Businesses shut down for many reasons, including the owner’s retirement, an expired lease, staffing shortages, partner conflicts and increased supply costs. Closing a business means taking care of various tax obligations that must be met. This article provides a rundown....
If a small business is operated as a sole proprietorship, the owner may have thought about forming a limited liability company (LLC) to protect his or her assets. Or, if the owner is launching a new business, he or she may want to know what...
Whether a business is new or established, losses can happen. The federal tax code may help soften the blow by allowing businesses to apply losses to offset taxable income in future years, subject to certain limitations....
This brief article highlights how businesses may be able to secure bad debt deductions. This tax treatment isn’t automatic. A business must be able to show that the debt in question is worthless. The article explains the ins and outs of claiming a business bad...
Business owners sometimes decide to put their companies on the market. When doing so, they may focus on the federal tax implications of a sale. But there will be state tax implications, too. This brief article touches on some key issues regarding state taxes....
Business partnerships may include situations that give the partners pause. This article explains that in any given year, the partners may have been taxed on more partnership income than was distributed to them. It notes that the cause of this quirk of taxation lies in...
It’s not just businesses that can deduct vehicle-related expenses on their tax returns. Individuals also may be able to deduct them in certain circumstances. Under current law, the deduction is less than it was years ago, although due to the high price of gas, the...
Abstract: Running a business requires that strong, supportable records be kept. Every expense that appears on a tax return might have to be defended if the IRS decides to audit the return. And failing to operate in a businesslike manner and keep good records might...
Employers may want to explore the benefits of providing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to their workforce. When coupled with a high-deductible health plan, an HSA can be a powerful tool for funding medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. This brief article outlines the advantages and...
Many people are traveling again, for business and for pleasure. But as travel demand increases, so does travel-related fraud. This article describes how scam artists seek to use phone calls, emails and other means to take advantage of travelers — and offers tips to help...
The sale of business or trade property can be subject to many rules, depending on the details. Factors that affect the taxability of the sale include the type of property, the primary use and how long the property was held. This article gives a rundown...
Under the “wash sale” tax rule, if a taxpayer sells stock or securities for a loss and buys back substantially identical stock or securities within the 30-day period before or after the sale date, that loss can’t be claimed for tax purposes. This article provides...
The “sandwich generation” includes people who are caught between caring for their aging parents and still raising or helping their children. This brief article encourages those in the middle part of the sandwich to initiate family discussions with the other two parts to discuss tax...
When businesses receive large amounts of cash or cash equivalents, they may be required to report these transactions to the IRS. Specifically, a payment of more than $10,000 cash in one or more related transactions must be reported on a specific form. Although not all...
Inventory is expensive, so it needs to be as lean as possible without compromising revenue and customer service. This article provides some suggestions to help businesses trim the fat from inventory and some useful inventory ratios for benchmarking and evaluating product mix....
No matter the season, scam artists look for new victims, including those who would pick the pockets of older people in search of money and financial data. This article offers seven ways to help prevent elder financial abuse and fraud....
Business owners may be able to hire their minor children this summer and get tax breaks and other nontax benefits. While owners save on payroll taxes and lower some costs, the kids also benefit. They can gain on-the-job experience, learn practical skills and at the...
Business owners who have been audited by the IRS are likely aware that the process may be stressful. It might help to understand what IRS auditors know about the business’s industry. IRS examiners generally do research on a specific industry and on issues on a...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the second quarter of 2022....
Business owners who intend to hire should be aware of a recent law that has extended through 2025 a valuable credit to those that hire members of certain targeted groups. This article provides the limits and other details of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and...
It’s an awful feeling to learn that your credit or debit card has been used fraudulently. Whether you’re liable for charges typically depends on the type of card, whether you still possess the card and when the card issuer is alerted. This article provides further...
An employer-sponsored flexible spending account allows participants to pay health care costs with pre-tax dollars and be reimbursed, tax-free. Unused funds at year-end may be forfeited unless the plan includes one of two exceptions. In 2021, the IRS added some items to the list of...
COVID-19’s rapid spread and the economic havoc that followed are vivid reminders of how unpredictable and volatile the broad economy — and each family’s personal finances — can be. This article discusses three financial lessons that may be learned from the pandemic....
