Are taxes too high?

Are taxes too high? In a survey taken earlier this year, roughly two-thirds of people said “yes” when asked about federal, state sales and local property taxes. The survey was taken by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only about one-quarter of those polled […]

Beneficial Owner Reporting

Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), certain companies are required to provide information related to their “beneficial owners” (the individuals who ultimately own or control the company) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Failure to do so may result in civil or criminal penalties, or both. In late March, a U.S. District Court ruled that […]

Growing your business with a new partner: Here are some tax considerations

There are several financial and legal implications when adding a new partner to a partnership. Here’s an example to illustrate: You and your partners are planning to admit a new partner. The new partner will acquire a one-third interest in the partnership by making a cash contribution to the business. Assume that your basis in […]

An update on the American Families and Workers Act

The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act has been stalled in the Senate since January. (It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 357-70.) In recent remarks at a Tax Council Policy Institute meeting, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said Senate Republicans are inclined to wait […]

Cost of Fraud rising

The cost of business fraud is ramping up, said the Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). In its biannual report, the ACFE said the median fraud loss per incident rose in the last two years from $117,000 to $145,000. The good news is, more businesses have adopted fraud detection and prevention measures. The top methods […]

Pay attention to the tax rules if you turn a hobby into a business

Many people dream of turning a hobby into a regular business. Perhaps you enjoy boating and would like to open a charter fishing business. Or maybe you’d like to turn your sewing or photography skills into an income-producing business. You probably won’t have any tax headaches if your new business is profitable over a certain […]

Thinking of giving to a political campaign?

As this election year heats up, many of us want to financially support our candidates, but limits apply. Here are a few pointers from the Federal Election Commission (FEC): contributions to federal elections aren’t tax deductible. In 2024, individuals can donate up to $3,300 per federal election to a candidate committee (but cash contributions are […]

Living abroad?

U.S. citizens and resident aliens living abroad may have tax obligations, and there’s still time to file 2023 tax returns. For these individuals, worldwide income (including wages, unearned income and tips) is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where they live or earn income. They also have filing requirements. Taxpayers have an automatic two-month […]

It’s almost time for a midyear checkup on your company’s financial health

Interim financial reporting is essential to running a successful business. When reviewing midyear financial reports, however, you should recognize their potential shortcomings. These reports might not be as reliable as year-end financials, unless a CPA prepares them or performs agreed-upon procedures on specific accounts. Realize the diagnostic benefits Monthly, quarterly and midyear financial reports can […]

Innocent Spouse Relief

A married couple filing a joint tax return makes the spouses “jointly and severally” liable for the entire tax due. A joint filer may seek “innocent spouse” relief to avoid liability. In one case, an ex-wife was denied relief. She and her ex-husband managed rental properties. The tax deficiency arose from sources including unreported cancellation […]