thing?

Attorney Answers Question 10:

  • If taxpayers don’t pay enough taxes during a year, either by withholding or by estimated tax deposits, or some combination of the two, they may have to pay an underpayment penalty.
  • The federal tax system in the United States is a pay-as-you-go self-certification system. But keep in mind, the IRS and the taxpayer will probably receive a Form 1099-G from TWC for all unemployment compensation paid during the course of the calendar year.

 Attorney’s Concluding Remarks:

This is end of Legal Thoughts for now

  • Thanks for giving us the opportunity to inform you about taxation of unemployment compensation. If you want to see or hear more taxation, litigation and immigration LEGAL THOUGHTS from Coleman Jackson, P.C. Stay tune! We are here in Dallas, Texas and want to inform, educate and encourage our communities on topics dealing with taxation, litigation and immigration. Until next time, take care.