Business owners should remember that the 50% deduction limit for certain meals remains suspended in 2022. That means companies can deduct 100% of the cost of business-related, restaurant-provided meals. This brief article has the details....
Babies bring joy and excitement. They also bring substantial adjustments to the family budget! This article discusses a couple of ways to pacify the challenge: checking insurance and reviewing tax breaks. A sidebar advises starting a college fund as early as possible....
Taxpayers who are gig workers or otherwise self-employed likely must make estimated tax payments to the IRS every quarter. This article notifies readers of an upcoming payment deadline, explores the details of estimated tax payments, and looks at a method that may help people whose...
Owners of closely held corporations often want or need to withdraw cash from the business. The simplest way is to distribute the money as a dividend, but that isn’t tax-efficient. This article suggests several other ways to withdraw cash with generally better tax consequences, such...
When one of a company’s customers can’t pay up, the business may be able to claim a tax deduction for the “bad debt” under Internal Revenue Code Section 166. To successfully do so, however, the business owner must know how the tax code defines a...
Family businesses make up a huge percentage of companies in the United States and produce much of the country’s gross domestic product. However, for various reasons, they may also potentially face higher fraud risk. This article discusses why, and how family business owners can reduce...
If you’re a partner in a business, you may have encountered a situation that gave you pause. In any given year, you may have been taxed on more partnership income than was distributed to you. The cause of this quirk of taxation lies in the...
July 15 — If the monthly deposit rule applies, employers must deposit the tax for payments in June for Social Security, Medicare, withheld income tax and nonpayroll withholding. August 2 — The second quarter Form 941 (“Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return”) is due today. (If your...
Many individual taxpayers fondly recall the stimulus payments issued this spring under the American Rescue Plan Act. However, the law contains plenty of other provisions also worth remembering. This article reviews four highlights. A sidebar looks at the income exclusion for unemployment benefits....
Holding a vacation home shared by family members in a limited liability company is one option that can offer important benefits. This short article lists several: asset protection, ease of management, ownership restrictions and estate planning advantages....
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, employees could (through December 31, 2020) take paid sick time and paid family leave to care for themselves or loved ones because of COVID-19. This brief article notes some changes to the applicable rules with the passage of...
With the economy expected to improve in the months or quarters ahead, many business owners and entrepreneurs may decide to launch new enterprises. This article discusses the general rules and applicable expenses related to the tax treatment of start-ups. ...
Future retirees have long grappled with whether to opt for a traditional or Roth IRA. Those who have a traditional IRA and have seen a decline in the value of their investments may want to consider a conversion to a Roth. This article reviews how...
Over the last year, many companies have experienced “workforce fluctuations.” If your business has engaged independent contractors to address staffing needs, be careful that these workers are properly classified for federal tax purposes. Tax obligations The question of whether a worker is an independent contractor or an...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the second quarter of 2021....
About a year ago, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was launched in response to the COVID-19 crisis. If your company took out such a loan, you’re likely curious about the tax consequences — particularly for loans that have been forgiven. Forgiveness criteria An eligible recipient may have...
Any U.S. person who has a financial interest in, or signature or other authority over, any foreign financial accounts must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) if the aggregate value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during...
Everyone’s personal financial plan doesn’t have to be complex, but it does generally need to cover two major facets: paying down debt and saving money. This brief article discusses the importance of identifying one’s financial personality and using that as a guide to creating a...
Many people have found themselves working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and wondering, “Can I claim the home office deduction for 2020?” The short answer is: Only if you’re self-employed. This article delves deeper into the other rules involved....
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many cash-challenged businesses have bartered for goods and services instead of paying dollars for them. This article discusses the tax impact of bartering and explores membership in a barter exchange....
Wealthier individuals should bear in mind that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubled the federal gift and estate tax exemption through 2025. This brief article provides specifics on the dollar amounts involved and explains why there’s no reason to fear a “clawback.”...
This calendar notes important tax deadlines for the first quarter of 2021....
For many, December 31 means a New Year’s celebration. From a tax perspective, however, it should mean thinking about which filing status you will use for that year’s tax return. This article reviews the five statuses. A sidebar looks at whether a married person can...
