IRS WITHHOLDING GUIDANCE IS FORTHCOMING

12/28/2017

IRS Statement on Withholding for 2018

On December 26, IRS issued a statement saying that it is developing withholding guidance to implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (PL 115-97, 12/22/17), and it anticipates issuing the initial guidance in January 2018.

The Act makes major changes to the income tax rates, increases the standard deduction, and does away with personal exemptions, effective for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017. As a result, the withholding tables for 2018 will have to be revised. IRS says that employers and payroll service providers will be encouraged to implement in February 2018 the revised guidance it issues next month. IRS also emphasized that the information will be designed to work with the existing Forms W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, that employees have already filed.

No further action by taxpayers will be needed at this time. IRS added that the use of the new 2018 withholding guidelines will allow taxpayers to begin seeing the changes in their paychecks as early as February 2018. Until then, IRS has advised that employers and payroll service providers should continue to use the existing 2017 withholding tables and systems.

Backup Withholding Rate Drops In 2018

Payroll departments should be aware that the backup withholding rate will decrease from 28% to 24%, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Under Code Sec. 3406, payers must deduct backup withholding on certain non-wage payments made to payees for whom an information return was filed which had either a missing or an incorrect taxpayer identification number. The backup withholding rate under Code Sec. 3406(a)(1) is the fourth lowest rate of tax under Code Sec. 1(c) (tax rates for single individuals). That rate through Dec. 31, 2017 is 28% but under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) is reduced to 24%, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include commissions, fees, or other payments for work performed as an independent contractor (Form 1099-MISC), along with interest and dividends.

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Spencer Accounting Group, LLC does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations in these blogs. The information presented here is not specific to any individual's personal circumstances.

To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.

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Keana Spencer is an Accountant, Entrepreneur, and Educator to her clients, with a strong passion. Keana has over 10 years of experience and through her practice, she is a source of knowledge and strategies to her clients.

Keana founded this website and decided and created this blog page to offer a space for those seeking knowledge to understand, however not to be confused with advice or planning strategies.

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