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Showing 10225–10240 of 10245 results
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Is your business structure still a perfect fit?
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 674
Abstract: Most contractors wouldn’t dream of allowing a construction project to run unsupervised according to the original plans, because circumstances can change. The same is true of business structure: The ownership form that was once a perfect fit may eventually need to be adjusted. Beginning with the two most popular choices, this article provides a snapshot of each. (Updated 3/23/12)
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Tax planning for 2008 and beyond – Looking forward by looking back
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 839
Abstract: As a new calendar year begins, construction business owners may want to look back to last year for some strategic planning cues. For example, the Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 (SBWOTA) included more than $4.8 billion in tax breaks for businesses. This article demonstrates how SBWOTA offers contractors some opportunities to plan strategically for this year and beyond.
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Tax Tips
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 532
Abstract: News items briefly discussed are the IRS’s random audit program, lodging expenses, out-of-state purchases, and what to do when the IRS or a state taxing authority informs a taxpayer of a discrepancy or mistake in a tax return.
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5 post-year-end tax strategies to reduce your 2007 tax bill
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 561
Abstract: Now that you’ve “closed the books” on the 2007 tax year, you may think you’re finished tax planning for it. But there’s still time for you to implement these five post-year-end strategies that can reduce your 2007 tax bill. This article suggests making an IRA contribution, checking receipts, simplifying your retirement plan, reviewing losses and taking the expensing election.
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Bulletproofing your FLP
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1208
Abstract: During the last decade, family limited partnerships (FLPs) have come under increasingly intense fire from the IRS. But that doesn’t mean they’ve lost any of their muscle as an estate- and succession-planning tool. What it does mean is that the IRS may attempt to shoot down an FLP it believes is nothing more than a tax-avoidance scheme. This article explores how to create an FLP that’s bulletproof — or at least bullet resistant.
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Seal your exit strategy with an ESOP
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 870
Abstract: Many successful business owners have a substantial portion of their net worths tied up in their companies. Even if one plans to stay actively involved in a company for many years, it’s important to have an exit strategy that addresses when to convert business interests into cash for investment diversification purposes. Designing an exit strategy can be challenging — especially if a business is closely held or the company’s stock is thinly traded. How can a business owner cash out without selling the company to an outsider or giving up control? This article suggests one way: Implement an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), which creates a market for stock and offers tax savings and other benefits to the company as well as its owners and employees.
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The times they are a-changin’ – New risk-assessment standards will affect your annual audit
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 728
Abstract: If yours is a privately held construction business, get ready: Your CPA will be taking a closer look at your 2007 year end financial statements. This article delves into the new risk-assessment standards issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in March 2006. The new standards are the most significant change to auditing in the last 30 years, and they will affect CPAs and contractors alike.
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Retainage: Necessary practice or unfair penalty?
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Construction Industry Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 890
Abstract: Imagine a doctor’s response if patients said they wouldn’t pay the full cost of their annual physicals until they were convinced of their good health. The doctor would probably see it as a joke. Yet, under the practice of retainage, construction project owners do this all the time. This article explores the topic from both sides of the issue and discusses some possible remedies that you may want to implement on your next project.
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Should your practice conduct an internal coding and documentation audit?
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 447
Abstract: To save money, many practices choose to do an internal coding and documentation audit instead of an external one. This article emphasizes that there’s certainly nothing wrong with going this route — as long as the audit is done the right way.
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Juggling the JCAHO jargon
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 611
Abstract: With competitive and financial pressures in the marketplace escalating, more and more physician practices are finding partnerships with hospitals/health systems one of the only viable ways to survive. Among the greatest challenges created by these partnerships, however, is the need to understand, accept and comply with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards. This article looks at how physicians can better adjust to JCAHO standards by recognizing the benefits and learning the lingo.
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When cutting overhead costs, creativity counts!
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 621
Abstract: In this day and age, reducing expenses in the office may seem like an impossible task. While many practices are experiencing a reduction in revenues, overhead costs are increasing, causing an erosion of practice profit margins, which, in turn, is dramatically affecting physician income. This article offers some suggestions for helping practices cut overhead costs while, of course, maintaining the same great level of patient care.
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And the survey says … Assess your operations by asking staff and physicians the right questions
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 979
Abstract: Many physicians and managers are so busy with the day-to-day operations of their practices that they don’t take the time to conduct regular diagnostic check-ups of the business. By surveying physicians and staff about the state of the practice, practice leadership can gain great insight into any problems that may be brewing or discover issues that need to be addressed immediately. This article shows how to structure a survey and suggests some questions to ask.
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Buy-sell agreements — A wise risk-management move
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 682
Abstract: The best time to draft a buy-sell agreement is when things are going well and a medical practice’s partners/shareholders are likely to reach an amicable agreement. Unfortunately, the circumstances that these agreements address often occur at difficult times and may disrupt the practice, ultimately reducing the value over which the owners are at odds. This article explains why obtaining a buy-sell agreement sooner rather than later is a wise risk-management move.
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No more cookie-cutter FLP valuations
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 475
Abstract: Attention to detail and thorough documentation are key ingredients to preserving family limited partnership (FLP) valuation discounts. This brief article notes some of the ways valuators support these discounts and uses a case study to illustrate the need to consider state tax regulations and provide well-founded written documentation in supporting FLP valuation discounts. Citations: Estate of Helen H. Berry, No. 1485 C.D., LEXIS 182, April 24, 2007. Estate of Thompson, 382 F. 3d 367, 379, 3rd Cir. 2004.
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Buy-sell agreements gone bad — Plan for the unexpected with a comprehensive plan
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 636
Abstract: Buy-sell agreements are legal contracts that spell out buyout terms and provisions during key ownership changes. But inadequate agreements can create problems when owners can least afford the turmoil. This article explains some of the common valuation-related mistakes owners make when setting up buy-sell agreements, including failing to define buyout terms, using ambiguous or outdated valuation formulas, and misstating or failing to verify financial data. The article emphasizes the importance of consulting with an experienced valuation professional to ensure the agreement covers all the bases.
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How to turn compliance into a profit center
Winter 2008
Newsletter: Community Banking Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 852
Abstract: The Patriot Act beefed up the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), imposing new obligations to ferret out suspicious customer activities and deter money laundering activities. The cost of compliance is steep. But smart bankers look at their BSA responsibilities not as unwelcome costs, but as an opportunity to generate new revenue, improve efficiency and strengthen customer satisfaction.