Focus
Showing 97–112 of 393 results
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Don’t let your tax obligations for statutory employees fall through the cracks
Year End 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 428
Abstract: Many businesses work with outside contractors. Statutory employees are in a category that falls somewhere between employee and independent contractor. Whether workers are considered statutory employees can have a significant impact on certain tax obligations. This article explains the criteria the IRS uses to classify employees as statutory and discusses the potential tax impact for employers.
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Feast or famine: Protecting a windfall
Year End 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 551
Abstract: Receiving an inheritance, a legal settlement or prize winnings may seem wonderful, but it can also raise new problems. It’s important for recipients to use smart strategies that will help ensure the money continues to grow over the long term. This article offers some guidelines and advice for recipients that will help them avoid potential traps and pitfalls. It suggests that it’s a good idea to determine the tax obligations on the amount received, pay off any debt and increase savings before spending the money. The article points out that, with care, thought and planning, a windfall can help provide financial security.
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Remote control – State sales tax guidelines for remote sellers
Year End 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 612
Abstract: As Internet commerce increases, the number of states imposing sales and use tax on remote sellers continues to grow. The actions of many states are a response to the June 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, ruling that states may collect sales or use taxes from businesses that lack a physical presence within the state. This article notes that businesses should be aware of these changing state and local tax laws, taking a look at some of the pertinent issues — including determining nexus and the importance of monitoring and compliance.
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Don’t wait! Take these last-minute steps now to reduce your 2019 tax bill
Year End 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 974
Abstract: As the year draws to a close, there’s still time for individuals to effectively reduce their tax bills. This article offers some useful strategies for year-end tax planning. It also suggests several steps individuals can take, including grouping deductible expenses together and making contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans, that can help reduce their tax bill. A sidebar explains that it’s important for employees who have Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to keep tabs on their FSA balances at the end of the year so as to avoid forfeiting money.
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9 strategies to ensure prompt payment
October / November 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 438
Abstract: Outstanding invoices can play havoc with cash flow. This article offers nine guidelines, such as capturing the terms in writing, negotiating partial payments, and invoicing promptly and accurately, to help businesses get paid more quickly. The article notes that polite assertiveness can help businesses get paid while still maintaining good relationships with customers.
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Changing jobs? What to do with your retirement plan
October / November 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 678
Abstract: When an individual changes jobs, an important consideration is how to handle any money accumulated in his or her current employer’s retirement plan. Although one option is simply to withdraw the funds, this can be costly. This article suggests several strategies, including leaving the funds where they are or rolling over the funds to an IRA, that will help people changing jobs avoid unfavorable tax consequences and penalties.
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Staying one step ahead of capital gains tax
October / November 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 723
Abstract: The end of the year is a good time for individuals to revisit tax strategies with an eye toward ensuring they’re taking any and all actions needed to reduce their tax bills. One area to look at is capital gains. This article notes that, while rising value is a good thing, the gains on selling an investment are potentially taxable. It points out that, with proper planning, a taxpayer can reduce capital gains tax liability — and avoid unpleasant surprises.
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Top year-end tax-planning tips for businesses
October / November 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 890
Abstract: Business owners are still getting used to the massive tax law changes that generally went into effect last year. But it’s still possible to take steps before the end of the year to reduce liability. This article presents some options to consider, such as making capital purchases, establishing a new retirement plan and reviewing entity structure. The article also points out that all of these strategies could affect other aspects of a business’s tax planning, so obtaining professional advice is essential. A sidebar discusses the tax-minimizing strategy of deferring income while accelerating expenses.
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To work or not to work – How working affects Social Security and Medicare benefits
August / September 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 455
Abstract: It’s important for workers to understand how their jobs may affect their Social Security benefits and Medicare coverage. Every situation is different, but this article looks at how employment may come into play in determining benefit amounts, depending on the situation. The article notes that an accounting professional can help assess the many considerations around working and receiving Social Security benefits or enrolling in Medicare.
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Tackling resistance to innovation
August / September 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 678
Abstract: Executives and business owners often find the greatest obstacle to innovation isn’t the change itself, but employees’ resistance to it. Employees may be concerned about their ability to manage or control changes. They may worry about the ways an innovation is likely to alter (or even eliminate) their jobs. This article offers some ways to gain support from employees and notes that companies can ease a transition by acknowledging and addressing the reasons employees might resist it.
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Everyone wins with Qualified Opportunity Zones
August / September 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 701
Abstract: The Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) program created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provides a tax incentive for investors who realize capital gains to make long-term investments in one of the nearly 9,000 distressed communities in the United States that have been designated QOZs. This article discusses the pros and cons of investing in QOZs. For investors to gain the maximum tax benefits, they need to invest not only capital gains, but time — seven years or more. But the article notes that, if they can hold onto the investment over that period, they’ll make a profit — both for the communities and for themselves.
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Traveling light – The tax ramifications of business travel expenses
August / September 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: For some companies, travel still is a significant part of the way they do business. Even if business travel is merely occasional — rather than a way of life — for a business and its employees, it’s important to be aware of how travel expenses are taxed to avoid adverse outcomes. This article explains the tax ramifications of business travel expenses. A sidebar discusses the concept of a “tax home” for purposes of the business-travel deduction rules.
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The lowdown on homeowner’s insurance
June / July 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 426
Abstract: A homeowner’s insurance policy provides protection against damage from weather events like lightning and hail, as well as fire and theft. Many also offer some coverage for the costs homeowners will incur if they need to live somewhere else while their homes are being repaired after being damaged. But the specific coverage of each policy can vary greatly. This article looks at the different types of policies and what they cover. It suggests that it’s important to regularly review coverage to determine if adjustments are needed.
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Consider an SBA loan to grow your business
June / July 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 629
Abstract: When searching for small business funding, it’s a good idea to look into the loan programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The interest rates and terms can compare favorably with other types of loans. This article explains the basics of how a business can qualify for an SBA loan and provides some examples of the different types of programs available. It also notes that the SBA offers other loan programs geared to, for instance, export financing and veteran-owned businesses.
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Are all of your customers profitable for your business?
June / July 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 767
Abstract: Owners typically spend a lot of time and energy trying to attract customers to their businesses and keep them, while rarely asking whether those customers are actually desirable ones. This article points out that, while it may seem counterintuitive to intentionally let go of customers, sometimes doing so can create a healthier, more profitable company. The article notes several strategies for evaluating customer value, including tracking their purchase history and sorting them by profitability level.
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To have and to withhold – Avoiding surprises on your 2019 tax return
June / July 2019
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 879
Abstract: When the TCJA took effect at the beginning of 2018, the IRS updated the withholding tables employers use to determine how much money to withhold from employees’ paychecks. The new tables caused employers to withhold substantially less than they had in the past, which increased paycheck amounts. But this past tax filing season, many people were surprised to receive smaller refunds than they expected. This article advises that, if it’s necessary for employees to increase their withholding, it’s not a good idea for them to wait until the end of the year; it’s better to spread the additional withholding over as many paychecks as possible, so each paycheck bite will be smaller. A sidebar explains that there are better ways to save than to wait for a large annual refund.