Deferring Income into 2011

If you expect your AGI to be higher in 2010 than in 2011, or if you anticipate being in the same or a higher tax bracket in 2010 than in 2011, you may benefit by deferring income into 2011. Deferring income will be advantageous so long as the deferral does not bump your income to the next bracket. Deferring income could be disadvantageous, however, if your deferred income is subject to §409A , thus making the income includible in gross income and subject to additional tax. Some ways to defer income include:

Use of Cash Method of Accounting : By using the cash method of accounting instead of the accrual method of accounting, you can generally put yourself in the best position for accelerating deductions and deferring income. There is still time to accomplish this strategy, because an automatic change to the cash method can be made by the due date of the return including extensions. The following three types of businesses can make an automatic change to the cash method: (1) small businesses with average annual gross receipts of $1 million or less (even those with inventories that are a material income producing factor); (2) certain C corporations with average annual gross receipts of $5 million or less in which inventories are not a material income producing factor; and (3) certain taxpayers with average annual gross receipts of $10 million or less. Provided inventories are not a material income producing factor, sole proprietors, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and S corporations can change to the cash method of accounting without regard to their average annual gross receipts.

Delay Billing : Delay year-end billing to clients so that payments are not received until 2011.

Interest and Dividends : Interest income earned on Treasury securities and bank certificates of deposit with maturities of one year or less is not includible in income until received. To defer interest income, consider buying short-term bonds or certificates that will not mature until next year. If you have control as to when dividends are paid, arrange to have them paid to you after the end of the year.

Deferral of Income in Certain Debt Restructurings : Section 108(i) provides an election to defer cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income. Ordinarily, COD income is includible in gross income for the year in which the debt is canceled or reduced. However, under §108(i) , COD income arising from a reacquisition of a debt instrument can be deferred and included in the taxpayer's gross income ratably over the five taxable years beginning with the fourth taxable year for reacquisitions occurring in 2010 (if the reacquisition occurred in 2009, the pro-rata inclusion begins with the fifth taxable year after the reacquisition).

The provision applies whether the canceled debt is acquired for cash or is acquired in the form of a new debt instrument. Recent regulations have identified what types of transactions may accelerate recognition of the deferred COD income; it is important that we discuss the triggering transactions so that you can avoid them. The regulations also address the unique application of the acceleration rules to consolidated groups.

The window for undertaking transactions to which the §108(i) election can apply is rapidly closing.

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