1. “ Renters Are People Too! “
Moderator
Bob Ludwig, Reads Moving Systems
Panelists:
Sylvia S. Ehrlich, The Intrepid New Yorker, LLC
Robert J. Nish, Esq., SCRP, ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.
David S. Oltman, Relocation Taxes, LLC

2. Avg. cost to transfer a Renter Avg. Cost to transfer a Homeowner
ERC Survey Results 2009
Avg. cost to transfer a Renter
Current Employee - $20, (7% decrease)
New Hire -$17, decrease (3% decrease)
Avg. Cost to transfer a Homeowner
Current Emp. - $90, (18% increase)
New Hire - $66, (8% increase)

3. Home owning Transferees Choosing to Rent
ERC Survey Results 2009
Home owning Transferees Choosing to Rent
66% of Companies Reported an Increase
33% encourage Homeowner Transferees to Rent
12 Companies offered incentive to Rent
21 policy changes in 2009
Only 1 dealt with Renters

4. Why increasing number of Renters
Joint Center for Housing at Harvard Reports
Elevated Vacancy Rates
Record foreclosures
Expiration of the Tax Credit
High unemployment
Severe housing cost burdens
18.6 million households are spending half or more of their income on housing

5. What Are Companies Experiencing?
Increase in…
Commuter Assignments
Temporary Assignments
Lump Sum Payments
Rental subsidy

6. The Intrepid New Yorker, LLC
Case Studies
Presented by:
Sylvia S. Ehrlich, SCRP
President
The Intrepid New Yorker, LLC

7. International Dilemma
Family of five arrived in NYC with no credit history
Challenge
Identify appropriate rental property (cost, size, and schools)
Landlord not willing to accept less than six months security deposit for their “perfect” apartment
Solution
Got corporate client to agree to act as guarantor
Negotiated security deposit
Results
Secured with two months deposit
Other options…

8. Repatriation Dilemma Executive repatriated back to home in New Jersey
(family of seven + pets)
Challenge
Home still under lease (five months remaining)
Children needed to go back to their respective schools
Solution
Identified empty builder new property
Paid over value and gave a high security deposit
Rented furniture
Results
Children attended their right schools
Family settled back into their neighborhood without a legal crisis or issues

9. Domestic Transfer Dilemma
Executive’s property remained unsold in the departure location
Challenge
Mortgage was above the current value of the home
No company guarantees against the loss on the mortgage
Limited Equity
Solution
Looked to identify lease to purchase properties
Worked with the corporate client to provide delayed relocation benefits beyond the standard one year term
Identified a home with affordable rent and delayed purchase option in the destination location
Results
Family could be together while the departure home continued to be marketed for sale

10. A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
Legal Implications
Presented by:
ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
163 WASHINGTON STREET
MORRISTOWN, NJ
(973)
ROBERT J. NISH, SCRP
NOËLLE K. NISH, CRP

11. Rental Contracts/Leases
Realtor® prepared format
Attorney prepared
Writing required
State law specific
Temporary housing
Use & Occupancy
© 2010 ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.

12. Terms & Renewals Length of Lease Month to Month Foreclosure Issues
© 2010 ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.

13. Deposits Allowable Amounts Held by Escrow Agents
Held by Property Managers
Returns
© 2010 ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.

14. Specific Clauses Diplomatic clause Pet issues Repairs Commissions
Inspections
© 2010 ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.

15. Breaking a Lease Legal remedies and consequences No Self Help
Early Termination
Failure to Vacate
Damages
© 2010 ROBERT J. NISH, P.C.

16. 2010 Tax, Legal & Payroll Issues
Presented by:
David S. Oltman, CRP
President & CEO Relocation Taxes, LLC

17. New 2010 Corporate Tax, Legal & Payroll Issues
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008/9/10
Renter Issues…
Without moving W-2 reportable expenses:
MFJ < $150,000 = $1,200 rebate (phase out - $174,000)
SNG < $75,000 = $600 rebate (phase out - $87,000)
Children = $300 rebate per child
What rebate was lost in 2008, will usually be regained in tax year 2009 or A Fairly Complex Calculation.
Recommendation: Do nothing until 2010/2011 – and then only after doing a complete gross-up audit in 2011 of the employee’s 2010 tax return. Cost usually between $225 to $325 per audit.*
*Business Expense. Not taxable.
$100 bill

18. New 2010 Corporate Tax and Payroll Issues
1) AMT Tax (Alternative Minimum Tax) effects – could effect 10 times more taxpayers, “Target” result is the corporate transferee. (higher gross-ups). See RTA p.10 & page 40.
2) All Tax Brackets where indexed for inflation (significant lower gross-ups in 2010 could be higher in 2011) See RTA p.11. Brand new – lower phase-outs for 1% itemized deductions (went from 3% to 2% to 1% to 0% in 2010) - and lower phase-out for personal exemption amounts 1/3 reduction and a new minimum of $2,333 ($3,500 x %) per personal exception. 0% in Average savings of $375/move.
Potential 2010 or 2011 higher tax rates – gross-up impact. 60% total tax rate = a 150% gross-up.
3) Temporary Assignments. How states are catching employees who do not report their wages. Tax Amnesty. Hotel & credit card gas receipts. IRS Employment Tax Audits Begin in 2010 and will run through 2013.
4) Reduced Home Sale Exclusion & New Home Buyer Tax Credit ($8,000/$6,500). Very Complex. See RTA – p.40 IRS Form 5405
5) New 2010 HUD-1 Form – Special attention should be given to line 801 – See RTA page 32.

