Right now, football teams are trying to put as many wins on the board as possible to make this a special season. Sports can highlight important lessons for business owners about profitability. One is that companies must learn from their mistakes and adjust their profitability game plans accordingly. Typical fumbles include poor customer service, ineffective … Read More
A competition winner must pay tax on the prize. A teenager was awarded a car for good grades and attendance. Her school had entered her in a local car dealership’s competition, along with other qualifying students. Her name was then pulled in a drawing. She asserted that the car was a gift and should be … Read More
Are you a retiree who may owe taxes this year on your Social Security or pension income? The IRS has created a tool that calculates the taxable portion of benefits. It also incorporates that information into an overall estimate of the projected tax liability and withholding for the year. If a withholding change is needed, … Read More
Enforcement revenue at the IRS reaches “an all-time high,” according to a new report. A Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) audit showed that, in fiscal year 2018, the IRS collected a record $59.4 billion in enforcement revenue. This was despite a 4% decline in agency personnel over FY 2017. More than half ($30.2 … Read More
The IRS has issued final regs on the 100% additional first-year depreciation deduction. It allows businesses to write off most depreciable business assets in the year they’re placed in service. Changes from the regs proposed in August include qualified improvement property, leasehold improvement property, restaurant property, and retail improvement property. A taxpayer may choose to … Read More
The annual gift tax exclusion is available only for gifts of “present interests.” But a contribution to a trust is, by definition, a gift of a future interest. To get around this obstacle, trusts typically provide beneficiaries with Crummey withdrawal powers. By giving them the right to withdraw trust contributions for a limited period of … Read More
Audited financial statements come with a special bonus: a management letter. Based on observations during audit fieldwork, the letter identifies issues affecting such areas of your business as internal controls, cash management, safety and employee benefits. Then it recommends possible corrective actions. Unfortunately, management letters are often filed away with the financial statements, and the … Read More
If you’re a small business owner, you may want to set up a retirement plan for yourself and any employees. Several types of plans are eligible for tax advantages, including 401(k)s, Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans and SIMPLE IRAs. For 2019, the maximum amount you can contribute to a 401(k) and exclude from income is … Read More
Borrowing isn’t just for businesses. Many not-for-profits borrow money for major capital purchases, new program funding and even to manage current cash flow. But if you’re hoping to borrow, know that it can be hard to find a lender. The odds of qualifying are better if your organization already has a relationship with the lender, … Read More
Although it’s hard to say “no” to a generous donor, your not-for-profit needs to be careful about accepting “gift horses.” There are many reasons to decline gifts, from space limitations to unsuitability to your mission. An art collection, for example, may require insurance and offsite storage your nonprofit can’t afford. A gift acceptance policy makes … Read More