Your first $50,000 of net business income starting with the 2012 tax year may be free of state tax! That’s right; many North Carolina business owners will become eligible for up to $50,000 North Carolina income tax write-off thanks to the recent passage of North Carolina House Bill 200 and North Carolina Senate Bill 267.
The North Carolina $50,000 Tax Deduction
The new North Carolina deduction for business owners allow a single business owner to deduct up to $50,000 of net business income included on the federal return that is not considered passive. Married business owners can deduct up to $50,000 each. Business owners who report income on federal Schedule C, E, and/or F are eligible for the North Carolina $50,000 tax deduction.
North Carolina Passive vs. Non-Passive Income Defined
North Carolina defers to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), specifically Internal Revenue Code 469, to define passive income. Generally, passive activities are business activities in which there is material participation. Per IRS guidance, “you materially participate in an activity if you are involved in the operation of the activity on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis”. However there are very specific rules, especially for real estate professionals. IRS Publication 925, Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules, provides a plain language examples of passive activities.
How to Claim the $50,000 Business Income Deduction
The 2012 North Carolina tax forms with specific instructions are expected to be released later this year. Matthew J Rice, CPA PC will provide an update as soon as it becomes available. Become a Facebook fan to get automatic updates on this deduction by clicking on this link. http://www.facebook.com/#!/matthewjricecpa