19. 2010 Huge Tax Issues
Hot!!!!
Temporary Assignments – 1 year rule – business vs. taxable. See RTA pages 8 & 9 also Revenue Ruling New Trend to “reconcile” state taxes – “Keep Employee Whole For State Income Tax ”. New Proposed Tax Bill – H.R “30 Day Rule” (was H.R day rule). “Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Fairness and Simplification”. The methodology used is to calculate what the employee “would have paid” in Federal and State/Local taxes (in the “live state”) – then compare that amount to what the employee “actually paid” in Federal and State/Local taxes (in the temp. “work state”). The difference between those two amounts is the amount due the employee. Some issues to consider are:
a)    Any State income tax dollars that were “advanced” or “loaned”
b)    The taxability of “advances” or “loans”
c)    Multi-state tax credits taken or not taken on state tax returns
d)    Non-Resident and Part-Year Resident state tax returns
e)    Administration of the program – “loans”, “advances” and “repayments”
*Proposed Effective Date 1/1/2011 – See RTA p. 13
Flames for “hot”

20. 2010 Tax and Payroll Issues Hot!!!!
Capital Losses on home sales are NOT deductible. See RTA page 2
The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. “Short Sales” no longer taxable, Negative Equities and Loss on Sales.
First Time Homebuyers Credit: $8,000/$6,500 (MFJ $225,000; SNG $125,00) start of phase out range. Need to be in contract before 5/1 and close before 10/1. Three year pay back period. See IRS Form 5405 Very complex. Three (3) year payback provision.
Making Work Pay Credit: – A maximum $400 to $800 credit Phase out range (Single $75,000 - $95,000 and then MFJ $150,000 - $190,000)
Average Gross-up Percents – Could go from 60% to over150% based on proposed 2011 tax changes.
(H.R. 5297) New law which require individuals who rent out their property who are considered to be engaged in a trade or business for purposes of information reporting to provide a 1099 to persons who provide goods or services to them aggregating over $600 during the year in connection with the rental. This provision is effective for payments made starting in This is a brand new issue, while further guidance is expected, it is not necessarily guaranteed. This is an added burden for the corporate transferee – just another argument for providing tax preparation assistance to domestic transferees.
Average Gross-up Percents – Could go from 60% to over150% based on proposed 2011 tax changes.Companies should Focus on “Total Costs” – not just a fee (i.e. $50/move vs. $12,000 Gross-up)

21. IRS 2010 Tax Forms:
RTR - "Relocation Tax Report" - replaces old "IRS Form 4782“. See RTA p. 21
"Moving Expenses" - taxpayer required. See RTA p. 25
Sch. D - "Capital Gains and Losses" - replaces old "IRS Form 2119"
New 2011 Federal, State, Local and F.I.C.A. (Social Security – 6.20%) $106,800 & Medicare 1.45% unlimited) tax brackets. The 2010 FICA/Medicare brackets – remain the same as in 2009 as well.
Tax form (picture)

22. Penalties for Failure to Withhold taxes on a timely basis.
Most all relocation expense reimbursements or supplemental wage payments are subject to withholding at the time of payment. Most companies use the Supplemental rate of 25% and apply a gross-up percentage. Accountable Plan rules apply, using the 30/60/120 rule. Taxable moving expenses (lump sums) are treated as if they were paid under a "non-accountable" plan. An average penalty of $8,000 per move could cost a company that relocates 200 employees per year, 1.6 million dollars for each year of non-compliance.
“prison bars”

23. Tax Saving Strategies (Withhold/Gross-up/Lump Sums)
1) When ever possible, always look for a business purpose for an expense. For example, Moves less than 1 year (temporary assignments), a Pre-employment physical, House Hunting Trips as business trips (breakout spouse expenses). Use a TP Home Sale Company or Qualified In-House Program. Tax Gross-up Savings over $9,000 per move
2) Have trained accounting/relocation tax expense professionals tax code and audit all expenses entered from the transferee's expense report. Average cost is $300 to $500 per move
3) Do not include either Van Line or Final Move expenses in a "Lump-Sum" allowance. Why? Because not taxable when receipts are provided. Employees can still deduct their moving expenses even if they receive a lump sum that is taxable and grossed-up. Lumps Sum Software $25 to $75 per move. Rates available for continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Canada
4) Re-capture any FICA overpayments – Year-end “true-up” – only adjust for “negatives” differences. Tax Gross-up Savings over $1,000+ per move.
5) Explain/Educate employees with regard to how their gross-up was calculated. Priceless!!!!!
“dollar sign”

