Blue Light Special

Blue Light Special

When you think of: Faster than a speeding bullet, do you think of Clark Kent, aka Superman? Well, if so, you are not keeping up with tax law. The Internal Revenue Code is now faster than a speeding bullet. I am not referring to the fact that tax law changes more quickly than fashion styles. I am referring to the fact that some new tax laws are only effective for less than 100 days.

Seriously!

Code Section 1202, which has been around since 1993, provides for an exclusion of a portion of the gain from the sale of C corporation stock, meeting specific requirements, held for more than 5 years. The exclusion rate, prior to the most recent legislative change, was either 50% or 75%. Under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the exclusion is 100%. Now, that is a full exclusion. In other words, the gain on the sale of the stock is completely and totally tax free. This is a wonderful benefit and all practitioners should be sure to fully review the statute in full.

However!

But, the statute is effective only for stock acquired after September 27, 2010 and before January 1, 2011. That means September 28-30, all of October, all of November, and all of December 2010 but not a day later. That is less than 100 days! The time is short.

I find it remarkable that Congress can pass a law which virtually expires before the general public knows about it. I attribute this law to the new world of social media. It used to be we obtained our news by reading a printed newspaper, a fine magazine, or a book. Now the news comes to us via Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. And Congress knows it.

Is the day too far off when tax law will change this way? You'll look at your iphone and read the following tweet: For the next 15 hours, if you buy a new ipad, you can take 120% depreciation. But, remember, this offer is only good for the next 15 hours. 16 hours, and you are toast. Act now!

Internal Revenue Code meet the Kmart Blue Light Special!