Discussion:SE tax in an estate?

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Revision as of 22:01, 14 March 2009
Blrgcpa (Talk | contribs)
(The income prior)
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Revision as of 23:18, 14 March 2009
Bjeter (Talk | contribs)
(Based on what I')
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Was the brother an employee working for the sched c and receiving a W-2? }} Was the brother an employee working for the sched c and receiving a W-2? }}
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 +{{ForumReplyPost|UserID=Bjeter|Date=14 March 2009|Text=Based on what I've read and seen, I think CrowJD is correct on this one. It just seems really strange that the income isn't subject to SE while in an estate. }}

Revision as of 23:18, 14 March 2009

Discussion Forum Index --> Advanced Tax Questions --> SE tax in an estate?
Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> SE tax in an estate?

Bjeter (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
I have a client who was a Schedule C taxpayer. He died last year and is leaving his business to his brother. The probate has not yet been completed and therefore ownership hasn't officially passed to the brother. When preparing the estate 1041 for 2008, I see where the Schedule C income would be reported on page 1 as well as on the K-1, however, it looks like the Schedule C income is not subject to SE tax by either the estate or the beneficiary (K-1 instructions indicate the business income is reported on Schedule E of 1040). Am I missing something here?

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
Bejeter, a situation like this scares the bejeters out of me! This is my take.

I never thought of being able to pass a Scd. C business as a business. All the business represents personal assets of the deceased, so it's technically not passed as a business, but as these various separate assets.

The bene. is not subject to SE tax unless he is owns and operates the sole prop.

So, there could be income after death generated by this grouping of property (including A/R etc.), but the beneficiary is really the beneficiary of these various items of property, and not the business itself. Once he amasses them in his under his ownership and begins running it, he will pay SE tax when he files his Scd C for the same da*n business (i.e. it's ok to keep the name and everything, just update the trade name filing at the courthouse, update business license with county/city etc).

Interesting question, this is my stab at it.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
Bryan, you are correct

unless the beneficiary is running the business

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
please remember to step up the basis in assets

CrowJD (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
It's strange that I have never had to deal with this question in practice, and I think it's because most sole proprietorships never make it to the point where they are passed on, or are worth passing on. So, the deceased did a goog job running his business.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
or maybe most beneficiaries take over the business without worrying about the 1041?

Blrgcpa (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
The income prior to dod must be reported on the final 1040 and that is subject to FICA.

Consider that there were 2 short years: 1. prior to dod 2. after dod which goes on a 1041

Was the brother an employee working for the sched c and receiving a W-2?

Bjeter (talk|edits) said:

14 March 2009
Based on what I've read and seen, I think CrowJD is correct on this one. It just seems really strange that the income isn't subject to SE while in an estate.