Although anecdotal, all of a sudden some of my clients in the construction industry have work again after at least a year of very hard times.  Perhaps we have rounded the corner?  I hope so.

One of the very frustrating aspects of this economic downturn is the huge heaps of uncertainty surrounding us.   For example:

• The tax credits for home purchases keep getting extended after they expire.  So do I have to buy now or not to get the credit?  When these credits finally do expire, will the housing market go into another tailspin?
• Huge healthcare overhaul legislation is passed but the brunt of the changes are still years away.  In the meantime, cost controls on premiums are non-existent.  What will be the ultimate effect of these changes on small business and individuals?  Will the legislation be repealed by the Republicans before ever going into effect?
• Financial reform legislation is passed.  The big question though about the new regulations is how effective will the new consumer agency be?  Has the “to big to fail” problem really been fixed given that most pundits say the new law does not go far enough?
• Has the oil spill in the Gulf really stopped and what is going to be the long-term effect of the spill on the region?   Will BP make good on all its promises to compensate the victims?  Is offshore drilling going to be restricted as a result of this disaster?
• Are we going to leave Afghanistan next year or not?
• Is the Iraq occupation going to be over or are we going to stay there for the next hundred years?
• Will the Federal government get control of its budget?  In trying to do so, will the government kill off any possibility of future job growth?
• Will Arizona successfully start enforcing immigration laws while other states follow their lead or will the Federal government get the law overturned?
• Will the Bush tax cuts expire next year?  Will there be a tax increase on the middle class as a result?  Will the Federal estate tax be retroactively re-instituted for 2010 and be in effect in future years?  What will be the effect of increasing taxes on higher income individuals?

Markets hate uncertainty.  About the only thing you can be sure of these days is that is we are living in very uncertain times. And that is not good for the economy, that’s for sure.

From the IRS:

The maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 25 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations. The maximum credit goes to smaller employers –– those with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees –– paying annual average wages of $25,000 or less. Because the eligibility rules are based in part on the number of FTEs, not the number of employees, businesses that use part-time help may qualify even if they employ more than 25 individuals. The credit is completely phased out for employers that have 25 FTEs or more or that pay average wages of $50,000 per year or more.

Eligible small businesses can claim the credit as part of the general business credit starting with the 2010 income tax return they file in 2011. For tax-exempt organizations, the IRS will provide further information on how to claim the credit.

Note for owners and 2% or more S corporations shareholders:  The credits will apply to your employees but will not apply to wages paid to you.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Here’s what happens after you file your return (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Amending tax returns for ‘marginally employed’ taxpayers (dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com)

Download audio file (20100321_wesun_16.mp3)

The Internal Revenue Service has always been a source of consternation for many Americans, but in tough economic times like these, the anger seems more strident. Anti-tax forces have called for the abolition of the agency; one man took out his rage by flying his small plane into an IRS building, killing himself and one employee. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Douglas Shulman, the IRS Commissioner, about what the agency is doing to help people struggling financially, as well as the IRS’ efforts to keep employees safe.

IRS employees do not write the tax laws.  Do not kill the messenger.  Times are tough but it is not their fault.