What is ordinary and necessary?

If you’re a business owner, you may be able to deduct “ordinary and necessary” expenses related to keeping working animals. But the operative word here is “working,” for example, dogs that guard against illegal entry or cats that protect inventory from rodents. In general, such expenses as food, veterinary bills, pet insurance premiums and related […]

IRS reports advance in reducing paper filings

The IRS has reported a significant advance in reducing paper filings, part of its 10-year plan to improve service and upgrade technology. Its Document Upload Tool enables taxpayers to submit most documents electronically so long as they can provide their name; an access code or notice or letter number; and a Social Security or taxpayer […]

Do you owe estimated taxes? If so, when is the next one due?

Federal estimated tax payments are designed to ensure that certain individuals pay their fair share of taxes throughout the year. If you don’t have enough federal tax withheld from your paychecks and other payments, you may have to make estimated tax payments. This is the case if you receive interest, dividends, self-employment income, capital gains, […]

Living Overseas?

If you’re a U.S. citizen living or working abroad, you still must file a federal individual income tax return. Generally, IRS rules for filing income, estate and gift tax returns and paying estimated tax are the same for those residing abroad as for those in the United States. The United States taxes its citizens on […]

IRS disallows ERTC claims

The IRS recently mailed nearly 28,000 Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) claim disallowance letters to businesses. The National Taxpayer Advocate, Erin Collins, has provided guidance to taxpayers whose ERTC claims were disallowed. Collins said that, “Unfortunately, a number of the notices were not clear or did not include information on the businesses’ appeal rights. Taxpayers […]

Take charge of working capital management

Proactive working capital management is essential to successful business operations. However, on average, businesses aren’t managing their working capital as efficiently as they have in the past, according to a new study by The Hackett Group, a digital transformation and AI strategy consulting firm. The study found that all elements of the cash conversion cycle […]

Refundable versus Nonrefundable tax credits

Most of us welcome tax credits. But do you know the difference between a nonrefundable tax credit and a refundable tax credit? A nonrefundable tax credit reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar, but not below zero. For example, suppose you have a tax liability of $9,000 and qualify for a nonrefundable tax credit of […]

Happy Labor Day

“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” ― Thomas Jefferson Wishing you a happy and safe Labor Day!

Do you have to report bartering transactions to tax authorities?

Unused 529 plan funds can be rolled over

What do you do with leftovers? They may go to waste if you’re not careful. Suppose your leftovers are in the form of unused funds in a tax-advantaged Sec. 529 college savings plan for one of your kids or grandkids. When withdrawals aren’t used for qualified education expenses, the portion attributable to earnings generally will […]