December 1, 2021 / by Brett Hess / Deadlines, Newsletter, Small Business, Tax
In Notice 2021-61, the IRS recently announced 2022 cost-of-living adjustments to dollar limits and thresholds for qualified retirement plans. Here are some highlights: Elective deferrals. The annual limit on elective deferrals (employee contributions) will increase from $19,500 to $20,500 for 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans, as well as for Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pensions (SARSEPs). […]
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Upcoming Changes to NetClient CS Portal
November 14, 2023 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
We are excited to share details about upcoming changes to your NetClient CS portal. Our firm partners with Thomson Reuters to provide the platform for these portals. Their upcoming November update will improve your sign-in experience and security. What you need to know: You’ll need to create a new username and password. To do this, […]
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A refresher on the trust fund recovery penalty for business owners and executives
October 12, 2023 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
One might assume the term “trust fund recovery penalty” has something to do with estate planning. It’s important for business owners and executives to know better. In point of fact, the trust fund recovery penalty relates to payroll taxes. The IRS uses it to hold accountable “responsible persons” who willfully withhold income and payroll taxes from […]
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Investment swings: What’s the tax impact?
September 25, 2023 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
If your investments have fluctuated wildly this year, you may have already recognized some significant gains and losses. But nothing is decided tax-wise until year end when the final results of your trades will reveal your 2023 tax situation. Here’s what you need to know to avoid tax surprises. Tax-favored retirement accounts and taxable accounts […]
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Guaranteeing a loan to your corporation? There may be tax implications
September 14, 2023 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
Let’s say you decide to, or are asked to, guarantee a loan to your corporation. Before agreeing to act as a guarantor, endorser or indemnitor of a debt obligation of your closely held corporation, be aware of the possible tax implications. If your corporation defaults on the loan and you’re required to pay principal or […]
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Retirement account catch-up contributions can add up
September 5, 2023 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
If you’re age 50 or older, you can probably make extra “catch-up” contributions to your tax-favored retirement account(s). It is worth the trouble? Yes! Here are the rules of the road. The deal with IRAs Eligible taxpayers can make extra catch-up contributions of up to $1,000 annually to a traditional or Roth IRA. If you’ll […]
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Inheriting stock or other assets? You’ll receive a favorable “stepped-up basis”
August 28, 2023 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter
If you’re planning your estate, or you’ve recently inherited assets, you may be unsure of the “cost” (or “basis”) for tax purposes. How do the rules work? Under the current fair market value basis rules (also known as the “step-up and step-down” rules), an heir receives a basis in inherited property equal to its date-of-death […]
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Keeping meticulous records is the key to tax deductions and painless IRS audits
February 3, 2022 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Small Business
If you operate a business, or you’re starting a new one, you know you need to keep records of your income and expenses. Specifically, you should carefully record your expenses in order to claim all of the tax deductions to which you’re entitled. And you want to make sure you can defend the amounts reported […]
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Gig workers should understand their tax obligations
December 28, 2021 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Small Business, Uncategorized
The number of people engaged in the “gig” or sharing economy has grown in recent years. In an August 2021 survey, the Pew Research Center found that 16% of Americans have earned money at some time through online gig platforms. This includes providing car rides, shopping for groceries, walking dogs, performing household tasks, running errands […]
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Providing a company car? Here’s how taxes are handled
December 23, 2021 / by Brett Hess / Newsletter, Small Business
The use of a company vehicle is a valuable fringe benefit for owners and employees of small businesses. This perk results in tax deductions for the employer as well as tax breaks for the owners and employees using the cars. (And of course, they get the nontax benefit of getting a company car.) Plus, current […]
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IRS announces adjustments to key retirement plan limits
December 1, 2021 / by Brett Hess / Deadlines, Newsletter, Small Business, Tax
In Notice 2021-61, the IRS recently announced 2022 cost-of-living adjustments to dollar limits and thresholds for qualified retirement plans. Here are some highlights: Elective deferrals. The annual limit on elective deferrals (employee contributions) will increase from $19,500 to $20,500 for 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plans, as well as for Salary Reduction Simplified Employee Pensions (SARSEPs). […]
Read more