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Welcome charitable pledges — and account for them properly
The difference between financial pledges and donations is relatively simple: Pledges are promises to donate sometime in the future, and donations provide immediate support for your not-for-profit organization. What’s not so simple is accounting for pledges. After all, a promise to donate isn’t a guarantee that you’ll receive the money when the contributor says you…
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6 tax-free income opportunities
Believe it or not, there are ways to collect tax-free income and gains. Here are some of the best opportunities to put money in your pocket without current federal income tax implications: Roth IRAs offer tax-free income accumulation and withdrawals. Unlike withdrawals from traditional IRAs, qualified Roth IRA withdrawals are free from federal income tax.…
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Business owners sometimes need to switch successors
For many business owners, choosing a successor is the most difficult task related to succession planning. Owners of family-owned businesses, who may have multiple children or other relatives to consider, particularly tend to struggle with this tough choice. What’s worse, many business owners’ initial picks for successor don’t work out. Over time, the chosen person…
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Working remotely is convenient, but it may have tax consequences
Many employees began working remotely during the pandemic and continue doing so today. Remote work has many advantages for employers and employees, and as a result, it’s here to stay in many industries. But it may also lead to some tax surprises, especially if workers cross state lines. Double taxation may occur It’s not unusual…
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Brand audits can help companies in a variety of ways
A strong brand can help boost revenue, while a weaker one may reduce sales opportunities and stifle growth. Like many business owners, you’ve probably spent considerable time and energy crafting your company’s brand. Doing so has likely involved coming up with a memorable business name and logo, communicating with customers in a distinctive manner, and,…
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Reasons an LLC might be the ideal choice for your small to medium-size business
Choosing the right business entity is a key decision for any business. The entity you pick can affect your tax bill, your personal liability and other issues. For many businesses, a limited liability company (LLC) is an attractive choice. It can be structured to resemble a corporation for owner liability purposes and a partnership for…
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6 key elements of a business budget
Every business needs a budget, but not every budget looks the same. Some companies have intricately detailed ones, others rely on simple templates generated with off-the shelf software, and still others forego formal budgets in favor of a “fly by the seat of your pants” approach. (That last option isn’t recommended.) Because budgeting is such…
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IRS ramps up compliance enforcement against certain businesses
The Inflation Reduction Act provided the IRS with billions of dollars of additional funding to reduce the so-called “tax gap” between what taxpayers owe and what they actually pay. The tax agency has already launched numerous initiatives aimed at this goal, including several business-related compliance campaigns. Let’s take a closer look at three of the…
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Understanding the ABCs of credits and debits
Bookkeeping fundamentals are essential to accurate financial reporting. Using software solutions — such as QuickBooks®, NetSuite® or Xero™ — can simplify double-entry accounting. However, knowing how the process works can provide reassurance that your business is properly tracking its financial transactions. Debit and credits Assets are items of value that your business owns, such as…
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It’s time for your small business to think about year-end tax planning
With Labor Day in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take proactive steps that may help lower your small business’s taxes for this year and next. The strategy of deferring income and accelerating deductions to minimize taxes can be effective for most businesses, as is the approach of bunching deductible expenses into this year or…
