Many valuable tax breaks expired at the end of 2013. But Congress probably will revive at least some of them, likely retroactively to Jan. 1, 2014. The question is exactly which breaks they’ll extend and when they’ll pass the necessary legislation to do so.

Here are several that may benefit you or your business if extended:

• The deduction for state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes,
• Tax-free IRA distributions to charities,
• 100% bonus depreciation,
• Enhanced Section 179 expensing,
• Accelerated depreciation for qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant and retail improvement property,
• The research tax credit,
• The Work Opportunity tax credit, and
• Various energy-related tax incentives.

Please check back with us for the latest information. In the meantime, keep in mind that, if you qualify, you can take advantage of these breaks on your 2013 tax return.

The number of Whalen clients using the firm’s web-based portal service has significantly increased since last January when the service began. About half of all business clients are benefiting from this more efficient, easier and more secure method of exchanging documents with Whalen staff members.

Furthermore, portal service in 2014 will be even better. Now clients may access a number of the portal features from their Apple or Android device through a free mobile app. Just go to iTunes or Google Play and download the NetClient CS app.

The portal service and its free new app are two of the ways that the firm is meeting clients’ expectations for convenient online access to their documents and account information on any device. “We’ve always been known for our professional and friendly service,” says Partner Laura Wojciechowski. “Now clients are adding tech savvy to the way they view our firm.”

Clients can take advantage of the portal service at anytime. A signed service agreement is necessary to start the implementation process. Administrative Specialist Madonna Narog, who is coordinating the portal service, will customize access so information is made available to only those who are authorized. When the secure portal is in operation, clients are able to:

• Download copies of their most recent tax returns and financial statements; no need to call a staff member or hunt for your paper copy.

• Send staff their QuickBooks files, financial statements, or any other files. It is encrypted, simple to use, and much more secure than email.

• Access the portal at anytime and from anywhere they have a high-speed internet connection.

• Receive notification by email when they have new documents to view. Their Whalen accountant will also be notified when they upload a document, saving clients the time of a phone call or email.

With the mobile app, clients can have on-the-go access to important documents and connect with the firm from a variety of mobile devices. The mobile app makes real-time collaboration between Whalen staff members and clients easier, more automated and more convenient.

In January 2013, the firm began charging a $5 monthly fee, billed on an annual basis, to cover the cost of exchanging documents through the client portal or by paper. The paperless service has costs related to set up and maintenance. The printing of documents, supplies and additional staff time account for the expenses related to the paper method.

The decision to switch to a paperless portal is up to each client. For questions about the implementation of the service or the terms of the agreement, contact Madonna by email or by phone at 614-396-4200.

To use the portal service, clients must have one of the latest three versions of Microsoft® Internet Explorer® (IE 8, IE 9 and IE 10), Google Chrome™, Mozilla® Firefox® or Apple® Safari®.

With the new year upon us, it’s time to start thinking about 2014 retirement plan contributions. Contributing the maximum you’re allowed to an employer-sponsored defined contribution plan is likely a smart move:

• Contributions are typically pretax.
• Plan assets can grow tax-deferred — meaning you pay no income tax until you take distributions.
• Your employer may match some or all of your contributions pretax.

Also consider contributing to a traditional IRA. If you participate in an employer-sponsored plan, your IRA deduction may be reduced or eliminated, depending on your income. But you can still benefit from tax-deferred growth.
Consider your Roth options as well. Contributions aren’t pretax, but qualified distributions are tax-free.

Retirement plan contribution limits generally aren’t going up in 2014, but consider contributing more this year if you’re not already making the maximum contribution. And if you are already maxing out your contributions but you’ll turn age 50 in 2014, you can put away more this year by making “catch-up” contributions.

Type of contribution	2014 limit
Elective deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) plans	$17,500
Contributions to SIMPLEs	$12,000
Contributions to IRAs	$5,500
Catch-up contributions to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) plans	$5,500
Catch-up contributions to SIMPLEs	$2,500
Catch-up contributions to IRAs	$1,000

For more ideas on making the most of tax-advantaged retirement-savings options in 2014, please contact us.