President Biden has released his proposed budget for the federal government for the 2024 fiscal year. The budget, which aims to cut the deficit by nearly $3 trillion over 10 years, includes numerous provisions that would affect the tax bills of both individuals and businesses. While most of these proposals stand little chance of enactment with a Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, they shed light on the Democrats’ priorities as they prepare for the 2024 election season…. Read more ›
The 2022 mid-term election has shifted the scales in Washington, D.C., with the Democrats no longer controlling both houses of Congress. While it remains to be seen if — and when — any tax-related legislation can muster the requisite bipartisan support, a review of certain provisions in existing laws may provide an indication of the many areas ripe for action in the next two years. Retirement catch-ups at risk The SECURE 2.0 Act, enacted at the tail end of 2022,… Read more ›
Many job seekers and others assume that not-for-profit organizations offer fewer or less-generous fringe benefits to employees than for-profit companies. But that’s not necessarily true. According to a recent survey by the Nonprofit Times, 87% of nonprofit employers offer a health insurance plan. But as the Kaiser Family Foundation has found, only 49% of private for-profit companies with three to nine workers offer health insurance coverage to workers. Larger for-profit companies generally do offer health insurance and other benefits. So… Read more ›
Here’s a tax break you might not have considered: Your business could be eligible for a tax credit for money you spend to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law requires companies with 15 or more employees to make reasonable accommodations in the workplace for disabled employees. (Reasonable accommodations must be made on a case-by-case basis and are not required when the cost would cause an undue hardship.) Eligible small businesses can claim a credit equal… Read more ›
To help you make sure you don’t miss any important 2023 deadlines, we’ve provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Please review the 2023 tax calendar and let us know if you have any questions about the deadlines or would like assistance in meeting them. Date Deadline for January 10 Individuals: Reporting December 2022 tip income of $20 or more to employers (Form 4070). January 17 Individuals: Paying the fourth installment of 2022 estimated taxes, if… Read more ›
The IRS has announced the 2023 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Background: If you use a vehicle for business driving, you can generally deduct the actual expenses attributable to your business use. This includes expenses such as gas, oil, tires, insurance, repairs, licenses and vehicle registration fees. In addition, you may claim a depreciation allowance for the vehicle, based on the percentage of business… Read more ›
Losses can be used, within certain limits, to offset other highly-taxed income, such as salary from a job. However, in general, losses from “passive” activities can only be used to offset income from other passive activities. Any excess passive loss is suspended and must be carried forward to future years. The tax law generally defines a passive activity as a trade or business in which you don’t “materially participate.” The IRS has established various tests for determining whether someone qualifies… Read more ›
Chances are, your construction business hires independent contractors, rather than employees, to perform some of the work. These arrangements obviously save your company a lot of time, money and headaches. Take a look at some of the recordkeeping and financial differences: With anEmployee: With an IndependentContractor: You must pay the employer’s half of FICA, as well as federal unemployment tax (FUTA). You generally don’t have to withhold taxes from the worker’s pay, you don’t owe the employer’s portion of FICA… Read more ›
Comprehensive financial statements prepared under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) include three reports: the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows. Together these reports can be powerful diagnostic tools to help evaluate the financial well-being of a business. Moreover, by carefully analyzing them, you may be able to uncover potential money-management problems or even fraudulent activity. Balance Sheets Show Assets vs. Liabilities The balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company’s financial health at a moment in… Read more ›
Updated August 2, 2024 Click here to learn more about our tax, accounting and advisory services for attorneys and law firms. It’s not uncommon for an incoming partner in a professional firm to take out a personal loan to finance all or part of the cost of acquiring an ownership interest. If some of your firm’s partners have done this, they need to know the proper federal income tax treatment of the resulting interest expense. Such partner-level interest expense is sometimes called… Read more ›