[an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive][an error occurred while processing this directive] December 2001 [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]   Deduction for educational expenses
  Taxation of Incentive Stock Options Upon Sale
  Computation of adjusted basis for real estate
  Reporting requirements of foreign trust with a U.S. grantor or beneficiary
[an error occurred while processing this directive][an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] I have a question on tuition reimbursement taxability. My employer reimburses me for tuition upon successful completion of each class. All courses improve skills for my current position but do not qualify me for a new trade or business. My employer believes that reimbursements may be treated as non-taxable up to a $5,250 maximum. [an error occurred while processing this directive] I've written about this on my webpage. Also, check out Publication 17 from the IRS (Linked from my FAQ section). My understanding is that your employer may provide you with tuition assistance up to the limit you describe. If your employer pays more than this amount, it becomes non-deductible compensation to you. Also, if you pay for tuition and education expenses and are not reimbursed, you may claim this amount (provided you meet the education requirements) as an itemized miscellaneous deduction. [an error occurred while processing this directive] SEE ALSO The Tax Prophet's Search Engine to find articles on this subject. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] An Employee is granted 30,000 options @ 10 cents/share. Employee exercises at $25/share and picks up AMT income of $747,000 (30,000 X $25-10 cents). In a later year, the employee sells the shares at $5/share. What happens? [an error occurred while processing this directive] Your basis in the asset is $747,000 and when the asset is sold in the future, there is a basis adjustment that eliminates the regular tax on the asset. Once this occurs, you'll have an AMT credit as to the balance. The calculations are very complex and I'm not a CPA so I do not have the software to determine the exact amount of the credit. Part of the calculation includes reconfiguring your capital gains and losses on Schedule D. Capital losses for both AMT and regular tax purposes are limited to $3,000 per year. This indirectly affects the amount of the AMT credit you can use, because the spread between the regular tax and AMT will be smaller because of this limitation. [an error occurred while processing this directive] The Tax Prophet's Section on Stock Options [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] I read your article about the 'adjusted basis' of my home, but it only talked about home improvements. May I also include realtor commissions? [an error occurred while processing this directive] If you are selling your home, the costs of sale decrease the "amount realized" from the sale, i.e. the amount you receive. If you purchase a home, then the purchase price includes costs associated with the purchase that were not deducted, such as commissions, closing costs, and your share of escrow fees and, therefore, increases the adjusted basis. [an error occurred while processing this directive] The Tax Prophet's Tax Class on Real Estate [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] An asset-protection attorney claims that a foreign grantor trust, with foreign trustees, but with a U.S. settlor and U.S. beneficiaries is considered a "grantor trust" in which case, no Forms 3520 or 3520A (related to foreign trusts) would be filed. Is this true? [an error occurred while processing this directive] The asset-protection attorney is wrong. A U.S. person who is considered the owner of a foreign trust under any of the grantor trust rules is the one responsible for the requirement that the foreign trust file an annual return (Form 3520-A). The trust must provide an accurate accounting of all trust activities, trust operations and other relevant information required by the Treasury. See IRC Sec. §6048(b)(1). In addition U.S. beneficiaries of a foreign trust who receive trust distributions, either directly or indirectly, are required to file Form 3520, reporting the distributions on Part III of that form. The reporting requirement is limited to U.S. beneficiaries who know or have reason to know that the trust is foreign. [an error occurred while processing this directive] The Tax Prophet's Tax and Trust Scam Bulletin Board [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]