As the end of 2020 draws near, investors should take the time to review any mutual fund holdings in their taxable accounts and take steps to avoid potential tax traps. This article offers helpful tips such as avoiding capital gains surprises and being careful about...
Most states with a sales tax have enacted “economic nexus” laws that expand the reach of their sales tax collection activities beyond their borders. This article urges businesses to reassess their sales-tax compliance obligations, especially as online transactions soar because of the COVID-19 crisis....
If your company faces the need to “remediate” or clean up environmental contamination, the money you spend can be tax-deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Unfortunately, every type of environmental cleanup expense cannot be currently deducted — some cleanup costs must be capitalized (spread...
When it comes to retirement planning, many people tend to focus on two things: opening a retirement savings account and then eventually drawing funds from it. However, there are other important aspects to truly doing everything you can to grow your nest egg. One of them...
Nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans allow participants to set aside large amounts of tax-deferred compensation while enjoying the flexibility to schedule distributions to align with their financial goals. However, the plans also pose substantial risks. If your (or a prospective) employer offers an NQDC plan,...
Because of the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis, many companies may want to conserve cash and not buy much equipment this year. As a result, you may not be able to claim as many depreciation tax deductions as in the past. However, if your...
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided many lessons for business owners. One is how to report the impact of a disaster on a company’s financial statements. This brief article discusses two types of “subsequent events” that may need to be disclosed....
When a trade or business’s deductible expenses exceed its income, a net operating loss (NOL) generally occurs. The rules applying to NOLs have changed and changed again. This article reviews how they’ve been revised, including most recently under the CARES Act....
Anyone selling a business interest, real estate or other highly appreciated property could get hit with a substantial capital gains tax bill. One way to soften the blow — though it ties up the funds long term — is to “roll over” the gain into a...
Despite the prevalence of Web-based meetings, many of today’s businesses still have plenty of employees who travel. For companies that reimburse employees on a tax-free basis for travel expenses, it’s important to stay up to date on the rules that determine the location of a...
Business owners must monitor the cash flow and tax positions of their companies, while also looking out for their own personal financial futures. This article looks at how to lay the foundation for a strong exit strategy using a buy-sell agreement and family-focused succession planning...
Despite its name, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act didn’t cut all types of taxes. It left several taxes unchanged, including the 3.8% tax on net investment income (NII) of high-income taxpayers. This brief article defines the NII tax and urges you to explore strategies...
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has given business owners much to think about, including whether to change the structure under which their companies operate. This article explains what’s changed and offers some scenarios to ponder. A sidebar looks at what growth-focused businesses should think...
Most individuals don’t regard themselves as businesses, trying to turn a profit and beat the competition. But, occasionally, it may help to look at one’s financial situation this way to determine where to cut expenses and boost cash flow. This article provides some tips, including...
The tax implications of earning money from an activity will vary depending on whether it is considered a hobby or business by the IRS. And the rules recently changed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This article reviews the hobby vs. business distinction and...
The last month or so of the year offers accrual-basis businesses an opportunity to make some timely moves that might enable them to save money on their 2018 tax bills. This brief article offers a variety of timely tips to consider....
Spouses who own profitable, unincorporated businesses often find the high self-employment (SE) tax bills burdensome. Fortunately, there may be ways to ease that burden. This article suggests two ways that spouse-owners can lower their tax bills....
Business owners often have most of their money tied up in their companies, making saving for retirement especially challenging. Those who haven’t already set up a tax-advantaged retirement plan should think about setting one up this year. This brief article offers up a few options...
With conference calls and Web meetings increasingly prevalent, business travel isn’t what it used to be. But many companies still send employees out on the road. This article describes important concepts related to travel, such as travel expenses as a fringe benefit, establishing an accountable...
Keeping up with the complexity of the Internal Revenue Code is challenging enough for employed individuals. But for owner-employees, the difficulty level is particularly high. This article explains how your business structure determines the rules you must abide by....
No business owner goes out of his or her way to acquire a bad debt. But they’re not always bad news. This article discusses how a company may be able to write off the noncollectable amount for tax purposes....