24. Hot 2010 Relocation Trends
Year-end “true-up” or “difference” or “delta” calculation. Negatives only “adjustments”. Big savings in gross-ups Average gross-up is over $10,000. (Average savings over $2,000 per move).
Only gross-up at supplemental rate [ 25% ], let transferees come back and request more. Gross-up Audit after the fact. (Average savings over $1,000 per move).
Companies no longer automatically grossing-up for FICA (6.20% %) $106,800 maximum. Same in 2010 – New 2011 rate remains unchanged.
Lump Sums – Becoming very popular, software is available. $25 - $75
Expense Management Audits – Relocation Accounting Audits. (Average costs $325 per audit or several thousand dollars to audit a “batch” of records).
Reconcile State Taxes for employees who go on a temporary assignment. Gross-up wages for extra state taxes when needed. Gross-up Audits – for AMT, WPC and Lost Credits. Cost $325 per move

25. 10 Things Every Employee Should Know Before Considering a Move
1) Income will be inflated due to moving expenses paid by your company. Make sure that your federal and state withholdings are sufficient to cover the increase. Also, the year after the move, most transferees are more likely to be under withheld. If in doubt, contact your tax advisor. See RTA p.7 Also, If your company paid your Van Line bill, you can NOT deduct it on IRS Form 3903.
2) Make sure that a state W-4 form has been prepared and given to your payroll department so that withholding is being taken out in the proper state. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE WITHHOLDING TAKEN IN THE STATE THAT YOU WORK IN, EVEN IF YOU ARE A RESIDENT OF ANOTHER STATE! This should become effective the first paycheck received in the new place of employment. See RTA p.7, 12 and 13
3) In addition to the state, your new city may also require tax to be withheld. Review your first pay stub to make sure that this is being done (if applicable).
4) Keep in mind that excess FICA withheld from two or more employers is refundable, Line 65 IRS tax form Affects both working spouses.
5) You have up to two years to satisfy the time test, to establish permanent residency, in order to deduct moving expenses.

26. 10 Things Every Employee Should Know Before Considering a Move
6) Special costs, that are unique to you, are also deductible as moving expenses such as pets, horses, aquariums and tips paid to “movers & packers. No limit on the number of cars that can be moved and deducted. See RTA p.4
7) The cost of moving students, from their college to the new location, is deductible.
8) In the year that you move, remember that any non-amortized points on a refinanced loan can be deducted if you sell your house. See RTA p.8
9) Premature distributions from pension plans are not only taxable as income but incur a 10% penalty unless rolled over within 60 days. There is often a misconception how the rules for first time homebuyers work. Also in the year of a move, income is inflated and this is probably not a good time to take an early distribution.
10) The year after the move, significant potential for under withholding penalties exist. It could be hard to meet any of the safe harbor rules: Owe<$1,000, or pay at least 100% of last year’s liability, if AGI is >$150k, then pay 110% of last years liability. See RTA p.7

27. Money Saving Gross-up Policy Administrative Opportunities
2010 GROSS-UP DECISIONS YES/NO Additional Cost Per Move*
Use Tax Tables _____ Several Thousand Dollars
State Taxes _____ Moved To / From / Both ? $1,000
Include Fed. in State _____ $350
Local Taxes _____ $150
F.I.C.A. Taxes _____ SS / Med / Both SS $1,000 / Med $250
F.I.C.A. Circular Logic _____ $400

28. Money Saving Gross-up Policy Administrative Opportunities
2010 GROSS-UP DECISIONS YES/NO Additional Cost Per Move*
Deduction/Exempt. Phase-out ____ $275 (No phase-out)
Assume Itemized Deductions ____ $600 (New GST)
Gross-up "Unqualified" Moves ____ $5,800
Misc. Expense Allowance ____ $4,000
COLA / MIDA ____ $6,000
$0.50/$0.165 cents per mile ____ $150
Loss on Sale ____ $10,000 to $50,000+
AMT, WPC, First Time HB Credits ____ $1,000 - $20,000+
Annualize New Hire Salaries ____ Several Thousand Dollars

29. Money Saving Gross-up Policy Administrative Opportunities
2010 GROSS-UP DECISIONS YES/NO Additional Cost Per Move*
Look at Non-itemizers (Renters) ____ $500+
Economic Stimulus Package ____ $0 to $2,000+
Third Party Home Sale Company ____ $9,000
Other ____ 58% to 60% of Benefit Paid
The dollar amounts presented are estimates only. The actual dollar amount will vary based on the total cost of the move, what state is used for tax purposes, and of course the company's relocation tax gross-up policy.
* Savings documented well over $1,000 per move.
Copyright Relocation Taxes, LLC 2010