Year-End Essentials for Veterinary Hospitals: Your 2019 Checklist
In the hustle and bustle of holiday activities, year-end business items can easily be forgotten. That’s why we’ve created a year-end checklist – to help you make the most of 2019 and keep your hospital as healthy as it can be.
Hospital Tax Planning:
- Purchase equipment (new or used) and place it in service by Dec. 31 in order to fully write off the cost of the equipment in 2019.
- Review the current fixed asset listing and remove any equipment that has been disposed or abandoned. This is particularly important if you reside in a state where equipment is subject to personal property tax.
- As a reminder, there were significant changes to meals and entertainment deductibility in 2018 as a result of tax reform. If you haven’t already, consider separating meals and entertainment transactions into multiple accounts based on tax deductibility.
Meals & Entertainment | ||
Before Tax Reform | After Tax Reform | |
Meals furnished to employees | 100% deductible | 50% deductible |
Client business meals | 50% deductible | 50% deductible |
Entertainment expenses for the benefit of employees (i.e., holiday party) | 100% deductible | 100% deductible |
Entertainment expenses | 50% deductible | Non-deductible |
- Complete the year-end physical inventory count.
- Review aged receivables and determine if any amounts should be written off.
- Provide the following items to your payroll provider (if applicable) for inclusion on W-2 forms:
- Personal use of company-owned automobiles
- Shareholder health insurance premiums paid on behalf of a greater-than-two-percent owner of an S corporation
- Disability insurance premiums paid on behalf of owners
Retirement Tax Planning:
- Maximize your traditional and/or Roth IRA contributions.
- The 2019 maximum for those under age 50 is $6,000.
- The 2019 maximum for those over age 50 is $7,000.
- Please note that there are income limitations related to Roth IRA contributions. Please contact your tax advisor with any questions.
- Maximize employee and/or spouse retirement plan deferrals.
Maximum Contributions | ||
Under Age 50 | 50 and Above | |
Simple IRA | $13,000 | $16,000 |
401(k) | $19,000 | $25,000 |
- Maximize Health Savings Account (HSA) deferrals.
Maximum Contributions | ||
Under Age 55 | 55 and Above | |
Individual Coverage | $3,500 | $4,500 |
Family Coverage | $7,000 | $8,000 |
Individual Tax Planning:
- Make contributions to your 529 college savings plan.
- Consider making any charitable contributions by Dec. 31.
- Submit for reimbursement any business expenses that were paid personally. These are no longer deductible on your personal return.
- Discuss your tax projection with your CPA to understand the amount of tax payments that may be due in April.
Please be sure to contact your tax advisor to ensure you are maximizing opportunities and remaining compliant. Happy holidays!
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